proud mom

Porter gave his first talk in sacrament meeting today on the atonement and the sacrament. He wrote it all by himself and did a great job. What a wonderful young man he is.

produce

The kids helped Laun with the garden. Porter has especially done a lot of work, so it was exciting to get our first zucchini and some potatoes!

We took the kids to pick some more cherries. I mean, how can you say no to cherries for $1 a pound?

Luckily, there was a lot of low branches that Carter could reach. He really liked picking.

Beautiful- too bad I didn’t get a picture of all the cherries everyone picked.

Laun and I got a bucket, but the Larsen’s really out did themselves. They picked 57 pounds!

34

My 34th birthday is today!

Carter’s smiles are the best!

My best friend Julie was conveniently in town from Colorado, so she took me out for breakfast. We had french toast at Kneaders. It was so great to chat, kid free and uninterrupted!

Then Laun left for meetings and the rest of us piled in the Tahoe and went out for the day.

First, we stopped by the hospital to see Grandma Black, who broke her arm. She was in good spirits and happy for visitors, especially the Larsen's who live out of state. Aunt Cherri was there, so we got to visit with her, too.

Then we went to Salt Lake. We ate lunch at the food court and the kids loved seeing (catching) the fish at the outdoor mall.

We went to the Church History Museum. Carter loves the kid area and the 6 minute video on a wrap around screen, of Joseph Smith’s first vision (go see it, if you haven’t already).

He barely got a nap today, so he was out on the way home and then just slept in my arms.

The kids had pizza, while the adults went out to the Trolley for my birthday meal. With my growing belly, Laun and I just shared a meal, I can only fit so much food in there at a time.

We had no cake and ice cream. Sad I know, but I’m not allowed to have dessert for the rest of my pregnancy (barely passed my glucose test), so you better believe I’m having a birthday dessert after this baby girl is born! Laun told me we would make up for it.

We ended the night with sparklers and pop rocks and other noisy stuff that kids love.

How fun to have some great people in town on my birthday!

out and about

Carter loves going to the library, he especially loves to take the elevator and jump and hang from the hand rails. He might like that just as much as checking out a bunch of kid books.

The Larsen crew came to town (besides John John who is on a mission). They came at the perfect time, cherry season. Tonight, just the adults went to Payson and picked cherries for only a $1 a pound! I think we got around 17 pounds. The kids were happy to have plenty to eat.

haircuts, jet rides & kindles

I’ve had a hard time finding someone to cut hair since we’ve moved to Utah. Today we went to this lady’s house in Springville for haircuts and we were all so happy with her work, that we will for sure go back. Plus, she only charges $10 for haircuts.

4 fresh haircuts for only $40!

What is it about pregnancy that makes you want to chop your hair off? I loose a lot of hair when the baby comes, so I might as well cut a bunch off now.

We were all so happy that Laun came back from his work trip (and I was grateful I didn’t go into labor with him out of town). He got to fly in a company’s private jet, rough day.

Laun told the kids if they would read 4 long books and write book reports for them, all in the month of June, then he would buy them kindles. Well, Marlee and Porter got right to it (they had plenty of time, since they got grounded from playing with friends for a couple weeks for fighting with each other) and today their kindles came in the mail. It most have motivated Clayton, because he went and finished his last book this week and started working on his book reports.

Marlee was so excited to download apps and watch Jessie on her new kindle that she worked so hard to earn.

20 days

It’s only 20 days until baby girls due date- crazy! I lost 2 pounds in 1 week, thanks to the whole no eating desserts for the rest of your pregnancy. I love this phase when your belly is tight and big, I think it’s cute. It doesn’t always feel cute, but it looks cute. And that pile of stuff on my counter is my hospital bag, I’m all ready to go!

This angle cracks me up, it makes me look massive. I love snuggles and reading time with Carter.

obsessed

Now that Porter is 12, the soccer club has them use a size 5 ball (instead of 4). I’m guessing that he really likes his new soccer ball, since I found a picture of it on my phone.

Happy Father’s Day

I’m sure the highlight of Laun’s day was when the primary children sang songs in sacrament meeting, especially since Carter is in nursery, but still felt the need to get up on the stand with Marlee.

After church the men in the ward got cinnamon rolls,  I thought that was an awesome idea.

For dinner I made Laun chicken cordon bleu and it is the best I’ve made by far. I finally didn’t overcook the chicken. Laun is always awesome to help in the kitchen and made amazing side dishes: sweet potatoes, beans and corn on the cob. He also makes some darn good berry lemonade.

I’ve always been so impressed with Laun. He is such a great father. He loves his children so fiercely. They all know he has their back. In fact, sometimes he gets a little fired up at the boys soccer games, because he is so protective of them. He teaches them, loves them, provides for them, reads scriptures with them, prays with them, has FHE with them, gets them treats when he has a lot of traveling for work, helps them with scouts or what they need, challenges them, motivates them, etc. I feel so blessed that he’s my husband and the father to our children. I can’t wait to see him with another baby soon, because he adores newborns. We all love you so much Laun.

fun day

One of my favorite things ever is when my kids get old enough to read to their younger siblings. I just adore this picture of Marlee reading to Carter.

Laun and I both have birthday’s in June and both get a free meal from Tucano’s, so we used the second coupon today. Then we walked around the Riverwood’s stores and bought a couple of outfits for the baby girl, who is due in 3 weeks!

I was so excited to see a bald eagle up close.

There was this massive flag up and flags for all the armed forces, it made me emotional. I’m so thankful for all the men and women who serve this great country.

When we got home the boys went to practice soccer and Laun and I took the littles to the splash pad. Carter got braver and braver and wetter and wetter. They had a good time.

water babies

Then we watched Zootopia as a family, and Carter got so into it and made so many animal sounds. It’s crazy how much better life is with kids.

big & pricey

My prego belly is getting bigger. Today, after trying to get my phone fixed, and nothing working, Laun and I broke down and got new phones. Ugh- I hate big purchases. Oh well, at least I will have a new phone that has a better camera on it when the baby comes. We switched from apples to the Samsung galaxy and it has been a learning curve. And we bought them at Costco, I seem to be there a lot lately (for example, my contacts, shirt, sandals and purse are all Costco buys, even my hair was washed with Kirkland products-geesh)!

fun full day

Since it’s summer, Marlee has been going with me twice a week to Zumba at the church. She loves it. She rarely does the dances, but she has fun running around with all the other kids. I’m just happy that I am still getting in some exercise this late in my pregnancy, with only 25 days left until my due date!

Then Marlee and I did some shopping. I had some items I needed for my hospital bag, which I finally packed in case the baby decides to come early.

Then we took Carter to the babysitters and I took the older kids with me to the Studio C tech show. I went to high school with Matt Meese. We were in seminary and student council together. I told him that my kids wanted to meet him, so he told me about this tech show. It’s basically a run through of 15 skits without all the props and wardrobe. They go through all of them and figure out what changes to make, before their final taping. An audience watches the tech show and it lasts for almost 2 hours. Marlee was pretty star struck to see all the Studio C cast members in real life.

Waiting for the show to start-

After living here for over a year and a half, I finally took my kids to meet Matt. It was fun and it was really nice to sit and not chase Carter around.

Porter and Clayton have started soccer practices. They are on a new club- Nebo United, with new coaches and mostly new players. Porter has 3 other kids from his past team on this years team. The coaches seem great and we are excited about this change. Tonight our whole family went to Clayton’s practice. Clayton did awesome and I love to see him give 100%. Laun worked some on his laptop and then played soccer with Porter. Carter and Marlee had a blast playing and Marlee snapped some photos.