Mountains of Fun on Memorial Day...

The Larson Family had a little mountain reunion on Memorial Day at the cabin. Jason made the trek on Saturday with the kids while I stayed home and worked. Then, we all went up on Monday. The weather was beautiful and cool and the trip was full of walks to "Cow Canyon" and treks to Lady Bug Saddle. The Reagan had her bug catcher and instructed all the cousins on how to catch anything creepy and crawly--including beetles and caterpillars. Travis, meanwhile spent his time trying to be cool and follow around his big cousins Rusten and Frank, pushing trucks down hills, and getting dirty. Oh, the fun and the memories! We are blessed and grateful to have such a fun retreat to go to!
The trip was made even more exciting as a few of Jason's first cousins came for the adventure also (all the way from Utah and Idaho). These made for lots of cousins and little cousins...and fun! I think Joy and Gene Robert loved every minute of it! We sure did!

My New Calling...

So... a few weeks ago, we got a new bishop--Bishop Clifford. Then, Jason and I got a call to meet with his first counselor Br. Jorgensen on a Saturday morning. We were both nervous, but as Br. J started asking about Jason's schedule, I felt relieved...it was certainly a calling for him. Then, the call came--for me to be the Secretary in YW. Cool...sounded fun and exciting and so far it has been! I am keeping busy completely organizing everything....I can't say reorganizing because its like we are starting from scratch-- but I don't mind and am enjoying the challenge. I am so excited to serve with 3 of the most awesome ladies in the world...Sis. Jorgensen, Sis. McMaster, and Sis. Vining. The only unexciting part so far was having to speak in church today after only about 48hrs. notice.....it actually worked out well--there was no time for me to stress, worry, and rewrite. I'm glad its over though....I'll be glad to get back to the excitement of organizing!

I'm Going To First Grade!

Reagan came home last Friday after her last 2 whopping hours of school, bursting through the door and announced, "I'm going to first grade!" She emptied out her bag of goodies and showed me her graduation certificate. She was so proud and excited! (I was too, but sad because she is growing up way too fast!) She spent the day asking to swim, play in the water, and go to a friend's house...all not really an option as it was a rainy, cloudy day. I think Reagan is going to miss going to kindergarten with Ms. Stone and her friends....and I think I may too!

(Ms. Stone and Reagan... she was a fantastic, fun, and soft spoken teacher. Reagan loved her and so did I! We can only hope and pray for a first grade teacher who is as good as Ms. Stone!)

When I Grow Up...

"When I grow up, I want to be an animal docotor--or vet. It's because I love animals and they love me," Reagan said. This cute little quote mades me smile...and even got incorporated in Reagan's spring dance recital on Saturday. Reagan danced as a "farmer" to the "Eeiiiooo jazz song" (her favorite no surprise there!) and "modeled" in her tap dance "Babyface". I have to admit the her performance did surprised me! She did an amazing job! (((At the parents day a few weeks ago, I would have had to admit she was bad...even maybe the worst in the class. But her little recital proved me wrong!))) She really did shine! Reagan got up on the stage, smiled, and danced her heart out--in sync-- loving every minute of it! It was precious! And just goes to show that this little girl can turn it off and on when she wants too! Needless to say, we were very proud of her performance! Way to go Reagan!

We also finished the week out with Parents day at gymnastics--Reagan's favorite this year! She had a ball and did a great job! She tries hard, but still has a way to go in the strength department so we'll keep practicing and maybe hit a few open gyms this summer.

What A Boy!

Okay, so Reagan has always been the messiest and dirtiest kid (compared to her cousins anyways). Well, Travis had decided to carry on the Larson tradition...

Travis got really quiet last week while I was on the computer. He had tried to go outside and play, but it was so hot that I opted to keep him in. He decided that he really DID want to play in the dirt--even if Mom wasn't going to let him outside. He found his big blue truck and filled it's bed full of dirt (aka--mom's potting soil from her plants in the hall!!!) Then, he proceded to dump piles of his dirt from the hall to the living room. When I found him, he was dumping out the last of his load. And...you guessed it--he was covered in potting soil (as was my floor)! What a boy--he can find dirt to play in ANYWHERE!

Yeah for Reagan!

Reagan had an exciting week. Besides getting to go to a friend's birthday party and having fun playing up at the Larson cabin with her cousins, Reagan played her last county softball games last week. Yeah for the Wildcats who had an undefeated season! Our girls could all hit which made for some excitement in the games...lucky for the parents!

Reagan was also student of the month at Jack Daley Primary School and got an awesome backpack full of school stuff (she picked the pink one of course) and a cool certificate. Good job Reagan! We are proud of you!

Happy 33rd Birthday Honey!

Jason honestly checks and monitors our blog more often than I do so I figured this would be the perfect place to ....Wish him HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It's #33 for him...he's getting so old...he even admits it! Honestly, I don't mind. I love my "older" man! I really am a lucky girl. Jason jokes that he could have married a lot of girls if he would have just asked before I came along. I'm sure its true, but I'm glad he was a bit afraid of marriage and commitment and that it took him a while to decide that....it was ME that he wanted! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband...hmmm....

33 wonderful attributes of Jason...or things I love about him: (don't be embarrassed honey!)

