Friday, December 18, 2009

Christmas Newsletter

Seasons Greetings all!
We in the Larson household hope this letter finds you well. Reflecting back on 2009 it must be said that overall it has been a pretty eventful year for us. It started out slowly, as we waited with great anticipation for our first child to be born. But, eventually, the snow melted and with spring arrived Liam Evan Ryker Larson.
Our newest addition to the family was born on May 11th, 2009. We call him a Mother’s Day baby because I went into labor on Mother’s Day and we didn’t sleep until he was born. He showed up a day before our 2nd wedding anniversary. Needless to say, we didn’t do much to celebrate except sleep!
The summer months brought adventures. In addition to learning how to be new parents we journeyed near and far, with baby in tow. We discovered that Liam was the perfect traveler. About two weeks after he was born, a dear friend came to visit us all the way from Georgia. In the week she was here we went to the Bagby hot springs in the Mt. Hood National Forest and went to the Oregon Coast.
In June, we made our way to Ocean Shores, Washington to visit Sasa and Granddad(Liz’s parents). Liam attended his first parade and took his first canoe ride. Both of which he slept through.



Then, over Father’s Day weekend (Evan’s first) we went on a very special camping trip to the Redwoods in California. Grandpa Robin (Evan’s dad) was able to accompany us on that trip and we all had a wonderful time.
In July we attended the 95th Birthday celebration of Liam’s Great-Great Grandma Yoder. It was a fun day and we got some great generational pictures.
Also, in July we held Liam’s dedication ceremony at church.



During the hot summer months, (especially those days hitting over 100 degrees) we spent many afternoons down at the river staying cool until the sun went down. BBQ for dinner was often the case with friends and family coming over to hang out on the porch because it was just too hot inside!


For Evan’s 29th birthday we held a surprise pirate party. He had no idea and it was great fun to see his face when he walked in and everyone was dressed up.
After three months off work, I returned two days a week. It has been nice to get out of the house and have a little adult time. I appreciate my baby more and have more fun with him when I am home.
Evan has been working hard at Gunderson. He recently started a course which will allow him to take a national test and become a certified weld supervisor. I am very proud of him, taking on every new challenge as it has come along. Gunderson is currently working on the largest barge they have ever built since restarting the Marine Department in 1992. It is a hopper barge. Basically, it is like a giant double-hulled bathtub that will be filled with coal. It will take up the entire launchway (480 feet) when it is completed. We are looking forward to seeing it launched sometime in January. It will be quite a splash!
We recently started the long and complicated process of going to Papua New Guinea (PNG). As many of you know, we are planning on serving there for a period of four years, coming back to the states after that for a one year furlough. We are currently in the middle of the application process to become members of Wycliffe Bible Translators. We will be living in the town of Ukarumpa. Evan will be working in the machine shop there, basically maintaining and fixing anything mechanical. He will also be teaching national employees auto mechanics and welding. I will be a housewife and mom, not being assigned a permanent position until our child/ren (we hope to have more while in PNG) are in school. We are hoping to be able to leave for PNG by fall of 2010. However, with the many, many loose ends that must be tied we are just taking the process one day at a time.

As 2009 draws to a close, we look back on the year with fondness and joy at all the triumphs and goodness God has brought into our lives over the last 12 months. We are looking forward to celebrating Liam’s first snow and his first Christmas. We are also excited to see what new adventures God will bring our way in 2010.
Here’s wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday season,The Larsons (Evan, Liz, and Liam)
PS The pictures wouldn't upload...if you want the picture version I can e-mail you.