Happy birthday, Isabelle!

Isabelle turned 6 on Saturday. I love birthdays! I had so much fun watching Izzy anticipate her big day. And I figured, why wait? Why squish all the fun into one day?
So, we started on Friday. Izzy, Dylan, and I went bowling. We ordered a pizza and some breadsticks. The breadsticks were nearly as big as the kids, so it's good we had a lot of root beer! Izzy bowled a 70, and Dylan finished with an impressive 66. We had a lot of fun, and started acting a little silly:

The fun didn't stop there. Saturday was Izzy's party. The tire swing was a big hit:

Each of her friends had a chance to ride the horses:

We played pin the tail on the donkey, and stopped long enough to take a picture:

To top off the afternoon, we had a zebra pinata full of surprises:

After all that, the kids settled down for pizza, watermelon, and cupcakes. What a day!

It's hard to believe that Isabelle is already six years old. It seems like not that long ago, she was just a baby. I still remember every detail of the day we brought her home from the hospital. And now she is six. Six! Crazy.

Happy birthday, Tiny!

Edward vs. Harry

After finishing the Harry Potter series, I was looking for something to read. I heard from several people that if I liked Harry, I would enjoy the Twilight series. There are three books in the series (soon to be four). So, long story short, I dove into it. Twilight was a charming book. It was full of romance, which I don't usually read. It's just not my thing. The main character, Bella, was from Arizona, but her mom remarried and planned to travel with her new husband. So Bella decided to go live with her dad in a small town in Washington. The plot came out quite early in the book, and it was a fun, easy read. There was the usual teenage angst that comes with moving to a new town during high school, as well as the classic crush. The main characters, Edward and Bella, had a true red/blue relationship, which I think several of us can identify with. It was a story filled with loyalty, love, and vampires. Definitely worth the read. Edward was a true gentleman, and very romantic, to say the least.

So, that brings me to Harry. What can I say? I don't know if I will ever be as enchanted by a series of books than I was (and still am) by Harry Potter. There is something to be said for J.K. Rowling. I didn't merely identify with her characters. They became real to me. There were so many layers to each person. So many good qualites, as well as little idiosyncracies. I know the profound love Molly Weasley put into each ghastly sweater she knitted for her boys at Christmas. I will always respect and love Dumbledore. I still struggle with Professor Snape; his actions as well as his true intentions. I laughed with these people, I cried with them, I felt their pain. In some weird way, they exist in my heart and mind. Each one of them taught me something about myself. I guess I walked away from Harry Potter wanting to be a better person. Harry went to Hogwarts a boy who didn't know who he was, or really where he came from at all. But he was surrounded by great people who loved him, and he was tested by trial after trial. Overcoming each challenge that he faced required strength, knowledge, and faith. Faith that good would ultimately win out over evil.

When all is said and done, Edward and Harry both have good qualities. Edward is probably better looking, and a much better date, but I think in the end I'd take Harry. There you have it. As far as I'm concerned, the boy who lived wins again.

Argh! Happy Birthday, Jory!

How cool is it to have yer birthday on International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Yes, there is such a thing. I wouldn't run a rig! For you skeptics out there, click here to read all about it. So, we hope ye get lots of booty for yer birthday, and that no one hornswaggles ye out of any fun! Shiver me timbers! We can't believe ye are already 15, ye scallywag!

I Heart Seattle

Luke and I love Seattle. We spent a bit of our honeymoon there, and fell in love with the city. We hiked, kayaked, and of course went to the top of the Space Needle. Pike Place Market is one of our favorite places on earth. I remember the first thing I saw at the market were sunflowers that had a diameter of at least 18 inches. Amazing. It was fun to watch the guys throw fish, and I made sure to kiss the golden pig. It's just a really cool city. It fits us.
Luke is in Seattle right now, and I am sitting at my desk. Posting on my blog. In Utah. Which means I'm not in Seattle. Bummer. It did get me thinking about our time there, and I started looking for pictures. Thank heaven for digital cameras! I have gone through at least one hundred (I'm not kidding) pictures looking for our honeymoon photos. What in the world am I going to do with the endless envelopes of prints we have collected over the years? I finally gave up and took a picture of a picture in our scrapbook. Really? I had time to scrapbook? Seriously? To quote the fabulous Bob Dylan, "things have changed". A lot.
Anyway, long story short, I am missing Seattle. I want to wear jeans and sweaters. I want to go to Pike Place to grab some halibut for dinner. Maybe some flowers to put in the kitchen. I want to play in the rain with Izzy and Dylan. And maybe all of these things would seem dreary and mundane after a while, but right now they sound wonderful.

