The Twins!

Haha. I call Tyler and Bryn, "The Twins." They look so much alike. Bryn loves to watch t.v. with her daddy!

That's My Hubby!!

Tonight Tyler and I went to an awards ceremony at his school. He was told earlier this week that he would be receiving an award and should be there. He didn't know what it was though. I went with him and left the girls with grammy...Thanks Jan! Tyler an award for Excellence in Clinical Legal Studies for his work and service in the Native American Victims Rights Clinic. I am so proud of him. He also made me blush by giving me a shout out from the microphone! He said, " I have to thank my wife for all her support especially since we just had our second baby. She has helped me through school." I was embarrassed, but it was very sweet of him. The whole room turned around and looked at me. He has made me so proud. I was very happy to be by his side while he got his award tonight.

YEA!!!

YEA!!! It is over...well at least for the weekend :) Tyler had his last final of his 2nd year of law school today! To celebrate...we went to the gun range and went shooting. It was alot of fun. Tyler starts work on Monday though. He is working for a judge in the criminal court of appeals. It is a really good job. He will also start his summer law class and his MBA classes soon as well. The girls and I are so proud of Tyler and all his hard work. We sure do miss him during the semester, but we know that he is trying to make a better life for us! We love him and think, in Makenna's words, that he is the COOLEST! Good luck with work on Monday Ty and now you can officially say you are a 3L!! 1 year left!!!

My girls!

I know that I complain about my girls alot. Makenna being naughty...Bryn not sleeping. But I do love them. I love them ALOT! It is the little moments I love the most. Like cuddling with Kenna on the couch while watching a movie. I love playing with Bryn and seeing her smile. When I tell Makenna she has hurt my feelings she gives me a hug and says, I love you Mommy. She may say some mean things to me, but she makes up for it when she tells me she misses me. She will randomly come up and say, "Mommy...I missed you at the store." Even though it was like a week ago that I went to the store and left her at home with Daddy. Today at playgroup she out of the blue came up and said, " Mommy I have a secret for you....You are the coolest!" She is very sweet and I love her.
Bryn is so cuddly and cute. She smiles alot and her giggles brighten my day. She is a pretty good baby. So all in all....I think my kids are the BEST! I hope I can continue to teach them so they can become better and better!

Cupcake Pops

I found this website - bakerella.blogspot.com - thanks Laurie. I love it. It has a bunch of recipes for baking, but has these things called cupcake pops. They are so cute. I thought I would try making them. I followed to directions exactly. The Cake balls tasted like straight frosting. If I ever try them again I will use way less frosting. But with the cake, frosting, candy melts and chocolate bark...I didn't think they tasted all that great. They turned out cute...I think...but they did not taste very good at all. I was extremely dissappointed.

Baby Food

Bryn has started on her adventure of baby food. On Tuesday she chowed down 3/4 of a jar of bananas. Yesterday she ate 3/4 of a jar of squash. She seemed to like both foods. She seems to like those foods much more than the rice cereal. She makes a huge mess though. She can't seem to keep her hands out of her mouth when she is eating!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mothers! I have to say that I have an awesome mom and mother-in-law and am very grateful for both of them. My mom is very patient with me and my 5 phone calls a day...haha. She has been an example to me of how to look at trials as blessings. She knows how to calm to me down and is always there to listen to me rant and rave! I love you mom!!

Today we went to church. On Mother's day...all the primary children get up and sing to their moms. Kenna is of age to be in primary and went up on the stage to sing. I didn't know, but she had taken her princess wand up on the stage with her. The kids started singing and Makenna didn't know the song so she started talking to her friend Gwen. They started poking each other and making noise. They then kneeled behind the wall on the stage. When they stood back up they held the wand together and Makenna started saying really loud while pointing the wand at people in the audience, "Get that Lady! Get that Lady!" They were zapping people in the audience. I look up and the Bishop's wife and family are cracking up! Alot of other people saw and were cracking up too. You could hear her all the way in the back...I know...I was sitting in the back!! I was so embarrassed. I could have just beat her!!

But other than the church thing...it was a good day. Tyler took of 90% of the day and spent it with me. He only studied for a few hours tonight. We went to church together. We went over to my cousin Shae's together for lunch. It was really yummy and we had a good time visiting. Then for dinner we went over to Tyler's sister's house! It was good to see them and my niece. It was a day full of good food and good company!

