Preschool Graduation!

McKay graduated from his first year of preschool in our co-op. It was a good year with a cute group of kids. The kids celebrated with a tropical themed swim party and BBQ. McKay became good friends with all the kids in his class and really enjoyed going twice a week. He is learning letter sounds and blending them together. He is also learning how to write his name. But, his strength seems to come with numbers. With a little help he can count to 100 and is always asking me to add numbers for him. In fact, he was given the Exceptional Number Knowledge award at his end of year party.

Flowers at the Temple

Once again this year we were able to take part in planting some flowers at the temple. This is the boys favorite activity of the year when they get to go and see the temple and help beautify the grounds. The pizza party with the ward afterwards is also a bonus!

Soccer Season

Carter going for the ball

Soccer season has come and gone and it was a cold one! Half of Carter's games had to be rescheduled due to snow or rain. At least it warmed up a little bit for his last game. Carter has been progressing in his soccer skills and is so proud when he makes a goal. He has really enjoyed soccer and we have even decided to enroll him in a mini soccer summer camp. The unstoppable award

In the fall McKay will also be starting soccer. Lamont is going to coach his team and it looks like he will have several of his friends on the team as well. He is very excited to start soccer and has already been practicing some soccer moves!McKay with his friends Jude and Kinley

Fathers and Sons Campout

We recently had the ward Fathers and Sons Campout. Even though it has been very warm during the days, it still got pretty cold - down in the low 30's - overnight. Carter and McKay had a great time and keep talking about going camping again - but next time bringing mommy along.

What a big boy!

Tanner is getting so big so quickly that I had to post these pictures. At eight weeks he went in for his wellness check and weighed 14 lb. 5 oz.!!! Yes, he is in the 95th percentile for his age. No, he doesn't miss any meals. He is such a sweet boy and is doing well sleeping through the night and can make it to 6-6:30am now, hooray! He is also so much more alert and is a smiley baby, although we have yet to really catch it on camera.

8 years!

Happy Anniversary! Here we are eight years and three boys later...it has been wonderful! I love you!

Party, Party, Party

Happy Birthday Carter! Carter turned 6 two weeks ago, but due to blizzard conditions his friend party was postponed until this past Friday. So, the celebration was stretched over two weeks.

We had a family party for Carter when everyone was in town for Tanner's blessing. This was our day to do cake and presents. It was fun to have so much family around to celebrate.


Round two was his actual birthday on April 14. After a minor setback of McKay locking me and himself out of the house with Tanner inside (the fire department had to come and break into the house for us) we headed to Carter's school to deliver cupcakes and celebrate with his Kindergarten class. Carter got to wear the birthday hat and everyone sang to him. Carter just loved it. I forgot to bring the camera, due to the stress of our "setback."

Round three came this past Friday and the weather decided to cooperate this time. We had a pirate party at the park. We did hot dogs, a pinata, and a scavenger hunt. Carter had a lot of fun with some school friends and some church friends.




It is hard to believe that Carter was so little like Tanner only six years ago. He is such a sweet, smart, and thoughtful boy and we love having him in our home.

An Easter Blessing

Tanner was blessed in church on Easter Sunday. It was such a nice day. We loved having so much family in town. My parents were here as well as my sisters Melanie and Megan, my brother Josh and his wife Kyle, and Lamont's brother Bennett and his wife Jenna. We had a great weekend at Carter's soccer game, bowling, playing games, and celebrating Carter's birthday.

On Sunday Lamont blessed Tanner in church. It was a beautiful priesthood blessing, and I am glad that my dad and our brothers were able to join him. I am also grateful that Lamont was able to do this for Tanner. Tanner wore the same blessing outfit that both Carter and McKay wore. Afterwards, we had a nice ham dinner together to celebrate Easter.

The Men (& boys)

Everyone who was at the blessing

Uncle Don, Aunt Susan and family came to join us for dinner.

The Bunny came!

Spring Break?!

We decided to stay home this year for spring break and take it easy. However, spring break felt more like winter break! I think this snowstorm was larger than any of our winter snowstorms. In fact, Carter's school was cancelled for TWO days due to all the snow, in addition to his week off. The good thing about a spring snowstorm is that it doesn't stick on the ground for very long. It also makes for great sledding weather once it has stopped snowing. The sun was shining and it was warm enough that I was getting pretty hot in my coat sledding down the hill. I guess if we want a warm spring break next year, we'll have to head to Texas or Florida!

My little snowman!
Tanner stayed snuggled in his carseat while we did a little sledding.




The boys had a blast!

African Animal Puppet Show!

Carter has recently been learning about Africa at school. They made many really cool African art projects - which we are still trying to find places of honor for at home - and he even learned some Swahili. His class put on a presentation about African animals for all the parents. Carter even had a memorized part about Crocodiles. The video is a song about an African Zebra. Great job Carter!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

3 weeks old already!

Tanner is already over three weeks old now. We have been very busy (hence the 3 weeks to get a video posted)! The recovery has been going great- the best one thus far. It was so wonderful to have both of our Moms in town to help. They were truly life savers and did so much; the whole family loved having them here.

Tanner is such a good little baby and only cries when he has to get his bath. That really wears him out! He is up once during the night on a good night and twice on a bad night; I am trying to catch up on some sleep. Carter and McKay love their little brother. McKay continually comments on how "tute" he is. We have loved having a baby in house again. Tanner is such a sweet baby and we are blessed to have him in our home.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The New Baby is Here!!

Tanner Cole Larsen was born yesterday at 8:30 am. Everything with the C-section went smoothly and both Melissa and Tanner are doing well. Although a week early, Tanner weighed a whopping 8 lbs, 4 oz., and is 20 3/4 inches long. The boys are of course thrilled and are such proud big brothers. Melissa's mom is also here which is a huge help. We feel so blessed and love to see our family continue to grow.