Friday, December 30, 2011

What I learned in 2011

Each year, for the past couple of years, I've looked back to see what insights I have gained over the last 12 months. Every day and situation is certainly a learning opportunity; it's up to me what I choose to do with it. Here are a few things I believe I've learned or had reinforced this year:

Giving and kind acts beget more giving and kind acts.

Sitting court-side in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open finals is very, very cool.

A great Buffett concert in a world landmark is worth flying 14 hours in Coach - and back 13 hours in 1st Class.  Over a weekend.

Spending time with our Danish relatives makes the world that much smaller.  And that much better.

There just might be a Jimmy Buffett lyric for every situation.

Good health and being pain-free can never be overrated.

If you don't A.S.K., you don't G.E.T when it comes to fundraising.

Stove top popcorn is still the best.

My family and friends are amazingly generous of time, spirit, love and resources.

Spending time with a 3 year old expands your imagination and makes you laugh a lot.

I love watching my nephew play water polo and win championships.

Being a good patient really does lead to faster recovery - do what the doctor says.

My husband is very, very funny and very sweet (okay, I knew that already).

Pathways to Independence has taken root in my heart.

Traveling in the Middle East is easier than it sounds and absolutely fascinating.

A Jeroboam isn't so hard to open.

FaceBook remains an excellent way to stay in touch, communicate and expand charitable works.

Paso Robles wine continues to impress, from Ecluse to Daou and I love going there, sharing it with friends.

Cancer is not fair.  It can strike an otherwise healthy, active, hiking and ice-dancing 76 year old and a lively, brilliant, bungee jumping, world traveling, 23 year old engineering student.

Winning awards is fun, especially when an iPad and a free vacation is included.

Adding fiber to your diet is important.

Not everything that happens needs to be posted on Facebook.

Friday assistants are important.

Always take the Bear Valley cutoff, don't go straight on the 18 to the 15. Ever.

John's Burgers has the best turkey burgers and Carino's in La Jolla is still the best (standard) pizza on the planet.

Love is a 3 year old in your arms who just melts into you.

10 years later, my memories of 9/11 can still bring me to tears.

There is always more to do.

We live close enough to the beach to hear the fog horns (that's what I'm hearing as I type).

Flossing daily is a good habit to get in to.

A grateful heart is a happy heart.

Being kind is always the best choice.

I am blessed, but that's another one I already knew...

Bring on 2012, I'm ready to learn more!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

A Year in the Life 2011

This is our holiday letter for the year, although with the overexposure on Facebook they are hardly needed anymore. Nevertheless, for those technically challenged or who just haven't had enough of the Larsons this year, here's the recap:

A Year in the Life 2011: Cameron and Katie Larson

Yes, even though we’re on Facebook and email, I’m still writing one of these letters. They are probably destined for a museum, but if you will indulge me, I’ll write this one and see where we are a year from now. Didn’t I say that last year?

January: The height of indulgence here – we fly to Sydney, Australia, to see Jimmy Buffett perform (for the 25th and 35th times) at the Sydney Opera House, introducing friends Peter and Elizabeth Horscroft to the Parrothead lifestyle. An amazing trip and concert. We also hosted Danish cousin Steffen and his friend Taus on their week stopover between New Zealand and Denmark.

February: Cameron gears up for a big project at work and one of us turns 54. We take in a Lakers game, with a UA customer. Cam’s dad celebrates his 90th birthday.

March: A trip to Atlanta for Katie to visit Stephanie Fager and a knee surgery. We demolish the hall bathroom. Niece McKenna Kimbell gets into the groove of spending Fridays with Aunt KK as her Friday assistant. Katie interviews for her job as United and Continental move closer in their merger and combine sales forces.

April: We celebrate 12 years of marriage with a Segway tour on the beach and a boat load of friends enjoying fine wine together. Katie gets in a quick work trip to New York and Cam is an integral part of the Gas Co. work on a Public Utilities Commission report. Katie signs on with the ‘new’ UA to continue her job. The family joins us at the Larson Lodge for Easter.

May: Vacation? Please! 4 days on the Big Island of Hawaii with a magical night time scuba dive with manta rays. The month ends with the United sales conference and Katie winning “Outstanding Sales Achievement” award which includes a trophy, extra vacation days, a vacation (flights and hotel) and an iPad.

June: Cam gets some golf in, work on our 2nd bathroom remodel continues. Jayne Schultz comes to visit and our house gets tented. Summer water polo season starts for Jackson.

July: Katie gears up for Pathways to Independence fundraiser work and makes a quick trip to Jackson, WY, to visit a new account. Hall bath completed after 4 months of work. We attend a few Dodger games (Dug Out Club) with United and Cameron hits his mid-50’s.

August: “Friday assistant”/niece McKenna turns 3 and the Danes are back again – Elin and Bjarne come to visit for a week and we celebrate cousin Dave Alpert’s 60th and Alperts’ 35th wedding anniversary with a party. Daughter Anna turns 26, living and working in the Washington, D.C. area; niece Christine is 30 and Katie heads back to Houston for more training with the new UA in 100+ degree weather.

September: Jackson turns 17 and high school water polo season starts. My dad is 79, still in good health. We escort UA customers to the Women’s Final of the US Open –courtside! - and we are in NYC for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Another Emmy Nominee reception where I ask ‘Claire Dunphy’ to please hand me a napkin. Stephanie Fager comes to visit and we take her to Paso Robles to celebrate her 50th birthday and enjoy the wine.

October: My mom turns 76 and the Pathways to Independence fundraiser raises $310K – the most ever. Son Eric turns 23 years old, living in Rochester, NY. We celebrate the engagement of cousin Darin and his bride-to-be, Alex, then Cameron and I embark on an amazing trip to Israel which included Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Eilat, scuba diving in Egypt and a day in Petra, Jordan. And 500+ photos to go through.

November: The big event this month was Jackson and his Wilson High water polo team winning the Division 2 CIF Championship. Very exciting and we’re all so proud of his achievements as he also maintains a 4.0+ GPA. Talented, smart and good looking – like his aunt. We attended a couple winning UCLA Bruin football games, as well as Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Kappa and Rieber Hall reunions. Debra Gurriere visited on her way to and from the Sigma Kappa reunion in Palm Springs.

December: For the second year we started the month with a trip to Austin to visit Jayne Schultz and Christian Wildfeuer. Jackson is awarded CIF Player of the Year, the highest athletic honor in high school sports. We host a customer at a UCLA basketball game one day, followed by hosting another the next day at the San Diego- Buffalo NFL football game. The 5th annual Holiday Hygge event is held at the Larson Lodge. We celebrate Christmas, again, in Long Beach, Orange, Placentia, San Dimas and Big Bear.

We look forward to an exciting 2012, with hopes for good health, good travels and good times with family and friends.
Cameron and I wish you all a healthy, happy, and love-filled 2012. See you on Facebook (Cameron Alan Larson and Katie Kimbell Larson) or email