Brinley's 1st Birthday

Brinley turned 1 on June 27th. Yes that is the same day as Kayla's baptism We did a few things for Brin and then had cake on Monday for FHE. The kids got her a peek-a-boo toy and Lars

and I got her some new "feely" books. We bought her new shoes with $ from Grandma and Grandpa Flinders. Annalee and family gave her the cutest talking purse. Sadly all the other kids (even the boys) fight over it endlessly.

The kids helped me make "#1" signs for the birthday girl.

The loot. Fortunately she had a lot of helpers to open the gifts.

"1" shaped pancakes.

Being sung to at Olive Garden

She finally got her cake (and ate it too) on Monday night.

Sure, I'm partial because she is my daughter but truly, have you ever seen anything cuter than this face? She is a total ham. When the green light flashes on the camera to reduce the red eye she looks and grins as big as she can.

Kayla's Baptism

Saturday, June 27, 2009 Kayla was baptized today. She looked so beautiful all dressed in white and she had the biggest grin on her face the whole time. After she came out of the water I was helping her change and I asked her how she felt and she said, "I felt the Spirit when I got baptized" Then she said she was cold and wanted to get dressed.

Funny story: When we arrived at the church and were walking down the hall and lady was coming towards us and she said, "Well of course they will get baptized on the same day!" She was a patient at the doctor's office where I worked when I was pregnant with Kayla. My employer decided not to deliver babies anymore so she asked me for a referral. I told her I loved my doctor so she went to him too. We ended up in the hospital on the same weekend having our babies. She had a big baby boy and we had tiny little Kayla. Kayla is a head taller than Wade now. We didn't even know we were in the same stake.


Here she is practicing with Lars. Good thing... they were doing it backwards and I said, "Aren't you supposed to raise your right hand?" This is why we practice...

It was only about 110 degrees. I could only get 1 picture outside.

I'm not sure which one looks happier, Lars or Kayla.

After the baptism we had some friends and family over to the house for a little open house. After we had cleaned everything up we decided to go out to Olive Garden for dinner. Annalee and Conrad and Felycia came too. Jack fell asleep eating a breadstick. Long day...

Since I forgot to take any pictures after the baptism I took this one on Sunday after church. Shellie and Peter Rabner and their family gave Kayla this string of pearls and the earrings along with the story of how a pearl is made and how we too can take a "trial" and make it into a pearl. Thanks Rabners!

We were so blessed to be surrounded by great family, dear friends old ones and new ones. My cousins from Utah happened to be in town this weekend and they came. Thanks Nancy & Austin, Nate & Ashley.

One of Kayla's first babysitters from our old ward returned from a mission in Romania last week, ran into Annalee at girls camp and was invited to come. Her sister was one of Kayla's sunbeam teachers. Thanks Brinn and Caitlyn.

Kayla's first grade teacher was there. Thanks Mrs. Bailey.

So many friends from our "new" ward. Thanks for your love and support.

We had a wonderful day.

Elder Larkin

We were fortunate to be able to attend Deric's setting apart as a missionary. What a great experience. President Schlaughter asked each of us to pick a word that would be good advice for Deric. Here's what we said,

Grandma Larkin - Obedience

Grandpa Larkin - Dependability

Lars - Work

Cristi - Love

Felycia - Faith

Annalee - Fun

Conrad - Spirit

President Schlaughter - Validation and remember. (he said something else but we can't remember!)

It was a great meeting - Deric will be a great missionary!

The Dam Day

For Father's Day this year the kids and I surprised Lars with a trip to Hoover Dam on Saturday. He has been wanting to go here for years and we have never made it. So here we are. It was incredible. The kids were excited to see where some of the movie Transformers was filmed.
The new bridge is incredible.

It was so windy that the stroller was about to blow away - literally! We were crossing the street and a gust of wind came up and we almost lost Jack and Lars because he was holding on.

