Tim and Tanaya Larsen

Phoenix Fun!

2012-02-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

I'm in love...

...with my new little niece Katherine Janean Adkins.

She was born on January 5th (3 weeks early), so I had to be patient until I could meet her. I flew out to Phoenix last week for one last trip while I'm still independent to "help" Mindy with the other kids. I mostly just came up with things to do and dragged the kids along with me.

I also drilled Mindy on information to help me be a mommy. She came to help me register at Target and pointed out the pros and cons of things and gave me great insight on what I will need and what I won't.
Compared to 4 kids, having just one seems like a piece of cake. Especially with this little guy running nonstop. I feel bad this is the only picture I got of him, but I realize it is because he was literally, running nonstop:

My one request while I was there was to go to the Children's Museum. Makayla had school, but the rest of us had fun exploring.

Uncle Terry (my dad's brother) and Aunt Marilyn were unexpectedly in town for work, so they came to church with us and spent most of Sunday entertaining the kids. I made sugar cookies we all decorated after dinner!

We also enjoyed the warm (sometimes hot) Phoenix weather by going on walks, playing in the backyard, going to the park, and going on treasure hunts.

I did a lot of preparation for being a mom by holding Katherine. She was so sweet and cuddly. I loved when she was awake and just looking around at everything.

Bruzer likes her too...

I admit I was exhausted last night when I got home, but now that I've had an entire nights sleep, I miss these kids already. I can honestly say I'm MORE excited to have a baby soon.
Thanks for letting me come Mindy and Thomas!

Manitou Springs, More Snow, and a Bigger Belly

2012-01-22T17:29:00.000-08:00

Tim and I had been wanting to go to "The Springs" (Colorado Springs) for a while. Yesterday was a nice day and we decided last minute to go check things out. We didn't have a lot of time, and I preferred we do something besides a hike, so we went to the cute town just west of Colorado Springs called Manitou Springs.

We walked around some cute and interesting shops then found a cool arcade with all kinds of games. Tim and I played some shooting and skee-ball then bought a total of one piece of bubble gum and one "Frootie" candy with our tickets. Tim did well stomping spiders (see below).

We learned why the city is called Manitou "Springs" when we found a few natural springs throughout our walk. We enjoyed tasting them.

We also drove through the "Garden of the Gods" (twice, due to one way roads and poor signage) and got a good view of Pikes Peak. I would have taken more pictures, but it was too dark. The Garden of the Gods is a park with beautiful red rocks and short hiking trails. We'll have to go back to spend more time there.

On the way out, we found a Rudy's BBQ gas station/restaurant and had dinner. Tim was super excited, because we only thought you could get Rudy's delicious brisket in Texas.

We had the day off on Monday for MLK, so we took our snow shoes back up into the mountains with some friends from work. Someone made this awesome igloo. Tim went inside and said it could fit 6 people!

The hike through the trees was nice, but once we got to the Lost Lake, it was snowing and windy.

Burr!

Heidi, Brooke, and Todd-Friends from work.

And last, but not least, a picture of my progression at 25 weeks. Our little boy is growing like crazy. I'm still feeling pretty good, but am starting to get a little uncomfortable-especially since he discovered my ribs. Official due date: April 28th.

A Perfect Day

2012-01-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

Tim and I took advantage of my weekday off work and went Snow Shoeing at Rocky Mountain National Park.

I realized what this pregnancy is doing to me as I huffed and puffed the entire way-and mostly without even wearing the snow shoes.

I had to take my traditional yoga pose picture.

Calypso Cascades was our destination, but it wasn't much to look at covered in ice and snow (see below):

Once we went home, I made homemade pizza and we watched a cute Family channel movie on Netflix called Pizza My Heart (cheesy, but fun). It was a perfect day!

Partying like it's 1999

2012-01-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

We held a New Years party with the theme: Party like it's 1999 (or around there). Basically, we wore clothes from high school.

Ben and Breanne (top right) pinned pictures of themselves in 1999. Emily and Benjamin (bottom left) made their shirts (Emily's says Bayside Tigers). We also played the game of Awkward Family Photos and rang in the new year!

Bring on 2012!

Start thinking in BLUE!

