A Smile to Brighten your day.

Ok my day needed this one, so I thought I'd share! Sometimes it seems my babies are the most aware of when I need a smile or some love. This video is not from today, but I thought of it earlier when Daelyn really brightened my day with her usual smiley sweet disposition. She really is a happy baby! We went bowling the other night for FHE and a couple ladies were bowling next to us. I noticed that they were watching Daelyn who was contendedly sitting in her car seat, smiling and being happy. When they saw that I had noticed them they asked, "Is she always that good?" how grateful I was to say "yes!" I know that I'm a lucky mommy. I love that she is such a good sweet happy baby. Truly, there have been many occasions when her smile has really lifted my spirits.


(On this video she gives a real good smile right at the first of the clip, I tried to get more out of her, cause we usually do, but I guess she wasn't feeling it. This is from a couple weeks ago, and I just haven't gotten around to getting a better video. So the smile right at the first is what I wanted to share, but I didn't know how to not upload the whole clip. Anyhow enjoy the smile, and then you can ignore the rest if you want.)

Guess who cleans more at our house???

I've always appreciated having a husband who helps out so much around the house. Maybe it's because the clutter bothers me more than the spots, and for Derek the spots more than the clutter. So, I'm more likely to reorganize a closet, or pick up the floor, than to scrub a tub, or the stove. Derek on the other hand has accepted that scrubbing the tubs is his territory (and does so very happy and willingly I might add.)

So the other day it was brought to my attention, that Derek maybe does a greater bulk of the cleaning than I realized. While I was mopping the kitchen, Brinley came in, and upon discovering me weilding a mop, she quickly scolded me saying, "Hey! That's Daddy's!!!"

I know I know! Cute and funny girl, great husband, I'm a lucky one.

Our Little Comedian.

Brinley is our little comedian. I swear probably at least 50% of the laughing that goes on around here is prompted by this 2 year old. She is ALWAYS catching us off guard with the silly things she says or does, or the funny expressions and voices she comes up with. Most of the time she isn't even trying to be funny!

Example, Here are some pictures of what she did a while ago when we asked her to go get her pjs . . . .



She climbed up onto the shelf, and into the cubby, so that she could retrieve the pjs with her mouth!

So that being said, this is an actual conversation I had with her the other day. You have to know the names of some of our family members and where they live, but I couldn't belive how she kept pulling out the perfect names, Maybe all the names and cities were floating around in her head confusing her, and that's where it all came from.

Brin- "Mom, where's uncle Danny?" (said in a tone like, he should be here, why isn't he?)
me- "He's in New York."
Brin- (sounding very confused) "Who's New York?"
me-(chuckling) "New York is the City Where Uncle Danny lives."
Brin-(obviously still thinking) "oh"
Brin- "Where's Logan?" (my nephew, her cousin)
Me- "Logan lives in Layton"
Brin- "Layton? ... Where's Payton?" (another nephew, and cousin)
Me- "Payton lives in Layton too."
Brin- (looking a little confused still, and trying to figure out why Layton sounds like Payton) "Oh"
Brin- (looking at my inquisically again) "where's uncle Dax?"
me- (laughing now) "he's in Logan" (uncle Dax lives in Logan Ut)
brin- (Obviously Very frustrated) "NO.....UNCLE DAX???"

I was laughing so hard and she had this look on her face like she thought I was putting her on. It's even funnier if you could have heard the little tone in her voice.
Ah Brin, thanks for making me laugh. We love you so much.

(she's sitting by a big foam F in this picture because we were making a "happy fathers Day" Banner for Dad.)

Holy Picture Overload!!!!!

Ok ok brace yourselves! 10 posts and tonz of pictures in one day, but I had to catch up all of June, and A LOT happened in June. So here's what you see as you scroll down. In reverse order cause the first will be last on here chronologically. I first posted pictures from the Larsen San Diego trip, and then theres the baby blessing, and extended family stuff, some photo sessions, and our trip to Yellowstone with the Mayhue side of the family. So once you get down through the San Diego pictures and the video clip of Brin at Lego land you'll know you are back up to speed with the comings and goings of the Larsen family. Sorry to overload you all at once, but there was so much great stuff, I couldn't leave any out!

These two Cousins!!!!

I always LOVE it when these two cousins get together. It seems like whenever I see them together, I remember them playing together as 2 year olds, and then in my minds eye I can picture them hanging out together as teenagers. Holley and Parker are the best of friends, and every year we worry that when they get together, it won't be the same as before, due to the time apart, and the fact that Holley's a girl, and Parker's a boy. Yet we are always amazed at how fast they are off together having the best time. I truly hope their relationship never changes.

Yellowstone!

Yellowstone was AMAZING! Everytime I've been there, thats the one word that is constantly in my mind! I love seeing all the animals, and beautiful scenery, the lake,and the waterfalls, but my favorite is all the hydrothermal stuff! It truly never fails to AMAZE me!

Drive to Yellowstone!

Here are some pics from our drive up to yellowstone.

Idaho Falls, (Idaho Falls temple in background!)


Rexburg Temple. (Derek loved being able to drive around campus and remember all his good old memories, and was THRILLED to realize the temple is just across the street from his old apartments!)



all three girls asleep in the back seat, in one shot!!


Mesa Falls.

Mayhue Family Pictures!

We were able to get some Mayhue Family Pictures sunday evening after the baby blessing, it was a stormy day, and we didn't think it was going to happen, but it cleared up just in time to get a few.

