Yet Again

   Yup, that's right! I'm posting about my lack of posting. I don't know why I can't get on top of keeping this current. It is kind of like when I update my journal once a year... HA!!
    As I looked through past blogs and saw all the pictures and proof of how much my kiddos have grown- it is so amazing. Time just passes by and never looks back...
   Things here in the Larsen house are good. Silas is in the 1st grade and really likes learning to read. He is getting pretty good at it. Brooklyn will turn 5 this month and is attending a preschool two days a week. She cannot wait to go to Kindergarten this fall. Luke is 20 months old and is learning and growing so much each day. He is starting to talk and he just loves when he is included in his brother and sisters play.
   Sam has been crazy busy at his new job. He is working for Alaska Heater Rentals/MagTec. He enjoys it for the most part. This job has allowed him to venture on small planes to small towns/villages across the inlet from us. He has also gotten an inside peek at a few of the oil field 'camps'. Needless to say- he finds them interesting. Sam has also been working on redoing the deck on his boat. He also hasn't admitted this to me, but I know he is just counting down the time until fishing season this summer.
   I have been busy with kiddos as I'm sure you could imagine. I take a trip to Kenai everyday to either pick up or drop off Silas and two other girls that live nearby us. I am attending MOPS and am currently the Women's Ministry leader at our church. It isn't the most exciting life of an Alaskan mom, but I enjoy it!
   I have been reflecting a lot on many aspects of my life personally these past couple months. I am so glad that the Lord has blessed me with so many things both spiritually and physically. I am also grateful that He has allowed me to see the things in my life that need to be changed. I know people usually do the New Year's resolution thing- I usually have, but I don't think I have EVER accomplished a single one of them. Well, 2012 is the year for change. I think that the Lord has given me the tools- or better yet, I have finally seen what has been right in front of me for so long where I am able to not only set realistic goals for the year but to also accomplish them. So I want to share the 3 goals I have made for 2012. I must also add that each goal has smaller goals within its category, but I will not share all those. Hopefully I will be able to update on here on how the year is going.

2012 Goals:
1. Simplify- within our home and with our schedule
2. Get healthy as a family
3. Start each day with a happy heart

Here's to 2012!!!
 

What a summer

Well if any of you read my previous post- you know that I have failed horribly on one of my resolutions. HAHA!! I have good intentions- really I do! This year has been good and I am thinking I will just do a slideshow with the highlights just so it is on record for myself and my kids later in life if they want to read this blog. It is now on my to-do list for the next couple weeks. Wish me luck on that one!!

Okay- here comes my venting.......
In Alaska, we always look forward to our summers. If we are lucky, we get awesome weather that lasts for most hours of everyday. Last summer was quite a bit rainy- bummer!! But this summer has been amazing as far as weather goes. Other than the weather- this summer has been a struggle for me! Summers are always crazy busy and I always have to remind myself that it is just a couple months out of my year, but this year has been extra tough. The stresses of having MANY extra bodies living at my house (which I love and hate at the same time), Sam building a shop on our property and the joys of having three rambunctious kiddos has caused me, for the first time ever, to tell my sweet hubby that I really need a break! Unfortunately, I will have to wait until company is gone to do so. But at least there is a light at the end of this tunnel- a weekend away with no worries or responsibilities is coming my way!!

I have been so negative about this summer to friends, on Facebook and just in general- but I want to focus on the positive for a second...
I am so grateful for my children and their awesome, active personalities. They keep me happy!
I am grateful for my dear husband, who works so hard to provide for our family and keep us all happy!
I am so thankful for my friends! Their listening ears and thoughtful prayers are a blessing!
I am so grateful for a beautiful home to rest my head each night and all the extras inside and out of it- the Lord has blessed our family more than we could ever imagine!!
I am so happy that many friends and family are able to come visit us this year- it is always nice to share time with those you miss so much. And we love showing them this beautiful place we live!!
I am so thankful for each day the sun rises- just one more day to enjoy my blessings!

Thank you Lord for this beautiful summer and allowing me to live it!!

Waiting and Hoping

As the Christmas season fast approaches I am both happy and bummed. Happy because it means yummy kitchen smells, Christmas carols, and smiling faces on my little ones. But bummed because I realize another year has gone by and I have not accomplished all that I wanted to. This blog would be one of those things. I know people have made excuses for me- I have three kids, I am a mom, I have MOPS, I have a house to run. But really- I have discovered that I have a time management issue!! I am fully aware of it but choose to ignore it most times. Well I am striving to make one of my 2011 Resolutions to update my blog and then to keep updating at least once a month. I know that this is sometimes the only way for relatives to see the kiddos as they grow and learn, so it is my goal to let everyone else enjoy my family as much as I do.
So for those of you who care enough to check in every once in awhile- Thanks!! And I WILL be posting/updating soon. I would say that it will before Christmas, but honestly I don't think that will happen. Sam, Luke and I are playing the parts of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus for Bethlehem Revisited for  our church so the days before Christmas are jam packed. But have a little faith in me and I won't let you down.
As for now, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

DELAYED!

