Speaking Larsen

This year at the fair, we gorged ourselves on good food and made sure to do all the things we wanted, because the farm is slated to be sold in December. The kids have worked so hard to help break the heifers to lead. We drove out to the farm twice a day for weeks and weeks to teach Mel B, Hazelnut, Cocoa, Paige Turner, Red Pepper, Dancer, and Lil Red to lead to water. We had extra help at the fair, too. Alex Chandler, a return missionary who served here in Idaho Falls, came back to the area to go to school but she had exactly two weeks where she we never was free to help us on the dairy and at the fair.

While the boys are at the General Priesthood Session, we girls snuck in a photo of ourselves and spent the evening at Grandma Pack's. I milked the cows while they watched MOANA. And as I look at these girls, my heart overflows with a million smiles that are like bright stars, full of hope and promise. There is a weight I cannot describe that comes with it, too. I love being their mom and am grateful, every day, for their enduring strength, their positive attitudes, their sass, and their friendship. They're ridiculously beautiful, inside and out. In 20 years, I hope they're still my dearest friends and will snuggle me like they do now, because if this keeps up, they'll still be beautiful, inside and out, and I'll be beside myself on what a lucky woman I am to have them.

This girl's has got to stop growing up on us! She loves the ukulele and so we got her a purple one! She's kind and thoughtful and turning into the kind of young lady we've prayed for. She loves to babysit and be dramatic and silly. Right now, she's gearing up for a musical and we can't wait to watch her perform! She sure love the stage. She's hoping to take Drivers Ed soon, but we're happy to wait. Maybe a few more practice lessons out on the farm are in her future, though. We had a low key day (Sunday) and ate her favorite--Fruited Chicken Salad, a homemade dish created by Grandma Cindy. We had the Pack family over to open gifts, because she'd spent all of Saturday night at the Larsen's swimming in her new suit--thanks Grandpa and Grandma Larsen--and watching Moana, with a bunch of her friends. She is excited to be on Instagram, looking forward to summer, and pushing 5 foot 7. The stinker.

Well, Where do I even start with this post? Catelyn and Jocelyn came with me, and Dayvne Molifua, to Boise to watch the high school state championship games. Except they spent spent two days playing with friends, while I attended games. However, on day three, they came with me to the last game. And that's when something clicked for these two. They got into the game, cheering and yelling and hyped up. When the game ended in over time, BHS winning by two, we were thrilled! Cate asked me when the next games was. A part of me laughed at her so hard. I had to explain how Basketball scheduling and tournaments worked, all over again, how this game was it for these boys, and she seemed to get how all those times she told us NO about 'going to a game' what she'd been missing out on. Poor thing. I think next year, she'll be a Ball Junkie like me. At least, I hope so. And maybe Jo Jo will, too, since she loved watching the game as much as I did. Now, ...

The following photos weren't taken on January 31st, but that was the day Leena was born, so I'm back dating it a bit. Blaine and Paula welcomed Leena after months of waiting, and the whole family is excited to have another Pack baby in the family. Born after an 11 hour labor, Leena came into the world at 6 pounds and 15 ounces, and 20 inches long.

Remember when this happened? CLICK ON THIS LINK. Yeah, that was January of 2015. Seems like it's time to move on out of those braces, right? The Orthodontist and I thought so, too. So we surprised Cate at an appointment, and removed them! She was so excited to eat an apple, I think she consumed 2 years worth in a week. Happy January 31st!

We made an impromptu trip to SLC and Provo right after Thanksgiving. We spent time with Chad and Courtney and kids, and they played while I helped Courtney decorate her Christmas tree! Then we met up with Janelle and walked around a cute area of town. We found this funny Santa costume piece and laughed and had a really great time kicking off our holiday season!

As proof as to what kind of friendships come from a Musical, here is Tori and Megan, who attend Skyline High. If it hadn't been for a musical, we would've never met, and we wouldn't have become such wonderful friends. Catelyn has fallen in love with musicals and she was able to be in Rocky Mountain Middle School's performance of Pied Piper. It was absolutely darling and the kids did a fabulous job. We still laugh at it when ever Brooklyn imitates Catelyn doing the silent hand clapping game. Here is Brooklyn's Interpretation  The bonds created from doing a musical are so fabulous and it makes you a better person when you fully commit to doing a show. It might also make you crazy, but it's a wonderful kind of crazy.

A little temple trip to do baptisms for the dead. When Brooklyn asked Landon to do her dress up, it was the cutest thing. When they decide to play on my bed by reading. When they steal my phone and take selfies Moments like these make this Momma's heart pound a little harder. You kids are good kids and so precious to us and as the days fly by, I hope you know how much we love you.

Well, Catelyn's officially 13! Cute at a button, this girl keeps us on our toes and up at night. As a big surprise, we threw her a surprise birthday party! We locked the garage door, on our way out to "Family Dinner" and then claimed we forgot our wallets when we were halfway to Olive Garden--her choice.  Even the grandparents were in on it! We drove back to the house and when she couldn't get in, we told her to try the front door, just in case. And then BOOM! Surprise! She was shocked. Meanwhile, I went inside and Kyle took the kids out for a quick bite while Cate and her friends had a party! As a family, we opened presents at the church because we had a ward party to attend as well, and that's when Cate got her real sterling silver, opal and purple sapphire ring, a purse, and Facebook!

It's always a treat to have Grandma Betty in town. And today was no exception. We went out for Chinese and laughed and laughed. You cute grandkids sure make her happy.

Catelyn was in Peter Pan this fall, and she was cast as one of Tiger Lilly's Indians. SHE LOVED IT, to say the very least. I can not express how much she loved it.  There have been tears shed that it's over. Seriously. She had to get a spray-on tan, which was a first, and wear a black wig, which with her fair skin was a dramatic change, but with the whole costume, she looked the part. The dance was really fabulous to watch, too. She made plenty of friends, learned new music, memorized dance moves, and helped with set changes. Now that it's over, she's auditioning for Rocky Mountain's musical, and we're awaiting the results. This girl loves the stage and drama, and we love her for it.