Speaking Larsen

Squirrel, Tea Cup, Cake Plate, Jasmine, Alice in Wonderland Butterfly/Caterpillar, and an UmpaLoompa The kids and I were asked to show off some costumes that a friend of ours made over the years for the IFYAC and we were happy to do it! We brought Emery along and had a great time walking up on to stage, modeling, and then walking off stage. Why not get dressed up like it's Halloween in February?

Jocelyn's baptism day fell on Valentines Day's. We had a crazy weekend, but everything went really smoothly, all things considered, and she was thrilled to be baptized! She kept saying, "Mom, I am just so happy." One of the funniest things about her baptism was that she wanted Kyle to hold her under the water for a full ten seconds. He didn't count to ten, but he did hold her under much longer than most other Kyle baptized and confirmed her and then we went to Pizza Pie Cafe for lunch.  After words we went to Mac and Kelly's to relax and had a little Valentine exchange. All the cousins were together and they had a blast! Lynn and Cindy gave her white shoes, a pearl necklace and bracelet with hearts, and her baptismal Barbie doll accompanied with a bookmark about Three White Dresses. Mac and Kelly gave her a super cute purple scripture case and scriptures. Mom and Dad--me and Kyle-- gave her a white dress, headband, and a silly little stuffe...

We had a Saturday free, and Kyle and I jumped at the chance to take the kids to see a HUGE farm. Jordan Leak is a friend of ours and he manages a farm so large they have a parking lot. Here are some rough numbers that I picked up along the way. 30K milk cows 400 employees 100 calves born a day 8 milk barns, milking 100 at at time, 50 on each side 3 Christmas parties 2 full-time vets We had a blast touring this farm. My kids may not remember it, or really care, but it was amazing to show them how big some farms are. The Milk Vat and Tanks The Milking Barn (It was loud) One lone Jersey, a show cow, friendly as ever Quarter mile barns. And there's eight of them. Chatting about cows, serving as bishops, and how the farm/factory works Kyle and Jordan, Mission buddies

Landon's birthday. Thankfully his memory of it is probably better than mine--in that he was a little clueless as to how bad it was. I didn't make cake. Just wasn't an option. We sold the house on January 30th, and the buyers wanted the inspection as soon as possible, which landed on Landon's birthday. We were to be gone for four hours while they did the inspection. The minute our Realtor, and dear friend, Matt heard the news, he texted me and told me not to worry about making a cake for the party. Garrett, Hunter, and Kaden At Matt's, with the boys and Matt's son Isaac. I moved the party to Maverick, where I bought the boys a F'Real Milk Shake. They thought that was awesome. (Whew!) When we were done, Matt called and told us to come over. He had made cupcakes for Landon and invited us to hang out there until we could go home. The boys had a blast eating their treats and opening presents there. After a while of messing around--boys ...

It's your birthday! We can't believe you're eight year old, either! It's crazy. You're getting so big and all. As we prepare for your baptism (Valentine's day!) we're also in the crazy mists of moving out of our house. Brooklyn was so excited for you! She did the streamers! I want you to know that if it seems like mom and dad are distracted over the next few weeks, it's not because we aren't focused on this special time in your life. We're just overwhelmed with all we need to do. So, please know, that we are super duper proud of you and couldn't be happier with your descion to be baptized. We think it's darn cute that you get to be baptized on such a sweet holiday--because you're so sweet!  It's like you and Valentine's day were made for each other. We're excited to take you out to lunch at Pizza Pie Cafe, too. And to have a little Valentine Party after that. It's going to be exciting and busy crazy to ha...

Yesterday after school, I snagged Jocelyn and we went and tried on white dresses. Her eyes immediately went to one that she wanted to try on, and as we washed her hands so that we could touch the white dresses, and as I watched her excitement, a huge bubble of anxiety swelled within me. I know its just her baptism day, but I couldn't help flash forward 12 to 15 years from now and imagine this happening again. Picking out a white dress for a wedding. I remembering I went to the same thing with Catelyn. I just hadn't anticipated it happening again. I should have. I guess I'll prepare to repeat the emotional roller coaster in two years--when its Brooklyn's turn. I think we ate tried on a dozen dresses, but I only took photos of a few. We were there for an hour, but I told her she didn't get to pick out the dress. That's because it's a birthday present and we want to "surprise" her a little bit. I asked her to give me her top favorites and it w...

Landon's really enjoying school. Which makes me happy. He's doing really well, too. He brought me a stack of papers and asked me, very seriously, "mom, will you look at these." I'm sad to report that I nodded, said, "Sure, honey. Just put them on the counter. I'll get to them." We were in a rush to get everyone out the door for school I know I'm not the only mom who's done this. He did as I told him, and then they were gone. I got to work on the kitchen. I looked through the papers. I wish I could go back in time, and look at those papers with his face beaming up at me. Every single one of them had 100% on them, with the exception of 2. Those had a minus one (-1) on them. Dang kid. He's smart and I should've hugged him and told him right then-and-there how awesome he was. How proud of him I am. Thankfully, he'll be home from school in 20 minutes, and I can do that. The moment isn't lost to us forever. Look at those...