1. He loves me unconditionally.

2. He can fix ANYTHING.

3. He takes pride in all he does.

4. He sees the world in black and white. (its good 'cuz I do too most of the time)

5. He is a great Daddy and spends lots of time with Reagan and Travis

6. He spoils me (when I let him).

7. He is so darn cute!

8. He can't lie--even when he tries.

9. He is a good listener.

10. He is always supportive of me.

11. He makes wise decisions for our family (like picking me!).

12. He makes me laugh.

13. He tortures me (2 words-cold water!).

14. He is a great cook.

15. He is helpful around the house (when he wants to be).

16. Did I mention he is cute?! Oh, and he's becoming quite the fisherman these days!

17. He is always learning...whether it be for school or just about chickens!

18. He honors his Priesthood powers.

19. He always volunteers to help out...no matter the project.

20. He works hard to provide for our family.

21. He is a great gardener--always taking care of our lawn, flowers, and garden.

22. He is a good farmer...now if he could just get a farm?!

23. He can make or break Reagan and Travis with one look.

24. He loves and honors his parents.

25. He strives to be a good example for his friends.

26. He kisses me everyday.

27. He is HOT--especially in uniform (even for an old guy!)

28. He can bbq!

29. He takes pride in our home.

30. He is smart. (no matter what class he is taking--he never studies and still does well!)

31. He loves his kids.

32. He's my best friend.

33. He's mine FOREVER!

YEP...Lucky me!

Happy Birthday Jason! :)

BEEutiful BEE

Reagan's school musical "BUGZ" was last week. Reagan was Beeutiful as a Honey Bee. She knew all the songs by heart and even had all her friends parts memorized. The big production finally came and dressed in her cute homemade bee costume, she....just stood there-- initially. She just looked content to watch the others sing and the parents in the audience. Finally, towards the end she realized what she was supposed to be doing and help belt out a few buggy songs. The show was super cute and all the kids did a great job. Reagan's bee song and dance with the girls in her class was priceless. (All I know is that our music teacher has lots of patience...and talent--getting 125 kindergartners to perform is quite a feat in itself!) Thanks for coming to watch Nana!

Speaking of bugs....Reagan's caterpillar from Frye Mesa ended up in her bug cage and just a day later was a nice cocoon. Then, after much anticipation and 10 days...hatched into a beautiful butterfly! Reagan was so excited! After much convincing, she finally let the butterfly go. "That was the coolest pet I've ever had," she said. I have to agree.

18 MoNtHs ALrEaDy?!

As I nestled Travis in my arms the other night...in the middle of the night...I should have been wishing I was sleeping or at least be angry at him for waking me. He usually sleeps through the night, but its like he can sense my work induced sleep deprivation and can't help compounding it. Instead, I stood holding him, cuddling him for longer than he needed. Just enjoying my baby. He's 18 months now! I can't believe how in the blink of an eye, my baby boy has become quite the big boy. Or so he thinks he is! Highchair? No, way! This boy wants to sit at the table like everyone else. Sippy cup for dinner? No again! Travis wants a cup and doesn't even spill. No baby toys--he throws those. No cuddling, unless its a night like that...but he does give the cutest kisses these days. Travis even had his 18mo. check up last week. He IS getting so big--25 lbs. and 33 inches long! And so smart...the cutest part of our visit was when we walked into the office and he went straight to the cupboard and said "Sucker" and pointed to where Dr. M keeps them. Sometimes I think he is too smart for his own good...or my own good. He sure can make the biggest messes! I truly love this age...well, minus the screaming when he doesn't get his way. But I do love how he learns new words every day, explores absolutely everything, tries to copy everything his sister does (which is often hilarious), and how a hug from mom or dad can comfort his tears. What a blessing Travis is...I wouldn't trade him OR the last 18months for anything!

Fish Tales

Last weekend, my parents went to Roosevelt Lake and invited my kiddos. The kids were excited and Jason and I graciously accepted (as we both had to work). Reagan and Travis made the trek with Tanya and Bruce on Thursday night and didn't come back till Sunday afternoon. When they got home, they were full of FISH TALES! Reagan loved telling us about the fish she caught. "It was THIS BIG!" she said as she held her arms out wider and wider each time she told the story. Spoken like a true fisherman. She also loved playing with the blue gill (something my dad used to let me do--just hook a string through its lip and instant toy!?). Reagan also enjoyed her new "pets"...minnows! She would take a few back to camp each day in water bottles and each time they would die--rather quickly. Couldn't have been 'cuz she was packing them around and leaving them out in the heat right?! Travis's fish tale was a bit more of a nail biter for us. While playing in the boat in the middle of the lake, he decided to lean a bit too far out of the boat to touch the water and ended up in the lake--my dad caught his foot as he fell in. My first reaction was..."Its okay Mom. He had his life jacket on right?" Then, I cringed as my mom said the words..."No. He hated wearing it because it choked him so he didn't have it on." Luckily, Travis was fine. My Dad laughed, Reagan cried, and my mom got a lecture from me on being the adult and making my kids do things they don't like--like wearing their life jackets. Ahhhh...fish tales!

As a side note: Travis's new favorite word is FISH! And Reagan missed her "pets" so much, we finally decided to replace her birthday beta (that committed fish suicide as it kept jumping out of the bowl) with a new beta...Reagan named him "Jumper" no less!