Andrew

Baby Survey

1. Age? Andrew 18 months

2. Name ? Andrew Jame Larsen

3. Birthday? August 9th 2006

4. Time of birth? 3:08

. How long did labor last? 5 hours

6. Who was in the room when baby was born? Steve, Dr. jones, My Nurse Joy. . .

7. How long did you push? 2 pushes & he was out

8. Weight? 7 pounds 9 oz

9. Length? 20 inches

10. Any hair? A lot of Blonde Spiky hair. Apparently he was a sight to see, cause I had a lot of nurses coming in just to see his “punk rock” hair

11. Who does baby look like? Steve12. Be honest...how much weight did you gain while pregnant? 20 pounds

13. Was baby early or late? I was induced 1 week early

14. Who drove you home from the hospital? Steve

15. How many baby showers did you have? 0

16. When did baby start sleeping through the night? About 5 months

17. Did you breastfeed? Well if you consider pumping Breastfeeding. .

18. Which of you takes care of your baby the most? I do, only because I am lucky enough to stay home with him

19. When do you want to have another one? Andrew is still young. . . We will give it awhile

20. How did you pick the name? I wanted the name Andrew & Steve wanted the name James. . . We compromised

21. How did you know when it was time to go to hospital? The nurse at the hospital told me to come at 9:30

22. Anyone spend the night with you first night home? My mom!!! Thank goodness

23.Did you cry the first time you held your baby? Yes

24. Where was the baby born? American Fork Hospital L&D room 11

25. Did you videotape the birth? Nope, but we do have video of the process

26. Most rewarding thing about being a mom? Watching them grow & seeng their little personalities shine through. It is amazing how each child is so different! And when they tell you they love you (Which he hasn’t done yet)

Christian

Baby Survey

1. Age? Christian 2 years & 10 months

2. Name ? Christian John Larsen

3. Birthday? April 4th 2005

4. Time of birth? 3:40

5. How long did labor last? 20 hours

6. Who was in the room when baby was born? Steve, Dr. Froerer, my nurse Peg & Dr Welling the anesthiologist

7. How long did you push? 2 hours, finally Dr. Welling came & pushed on my stomach while I was pushing

8. Weight? 7 pounds 7 oz.

9. Length? 21 inches

10. Any hair? Quite a bit of dark hair

11. Who does baby look like? Steve

12. Be honest...how much weight did you gain while pregnant? 35 pounds

13. Was baby early or late? Right on his due date

14. Who drove you home from the hospital? Steve

15. How many baby showers did you have? 4

16. When did baby start sleeping through the night? About 4 months

17. Did you breastfeed? I tried & then he kept losing weight so I started supplementing

18. Which of you takes care of your baby the most? I do, only because I am lucky enough to stay home with him

19. When do you want to have another one? Andrew is still young. . . We will give it awhile

20. How did you pick the name? Steve did. . . it is a family name. not to mention the name of the Dr. who delivered him!!!

21. How did you know when it was time to go to hospital? When my water broke. It broke right when we got in the car after leaving Steve’s parents house. I can only imagine how embarrassing it would have been if it broke in their house!!!

22. Anyone spend the night with you first night home? My mom!!! Thank goodness

23.Did you cry the first time you held your baby? Yes

24. Where was the baby born? Cottonwood Hospital L& D room 9

25. Did you videotape the birth? Nope, but we do have video of the process not the actually birth

26. Most rewarding thing about being a mom? Watching them grow & seeing their different personalities shine through!! And I love when they say 'I love you'

Our Dear Prophet

I quickly wanted to capture my thought. As I heard the news this evening about the passing of our beloved Prophet I was instantly saddened. But almost as quickly as that sadness was felt it was even more quickly replaced with an unbelievable calmness that over took me! I listened to the news but could not get the picture out of my mind of that dear old man in the arms of our Heavenly Father. His journey here was faithfully completed and he was welcomed home.I truly believe this to to be a blessed day. Our Prophet reunited with his beloved wife and companion. I can't even imagine how sweet and precious that reuinion was. I have been blessed to have been taught and lead by such an incredible Christ like individual.


I will forever consider Pres. Hinckley my Prophet. Being in a room with him was such a powerful experience. The spirit that came with him never went unnoticed. How beautiful the plan is and how clear it seems to me at this moment. I know my purpose here on earth. I know what my reward will be. Like Pres. Hinckley if I strive to do my very best, following the commandments and teaching of a loving Heavenly father, I too can be welcomed home into His presents and live for eternity with my family one day.We truly are blessed aren't we! I thought I would include just a few of my favorite quotes from Pres. Hinckley.

