Family Weekend 2010~!

Here's a pic of my girls!
Brandi, Willow, and Cindy.

Family Weekend 2010 came and went.
We had a big tropical party in our room, and drank some rum punch!

Great to see everyone, see you next year!

Ski Cold Smoke!

My winter vacation is coming up soon! Ski Montana 2010 is almost here. I can almost smell the fresh mountain air! My old friend Clint will be joining me on the slopes after quite a few years hiatus. Now all we can hope for is some fresh powder so we can get in some 'first tracks' on the mountain! Clint, I'll see you at the airport in Billings!

Now this is skiing Bridger's "Cold Smoke!"

We've had some good times at Bridger Bowl! My absolute favorite area is the South Bowl and the lower Fingers when there is fresh powder on the mountain. There's a blue beacon on top of the Baxter Hotel in Bozeman. When it's flaring, it means there's snow falling at Bridger Bowl...and the race to the mountain begins at first light in the morning!

Christmas Jammies!

A new Christmas tradition was brainstormed by Cindy this year. Matching or color coordinated pajamas! 

Pictured are Pete, Cindy, Peter J, Brandi, & Brandon. 

Since Willow couldn't celebrate Christmas with us, we took a photo with her a couple days later.

10 Days until Christmas! Please donate!

Only 1o more days until Christmas. Please, stop by my virtual RED KETTLE and make a small donation to The Salvation Army. Thanks very much, and Merry Christmas!

PS...I posted a new link on my blog page. ;-)

Please help me help The Salvation Army!

Banner Ad for Red Kettle

Please help me by donating to The Salvation Army this season. The Salvation Army is my favorite charity. They offer help and hope to EVERYONE! From the victims of disaster, addiction and homelessness to youth, families and senior citizens. Thank you for your support!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all family and friends a very happy Thanksgiving holiday! Missed being with the whole family this year! On a related note:  I'm trying to set up a FAMILY WEEKEND for February 2010 now. Stand by for further details.

Happy Halloween!

Wishing everyone a fun and safe Halloween! Been watching scary movies all month, and topped them off today with a trip to the theater to see "Paranormal Activity". Good movie, but certainly not the scariest movie I've ever seen. Good evening!

Willow and I carving pumpkins this year:

New Telescope!

I was bitten by the astronomy bug well over 30 years ago. My brother Eric got a refractor telescope for Christmas when we were kids. I'll never forget my first look at Saturn's rings through that scope! That scope was his prized possession...and he wasn't big on sharing. I used to sneak it outside when he wasn't around...and try my luck at finding planets.

A few years back...I finally got my own telescope. It was a Bushnell 4.5" reflector. I have used this trusty scope for many years...but decided I needed more. I sold that telescope, and moved up to a new Meade LightBridge 10" Dobsonian Deluxe. It will be delivered soon! 

Labor Day Weekend!

We had a great time at the lake over the Labor Day weekend. We were joined by Tammy & Marty, and had a relaxing time. We chilled by the lake at Polk County Park all day Sunday for a picnic and some Jet Skiing. The weather was nice, although a bit breezy. "The Sandbar" was packed, as it's the last weekend at the lake for many...and the celebration commenced.  Brandi and Brandon stopped in to say hello on their way through as well. A nice weekend to close out our summer, as we will probably winterize very soon.

Weekend at the lake

We had some visitors join us at Maple Lake last weekend! We hosted Dirk, Holly, and Jana Kienzle! Thanks so much for coming...we had a blast! Willow joined us as well, and had a great time with Uncle Dirk!

Random Pics from Summer Vacation 2009

Cindy and I spent a week at our "Larson-ritaville" retreat at Maple Lake to start off the vacay. We then headed down to Coon Rapids, MN to pick up our Grand daughter Willow. We took her to the zoo, fair, parade, and to a family pool for some swimming. We stayed at G G's house in Pine City, where Willow got to watch a deer (fawn) milling around the place. She loved seeing the farm animals and the rides at the PC Fair. She even talked me into going on the Carousel and Giant Slide with her. She had a great time at Jeremy & Jenny's too. She got to swim in their indoor swimming pool, and play with her cousins. It was a fun week.


A visit to G G's house. Here is Willow with her Great Grandma Larson. She really doesn't like her picture taken anymore....can you tell?

A visit to Jeremy & Jenny's in MN. Pictured are Samantha Lindman, Cindy Larson, Kaley Larson, Jeremy Lindman, and Jennifer Lindman.

Pine City Fair and Parade: Here is Willow and her cousin Lauren Steltz on the curb waiting for some candy.

A fashion show! Here's Willow, Lauren, and Ella putting on a dress-up show for us at G G's. (Great Grandmas)

Those smiles say it all....FUN! The girls had a great time together.

Here's Pete and Willow hangin' out in the upper loft at G G's place.

A visit to Como Park Zoo, here's Willow & Cindy watching the Orangatans.

Having Fun at Work

We took a couple cars, smashed them up and lit them on fire.

It's a mock-car accident drill.

Here's a picture of me on the ground, taking care of an ejected patient in a field.

Using the Jaws of Life to extract a patient.