2011-12-31T18:31:00.000-08:00

We are having a
BOY!

A Texas Christmas

2011-12-30T18:34:00.000-08:00

We had a great time enjoying Christmas in Texas with Tim's family. Mackenzie stole the show the entire week, but I don't think anyone minded. Aubrey made these cute matching aprons so they could decorate cookies together, but Mackenzie ended up pouring the sprinkles everywhere EXCEPT on the cookies while Aubrey raced to catch them.

There was a LOT of cookie making going on all week.

This is the snack table as of Christmas morning:

We took a trip to the San Antonio Zoo one of the days

There were lots of neat animals

We held our first annual Jingle Jog (ok, it was a walk) complete with a speed walking only finish. Awards included highest number of Reindeer counted (there are a lot in Texas) and most Christmastly Dressed (Rod won that with his green leggings, red shorts, and Santa hat). I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed it as much as we did. Aubrey and Tim were the lead competitors, but Tim pulled off a big first place finish. I hope some of the other Larsen's took more pictures of this event.

Tim's family threw us a baby shower one night. There were lots of fun games, but the boys definitely had to do more than the girls.

Above: Boys had to chug juice from the bottle. Below: Race to put the protective gear on and change the baby's diaper.

We got lots of wonderful presents. Thanks guys!

On Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd), the Lotz family started a tradition a few years ago to get fun drinks and have a "wine" tasting party. We followed through with the Larsen's this year and all made our own drinks to taste. Most were pretty delicious.

We had a delicious dinner on Christmas Eve and stacked the (many) presents around the living room Christmas tree.

Christmas morning we woke up (very early) and looked at our stockings then ate this yummy breakfast Deanne made us before church.

Rod made this darling rocking horse for Mackenzie

We were surprised to find a mini-stocking with ours and a Babies R Us gift card

After church, we opened lots and lots of presents. I have to admit, my favorite gift was my new luggage set. Tim went WAY over budget, but I'm tired of hauling duffel bags around the airport and I hope to travel a little with kids in the future, so having rolley luggage will be so nice.

DeAnne made us this beautiful advent calendar. Each box has a magnet to make the nativity. So creative!

Tim got me a game I'll be able to play with the nieces and nephews called Disney Headbanz where you wear these Mickey ears and stick a card of a Disney character or thing and ask questions to find out who/what you are. It didn't stop us adults from playing a few rounds. It was fun!

I received many fun gifts and Tim got new scriptures, some clothes and games. I printed him this train picture from when we went to the train museum. He is making our extra bedroom/my office a "Colorado" theme.

He got me this nice dutch oven so I can make roast like my moms.

Although I hope to get more pictures from the week from other Larsen's to post, this gives you a glimpse of our fun Christmas. We hope everyone had a happy holiday!

Putt-Putt

2011-12-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

Tim is the 2nd counselor in the Deacon's Quorum for our church's Young Mens group. This means he teaches them lessons every Sunday and helps out at activities each Tuesday night. As a way to help the young men learn responsibility, he let them come up with their own combined activity idea several months ago. They decided to create their own putt-putt (aka mini-golf) course and set to work on it for weeks leading up to the activity. The boys did a lot to help, but it still ended up being a LOT of work for Tim and his co-leader.

Their creativity consisted of an electric powered windmill, a canoe, and one hole with a jump through fire:

During the months of preparation, I was called as the Young Women Secretary, so I had the opportunity to experience the magic. It was definitely a success.

Disney Mania!

2011-12-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

My family has had our Thanksgiving trip to Disneyland planned since last Thanksgiving. We enjoyed 3 days "hopping" between Disneyland and California Adventure. These are a few of my favorite pictures:

Excited to start our adventures:

The kids started out on the Tea Cups. Tim and Kristen took the boys and Tommy took the girls because everyone related by blood in the Lotz family couldn't handle the spinning. I'm so glad I didn't go. Those boys were spinning like crazy!

I couldn't bear not to have a thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving, so I called a few days ahead of time to make reservations somewhere near the vicinity of the park. Luckily, due to a cancellation while on the phone, we got reservations at the ESPN Zone. The boys were happy. I ordered a delicious traditional thanksgiving dinner while Tim was happy with a burger.