**My Favorite "In all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured" **

"Be grateful. Be smart. Be clean. Be true. Be humble. Be prayerful."

“The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

“Under the plan of heaven, the husband and the wife walk side by side as companions, neither one ahead of the other, but a daughter of God and a son of God walking side by side. Let your families be families of love and peace and happiness. Gather your children around you and have your family home evenings, teach your children the ways of the Lord, read to them from the scriptures, and let them come to know the great truths of the eternal gospel as set forth in these words of the Almighty.”

There is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult, if we have faith."

"Teach your children when they are young and small, and never quit. As long as they are in your home, let them be your primary interest."

"We must work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it."

What A Weekend!

Basketball!!! This last ThursdayI actually played basketball with the Women of my ward. I know, it is funny to think of me running down the court doing all i can to avoid the basketball but I did it. Next time (if there is a next time) I am going to make it my goal to touch the ball. . . Maybe just a quick pass. Then I can think about shooting & dribbling!!!!!

On Friday night we took the boys to a Utah Flash basketball game. It was so much fun. The tickets were cheap & we had really good seats. The boys loved it. We got these Cheersticks & they kept them very entertained. Next time I go I want to win a pizza, shirt or Bajio Burrito. They give away so much free stuff it is unbelievable!

Sledding

Saturday was such a beautiful day that we decided to take the boys sledding at a little hill by our house. I thought a few runs down & that will be great. Well probably 30 runs down & it still wasn't enough. Christian was so cute & he loved dragging the sled up the hill. . . A big plus for us. By the end of our adventure Christian was bored of regular runs down the hill, he wanted to try to tip it over & do flips out of the sled. I think he is going to be a little out of control when we teach him snowboarding.

The ER

On Sunday after church we were all ready to lay down & enjoy afternoon naps when Christian informed us that he had stuck a football toy up his nose. Steve & I tried to get it out with Tweezer but it was really stuck. We tried to get him to blow it out & that just caused him to Suck it up closer to his brain!! So we left for the ER. After sitting there with a bunch of crazy Sickos we decided to try the Instacare down the street. A much better choice in this situation. With Steve Holding his body as tight as he could, and a nurse holding his head the dr was able to get this tiny football out of his nose. We have now had many talks about how nothing goes up your nose. . . Not even your finger. What a Weekend. Hope you had a great one!

This is Christian holding the "speciman cup" that the Dr gave him with is little football!!!

2007 In a Glance

Here's a look at our year in Review:
January – Christian & Andrew started going to Storytime at the Pleasant Grove Library. They have so much fun & ask every day if it is Storytime day. We went on an awesome trip to California. We went to San Diego, Disneyland, The Beach & Vegas. It was so much fun to go on Vacation with Steve’s family. It always makes for good stories all year long.
February - Tragedy struck at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City when a crazed young man shot and killed seven innocent people, bringing the reality of what's seen on the news home to us in Utah. Andrew Started sleeping through the night & eating whole jars of food.
March – Christian is able to recognize all his letters. Now whenever we are out & about he just yells out letters. Steve went on his first business trip & left me and the boys. We survived but were sure glad when daddy came home. Grandma came to visit!
April – Christian turned 2 years old. We had a fun birthday party with all your cousins. We went to Canada for Carries Wedding. It was fun to spend the week with family. Steve turned 28!!!!! We went to St George with your cousins. That was a fun week filled with swimming & lots of playing. Andrew learned to clap, cut his first tooth & can say Dada. I got to go on my Scrapbook retreat which was so much fun. I went to a huge cabin with 30 other woman & scrapbooked all night. We had lots of treats & lots of fun. We went hot-tubbing every night & enjoyed not having to get up with any kids in the middle of the night. Can’t wait to go next year!
May - We started to put our garden in. We planted Zuchinni, & tomatoes. We went to Heber & got to ride Thomas the Train. Tha was definitely a fun day for both boys. Andrew learned to climb stairs. We had 5 BBQ’s in 1 month. We sure love our Hamburgers & Hot Dogs.
June – We went to the Cabin 3 times this month. It was a lot of fun. We slept out on the back deck. Steve & I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. We kicked off our summer of fairs & festivals by attending the Orem City Festival. It was a lot of fun. . . I do wonder where all the white trash people hide throughout the year. They all seem to come out to these festivals. We went to a Stingers baseball game with our friend Hailey. Steve & Christian went to Fathers & Sons. They had so much fun & next year Andrew gets to go (Yeah for Mommy) We went to the Strawberry Days Rodeo 3 nights in a row. By the last night mommy had the process down to a science. I knew exactly what treats to pack & everything. Jane & I went to the Kenny Chesney Concert at Usana Ampitheatre It was a blast. A Kenny Concert can never get too dull!
July – Jane & I road tripped to Kallispell Montana to go to the Lake with The Schow family. It was a blast. Christian still talks about it. We definitely need to plan another trip like that. I turned 27 years old. Had the first Fry Party. What a novel idea! We went to 3 baseball games, The Utah county fair at Thanksgiving point. And many days were spent lounging at the American Fork Pool. That is the life I tell you! My baby Andrew started walking. Went Camping in the uintas & almost didn’t make it.
August - Steve & I went on Trek with the youth from our Stake. What an experience. The longer I am home the more I can look back & enjoy it. Andrew turned 1. We had a Fiesta party, Homemade Fajitas, Homemade Bavarian cream empanadas. . . Lots of yummy food. I flew by myself with 2 kids 2 and under. We spent a week in Virginia & a week at the Beach with all the Schow’s (I missed you Jill) it was such a fun trip. OBX 2007 lives on.
September – Went Camping for the last time this year. Went to the State fair 2 times. Once again Where do all those people come from.
October – Grandma & Grandpa came to visit!! Carrie & Aunt Jeannie came to visit too!! Nikki & Joe got married. It was a really fun day. We went to the Scarecrow festival, & Barnyard boo. We went to the pumpkin patch with our friends. Halloween was a great night. The boys realized what Trick or Treat really means. They both were Pirates. AArgh!!!
November - Planned our Day after Thanksgiving shopping spree. Organized a cute Thanksgiving Craft. Thanksgiving was a lot of fun, good food! Started playing Bunko. Who knew it could be such a fun game. Decorated for Christmas before December 1st. The boys did a great job with the tree.
December – Grandma & Grandpa came to visit again!! Sinter Klaus came on December 5th. We went to Rexburg Idaho for Luke & Kara’s graduation. Went on 4 girls night out this month (I think that is a record) Had a wonderful Christmas with my family, having kids makes all the difference. Enjoyed driving around & seeing all the lights. I am the host of the New Years Eve party tomorrow night!!!