I am fully aware of my blog being so far behind. Just like most things in our house right now- not caught up! But I promise that I have many very cute pictures of all my kiddos that I am wanting to post on here. It will be blog overload but if I don't do it, I will be bummed. I am just needing a couple hours of free time in the evening- so hopefully next week I will find that time. I need to get through Halloween first.

Currently, we are in the middle of remodeling our entryway and cleaning up after it. We are also looking forward to a trip to Arizona in a few weeks.

So just hang in there and don't give up on me- I will be posting soon!! Check back in a week or so! Love to all!

3 Months

Here are a few snapshots of the Little Luke man at his 3 month milestone.

He is starting to figure out his hands. He loves sucking/chewing on his fingers and thumb.

He has learned to grasp the toys that hang on his playmat. He smiles constantly (except in a picture below). This little man has been the perfect addition to our family. He is so easy and just loves attention!!

A little tummy time on the Boppy- it doesn't last too long with this little guy. He would rather be up looking out at all the things going on around him.

His favorite playtime is on his play mat. He loves staring the colorful animals in their huge eyes and grabbing onto the rings.

Now this picture just absolutely cracks me up!! Brookie loves her hat and was totally thrilled when she realized that Luke had one similar to her. She put the hat on and they both wore them for a good 15 minutes, but of course once I decided it was time to take a picture of their cuteness- all hell breaks loose. Brookie didn't care that Luke was mad, she wanted the picture smiles or not. It will be a photo I will certainly cherish.

Thumb Sucker????

Each night Luke just chills until he is finally ready to go to sleep. Usually, I go put him in his bed with his pacifier or cuddle him to sleep. But tonight he figured out his own solution- sucking his thumb. I do not want him to be a thumb sucker but I loved this!! My little man is so very cute!!!

Barbie Pool & Easy Bake Oven

Today we busted out two new-to-us toys and it made my kids day even more fun.

I had bought a Barbie swimming pool a couple years ago and was just waiting for a bday or Christmas to give it to Brookie. But since the kids took swimming lessons, Brookie always wants to play swimming with her Barbie's. She was trying to find a box or basket to be the pool today, so I thought it was the perfect time to bring the pool out from hiding. She was absolutely thrilled.

We were also given an Easy Bake Oven a month or so ago and I was honestly putting off trying it. We were at Wal Mart today and Si spotted the mixes that go with it. I didn't have an excuse to not get one. So once we got home that was all I heard about until finally after dinner. The kids loved putting the little pans in and taking them out. They (along with myself) didn't like that it took so long to cook the one cookie. But they both enjoyed two sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles. It was a fun activity to do with them. They were proud of themselves for making the cookies all by themselves. All in all, the kids and I had a fun day and I was glad that I put other things on hold and just took the time to do little things like these.

Waiting for the oven to warm-up

The anticipation

Brookie's finished product

I love my kiddos so much! They are both so sweet, but we have been having out battles lately. Many struggles with just attitudes and having to learn how to deal with new situations. But after taking a look at my own attitude each morning and trying to be more understanding with them has really been a benefit this last week! I just hope that I can remember to step back and enjoy these moments, because as I have already figured out- the time flies!!

Saddle Ridge Ranch

We just had a fun week at our Vacation Bible School. The theme this year was Saddle Ridge Ranch. We had a good ole time!! YEEHAW! The kids loved the music/dance part the best as always! Here are a few pictures from the event. I wish I had more to share. It's hard to show how much fun it really was with only a couple pictures.

Hayrides at the Hoe Down. Silas was right there up front!

Little Luke sporting his cowboy flannel shirt for the Hoe Down.

Brookie and her friend John.

Silas and our neighbor friends, Michael and Devin.

Me and my kiddos at Saddle Ridge Ranch!

Diving Board

I won't say much about this video since it will speak for itself. He is a lot braver than I give him credit for. Just try to ignore my voice/comments! hehe!

Click here to view this video

Swim Lessons

Both the kiddos took swimming lessons these past two weeks. Silas was able to remember pretty much everything from last summer- YEAH!  His group is usually way over on the other side of the pool in the deep end- hard to get picts. He is really becoming a good little swimmer. He even surprised me on the diving board. (as you saw in the previous post). We also have swimming the whole month of July, so I am sure by the end of the summer- he will be a pro!

Brookie is not quite as daring or trusting as Silas was. She really enjoyed going each day even though it took her awhile to actually do what her teacher wanted her to. By the end of this session she would listen and actually willingly go under the water! She was very anxious about the diving board and I assured her that she didn't have to jump. Well she took me seriously, she wouldn't even get in line- haha . I am curious to see where she is at the end of the summer.