My Little is Growing Up

Bryn's first tooth popped through the gums 2 days ago! It was her bottom front left tooth. The bottom front right is almost through. She is 5 1/2 months old! She also ate her first bowl of rice cereal a few days ago. She seemed to like it. She has a hard time using her tongue though so she ends up pushing a lot of it right back out of her mouth. But we are working on it. She also is trying to sit up. She rolls all around on the ground, started laughing and loves to smile. Makenna loves to pinch and kiss her cheeks and say, "you have chubby cheeks Bryn." Makenna loves her little sister and Bryn marvels at Makenna. I hope they can be good friends when they get older!

Kimber's Pictures

Bryn eating her dress. She eats all her clothes...if she can stretch them high enough to get into her mouth.
The girls and one of their many uncles...Dallin. Makenna loved watching movies with Dallin while he was here!

The Larsen cousins! Makenna, Brynlee and Addison!

Bryn finally getting her sister back! haha

Isn't she gorgeous!?

Bryn and Aunt Ber!

Kimber and Dallin came home for the weekend. Kimber took pictures of the 3 girls! They turned out really cute! Makenna turned Dallin into her movie watching partner.

Makenna

Life has been full of ups and downs for Makenna. Today was a down day. She didn't get a nap and was not listening at all. When we got home I had her go play in her room. Well she got quiet...and we all know what that means! She was doing something wrong. I went into her room and checked on her and she was sitting in her closet. She was painting her elephant stuffed animal with nail polish. A few weeks ago I took her nail polish away and hid it in the bucket on her dresser. Well she had climbed up on her dresser and emptied the bucket. So I made sure everything was put away and left her in her room again. Well bad idea. I went upstairs and she had gone into the bathroom and filled up her tea set with what I thought was water. But no...it was soap. She had emptied the soap bottle that was on the sink into her tea set. So then I had to lock the bathroom doors and then I locked my bedroom door so she was confined to only her room. UGH!!!

On a happier note- Here are some funny things about Kenna!

- When she sings "Popcorn Popping" she says, "Pah-corn popping on the Acre-pot tree". Haha instead of Popcorn and Apricot. haha

- In the car the other day we were talking

me: I love you Makenna

Kenna: I love you too Mommy

me: You're beautiful Makenna

Kenna: You're beautiful too Mommy

me: I love you too Brynlee

silence for a minute because ya know Brynlee can't talk

Kenna: She loves you too Mommy

me: laughing...Thanks Makenna

Kenna: Thank you Mommy. I apprecishiate it!

- Kenna always tell me when I talk to Bryn, "Mommy Brynlee doesn't understand you. She can't talk back."

Fun

Bryn is lifting her head up so well. She is scooting across the floor and rolling everywhere!

My favorite 2 girls! They are a lot of fun!

Bryn loves her tongue! She has been spitting a lot lately too!

Smiley Girl

Announcing...

Addison Dodson

April 24, 2009

1:52pm

7lbs. 9oz.

19.5 inches long

I'M OFFICIALLY AN AUNT

Addison getting her first bath. Look at all that hair!
Brynlee and Addison. Brynlee was 1lbs. smaller when she born than what Addison is. Look at how big Bryn is now. She is now 5 months old!

The proud mommy!

Grammy Larsen and Bryn

Papa Larsen and his 3 grandbabies! George (Makenna), Spider (Brynlee) and Cricket (Addison)

My sister-in-law Danielle, Tyler's sister, had her baby today. She went into be induced Wednesday night around 8pm. She was in labor all day yesterday and was not really progressing. Today she will still at a 4 and wasn't progressing so the dr. said she needed a c-section. Mom and baby are doing fine. Addison is really cute. She has a ton of hair. I am now officially an Aunt, Tyler an Uncle and the girls finally have a cousin! You did awesome Danielle! Congrats!

Ryder, Bryn and Kenna

Ryder was so cute with Bryn. He kept saying, "I lub her"

My friend Jen had her baby yesterday. I went up today to visit her and her new son Cash. He is so adorable. While I was there I told her I could take her son Ryder home with me so he could play with Kenna. Kenna was so excited when he came home with me. They ran around the house, played game and watched movies. They have so much fun together. Ryder wanted to hold Bryn. He was so cute with her. He will be a great big brother. Congrats Jen, Greg and Ryder to your new addition, Cash!!