Merry Christmas

We have had quite the eventful couple of days. Yesterday for Christmas Eve we went with Steves Family to National Treasure 2. It was a really fun movie, I only wish Andrew enjoyed it like we did. He finally fell asleep the last half hour. Then we went & had dinner, played games & Santa brought an early present. . . . PJ's. We got all the cousins matching Camo PJ's & they were so cute. Last night Christian & Andrew were so cute about putting out cookies, carrots & Hot cocoa for Santa & the Reindeers.

When they woke up this morning it was so much fun. Everytime you asked Christian what he wanted for Christmas he said airplanes. . So Santa brought airplanes. When he saw them this morning he was so excited He kept saying I told him I wanted them & he brought them. I told him!!! Having Christmas with Little kids is a blast. We had to take a break halfway through to eat our yummy breakfast of Monkey Bread!! So healthy & declicious. We then got ready to go back to Steve's parents and open presents with Grandma & Grandpa. We had a fun day.

We wish we were able to go to Canada with my family & cousins but with the storms coming it just wouldn't be safe to be out on the road. Thank you for all the gifts. It has been a wonderful day!!

P.S. I never did send out Christmas cards this year. I had good intentions and then the time got away from me. I figure most of the people I was going to send them to read my blog so you are updated as to what my family is doing. But when I was thinking about sending them out this was the picture i was going to use. What a pair of cuties!!

Back to the Old Stompin Ground

The View as you Drive into Rexburg

BirchWood. . . Just a note apt 601 had a christmas tree on the balcony I guess that is an upgrade from an ugly couch

The boys enjoy suckers & drinks from Horkleys. . . BTW I got a 44 oz soda for 57 cents. not that I needed a soda that size but it was a steal of a deal. My whole purchase was 82 centsWhat would a trip to Rexburg be without visiting Mean Jean

This weekend I went back to Rexburg & IF for my brothers Graduation from BYU-I. . . .While in rexburg I got a little nostalgic until i realized that I am closer to 30 than I am to 20. It kind of made me sad. I drove around visitng old hang outs & seeing how much things have changed. They are building a ton & it isn't the quaint Rexburg it use to be. This is for you Torrey & Steph!!


I want to put a disclaimer that hopefully more pictures are to come as I am in Eastern Idaho until Sunday & I am in none of these pictures cause it was me & the boys venturing by ourselves while the others enjoyed a (most likely long & boring) graduation ceremony.

What is left of the old Retrix

Self Explantory