174/365

Potty Trained?  Check.

YEEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWW!!!

173/365

The kids decided to make their own slide today.  

I love their creativity.

Kaden was giving Avery sword lessons.

Of course the course wouldn't be complete without the Zelda Costume.

172/365

Today was a GREAT day!!

Almost 4 months ago, we had a pretty sad boy when we went to Karate graduation and he didn't get his orange belt.  Tonight was a different story.  But a story worth more than any color of belt.

When Kaden didn't get his orange belt, he was sad. I was sad. But it taught him (and me) a valuable lesson.  The lesson is that things don't come easy in life. Not for a 7 year old boy. Not for a mom.  As a parent, you hurt when your kids hurts, but you need to encourage them to grow and stand taller when their confidence is shattered. 

When we went to karate tonight, Kaden was quiet and reserved.  He always bites his cheeks when he's nervous.  He didn't do much during the karate activities prior to the awards ceremony. I could tell he was worried that he hadn't gotten it.  The difference with this graduation vs the one a few weeks ago, was that he had worked his tail off to know all the moves.  He knew it wouldn't come easy. He knew he had to work hard to earn his belt.  When he was presented with his new belt, a smile of great pride and happiness filled his face. He ran over to Brian and I and gave us a hug... right infront of the whole group.  He KNEW he deserved this. He worked hard for it and this time, it was worth so much more!!

I guess the lesson I learned is that sometimes when our kids struggle, as much as it hurts us, they will become stronger. They will appreciate things more. They will find themselves in a way they hadn't before.  Even as small as a 7 year old boy, I KNOW Kaden learned alot from not earning his karate belt when he first wanted to, but I also know the reward for earning it the second time around meant so much more to him than anything else he has ever done.

Way to go buddy. We are so proud of you!

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.