The Kel Kemp Memorial

Today was the annual Kel Kemp Memorial golf tournament. Kel is Luke's grandpa, and truly one of my favorite people in the world. The tournament was started in Grandpa Kemp's name the summer after he passed away. It always proves to be a fun (and tender) day. All the proceeds from the tournament go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for research. I don't know a single person that hasn't been touched in some way by cancer. The disease doesn't discriminate, which became painfully clear to our family when we lost Grandpa Kemp. He was an incredible man, and is missed every day.
Grandpa had a couple of flags in his pasture; one at each end. He would practice hitting golf balls toward them every day before and after chores. He loved a good game of golf! One of the flags, though it has seen better days, waved proudly in the breeze today during the tournament. We snagged it for a quick picture of the Larsen clan:

Being at the tournament and reminiscing about Grandpa's life made me contemplate what my own legacy might be. Am I proud of the way I am living my life? What will people remember most about me when I'm gone? Is there anything I would regret doing? Or better yet, not doing? Anything I wish I would have said? You get the idea. Seriously, though. What would your legacy be?

Dylan Beckham?

Probably not. But he is very excited about his new soccer team, so it doesn't really matter. He is happy to have a uniform (that is gigantic on him) and new shin guards. If you ask him he'll tell you that if anyone kicks him in the leg, "it won't even hewt!"

God Bless America!

I hope none of us forget, especially on this anniversary of September 11th, what we are fighting for.

My "100"

Liz posted her "100", and it inspired me to try to think of 100 things about myself. This is harder than it looks, but well worth the time. I think everyone should challenge themselves and jot down their own "100". Here's mine:

1. I am terrified of spiders.
2. I hate scary movies.
3. I am proud to be an American.
4. I like to listen to Glenn Beck.
5. I've never left North America.
6. I grew up with three sisters and no brothers.
7. I was an NBA cheerleader.
8. I love getting dressed up.
9. I think most animals are stinky.
10. My hair is naturally curly.
11. I hate milk.
12. I cried when I read the 7th Harry Potter book.
13. I wish I laughed more.
14. Math is my worst subject.
15. I hate parades.
16. I don't mind the smell of skunks.
17. I love classical music.
18. My favorite ice cream is Ben and Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake.
19. Ice cream makes my stomach hurt.
20. I love teaching dance, especially ballet.
21. I want to be a forensic scientist.
22. I have insomnia.
23. I love soda because of the bubbles.
24. Isabelle and Dylan are my favorite people in the world.
25. I love to read.
26. Autumn is my favorite season.
27. I don't like anything to touch my wrists.
28. I am spiritual.
29. I hate going to movies.
30. I always make chili on Halloween.
31. I hate Halloween.
32. Luke is my best friend.
33. I love clean sheets.
34. I like my pillow to be cold when I go to bed.
35. My favorite fabric softener is Melon and Lotus Flower Snuggle.
36. I love Cool Ranch Doritos.
37. My favorite candy is chocolate covered cinnamon bears.
38. I enjoy gardening.
39. My favorite flower is a gerbera daisy.
40. I have the coolest in-laws in the world.
41. I think the moon landing may have been a government hoax.
42. My favorite movie is The Princess Bride.
43. I lied about my weight on my driver's license.
44. I look up to and love my mom and dad very much.
45. I hate being wet.
46. I snort when I laugh.
47. I prefer drinking with a straw.
48. I love red meat.
49. I attended The International Air Academy (for about 2 weeks).
50. I have a Yorkshire Terrier named Ozzy and a Mini-Lop rabbit named Ruby.
51. My son is named after Bob Dylan.
52. I love James Taylor.
53. I met Anthony Kiedis.
54. I was on an episode of Touched by an Angel.
55. I hate drying dishes and grating cheese.
56. I don't iron.
57. I love mexican and chinese food.
58. I am a Chicago Bears fan.
59. I love hot dogs/corn dogs.
60. I like to snowboard.
61. I am a terrible golfer.
62. I've had plastic surgery (gasp!).
63. I love my ipod.
64. I like my eyes.
65. I love to go grocery shopping.
66. I love to cook.
67. I like watching the Food Network.
68. I am afraid of open water.
69. I don't know how to swim (probably one reason to explain #68).
70. I love hospital ice.
71. I enjoyed being pregnant.
72. I am good at keeping secrets.
73. I have a crush on Michael Buble (not really, but he is rather fabulous).
74. I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to friends.
75. I don't like to wear socks and shoes.
76. I hate the feel of grass under my bare feet.
77. I love my Outback.
78. I enjoy kayaking.
79. I support the war in Iraq.
80. I don't have a middle name.
81. I won't open my shutters unless my family room carpet has just been vacuumed.
82. I didn't know how to spell vacuum until I wrote #81.
83. I don't like seafood.
84. My pet peeve is when people chew with their mouth open or talk with it full.
85. I like to watch America's Next Top Model-even the marathons.
86. I like getting pedicures.
87. I love vegetables.
88. I am a good speller.
89. I think David Caruso is a terrible actor.
90. I hate watching people play cards on TV.
91. I am afraid of the dentist.
92. I hate to do my hair.
93. I've never donated blood.
94. I love it when I catch my kids looking at me out of the corner of their eye, just to make sure I am watching them.
95. I don't dare start our grill.
96. I like canning.
97. I had a tumor in my kidney.
98. I won't wear low-rise jeans.
99. I love everything about my house.
100. One of my favorite things to watch is summer lightening storms.