I canoed down this part of the Colorado River about 15 years ago. It was great fun.

DEXTER

This guy that Lars works with got a monkey last week. His name is Dexter, the monkey not the guy. Anyway we went to zoo Lars calls work and visited Dexter.
He is so fast - The pictures are all blurry.

He jumped on Kayla's head. Bad Monkey.

He used my hand to jump from the computer desk to the table.

A moment of calm

He loves his blankie!

Birthday Party, Birthday Day

On Friday before Kayla's birthday she had a couple of friends come over for some "girl stuff". Kelcie and Kaytlin came for a barbecue, junk food, paper making, manicures, pedicures, bike riding, beauty shop hairdos and Princess Diaries.
This is Kelcie teaching the "Hoedown Throwdown" from the new Hannah Montana movie. She gave the soundtrack to Kayla. The boys love the "boom boom clap" song.

Sporting some very fashionable doos! Kaytlin is modeling a bang twist up do ballerina bun. Kayla opted for a twist to a back pony. Kelcie wanted to total glam curly doo with a side clip. Don't they look gorgeous!

On Kayla's actual birthday we went to my sister Annalee's ward for Deric's farewell. Church was early and the open house was right after that so it was still pretty early when we got home. We set up the card table and played Yahtzee and watched Man vs. Wild. Kayla got her first YAHTZEE!! She was pretty stoked!


We had cake on Saturday for Kayla's soccer party so I made a huge chocolate chip cookie and decorated it. It was a hit!

Rolls!

There are a few things that I can say I do well. Making rolls is one of them. I really do have the best mother in the world. She gave me her secret recipe and taught me how to do it. While I was making these Kayla was watching me. As I was forming one of the rolls she said, "That's so cool." I remember having the same feeling when my mom would make rolls. I made these for Felycia's graduation luncheon. They were so good that I made another batch just so we could have more at home to eat. YUMMY!!

Henry's Graduation (Better Late than Never)

Walking into the gym at Silver Mesa. The Graduation Procession


Henry got to hold the flag and ask everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. We were so surprised! We asked why he got to hold it and he said, "Ms. Sheree asked who wants to do it so I raised my hand". He was great!!

Love Ms. Sheree!
Henry's whole class! Some of his friends this year, Dillon, Hope, Sirus, Sam, Alexis, Jackson, Jarret and Whitney.
We made him a Dove Chocolate lei. He loved it and even shared it with his brother and sister. We are so proud of you Henry!
Look out kindergarten - HERE COMES HENRY!!!

Go Brinley

Brinley took her first "multiple" steps. She would only walk to Kayla. Not Henry. Not Mommy. Just Kayla! Go figure - The sister bond starts young!

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Kayla Cristine Larsen was born June 14th 2001. She weighed 6lbs 15oz and was 20 inches long. As I was getting these pictures ready I realized that the only ones I had up until age 3 were these from the hospital that my sister took.

Then there were 2. Kayla was 32 months old when Henry was born.

Kayla with Great Grandma Reynolds. This was the day she graduated from preschool.

First day of Kindergarten.

Kayla loves babies and everytime we brought one home she would constantly ask, "Can I hold ...?" She was 5 when Jack was born.

She is so light sensitive that she can barely keep her eyes open in the sun. Man we sure love that smile.

Kayla has some of the best "fake angry" faces.


Kayla love to climb trees!

She loves the water!

Kayla loves helping in the kitchen. Here she is making Thanksgiving rolls with Grandma Flinders.

Kayla turned 7 just 2 weeks before Brinley was born. She was so excited to have a sister.

Kayla started playing soccer last year and has enjoyed 2 seasons. She is FAST!
Kayla will be baptized in 2 weeks. We are all so excited. She is thrilled to be able to wear a dress made by Grandma Flinders before she went on her mission. It will be a special day.
Happy Birthday Kayla! We love you and are so proud of all the good choices you make. You are a great example for you brothers and sister.