Sunday Dresses

Bryn is a Rockstar

So Bryn is turning 5 months old next week. My crazy little girl has been rolling over for a few days now. She rolls herself into walls, into the coffee table and off her blankets. I can't leave her on the couch by herself anymore and I can't put her in the swing without strapping her in. She also arches into a banana. She is hilarious. Bryn also loves to growl and grunt. She army crawls around a little bit. She is using her hands a lot more and is developing like any other 5 month old baby.

Also...an update on my children post. I saw Lily today at church when I was holding Bryn. The first thing she asked me was, "Does Bryn have thumbs today?" haha...it was so cute. She was so sincere and curious. I told her no...that it would be a few months before Bryn has thumbs!

Children

Kids crack me up. You never know what they are going to say. They are also so innocent and sweet. Tonight we were over at a friends house. They have a 5 year old little girl, Lily. Lily looked at Bryn's hands and said, "Her hands are so small. They are so cute." A few seconds later she said, "Doesn't she have any thumbs?" I told her no...that Bryn was special and only had fingers. I told her that Bryn had pinkies and fingers like her, but just didn't have thumbs. Lily said, "That is so cool. I wish I didn't have any thumbs." Then she was so excited and was telling her brother to come look at the cool baby without thumbs. I love how sweet children react to Bryn. My cousin's daughter, Landry, always talks about Bryn. She says she thinks Bryn is so cute without thumbs. She seems to have spent a lot of time thinking about it because she says that we shouldn't give Bryn thumbs. My cousin told her that it would be hard for Bryn to do things like hold the bars at gymnastics and hold a telephone. Landry said, "Mom...you can hold the phone with your shoulder." Kids are so funny!

Eye Dr.

So we met with the eye dr. again for Bryn. All is well. He said things look great and he will check on her again in 9 months. If you are looking for an awesome pediatric eye dr. let me know and I will give you his name!!

Tyler is 28

Yesterday was Tyler's birthday.  He is an old man now...haha j/k :) We celebrated Tuesday night with his family. We did family dinner and his mom made his favorite dinner ... waffles with strawberries and whip cream. Then yesterday he went to lunch with his law school buddies. Last night I took him out to our favorite pizza place. I also made him his favorite dessert...walnut brownies...and he got one of his favorite ice creams....black walnut. I hope you had a great birthday honey! We love you!

Makenna

Makenna just saw a picture of Jesus and this is the conversation.

Kenna: Mommy...Jesus died and that helps us.

Me: Kenna how does that help us?

Kenna: So we could live with Heavenly Father.

Me: Where did you learn that?

Kenna: Church taught me that and the picture at Grammy's.

Another one:

Makenna: Mommy, your legs are itchy. (she calls hairy itchy. haha like when Tyler hasn't shaved his face she says his face is itchy.)

Me: Thanks Makenna

Makenna: Mine are skinny (as she rubs her legs) -- (skinny means that they are smooth. She puts lotion on her legs and says...I'm getting my legs skinny mommy!)

And another

I had just gotten her dressed and she looks at me and says

Makenna: Does this make me look fat?

Me: No Makenna. You will never look fat. You are skinny!

In the car

Me: Makenna who is coming tonight?

Makenna: The Easter Bunny

Me: What is he going to bring?

Makenna: Presents

Me: What kind of presents?

Makenna: Toys

Me: What kind of Toys?

Makenna: Clowns

Me: Why Clowns?

Makenna: Because they are funny!

Boys

Makenna loves to hang out with boys. We are in big trouble seeing how she is only 3 years old. haha! One of her favorite playmates is her friend Ryder. They are so funny together! It's awesome because they are in primary together. She does gymnastics with Blake and always has a good time with her "cousin" Kale. Don't get me wrong...she loves to hang out with girls too, like her "cousin" Landry. But...she loves hanging out with the boys!

Easter

Brynlee and her Papa Larsen
The Larsen Girls. I love Bryn's face! She is looking at Kenna like she is crazy!

The girls had matching dresses for church

Happy Easter!

Today is a nice rainy day here in good ole Oklahoma. We got up and went to church. Church starts at 8:30am so we had to leave early. We let Kenna take a peek at what the Easter bunny left and we did the egg hunt when she got home. She got a my little pony that you could put hair clips in, a baseball and baseball glove, an apron, balloons, stickers, dora glasses and the movie Bedtime Stories. Bryn got an outfit, bibs and some socks. We are having Easter dinner over at Tyler's parents.
Little Miss Bryn is crazy! She won't calm down for anybody but me. She does okay with papa and daddy, but it doesn't last for long. She screams and wants me. I am going to beat her! haha! j.k!