Luke enjoyed going to the pool to watch. When he wasn't snoozing- he really like the lights and the water. He would just stare at them and smile. It was pretty cute! I included a picture of him snoozing through lessons.

Sorry for the poor quality of pictures (except Luke)- I don't have the special setting on my camera that helps with the lights in the pool.

New Bike and a Garage Sale Find

Brookie has been a little spoiled this month! We finally got her a new bike! Sam called me one day when he was at WalMart. He told me he was going to buy Brookie a bike and he thought it was the coolest thing ever since it had a seat for her baby doll attached. She was absolutely thrilled. She doesn't like riding it without help at our house since our driveway is dirt, but she is getting better. She will be a master before we know it I'm sure.

Then the other day we were going to be a little early for swimming lessons so we went and checked a garage sale that was down the road. It was fate! There was a power wheels Barbie Jeep. Brookie has wanted one for a long time since her friend Emry has one. It was a smokin deal that I couldn't resist. Now Brookie is all set up with wheels just like Silas.

Little Fisherman

Here is my fisherman again. This is the first Cod that he has ever caught. They got it in the net with all the salmon when they went out personal use fishing for the first time this season. Si wanted to eat him, but as you can tell in the picture- the poor fish had been through a lot. So he just settled for a picture with it.

1st Fishing Trip

Here are a couple pictures from the first fishing trip of the year for Sam and Silas. They went out halibut fishing with some friends from church for the day. They caught their limit- including the big guy that Sam hooked. They brought home some yummy fillets to start stocking the freezer with. I only can smile when fishing begins, since it makes the boys in my life so happy!!!

6 WEEKS

Just wanted to share my favorite snapshot of the little man at 6 weeks old. He has officially found his smile!!

One Month Old

Yes, I am behind on this post. I just had to post anyways just to document this little man since I might not get started on his scrapbook until he is in high school. Anyways, these pictures were taken when my little Luke was one month old. I forget how fast they grow and how fast time truly flies by. I am trying to take all this in even more since he is probably our last baby. Enjoy his sweetness!

Park Weather- FINALLY!!!

We have finally had some nice fairly warm days that allowed us to escape our house and head to the park. This has been a long awaited activity for the kids. Here are some pictures of our first trip to our favorite park. This park is known to my kids as the Pirate Ship park, but last fall the pirate ship went away and was replaced by new play equipment. They seem to like it better, except the fact that the swings are gone. But I am sure that they will always call it the Pirate Ship park. Hopefully we will have many more trips to this and all the other parks this summer.

Trip to the Beach- well sort of

   Just wanted to share this really fun activity that Brookie and I (along with Luke) were able to attend! Our church held a Sandals and Seashores Mother/Daughter get-together. It was really awesome and a lot of FUN!! They were really successful in bringing the beach into our church- literally. Brookie was excited to wear a new summer dress and her flip-flops and I was thrilled to get out the capri's and sandals as well.

   We packed a picnic lunch that we shared with friends, we drank cherry limeades, we ate ice cream cones, we heard great stories and songs (Brookie and her little friend Annie even sang), we played some volleyball and we played in the sand. It was the greatest trip to the beach so far this year!!

Our new little guy

  I know that I have already posted all these pictures on facebook, but for those of you who aren't facebookers I wanted to share them with you as well. Our little guy, Luke Nikolaus Larsen arrived April 19th at 4:30 a.m. We went to the hospital on the 18th and expected that to be his birthday, but he had his own plans! He took his precious time but we were so happy when he finally arrived. Things went very well and my plan to have no epidural was successful. He weighed 8lbs. 4oz. and was 20 3/4 in long. He is our biggest baby but sure doesn't look it. The first thing that I noticed about him was all his blonde hair- he has quite a bit of it.
  Silas and Brooklyn were really excited to finally meet him!!! They came first thing that morning with jammies and bedhead! They always want to hold him and can't give him enough kisses. They are both very glad to be big brother and big sister.
  Now that we are home things are getting back to normal. My mom was up here for one week and that made things very easy. Since she left, we have had to adjust a little bit mostly at dinner time and when I need to take a shower. But all in all everything is going smoothly. He eats good and sleeps well. I can't complain!!
  I hope that you all enjoy these pictures of our little man!!

Easter 2010!!

Here are a few highlights of our Easter celebration this year. Kiddos loved coloring eggs and finding them. Brookie had her Easter dress for awhile, but I wouldn't let her wear it until today. Her favorite part about it was that it came with a matching one for her baby doll. Silas told me that he wanted a striped shirt for Easter and he liked it even more when I let him pick it out himself. So they don't match but they are still so stinking cute!! They both got their own Bibles in their Easter baskets and they are so proud of them. We had Easter dinner at our house with Gpa Dale and Pat as our guests. Lisa (Sam's mom) wasn't feeling well so we missed her. It was my first attempt at making a turkey and I must say, it turned out to be pretty yummy!! I even got all the insides out! Hope you enjoy this handful of picts!