171/365

Slave Labor. Ya gotta love it when kids beg to wash your car.

170/365

Kids got a hold of my camera again.
I don't know why I find these kind of pictures worth blogging about, but something about thinking of my little kids doing their own photo shoot just makes me smile.

So in 20-30 years when we are looking back at this book, we can laugh at how "old fashioned" our tv looked back in 2011. Thanks kids for the history post. :) Oh... and if you are wondering, the show you are watching is Gnomeo and Juliet.

169/365

And yet another cake.

I'm glad this weekend is over.

Time to relax.

168/365

June Brides equates to June Wedding Cakes

167/365

Seriously??? Could this girl have more perfect lips?

166/365

Hello Cowabunga Bay!!!

All winter long whenever we pass Cowabunga Bay Brighton would say, 

Oh no! Cowabung Bay is broken! Daddy needs to fix it. It needs new batteries.

Well... dad must have fixed it.  

The kids LOVE this place.

165/365

Too Much Playing.... Not Any Naps

Bright has enjoyed his social life a little too much this summer. He won't stop for anything! Obviously from this picture, he won't even stop to lay down and fall asleep.  

This is how I found him today.

Then a few minutes later.

Then a few minutes after that.  

He never woke up though this process. This little guy was sooo tired. 

164/365

Brighton came in to tell me he needed food for a picnic. 

He got a basket, opened the fridge and grabbed some cheese and carrots, went to the pantry and got some pretzels and juice boxes, then went to the bridge where Avery was waiting.

If lunch wasn't cute enough, he passed out the food, then looked at Avery and said, "We need to say prayer!" He then proceeded to pray.

It's nice to capture on camera the few moments in time when these two are getting along.

163/365

It's Sunday. It's been a crazy long week. I'm tired and ready to relax.
 I'm not even going to post a picture today.

162/365

Today was one of those days as a parent that you are so proud of your child.  I'm the first one to complain about dance practices, strict rules, montly dues, costume fees, rehearsals, perfect makeup and hair design on a five year old.... but the second you see your little girl on stage....... all of that goes away.

That's it.... I now understand.  I won't be complaining anymore. I get it. I love it. It's all worth it for those brief 2 1/2 minutes when she is the star.

 Avery and her little friend Riley, but the best part of dance was doing it with her cousin Jadyn.  They are the best little buddies ever.

 Posing with the flowers they got from their daddies!

161/365

Ahoy there Matey! Arrrrrrr you ready for a Pirate Adventure???

My mom and dad do a "Cousin Camp" 4 times a year for all the cousins.  As of right now, we have 13 grandkids under the age of 8.  This Cousin Camp was a Pirate Theme.  All the kids had to dress in their pirate attire for a sleepover full of adventures.

Captain Grandma Becky--- One super creative grandma

 Captain Grandma Becky with her deck hand... (are they cute or what?)

Dinner included an array of sea creatures, but I especially loved the octopus hot dogs. 

These are all the pictures I got, since I quickly got kicked out of the party because I'm a grown up.

My kids look forward to cousin camps. This one was their favorite so far.

160/365

Avery had a super fun day.  

Dress Rehearsal at Kingbury Hall

Then we got to have lunch with Grandpa Dallan.  

159/365

Today I lost my wallet.  Lost my Phone  (both at separate times)
I'm losing my sanity!

158/365

Busy. Busy. Day.

Took Avery to Dance, Delivered a wedding cake, Had to get Kaden to Karate (thanks for helping me out with this one mom) and taught a Relief Society class on Cake Decorating.  

I'm tired.

157/365

It's cake season. 

Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I don't. 

11 Cakes in 2 1/2 weeks.... 

right now I'm not loving it.

156/365

Summer Sunday Aftternoons at the Larsen Household Always End Up in American Fork Canyon. 

It's our most favorite tradition.

Dinner, Climbing on rocks, enjoying eachothers company, and of course..... S'MORES!

154/365

I never see my kids anymore. 

Well, I take that back.. they are never in the house anymore. If I ever wonder where they may be, all I have to do is look out my kitchen window and this is what I see. 

Once again..... oh how I LOVE this trampoline.

153/365

I'm sad to say that most times during the day, Connor gets the "prop the bottle with a blanket" feeding while I leave him all alone on the couch........

But there are those moments that I slow down and enjoy one of my very favorite past times.  I love this little guy.

152/365

We Got A Trampoline!!!!

This has been the best decision ever! We decided to go in on a trampoline with 3 of our neighbors we share yards with.  It is becoming the summer hangout spot for all the kids.  

We decided to have a little family fun time as well.

Brighton wants to be like his big brother.... Kade's getting great at backflips

Go Brian. Go!

Connor liked hanging out on the grass.

Avery doing killer tricks!

No one was too impressed with my bounce down on my butt, but after 4 kids, I couldn't even do this without peeing my pants.  I probably won't be spending too much time on the trampoline :)

151/365

(I know I am way behind, I'm trying to catch up... but here's today's post)

Brighton has said some of the funniest things the last couple days.

