Crazy Larson Life...

Okay, so it's really my life that feels crazy and in turn-- affects the rest of my family's life. It was one busy week--work and school for Jason (he has 2 classes this semester and is about to test out of another), Reagan had school, dance, and a boy's birthday party to attend (instead of gymnastics since they were at the same time), Travis the usual life of walking around the house getting into anything he can get his hands on, and me...3 night shifts in the ER and a day at my other job-Barnett Dulaney, not to mention the usual duties of every mom. What a week! Now I remember why I wanted to work less....lack of sleep is rough even for a super woman like me! Ha! Ha! Needless to say, I was grateful for a lazy Saturday of just hanging out with my cute little kids. We even made it to the park. Travis loved swinging and trying out the big slides with Mom. Reagan almost learned to master the monkey bars and was officially "the highest swinger" in the park. Oh, the fun!

Jason's First Deer

My sweet husband is a lot of things, but well...a hunter is not at the top of the list. He didn't hunt as a kid--his family isn't into it. In fact, he only started a few years ago and goes out with his best friend Shaffen. (I even tease him that I married him 'cuz he wasn't a hunter as I remember the turmoil it brought to my family as a kid!). So, you can imagine my surprise as I get a phone call saying that he shot his first deer this year--at 8:45 on opening day! He was ecstatic! "I can put another notch in my man belt" was one of my favorite comments. He separated from the other guys he was hunting with and saw a cow on the side of hill and started glassing that area. Then, he saw the buck and shot him (thanks to his fancy new scope!) It's not the biggest buck on the block--but it makes him proud and will definitely fill the freezer!

Yeah Daddy! I think Reagan may have been even more proud than Jason was! She loved touching it and even played with its tail--gross! What a girl I have! Speaking of crazy girl--Uncle Scott killed this bird/woodpecker and Reagan not only carried it around for a bit, but she even managed to pull its tongue out. All the boys were grossed out, but not her...what is a girl to do???? (Mind you she wanted and got her finger nails painted earlier that day!!)

We spent a few days camping with Shaffen and Misty and the boys. The kids had fun getting dirty, riding the 3wheeler, building forts with Uncle Tanner, and playing with cousins. It was nice and cool and we even had lots of visitors--the boys scouts had a camparee at Gilespie Wash on Friday! Crazy timing!

I Can Really Do It!

It's official--Travis can walk!

Oh, boy--nothing is safe now!

Well, it took a bit of distraction, lots of ouchies, and of course some bribing and some tears-- but Travis is walking on his own. He has been standing and pulling himself up for months--even before he was crawling good so I thought for sure he would walk early. Nope--this guy does things on his own terms and his own timing! (He's definitely laid back compared to some Larsons!) Last week he just decided walking might just be the cool way to get around and so he did it--does it--on his own! (no coaxing/bribing needed these days!) He's growing up so fast! I love it, but it still makes me sad that he's not a baby anymore!

Cruella and Her Dalmatian

I love Halloween and its all about the costumes right?! Well, I tried to convince Reagan to be Cinderella this year and Travis could be a mouse but she wasn't having any part of it! So a friend suggested Cruella and a dalmatian. Sounded so cute, but I ran it by Reagan and she said she had to watch the movie again (to make sure that is who she wanted to be). After the movie (the non-animated version), she decided it would be cool to be Cruella--"Only if I don't have to go to jail afterward." (Only a police officer's daughter would think of that one!) We found a cool costume on Ebay and thanks to Misty we also had a very cute dalmatian! Halloween day brought lots of festivities. Travis and I went to Reagan's Halloween parade and party at school. (It was cool to see some funny and creative costumes--my favorite was the boy who looked like he was holding his head in a jar! The biggest hit for the kids was a chicken costume--the kids did the dance and even chanted "Go chicken go!" It was hilarious!) Our family also went to the school carnival which Reagan loved! Jason had to go to work and then it was off to the Trunk or Treat with the Larson cousins! Candy and more candy! Reagan is now VERY good at trick or treating and very impressed by the candy--which she kept trying to eat the whole time! Travis just hung out in the stroller and commented "Whoa and wow." The night wouldn't be complete without a trip to Gram's for cousin pics and a new stop--Aunt Tanya's and Uncle Bruce's who saved us some good candy! Too much fun!

Fun Party!

Pre-Halloween Fun and Festivities!

Misty asked a while back if I was interested in having/hosting a Halloween party. I was tempted, but knew life for the beginning of Oct would be crazy so I opted for the "You plan it and I'll help in anyway you need" reply. My only real assigned tasked was to have the party at my house and help decorated (the fun and easy things!). So, I honestly feel like this was the best party I've been to in a while. (It was fantastic not to be in charge and just get to watch the kids all having fun!) Misty did a fantastic job with games and goodies! The kids loved "making mummies" and performing their "tricks for treats." The costumes were great and there were lots of laughs! Hope this becomes another fall tradition!

We also did the standard pumpkin carving this weekend, but it was a bit lonely. We usually carve 1 or 2 with the Larson clan and then always have the Woods family over for night of Pumpkin Carving fun too(which is perfect 'cuz the kids go play and return when the pumpkins are finished!) But this year, we were on our own. Reagan loved helping clean out the pumpkin insides and Travis just loved emptying all the cabinets as we watched helplessly with pumpkin hands. The pumpkins turned out cute (even if Jason thinks they are dumb).

We also made it to Jack's baby blessing in Vail on Sunday. It was early, but worth it. He is a precious little guy. Seems like Travis was just that big yesterday!

Sister Lutz--a neighbor of ours--decided to have a "block" party on Monday night. There were tons of games and good. I was glad I had gotten permission to go to work late because Jason was in charge of grilling (his favorite!). The kids got dressed up again and Travis is finally getting use to his dog ear hat! And Reagan now thinks she should just wear her "new hair" all the time! Oh, the Halloween Fun!

One Year Check Up

I took Travis in on Monday for his one year check up with Dr. Monteirth. I always think of him as being big--at 2 months he was in the 90% for his ht and weight and by 4 mo. already weighed a whopping 16 lbs. (Not startling for all, but Reagan only weighed 19 lbs. at year so he was huge to me!) Now, Travis weighs 20 lbs 15 oz (after having just drank an entire 8oz bottle)! He's still in the 90% for his height, but is down to 25th in wt. Guess my chubby little guy is actually a skinny little guy now! Chubby or skinny he is still cute!