Shrewsbury Faire in Oregon

Went to the Shrewsbury Faire in Oregon last weekend to get our Ren Faire fix.

A good time was had by all.

Then we drove up the Oregon Coast on our way home.

Vacation Update

I’m back in the world. Back in the saddle. Busy being sullied by the activities of Corporate America. And starting to blog again. Sorry if you missed me, but it was for a good cause: my mental health.

For a blissful week, the family and I were on vacation.
We went camping at a local State Park, to avoid spending petrodollars.
We got all set up in our folding trailer and then it rained all night.
But we were warm and dry with our puppies in the pup tent.
Spent some quality time talking with my girls.
Went walking by the lake.
Roasted marshmallows by the campfire.
Went fishing one day. Evelyn and I caught 32 fish (and released them all).
We even went to the movies and saw Tropic Thunder (juvenile but funny).
All in all a nice relaxing time.
The batteries are fully recharged.

Crazy Week, Great Graduation

Congratulations to my oldest daughter, Siona! She just graduated from high school.

She graduated in the top ten percent of the entire State of Washington! She's a smart kid and looks great in a cap and gown. We are very proud of her.

We had tons of friends and family over for a big party. Thanks to everyone who came. Thanks to those who didn't, but sent cards or phoned. It was a crazy week, full of family activities (and that explains why I haven't been online lately).

Take a bow Siona. You did good!

Congrats to Siona

Congratulations to Siona, she just turned 18.

Maybe I should be congratulating her mom instead?

Siona is a great kid. I'm sure she will be a great adult as well.

Congrats Evelyn

Congratulations to Evelyn on her best month ever as a Certified Real Estate Appraiser!

You rock Ev. Even the dogs are smiling!

Happy Birthday to Chani

Hey, it's Chani's birthday on the 25th. She is a teenager now.

But still fun to hang around with.

Love ya, Chan-Chan.

Happy New Year

The holidays were grand.

I completely enjoyed spending time with my kids, Siona and Chani, and my wife, Evelyn.

They are the reason that I go to work in the first place.

2008 means back to work, big projects and tight deadlines.

The work is exciting.

But my family gives it all meaning.

Peace and Love for the New Year

to all my family, near and far.

Ren Faire 2007 Pictures 1

Chani of Sherwood.
Lady Evelyn.
Courtly Love. There is nothing like kissing a man in a kilt (so I am told).
Siona Greycloak.

Took the family to the Washington Renaissance Faire in Purdy.

Drove across the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Had a great time.

Took lots of pictures.

Wedding Bells

My Dad got married today. I wish Claire and Carol every happiness in their life together.

But I think my girls were probably the prettiest of the wedding bells in attendance.

Thanks to my brother Ronnie and his iPhone for the pictures.

Everyday Saints

The Larsen’s had a family reunion at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch in Southern Utah. The “cabin” was a 1.5 million dollar house, but the backdrop of Zion National Park was gorgeous. My dad organized everything and all four of his kids were there, Me, Kathrine, Ronnie and Debbie. And all of our kids were there, Natasha, Terra, Siona, Chani and Sasha. Ronnie brought his significant other, Caryn. And the focus of much attention was Dad’s new fiancé, Carol, who was brave enough to brave all of us.

First off, I love my family. But it was not by accident that I moved a thousand miles away from them. The event drew us all together but if it had lasted one day longer it might have gotten ugly. It was nice to see everybody, but our family brings its own special brand of tension and there were a few flare ups.

The Ranch house was great. The resort had a fantastic pool. And there was a hot tub on the deck. The Utah desert was dry and hot.

Carol was nice. And Carol and Dad seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company. They are getting married in August, and I wish them all the best, and hope they make a happy couple. My brother doesn’t think the wedding is a good idea, and made his opinion abundantly clear.

It was strange having all of us together without Mom. This is the first time we have all been together since the funeral a year-and-a-half ago. I was curious going in to see if the dynamics would change without Mom. But things go on, pretty much the same. The rest of us are the same, we just miss Mom now.

I think I prefer my relatives in smaller portions, one or two of them at a time. All together we are not good for each other no matter how much we love each other. Don’t get me wrong, nothing tragic happened; no horrible scenes were acted out. We had as good a family reunion as you could expect from my family, and I am grateful for that. But in the end, I think we all disappoint each other in various ways. And I for one do not know how to overcome that.

It is good to be back home, and a thousand miles away, with my wife and children who are to me the best family in the world. Everyone in my extended family is welcome to come and visit us up here in the Great Northwest, one or two of you at a time, please. Or call us on the phone anytime. We love you and want to stay in touch. I just don't want to live in one big house.

Remembering the Memorial Day Weekend

I had a busy and varied Memorial Day Weekend.
Took Friday off from work and went fishing with the family.
Spent Saturday demolishing an old fence and putting up a new one. Afterwards I was very glad that I do not build fences for a living.
Sunday we cleaned house and did the grocery shopping.
Monday we got the dogs washed and did our patriotic duty and threw money at Pirates of the Caribbean III. It was better than the second one, but I hope they will stop now.
Spent a lot of time joking around with my kids.
Bought a DVD of The Fountain, but I have not watched it yet.
And I talked to my brother and my dad about Dad’s upcoming wedding.
All in all, a good holiday weekend. The dogs smell nice and I’m ready to go back to work.

Too Cool for School

My daughter Chani is too cool.

She is a Student of the Month at Arlington Middle School.

She accepted her reward in a leather racing jacket.

Chani is my hero.

An Open Letter to Ronnie

Thanks for picture of Dad and his new fiancé. Dad sent me some pictures too. I’m glad Carol is nice and I’m glad Dad has someone he can talk to, laugh with and share his time with. Yes, it is weird seeing our Dad with another woman. But I guess we all just have to move past that weirdness and wish them both well.

I’m used to being the “ultra-liberal” of the family. I don’t see it that way. I think this whole “liberal/conservative” split is pretty artificial—it’s like the rivalries between American Idol contestants. Here in Washington State I am surrounded by as many born again republicans as there are in Bakersfield. Seattle is fairly liberal, but I don’t live in Seattle. Just like San Francisco is liberal, but Bakersfield is not San Francisco.

I’m 43, Jimmy Dean. James Dean. Rock On…