Kai's Cake

What does some frosting,

a few cake mixes,

and a little elbow grease get you?

Kai's 6th Birthday Cake.

Its not exactly the same one as I posted the other day - but I am sure she will appreciate it!

Happy Birthday Kai!

Grateful.

Don't you love spring.

Today I am grateful for the change in the weather that allows my kids to be outside more.

I am grateful for their laughter.

I am grateful for others that inspire me to do more and be more.

Someday, if I keep working, I may get there.

Maya Moore (UConn basketball great) was picked #1 in the WNBA draft the other day. When asked how she thought she could help her new team get better....she answered (I'm paraphrasing) - You are either the kind of person that is bringing people down or lifting people up. I want to be a person that lifts people up.

I just passed over the quote, but my husband said - "Wow."

So, after thinking about it a little, I agree.

Wow.

Here's Kai's pick for a birthday cake. I have been working on it today. We will see how close I get:

Not a Fan

Servicing or Soliciting?

Today while I was getting the twins on the potty and ready for a nap, the doorbell rings. 2 guys in DirecTV jackets were at the door. They said they were "servicing" in the area. They asked if I still was with Qwest, etc, etc. I said that I was busy trying to get my twins down for a nap and I also pointed to the "No Soliciting" sign.

The guy - I call him a guy, because truly he looked not a day older than 16 - sarcastically remarked that that is why they said that they were "servicing" in the area. I guess the new word for Soliciting is Servicing. I wanted to ask them if they were actually selling something. But half-naked Dane ran downstairs as they walked away. Charming.

Getting Closer

Our Office....

Still need the countertop and the trim....but -

We have the wood floor in.

Last Saturday, Brett was planning on installing our new Brazilian Walnut Floor in the office.

It was our Stake's Temple Day and I really wanted to go - but I needed to get the kids out of the house so he could install the floor.

Luckily some very dear friends sacrificed several hours on their Saturday and watched the kids so I could go to the temple and Brett could do the floor.

This is the result.

I'm loving it right now. We are going to wait a month to allow the wood to settle, and then adjust in color as it is exposed to light. Then we will sand & seal it, replace the baseboards - or paint the walls. Haven't decided on that yet.

Just a note - I really love my husband.

The twins walk around the house and point to all the work he has done and say "Daddy made that."

Cabin Trip

~HAPPY SPRING BREAK~

Here are our Larsen Girls.

Kai & Lainey

Lainey looks sweet, innocent and quiet....

Don't let her fool you.

She's always got something to say.

Hey this is a big household and if you don't speak up - we might miss what you said.

LARSEN FAMILY SPRING BREAK TRIP TO THE CABIN

Here are the TOP 10 things to LOVE about the CABIN

#1 - We have dirt at home but at the Cabin its way more fun.

#2 - Racing Up Hill a dozen times is better than watching TV when you are at the cabin.

#3 - Its easier to smile at the cabin.

#4 - Its okay if you forget your toothbrush at the cabin. Chewing on bark does the same job.

#5 - You get to take pictures on the same steps that your Grandma Larsen took pictures on as a kid. Sharing some family history at the cabin.

#6 - A "Kine-cone" collection is a status symbol.

#7 Sticks are considered "Black Gold" and are the currency in trade at the cabin.

#8 Even if you left your packed bag in your room at home and you have been living in the same clothes (including underwear) at the cabin for 3 straight days - you'll still be loved.

(Cody didn't complain once even though I knew he was cold without pants or a sweatshirt)

#9 Life is good at the Cabin.

#10 You get to see stuff like this when you are at the cabin.

Here was our Day Trip to Garden of the Gods.

This was so much fun for us and the kids. They just scrambled up and through everything.

Brett & I were scrambling up after them to keep them from falling off cliffs.

Brett with Lainey asleep in the backpack and me with the camera.

Dane kept climbing and saying - "higher, higher."

Of course, when he says it, it sounds more like "high-uh, high-uh"

Ben was just happy to be there.

Best of all it was free and it wore them all out.

Nice pose Kai. Its her interpretation of a ballerina climbing.

All in all it was a beautiful day!

No one was placed on the injured reserve, but we did suffer a double bleeder (Dane) when he refused help from Cody while attempting to jump off of something.

Too Bad, so Sad.

Don't worry - he lived to feed the Giraffes at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Less pics but just as much fun.

Thanks P&R for the great opportunity. I just was so impressed with the new cabin. It is beautiful and you guys thought of everything!

Love you.

And Now...

The Auspicious Zach Elementary School Talent Show

PRESENTS

Cody Larsen & Luke Atkinson

as

THE BLUES BROTHERS'

in their original rendition of

SOUL MAN

(Scroll slowly around the red line at the bottom of the screen until you see a hand icon, then double click)

Cody (dark pants) has been begging us to let him do a dance for the school talent show for 2 years. We told him that he couldn't do a dance unless he repeated the moves each time the same way (ie: Choreography). He finally found a way around our rules.

I have to say that Cody reminds me of my brother Mike a lot. The man who came up from the "depths of society."

Here is Mike at my wedding.

Thanks Shannon for the idea. It was definitely worth the 2 minutes on stage and it made my day.

Up To My Elbows

Poor Cow

This is Dane's favorite animal & his second best friend (next to his twin). Dane pretends to feed him and treats him like one of the family. In case you are wondering why he is red all over......

Well we have been up to our elbows in vomit for the last few days.

Poor Cowie seems to take the brunt of it.

Between the vomiting twins and a "stubborn-I-refuse-to-sleep-when-you-want-me-to" darling little baby, Brett and I are just about done being parents.

Last night was bad enough but I thought Dane was done - through with it. Then he threw up again. Just after we started the 4th or 5th load of laundry due to sickness and gave Dane a bath - Lainey decided to get in on the action.

Here's me saying - there must be better days on the horizon. I believe it. There must.