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:

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.