Don't Want to Speak Too Soon

Yesterday was a much better day with Makenna. I really tried to stay calm all day and speak with her about her decisions. We still had some squabbles, but that is to be expected! I am hoping things continue to keep getting better!

Ugh!

I watched conference yesterday! There were a lot of good talks. Some of the main points I got out of conference were:

  - service/serving others/strengthen family

  - there is opposition in all things/have sunshine in your heart

  - the only place that can be compared to the sacredness of the temple is the home

  - laugh instead of complain

  - focus on your blessings and not your trials and tribulations 

I was so excited to start the week. I have been trying to work with Makenna and be calm and speak to her in a calm manner. I want my home to be one where the spirit can dwell. I want my children to feel safe and loved at home. But, it has been so hard this morning. I have been praying for help with Makenna. Her crying, whining, not listening and everything else has gotten me to the end of my rope. She expects to get what she wants, when she wants it. I lost my patience this morning after a long night and early morning with her. Why does satan have to attack the family? Why does he have to cause problems at home? It makes me want to try even harder to not let Kenna get to me because then satan wins. So for now...I am venting on my blog. I am yelling right now on here so I don't yell at Kenna. I love her...I really do. You have all been there. I am not the one who will deal with a defiant 3 year old. So I will just take the words of President Uchtdorf--it takes faith, diligence, patience, and long suffering to grow! So I will have faith Makenna will change, be diligent in working with her to help her change, patience when she doesn't change and hopefully endurance to get through the long suffering of helping her change!

Another One!

So today Makenna said, "You aren't my mommy anymore." So you know what I told her...I told her to leave my house because my family was the only one allowed in my house. I also told her that she could not sit on my couch because it was for mommy's and daughters and she wasn't my daughter anymore. She was all upset. I told her that it was her decision. I could be her mommy and we could hang out or I could not be her mommy and she could leave. She didn't like that answer! haha. I know it sounds mean, but I am tired of saying nothing when she tells me that I'm not her mommy or that I have ruined her life. I am the one who bathes her, feeds her, takes her places, lets her watch tv, eat candy, go to the park and all the other things she does. So if she says she has a bad mom...I am going to show her what it's like to have a bad mom!! ERRR...Don't mess with me!

Lately...

I have had such a hard time lately. I have been so overwhelmed with taking care of 2 children. Bryn is a baby that needs a lot of attention. Makenna is a 3 year old who wants even more attention. Yesterday Makenna said this to me, "You ruined my life." All I did was ask her to put her clothes on so I could take her with me to the bank. I think she is just trying to learn what she can and can't do, but in the prcoess is driving me bonkers. I am going to lose my mind. Sometimes I feel like I am the worst mom ever. Other times I feel like I am doing a good job. Somedays Makenna is a perfect angel and others I can see her horns. She is being so defiant and bossy. I have tried speaking nice, yelling, time outs, spanking, threatening and giving choices. Nothing seems to affect her! Oh well...maybe she is getting all her bratiness out now and will be a good teenager! haha....at least I can dream right?!

Bryn was eating her bunny!

Bryn looks so happy huh?! haha.

My Mom Came To Visit

My mom came to visit last week. It was so much fun! Here some pictures!

Gymnastics

Makenna started gymnastics about 2 weeks ago. She goes with her friend Blake. She has 6 kids in her class. She loves it. They swing on the trapeze, go down slides, jump on the trampolines, walk on the balance beam and much more! She has so much fun. And her favorite part....is at the end of class the teacher gives them stamps on her hands and feet. She calls them her tattoos. She does pretty well in class. I was surprised at how well she does.
Also...Yesterday we were waiting at the dr.'s office for one of Bryn's appts. Grammy Larsen bought Makenna a puzzle to do while we waited. It was a 63 piece puzzle made for children 5 and older. Kenna sat down and started working away. She worked for about 10 minutes and was almost finished with it! The nurse called us back and Kenna insisted that she stay in the waiting room to finish her puzzle! And she did. She is way too smart!

Bryn's 4 month Check

Bryn had her 4 month well-child check on the 31st! She weighed 11lbs. 11oz (8%) and was 23 inches long (9%). The dr. said she was a perfect little girl! Now all we have left to do is her wrist and hand surgeries, a nose scope, and one last check-up with the eye dr. The nose scope is to check out behind her nose and see what it looks like. The dr. wonders if her passages are open enough to move enough air through. That will be done in June along with our next visit with the hand dr. She is going slowly, but surely. We love her!!