#1: I was giving him a bath and he had a scrape on his knee. I said, "Oh Bright, do you have an owee on your knee?" He replied, "no.. it's just a birth mark" . :)

#2: OK.. this was funny, but this little defiant attitude he has right now is going to drive Brian and I to drink one of these days..

We were having dinner and of course he decided he wasn't going to eat. After the dishes were being cleaned up, he went into the pantry to get a granola bar. I told him no because he hadn't eaten his chicken. He then proceeded to go to the fridge for some cheese.... same deal buddy... no food unless you eat your dinner.

So I grabbed his plate, took everything off of it except for 3 little pieces of chicken and told him he wouldn't get to eat anything until he ate his chicken.

He threw a bit of a fit for a second and then I saw a light bulb go off in his head as he said, "Mom, I going to Angie's" (she's our neighbor)

uhhhhhhh no he isn't trying to pull one over on me at 3 years old!!! That little pill! He knows Angie will give him treats. He practically lives in her pantry.

As he walks out the door, I call Angie to give her a heads up. Sure enough, a second later, I hear that cute little voice (and I'm sure puppy dog eyes too) through the phone say, "Angie, I want a treat" Oh that little stinker! Now Angie is a sucker for Bright. She loves the kid and he probably get away with murder if he gave her one of his famous twinkley eyed, dimple infused smile. (Yes, it's hard for me to say no to that face too, but this is war! Now I understand I'm being overly stubborn on this one, it's just a couple pieces of chicken, but come on, the kid needs to learn the rules. )

Angie is talking to me on the phone while Bright is trying to pull a fast one on me. Then I hear it..... the words that make me feel happy over the control I've got (ya, ya... give me a break. I know I won't be able to have this power for very many more years!) Angie says, "sorry brighton, you have to go eat your chicken". Then I hear Bright say, "nooo! and starts to make a fake huffing sound like he's about to start a fake cry"

Well, his darling little face couldn't keep Angie strong for long. She held her ground, but said, "bright, here. Lets put some cheetos in a bag and you can have them after you eat your chicken.". Well, it worked! That little pill walked over (with Angie, for supervision, so he wouldn't cheat) and came over and happily ate his 3 pieces of chicken.... then devoured his cheetos!

KIDS!!

YES, they are cute.

YES, they are hilarious.

YES, they are pills.

YES, they make you want to be stubborn just to prove a point.

YES, I can't get enough of their funny personalities.

YES, I love them more than anything in this world.

136/365

Ahhhh, What a Beautiful Day!!

Kaden finally went back to school today.  4 weeks off track, then he got a bonus week off because he was sick.

But today, life was good.  House was clean. Kaden at school. Avery at school. Brighton and Connor took a 2 1/2 hour nap.
Ohhhhh the beautiful sound of silence!!!

135/365

This little prayer made my day.  Some prayers are said just to get them done, some prayers are soul searching, some prayers are full of thanks, some prayers are silent, some prayers are to help in times of struggle. Other prayers are straight from the heart. Simple, pure,  Perfect.... this was one of those. Given from the heart of a 5 year old little girl.
Avery, Thank You for helping me remember what prayers are all about.
I love you.


"Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this day. Thank you that we could go to Grandma's for Family Night.
Please bless mommy that she will make pretty cakes. Bless mommy that she will do good at her Bridal Shows.
Bless Daddy that he will do Young Men's perfectly.
Bless Kaden that he will feel better and stop coughing.
Bless Brighton that he won't bite or hit.
And bless Connor that he won't cry in the night.
Please bless me that I won't complain about going to preschool.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

133/365

Avery went on her own little photo shoot today.
My favorite picture is the piggy bank.

132/356

HAPPY 12 YEARS!!!! 

The Top 12 Reasons I Love Being Married To Brian"

12-  He has given me 4 amazing children that are the joy of my life
11-  He puts me and the kids first.  He is always willing to do what ever is needed.
10-  He does the yard work and takes out the garbage cans each week
 9-   He not only supports all my crazy plans, (ex... starting a wedding cake business) but will stay up till the wee hours of the night helping me without a single complaint.
 8-   He is the BEST dad!
 7-   He makes me laugh
 6-   He knows me better than I know myself
 5-   He is my best friend
 4-   He thinks I'm beautiful even when I don't feel so myself
 3-   He makes sure I slow down every once in a while to get out and enjoy nature
 2-   He is always willing to fold laundry, change diapers, do dishes and take the kids when I need it the most.
 1-   He ALWAYS says "I love you" whenever we get off the phone with eachother.. even if it's just a quick call asking him to pick up milk before he leaves work.

I love you Brian.  You are the best part of my life.

131/365

The kids had a blast roasting marshmallows at our neighbors house today.

129/365

Happy Mothers Day to Me!

The highlight of my mothers day was by far spending time with all the beautiful mothers in my life, but today was pretty great as well. Yesterday I had a lunch for my mom, Shauna, Grandma K, Jeannie and Grandma Horton. I feel so bad I forgot to take the picture before Shauna had to leave and Grandma Horton wasn't feeling well so she couldn't come.  It was such a wonderful day for me to celebrate my love for these amazing women in my life.

I'm so blessed.
Beautiful kids,
Awesome Husband,
Other moms in my life that inspire and make me a better person.