Just walking into the park with TJ and Kristen's kids was about the most fun part!

I love this picture. While waiting for the Muppets 3D show, we all waited and rested.

It was about the only place Hailey got to be free from being held or in the stroller and she had a blast.

Tim was so cute with the kids

I went early for a "Magic Hour" (we got into the park an hour early) with dad and Mindy's family. It was about the only time the Matterhorn didn't have a line, but Mindy and I didn't get to go because expectant mothers weren't allowed.

Two bugs in the rug

The kids absolutely LOVED the Disney Junior Show where actual puppets came out and told stories like in the shows. They got to see Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Little Einsteins.

The girls were so good all three days. Jonas and Will could be quite the stinkers.

Tim, my Dad, and I went to look at Mickey's house while the kids were on a ride and had no idea we were getting in line to see the big guy!

Every night, they lit up the castle for Christmas and made it snow on some of the streets!

The last day we all went on Splash Mountain and made the kids sit in the front seats. Poor Will went twice sitting in two different seats and got soaked both times! What good sports.

Kate and Jonas dressed up for the last day at Disneyland. I have to admit I was about as excited for her to dress up as she was. Her dress is so cute. Unfortunately, the line to meet Rapunzel was over 90 minutes, but we ran into Ariel after not too long!

Between being pregnant and having this little stinker, poor Mindy didn't get to go on many rides, but Henry sure enjoyed the ones he did get to go on.

While the "big kids" were doing the first round of Splash Mountain, Mindy and I took Hailey and Henry to Winnie the Pooh. It was just as much of a hit with these kids.

Although we had a blast at Disneyland, it was CROWDED. I got tired of so many people everywhere, so Tim and I took off to California Adventure for the last evening. It was a little less crowded and had much more open sidewalks. I could breathe again.

Will finished the night like we all wanted to. Notice the sword he is clutching while asleep in Tim's arms:

We were sad Ben and Kaitlyn couldn't make it, and missed my mom, who planned the whole thing, but overall it was a FANTASTIC trip!

Tim's Trains

2011-11-13T20:19:00.000-08:00

Trains are very important to the Larsen Family, so to celebrate Tim's birthday, we took a trip to the Colorado Train Museum. Here are some pictures of our adventures:

The Moment You've All Been Waiting For...

2011-11-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

Yes. We are expecting a baby sometime in April 2012.

I'm pretty excited about this ultrasound because it actually looks kind of like a baby (or panda bear, as my Dad said).
Although my doctor keeps moving the due date (further back), I think I'm 14 weeks. This picture is for our relatives who keep wondering if I'm showing. I still haven't told a lot of people I work with, but I can't keep it a secret much longer.

My Favorite Things

2011-11-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

I guess every once in a while Oprah makes a list of favorite things that become famous or something. There have been a few things in my life that I just want to share because I like them so much... (Feel free to follow my lead and make your own "My Favorite Things" post.)

1. Psych. Tim and I have enjoyed this for a few years now. So funny!Speaking of tv shows, I also love Parks and RecAnd I'm loving this new show so far...
2. Moccasin slippers. My new work shoes! I'm on my second pair.
3. Walking. I saw on Good Morning America that sitting too much is linked with increased cancer rates. I really struggle having a job now where I sit ALL DAY. It's hard.
4. Penzey's Spices. Every catalog they send has FREE spices and yummy recipes.
5. Pottery. I've been taking a class. It's nice to be artistic.
6. Nutella. Chocolate. Hazelnut. Fantastic.
7. Netflix. This keeps me entertained anytime.
8. Now on to books. I read this book for book club. Its about a woman who had to stay in a bathroom with 7 other women during the Rwandan genocide in the 90s. Sad, but so full of hope.
Speaking of books. I love books by Shannon Hale. I like to put them on my ipod and listen to them. They are just fun and make me happy!
And of course the scriptures help me every day.
9. I love allrecipes.com. I don't make a recipe unless it's 4+ stars with lots of helpful comments.
10. Chick Fil A. I crave it every day. This is truly one of my FAVORITE things.
11. Dogs. Lately I've been wanting to adopt a dog. I don't think we actually will, but take a look at these two puppies for adoption in Boulder.
He looks just like our last foster dog, Buddy.
Freddy is below. He's potty and crate trained. I want him!
12. And last but not least. My MOST FAVORITE THING:
Tim's birthday is next week and I love him SO MUCH!

