HIATUS

Hello Strangers.  It has been too long.  No good reason for the hiatus.  Catch up?  No chance.  We are better off starting where we are.

CODY'S FIRST FOURTEENER

Pike's Peak

Parking Lot.

On his way up the mountain.
Cody had all his stuff packed, but then thought he wouldn't need a sweatshirt.

Here is Cody at the top of Pike's Peak wrapped in his tarp.
The top is always cold....even in winter.
Real survival skills.

 OTHER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

 Took a drive up the Poudre one night as a scout requirement and a little family entertainment.  Everything that could go wrong did - as far as driving, finding a place, etc.  Once we got there, we had fun.  Plus, Cody passed off the scout things that he needed.

Ben looking for rocks to throw.

Dane with his cheesy grin.  He looks a lot like his dad here.

Everyone actually looking in the direction of the camera.  Crazy.

The Girls.

Lainey - showing her skills.....and wearing her s'mores on her face.  More on her later.....

DOES OUR GARDEN GROW?

At least the carrots are growing - Dane checked to make sure.

 He also felt it was appropriate to taste test the produce.

 Ben still trying to understand where the carrot actually came from.

LAINEY'S LAUGHS

Bad hair day?  No.  Just taking after dad.

"It is my dream to work at Krispy Kreme."

Funny story.  The kids stopped at KrispyKreme before they came to watch me race in a half marathon this summer.
Cody and Kai ran the last 100 meters with me.  3 seconds after we crossed the finish line they just started talking about this special doughnut place and how you could see the doughnuts being made.  They waited 3 hours to tell me and they couldn't wait any more.
Of course, I wasn't breathing too good at this time so I am sure they were disappointed that I wasn't as enthusiastic.
There is something special about KrispyKreme.....they will never forget it.

The hair never quits.

She is a fun baby - 14 months old and just finding her way.

Cheers everyone.  Have a great week!

Recital Video

Finally got the video up. Kai is the 3rd girl from the left in the Back Row.

Kai's Ballet Recital

Kai, Kai the Butterfly

This year's Ballet Recital was about your "Lifesong".

Kai takes ballet from an amazing teacher at a church close to our house. She always tries to teach them something that has to do with Christianity along with dance.

If you love these tutus like I do - check out Petite Street Tutus here.

They are amazing.

This is Miss Gay - Kai's Teacher.

And this is the real reason Kai was so excited about the recital......cookies afterward.

She ran down to the treats before she could even say thanks to Grandma for coming.

Happy Easter

Finished Kai's Dress in the nick of time. Thanks to my mom. Its my 4th dress and I still need my mom as a consultant. Steep learning curve.

We had a special Easter Bunny this year. We usually ask the Easter Bunny to visit other families and Brett & I do our own thing. Someone else told the Easter Bunny to visit our house this year. Thanks E.B. Kids were surprised!

See how surprised Kai is....she doesn't know what to do. Unusual expression for Kai.

She recovered quickly.

Got to visit Aunt Amy & Uncle Shane's new house with all the cousins.

Loads of fun for us and the kids.

Our thoughts were with Pam and Randy this Easter, though. Lots of prayers and virtual hugs going your way. We love you.

Here's to Family

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER

The last time I got to see all of my immediate family was in 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The twins were 1 year old and we drove 30 hours to get there and 30 to get back.

I don't get to see any of my family nearly enough and my mother travels the globe just to give relief to all of us.

So when we got the opportunity to see my brother and his family plus my sister and my parents and grandparents - I couldn't resist. Plus it was only a 7 hour drive one way.

Totally worth it.

Me, my sister, Laura and her friend Misty. Yeah - my sister rocks. She ran a marathon on Saturday and let me join for a (very) short stint.

We had fun cheering on the runners at the finish line. Ben and Dane cheered the most

"GOOD JOB RUNN-AHS".

Mike & Janet with Levi, Jed and Joshua.

Of course, Jed and Kai are buds. They are only a few months apart. It made Kai's birthday to hang with her cousin, Jed. I love how Jed reminds me of Ralph Machio in this picture - "Dan - would you look at those palm trees? Do you know what that means?" " Yeah, watch out for falling coconuts."

Sorry - family joke.

Okay, love the smile with the tear still wet on Dane's cheek. The German's have a saying that I love - "Typisch" - that is typisch of the twins.....smiling and crying all at the same time.

Frank(Laura's Main Squeeze) Dane, Jed, Ben and Laura

My mom, Laura, Mike & Frank were nice enough to entertain the kids so Janet and I could watch Music & the Spoken Word in the tabernacle.

All I can say is thank you. The best 45 minutes ever - mostly because I could sit in peace and quiet, but also because the MoTab Choir is awesome live.

Meanwhile, Mom took some pics.....

Levi, Lainey & Josh

Brett & Cody had to miss this trip - so here is us representing the Larsens.

Ben is on the left.....just to check if you can tell them apart.

Laura & Mom

Janet & Levi

Levi is the cutest, sweetest, most content baby. Love his big cheeks and his cute grin!

Cousins getting together. Someone asked if Levi and Lainey were twins. Classic.

Jed taking charge of the crew.

I don't think Ben is teething. I know Lainey is....maybe its just a Larsen trait?

The coolest kids on the block.

Levi & Jed - they look like they were meant to be brothers all along.

Beautiful Brown Eyed Boys.

My Grandma and Grandpa Smith were nice enough to come and visit us before we left. Aren't they great? Pretty suave too. Truth be told, this is probably the last pic we took of the kids. They were done with pictures.

Here's everyone - including my dad who was able to take an hour or so off of being at the hospital to come and have dinner with us.

Janet's mom and dad - they live in the same building - what a blessing that was.

Thanks to Bob and Marian for dinner and such abundant hospitality.

This trip wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for my mom, who flew out and drove with us. It was so worth it and we had such a great time.

Lainey and Grandma

Family makes it ALL worth it.

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: