6 Blissful years of Blessed Bonding

It’s hard to believe that John and I have made it though six years of marriage. I mean really, most bets were that we would never make it past three. Kidding Kidding. I love my Johnny, and so lucky to be with my Mr. Right. Honestly, it really is hard to believe that it has been six years, because it has felt like so much longer than that. I can’t even remember what life was like without Juanita! I came across a card from my bridal shower, it was from my older sister, in it she said “John fits into the family like a puzzle piece that was lost and now found!” Emily, you coudn’t have been more accurate. He has kept me laughing the entire time. When we were dating, John once asked me “Do you really want to wake up to this (pointing to his face) every morning for the rest of your life.” My reply, “No, for eternity!” And lucky for me, I get to. Here are some reasons why I am the luckiest girl alive….. He makes me eggs for breakfast on his day off, he would rather spend time with me and the kids than anything else in the world, he is always trying to give me time off from work (not that I don’t love my job/kids), he understands that when my family comes into town he might get a little ignored hahaha, he is a good gift giver, he is patient with me even when I am not so nice, he never forgets trash night, he makes all phone calls for me, he has an old man wheeze when he laughs, he will read a girly/vampire/love story book just because I begged him to, he gets giddy at Christmas time, he dips his cookies in milk (so cute, such a youngster inside), he has a great sense of smell (he has to sniff everything), he still looks at me like I’m the most beautiful woman on earth (keep in mind this is even when I haven’t shower in two days, and I’m cover in baby food spit up), he is the picture perfect father. When I was growing up, my mom used to tell me that I was “practically perfect in every way”, well I think I have married my match, John, you are “practically perfect in every way”, and I love you.

Happy Anniversary!

P.S.I am eternally grateful to know that we can be together forever. I am even more grateful that you did not have to sink your vampire teeth into my neck and suck out all of my blood to make it happen! haha love ya

Ancestor Get-together 2008

The best time of the year, the Larson Family reunion. Every year I look forward to it, more so than Christmas. 2008 turned out to be a little less traditional than most years, since we had the location in El Paso. But it was still full of the usual family entertainment and Larson laughs. We were lucky enough to get to play with Kyle and Kimball before they had to head back home. (Jenni and Matt, you were truly missed this year, so sorry for your family’s loss.) Next part of the weekend was spent getting our nails done, with Aunt Ashley as our inspiration. We used the same design that she picked out just before the reunion last year. (Thanks to everyone who join in on the electric-blue fun.) We spent time at the Zoo, watching Kung Fu Panda, eating, playing games and basketball, swimming, more eating, and yet another last minute entertaining talent show. Luke sang the Darth Vader anthem and with a little coaxing, Noah did his “shake”. John and I played the bag-pipes, well sort of..... (plug your nose and thud on your throat while humming, then you will know what i mean.) It really turn out to be a fun reunion and I cant wait until next June when we can do it all over again. Till we meet again.

Family Fun

Missing Her

In the late hours of the night, that’s the time you miss her the most. Her smile and laugh. Her jokes and her passions. Her innocence. Her thoughtfulness. Her unselfish nature. In the late hours of the night, that’s the time you want her back. To tell her you love her. To give her a hug. To sit down and take one minute out of your day, knowing that that one minute would make her day. In the late hours of the night, that’s the time you realize how precious she really was to all of us. If only, if only we had just one minute, just one second to right all our wrongs and love her again. If ever there was a person here on this earth to strive to be like, she would be the one. She was our example, she was our love. With each passing day, we should all hope to become a little bit more like her. To be able to influence those around us, to be able to find joy in everything we do.

I miss you Ashley and I hope to live a life as beautiful as yours.
Love your Sister

Ashley

Grandma and Grandpa Larson B-Day

It was my grandparent’s birthdays a couple weeks ago. We celebrated with cake and homemade cards. They had no trouble blowing out their candles with Luke, Noah and Trey around. I love you grandma and grandpa. Happy Birthday!



(pause music first)

Memorial Day

We started Memorial Day off by remember Ash, and then headed to my parents house for a BBQ. Dad made delicious Steaks and mom made all the rest. John started a water fight and kids swam in the kiddy pool. We finished off the night with cookies and watermelon. I was a fun day. Thanks again Mom and Dad. We love being so close to you guys. You are our best friends.

Memorial Photos

Brothers Reunion Again

Jared and Mary came to visit a few weeks ago. We had a fun time just hanging out and laughing together. They had never seen our home so it was fun to show it off. It is great to have them only 6 hours away. I hope you guys make it over again before the summer is up. Love ya!!

The Exciting Conclusion

Here is the tail end of our trip. As we last left you, we were heading up to Idaho from Arizona. We stopped off at the Navajo Bridge. The boys thought it was so cool. It really was stunning. We finally arrived in Idaho Falls late. John’s sisters and I planned a surprise birthday party for John. We used “The Office” as our theme. We had poster size drawing of all the character from the show, a ping-pong tournament with yogurt lid metals, and our very own front desk with jars of candy. To top it off, Amanda and James put their gift inside a jello mold. It turned out hilarious. John was promoted to Regional Manger for 28 years of service. John’s mom and Jennifer were able to track down some of John’s old high school buddies. So he had a lot of fun catching up with them. The next day we were able to visit with our old neighbors, Ben and Lisa. We truly miss not having them around to joke and laugh with on a daily basis. Kindred spirits, those two. (a little Anne of Greene for ya) We went up to Rexburg to see how much it has changed, eat at John’s favorite Chinese restaurant (Fongs) and spent the rest of the night playing cards and hanging out at Terry and Trina’s new home. What is a trip to Idaho with out a stop off at Wingers. “Sticky Fingers”, the most glorious food ever invented. We were also able to see the newly renovated visitor center for the Idaho Falls temple. Beautiful. And we stayed up way too late every night playing Dance Dance Revolution. All in all it was a wonderful trip. The boys loved grandpa’s cows and grandma’s kitty cat. It was beautiful weather while we were there. We had a lot of fun. On the way home we stopped in Utah to visit our good friends Chad and Courtney. We were able to meet their cute kiddos and enjoyed being able to see them again. And as an added bonus we found a new Panda Express in Los Lunas on the drive home. Noah got really good with the chopsticks. I love vacation, especially when we get to visit our family. Hey Idahoans, tag you’re it. Come visit us anytime.

Idaho Pics

Family Vacation, Part 1

We had a wonderful long vacation. It had taken a while to get back into the swing of things. So here is some of my blog catchup. Our end destination was going to be Idaho. But we made a few pit stops along the way. On our drive, we had Thomas the Tank engine video repeating over and over in the background, we stopped in Safford so Rachel (my cousin) could cut my hair for me. Thanks again Rach! Next, we headed to Mesa to visit Jared and Mary. (Johns Bro and Sis-in-law). It was fun to get to know my nephew better. The kids had fun playing together. With a few pillow fights, throwing toys off the balcony, and fun in the sun. We went for a relaxing swim in their apartment complex and Jared, John and I got burnt. At least I don’t look like a vampire now! Hooray for skin cancer. (J/K) We went over to Eric and Andreas (my bro and sis-in-law) for a joint B-Day party for John and Eric. It was a fun get together and a fire hazard with all 28 x 2 candles a blazin’. Sunday took a turn for the worse with an unexpected pit stop to the hospital. After church we were headed back up to Jared and Mary’s place. John had Ashley strapped into her car seat and was reaching into the back of the van to get something and her car seat slipped out of the nook of his arm. The car seat landed on its side and then rocked back to its back. She had been sleeping, so we got her calmed down and she went back to sleep. No big deal, right…. Or not. After we all had dinner at Eric and Andreas we were fixing to head back when I noticed a gushy squishy spot on her head. Then panic set in. After a quick blessing we headed over to the ER leaving Luke and Noah at Eric and Andreas. Jared, Mary and Brody went with us to keep us company luckily. Well after X-Rays and CT scans the verdict was in, skull fracture. Who would of thought that could happen while secured in a car seat with only a few feet drop. Scary!!! So Ash and I took an ambulance drive to the children’s hospital in Phoenix with John following behind in the van. She only needed observation thankfully but we needed to be at a hospital with a neural surgeon just incase. We were so grateful to just have to spend one night there. And super grateful that we were able to continue our vacation, we just needed to spend an extra day in Mesa to ensure that she was doing ok Which she was. The Doctor even said she couldn’t believe she didn’t cry when she was touching her head. But I knew why she wasn’t crying, Thank goodness for priesthood blessings. She was a trooper thru out the whole process. It made me appreciate my mom and all the other moms who spend a good portion of their children’s lives hanging out in hospitals. Not something I would wish on anyone. We just look at it this way. If she turns out to be a rotten teenage we are going to blame it on the skull facture, not our poor parenting skills. hahaha To be continued………

Trip Pics