Grrrr!

Final score: Chargers 14, Bears 3. Not cool. Do you know what else isn't cool Mr. Eric Weddle? Sacking Rex Grossman, that's what. It wasn't that long ago that we sat, basking in the spirit of the Cottonwood youth, eating scones together. Didn't that mean anything to you? Don't get me wrong. I am happy for you and your Chargers, but how soon we forget, Eric. How soon we forget.

Happy birthday, Angel!

For your birthday post, I have something I know you'll love. A coupon! (Only those who know and love Angel will understand.) OK, so this coupon is good for a free evening of babysitting, but it is only redeemable if you and Tyler go do something fun. Dinner, a movie, maybe a nice drive up to Silver Lake. Anything. However, it is not redeemable if you will be going to a doctor appointment, taking your car to the shop, or anything of that nature. So, let me know when you are ready to use this one-of-a-kind birthday coupon, and we'll figure out the details. Have a happy birthday; we love you!

Don't Cry...

My friend Brooke's mother-in-law told me to put a match between my teeth whenever I slice onions. Right. And if I pass this tip on to 17 people in my address book in the next 10 seconds, I'll become rich next Tuesday at 9:34am...not. Anyway, I just sliced up a bunch of onions for the pickles I am making. Before I had even finished half of them, I thought I was going to go blind. I was desperate, so I asked Luke to grab a match for me. Long story short, as soon as I put it in my mouth, my eyes stopped watering. Immediate relief. It was crazy! I don't know how or why this works, but it does. So there you go. Your random piece of information for the day.

Dylan's Big Day

Today was Dylan's first day of preschool. On the first day, moms and dads get to go to class, too. We had so much fun! His teacher read a story and he did three different art projects. He met new friends, and had a snack. He is excited to go again. So excited that he doesn't even care if Luke and I go with next time. Awesome! We are thrilled that he had such a great day.

Izzy's Big Week

It's only Wednesday, and Isabelle has already had a big week. Yesterday, she got her cast taken off.

Today was her first day of kindergarten. For some reason, she looked really grown up when we got ready to leave for school.

It's crazy how time flies.

Mt. Timpanogos

Yesterday we hiked to the Mt. Timpanogos caves. Here is your random information for the day: timpanogos is a Paiute word meaning 'river of rock'. You feel smarter, don't you? OK, anyway, we didn't think that there would be a lot of people there, but seeing as it was Labor Day weekend, we were wrong. We arrived at around 2pm, and we couldn't get on the trail until 4:30. We killed some time by grabbing a map from the ranger and going on a nature hike (apparently we aren't the only ones that have had to wait). We also looked at a lot of postcards and various rocks at the giftshop. Did you know you can buy yourself a blue ribbon for hiking to the caves? True story. After a while, Izzy and Dylan got hot (and bored), so we let them put their feet in the river for a bit. Finally, it was time to start hiking.This is a classic Luke photo. What you can't see is that he is standing on a big red stripe (read the sign). Anyone who knows him will appreciate this picture!

After hiking 1 1/2 miles, we made it to this sign. Isabelle walked the entire way by herself, so she was very excited that we were almost there--just a few short switchbacks left.

It was pretty cold in the cave. About 40-45 degrees, so we were glad we had sweatshirts. Well, everyone but Luke. He didn't think it would be "that cold", so he didn't grab one. When I asked him if he was chilly, he told me to put on a wet, sweaty t-shirt and get into the fridge, so I'm assuming he was. The kids thought the rock formations were really cool, and had a ball making their way through each of the three caves. Our guide pointed out two particular formations, and asked if anyone knew what they were. Isabelle piped up and informed everyone that the deposits hanging from the limestone are stalactites, and the ones on the floor are stalagmites. Good girl.

Soon enough, it was time to head back, so we got our gear and started down the mountain. Luke had Dylan in the backpack, which we are hoping he doesn't fit into next summer. Can you imagine packing around a five-year-old in that thing?

On the way down, the sun was starting to set. In the evening light, we noticed the maples that are turning red. They looked spectacular against the looming evergreens and steep cliffs. I was quickly reminded of why autumn is my very favorite time of the year.

Are you kidding me?

Just push play.

Horses

When I was young, I wanted a horse. Really bad. I think the request even made it onto a Christmas list or two. Santa never came through, but as an adult, I understand that he must have had issues with fitting a horse onto the sleigh. I can see clearly that it was a big request, and it would have caused all sorts of problems. Hindsight being 20/20, I see Santa was a really smart guy. So, I am glad that Fred and Kelly have horses for Isabelle and Dylan to love. They get so excited to help feed, and especially love riding them. What lucky kids! I'm sure Santa is relieved.