Halloween Week

2011-10-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

Wednesday morning I woke up to this...And this...
I was so GLAD to be working at home!

Here is our house a few days later, ready for Halloween
The past two years, a group of friends from church have rented a house in the mountains for "Vampire Weekend." This year we went to Estes Park. Tim and I worked late on Friday, so we didn't make it up there until Saturday afternoon (due to a detour of going to Chick Fil A for FREE breakfast for customer appreciation), but I enjoyed my time there by snowshoeing up to this view from the house:
With Kristin Woods
While Tim played paintball with the boys (sorry, no pictures).

We also carved some excellent pumpkins. Here's Jaime trying to look like hers (Jaime is the one with glasses)
Kristin and Nate carved some cute ghosts
Ours is the Grim Reaper-scary.
Happy Halloween!

Ben+Kaitlyn

2011-10-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

My little brother Ben got married two weeks ago, and I'm finally putting some pictures up. It was a small wedding with just immediate family which actually made it really nice. Here is the happy couple.
The kids loved every minute of being together.

We had fun at the "Girls table" doing cheers!
Tim says the boy's table was not as well behaved.

We wish Ben and Kaitlyn all the best and are glad we could be there to share this special day with them.

Fall Fun

2011-10-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

This post is a few weeks late coming, but I've been busy. I switched to a similar, but new position at work where I get to do more teaching and less questionnaires, but I am getting used to new hours and have had to go into the office a lot. It'll just take some time for me to get into a new routine.

After spending two Fall seasons in Virginia, I was spoiled with leaves, apples, and crisp air. I tried to go back to my Virginia roots by going to a farm to "pick" apples. The day ended up being so HOT! I was dying in my pants. And the apples were just out on a table in baskets. This was my favorite part:
We got some yummy apple cider donuts, and a few delicious apples that, sadly, are gone now. It was a good attempt at having a real Autumn activity, but I miss the East during this season.

St. George Weekend

2011-10-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

I found some decent plane tickets right into St. George, so I took a long weekend to go visit the fam. Both Mindy and TJ ended up coming the same weekend as me and bringing some of the kids, but it ended up being all of us Lotz's with no spouses! We were only all together for Saturday night, so we went to eat at the Pizza Factory. My dad ended up giving me my moms old (yet, new) camera, but I didn't get any pictures of us on Saturday :(
Jonas and Will had a blast together. This is not from this weekend, but these two are crazy.
St. George has a new carousel run by the city. Ben and I both rode it with Mindy's boys (we got a deal: $1 for all three of us each ride!)

Henry wasn't so sure about it at first, but by the end, he loved it.
We also had fun playing in the water downtown.
Will has a crush on Ben's girlfriend, Kaitlynn. He was always excited to see and hang around her. He's pretty much in his element here with both "Kait" and the i-pad.
Monday night, the "big kids" and Dad went to the Broadway version of The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn Amphitheatre. It was so great! They had the most amazing effects to make it look like they were underwater. I loved it! It was a great weekend.
For more photos, click on this link and on the bottom right, click photos.

A Friendly Visit!

2011-09-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago (sorry I'm so late posting), one of my BEST friends from high school and college roommate, Janeen, came to visit. She was our first non-Tim's-family visitor, so we tried to make Colorado worth visiting.

We started out with a trip to the Rockie's game:
Keep in mind, I didn't have a new camera yet, so all pictures are high quality i-pod pics.
We met up with some other friends from our church who got us these great seats!
Above: Zack and Natalie and Erik and Jaime. Below: Ben and Breanne

Saturday morning, we went on a hike up to Royal Arch then ate a delicious lunch at a fun cafe on Pearl Street in Boulder.
Tim was gone on a camping trip most of the weekend, so Janeen lucked out and got his ticket to Les Mis. It was AMAZING!

Again, not the best quality of pictures. But its the memories that count.
Thanks for visiting, Janeen-come back anytime!