Busy July

I just thought I would just speak my mind a little today. Our weather hasn't really wanted to cooperate- so we haven't had much outside days, which really bites. It is making our summer go by that much faster. Our summer has been crazy busy this year, which is also making it go by faster. July has been unreal. Sam started fishing June 30th and has been doing very well. He spends most his off days working on the boat- so he has been very busy. Silas is absolutely loving the extra time with his Daddy. He gets to go work with Daddy most days. Brooklyn and I have done a lot of stuff around the house. We don't get to see Daddy much this time of year- so that kind of sucks.
Our friend from AZ, Marchell and his wife came up and stayed with us for a few days. We had fun with them. It was good to finally have some friends come and visit. We are preparing for my Mom and StepDad to come up here on Monday. They haven't seen our house in it's DONE condition- so I am excited for them to come visit.
Silas is going to be turning 4 on the 23rd, we are having his party on the 19th. He is so excited that it is finally here. He has been asking very often if today is his birthday- I guess that is what I get for starting to plan so far in advance.
Well I guess I don't really have much else to say. Just a bit lonely today I guess. I hope everyone is having a good summer. I will post probably after Si's party. Happy Summer to all!

Pampered Chef Party

I am having a Pampered Chef party Tuesday July 8th. These parties are now virtual as well. For anyone wanting to check out the products (they have awesome gadgets) and/or place an order can do so online. Just visit www.pamperedchef.biz/elainekellum. Make sure to input my name(Jamie Larsen)as the host. Your products are shipped right to you!! I hope you all can find something you like. Thanks to all who participate in this virtual party. Thanks a bunch!

Happy Father's Day!

I just wanted to send out a Happy Father's Day wish for all the Dad's, StepDad's,
Grandpa's and whoever else needs the wish. I would like to show my
appreciation to three great men in our family's lives.

First, my husband- Babe, you are such an awesome Dad and husband. You never give yourself the credit that you deserve. Si and Brooke absolutely adore you and every second that they get to spend with you. You sacrifice so much and work so hard for us, I will never be able to show how much that means to me. We have had a long time together and I have absolutely loved it. You make me laugh like no one else can- and I adore that about you! You are a great example- I will never forget the first time I asked Si what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said "My Daddy" ! I just hope that you have as much fun with us as we do with you! We are so grateful for the Dad/husband that you are. We love you lots! Happy Father's Day!

Second, Sam's Dad- Thank you Dad for all the love and support that you have given to us. We have some really great memories with you! You truly did a great job with the Dad thing- because Sam is a pretty good one. Keep it up> one more to go! haha! Sam still looks up to you and respects you and the values that you taught him. We wish we were closer so we could all spend more time with ya. The kiddos have really enjoyed going to Gpa Ken's. And I could definately tell that you really had fun with them. We hope that you have a great Father's Day! Can't wait to see you again! We love and miss you so much!

And last but not least, My Dad- It is crazy to think that he has been gone for 5 1/2 years. I still think about him quite a bit. Usually when I am having those precious moments with my kids, I just wish that they could have known him. He was a really great guy! Skilled in so many different areas. He sacrificed more than I ever knew for our family, especially during my last 2 years of high school. But I am so thankful for that time (here I go getting all pouty)- I loved looking in the stands at every one of my softball and volleyball games and seeing him there. I took it for granted at the time but now I look back and I truly cherish that and will never forget it. I could go on for many many paragraphs but I will keep the rest for myself I am so grateful to have had such an amazing and humble man to call my Dad! I truly love and miss him! Happy Father's Day!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!

Happy Birthday Kimmy!

Yesterday was my sister Kim's birthday. I didn't get to talk to her, which totally bummed me out! boohoo! Anyways I just wanted you to know Kim that I was thinking about you. Thanks for being such a great sister and friend. I truly miss spending time with ya! I miss you lots and love ya more! Hope you had a Happy Birthday!!
Sisi with Aunt Kimmy at our going away party February 2006! Love ya!!!!!!!!!

Bing's Landing 2008

Over Memorial Day weekend we went camping with four other families from church. We all have kids around the same age. The youngest was Brooklyn and the oldest was Avlynn (2nd grade). There were 11 kids total. It was a lot of fun! We camped at a place called Bing's Landing. We were all nestled in our own little spot but close to everyone. We all congregated at Matt & Ambers campsite for food and fun.
Burr, Matt and Contessa had gone out a day early and set up tents so we would have a spot for sure. Well the wind blew like crazy that night so when we got to our site- our brand new tent had blown over and was all busted up. After a temper tantrum by my husband- we decided to go home and get our little tent. We ended up taking the broken tent back to the store and getting a different one. Once we finally got back to our site and got our tent up, Amber had some delicious Chili and cornbread waiting for us. Travis and Heather came a bit later and got their stuff all situated. Finally we could all relax and hang by the fire.
The kids were all in heaven- they loved being able to walk around and explore the woods. And of course they were all in awe of the fire. Brooklyn was satisfied with a shovel, bucket or dump truck and some dirt.
We all FROZE our butts off that night (except William and Contessa- cheaters). The next morning we had a really tasty breakfast- eggs and pancakes- complements of the Wolverton's. Each family was in charge of a meal- that was nice! Although I was looking forward to Travis' dessert- sorry Trav!! Burr and Jaime brought some delicious hot dogs, sausages and watermelon- yummo
It rained most of the day- I don't know why they do weather forecasts- are they ever right? Let's just say it wasn't supposed to be such a crummy day. The rain didn't stop the kids from having fun though. They didn't even slow down one bit! The guys put up a tarp to prevent all of our hangout area from getting soaked- so it was bearable.
Around 3:00 everyone kinda decided that another night was probably not going to happen. BUMMER!! I had made everyone tinfoil(hobo) dinners for that night- I was not going to take 20 of them home- so I sent everyone home with them. We all packed up and headed home.
Even with the weather and all OUR issues, we had a BLAST! We are so glad that everyone was able to come. We definately should do it again this year and make it an annual thing. Thanks for all the fun!!

Swim Lessons

Silas started swim lessons last week. He goes for two weeks Monday thru Friday for 25 minutes. He was so excited about it- until he had to get in the water. He didn't want to do it. After his teacher, Miss Desirae, finally got him in he was fine. Until she wanted to take him away from the edge. I was not really expecting him to act this way- but I'm sure a big swimming pool without Mom or Dad in there is scary to a 3 year old. After his first lesson I asked him why he was so scared and he told me "That water is big Mom." But then he made sure we were coming back again. These pictures are all from his first day- which was interesting. All but one other kid had done lessons before. You can see the little girl that had not done lessons behind Si in one of the pictures- Just check out her face!
I will say though that each day Silas got better. He will now do a 'bob' (go under), blow bubbles, push off the edge and jump to Miss Desirae, and relax when he is not hanging on to the edge. He did these things each day (other than the first) and tried something new each day too. I think he finally is enjoying it. It will definately be awhile before he is even close to swimming but he is getting a good start.

Recipe Need

Okay all you Moms that cook- I am in need of a recipe!! My kids totally love asparagus, but eat it better if it is in something. I have made a couple things with it but am just out of ideas. Some recipes online have other things in them that my kids don't like or they are too complicated for what I have time for lately. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also- I am working on getting my pictures organized from our big camping trip so keep watching for a new post pretty soon.