Daelyn's Baby Blessing

Here are some pictures from Daelyns Baby blessing. Derek gave her such a Beautiful blessing, and I found her a Gorgeous blessing dress. It was such a wonderful Day, and it was so great to be able to have so much family there.





playing settlers with the Crossmans! Thanks So much for making the trip up, it was SO GOOD to see you guys.


Larsen Family.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Larsen

Grandpa Larsen

Photos of the girls!

Our friend Emily took some GREAT pictures of the girls! I'm so excited to get some of these printed up and in frames. She did Daelyn in her blessing dress and some other poses I wanted. I even used some of them to update the profile photos on my sidebar. She posted some of them on her blog too! Click here to see them . . . (You have to look! SO CUTE!!)

Emily Harkness Photography

(then you can tell HER how cute they are too, SO CUTE!!!!)

She is in North Ogden, if anyone is interested in having her do some photos. I think she really captured my girls personalities in these pictures! Thanks SO MUCH Emily! We love all the pictures you took.

Uncle Tony!

Here's Tony with Daelyn and Lily. I thought this was really cute, had to post it!

Violin Lessons!

I've always wanted my Dad to teach my kids how to play the violin, but having moved out of Utah the opportunity had not really presented itself. Recently, Holley expressed a desire to learn, so we asked grandpa if he could squeeze in a couple short lessons during our vacation time. For me this was one of those incredibly awesome sweet moments in life.



Brinley REALLY wanted to play too, so grandpa let her try for a minute too.

Daelyn listening to the music.

LegoLand & San Diego!

Here are some pictures from the Larsen trip to San Diego. Derek, Holley, and Brinley had a great time, and I was glad for all the pictures and videos they got so that I could see just how much fun they had.


Holley on the phone with momma saying goodnight.



Here's a video clip of Brin that I thought was cute.

Daelyn's name.

I just realized I never posted about why we chose Daelyn's name, and I thought some of you might be interested. So here's the story to those of you who care to know.

The origin of Daelyn, is Dale, which is Dereks middle name, and his Dad's first name. We thought it would be special for her to be named in honor of her Daddy, especially since they share a birthday. We were still a little unsure about it though the first day or two, because it didn't really sound good with any of the middle names we were considering.

The morning after Daelyn's birth, I woke up in the hospital room, and the name Brielle popped into my head. Brielle was one of the names that I had on my list of names I really liked, but we felt it might be too similar to Brinley, and hadn't considered it as a middle name, and kind of forgot about it. When it popped into my head that morning my mind immediately tried it as a middle name with Daelyn, and I thought it sounded really pretty. We were still a little unsure, because we've always chosen middle names with a family significance. We eventually decided (after we were home from the hospital a whole day.) that since her first name had the "family significance" factor, we could choose the middle name that we just thought sounded really pretty. and wha La! Daelyn Brielle Larsen!

I also posted a ton of pictures today so scroll down if you haven't seen them yet.

2 Week update!

Okay, here's a 2 week update, and I hope you're all in the mood to look at TONS of pictures cause I have a TON of cute ones! Don't mean to sound too prideful, but I think my kids are SOOOOO CUTE (especially little baby Daelyn)!!!! Seriously, this post probably has as many pictures as all my posts from the last year combined!

I can't believe how fast these two weeks have gone. Here's what we've been up to. . .
The weekend we came home from the hospital, my parents came into town to visit, my dad stayed for a couple days, and my mom was able to stay for two weeks.(She left just this morning.) We were totally spoiled by the ward and friends who brought us dinners for 5 nights. It was great to feel so loved. My Dad brought with him his camera, which is much nicer than ours, so we were able to get some pretty good pictures. The saturday after I got home from the hospital, Holley had her first dance recital. Derek went with her to the dress rehearsal and watched the recital then, so that he could stay home with Daelyn that evening while Grandma, Grandpa, Brinley and I went to the actual performance! I was really impressed with how well Holley remembered all her steps and moves! She did so well!
On monday, Derek had to go back to work, Holley back to school(final week), and Grandpa, back to Utah. Holley enjoyed having grandma here to walk her to and from the bus every day, and on friday she had her last day of school! I guess that makes her an official 1st grader now! She brought home a good report card, on which her teacher commented . . . "Holley is an outstanding reader. She will make a great first grader." We are so proud of how hard she worked, and how much she learned this year, we too are impressed with what a good reader she's become, she reads a verse or two all by herself every night at family scripture study, and has even been diligently having personal scripture study time. Just recently she borrowed an old set of Derek's scriptures cause she was interested in reading the Doctrine and Covenants, and her scriptures only have the Book of Mormon. We are so proud that she is making this kind of personal decisions at only 6 years old.
Saturday, (May 23rd) Derek had an incredible opportunity. A girl who has been in his seminary class for the last few years decided to be baptized and asked him if he would do it. This was his first baptism since his mission, and he felt nervous but VERY honored. That night we went out for dinner to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. (Thanks mom for watching all 3 girls for a couple hours.)
On Monday, May 25th (our actual anniversary, and Memorial day) Derek, Holley, and Brinley left for California for a vacation with Derek's family, (which was planned before we even got pregnant.) We felt it unwise for the baby and I to go so soon after she was born, so my mom stayed here with us. On Tuesday and Wednesday they went to Lego land, and then spent the next couple days at the beach. I've missed them SO MUCH, but it was a good opportunity to spend a quiet week with just my mom, and my new little one. We spoiled ourselves and watched lots of movies and relaxed. She also helped me do some cleaning and some other things around the house. It was a good week.
Mom left this morning, and Derek and the girls will come home tomorrow. So Daelyn and I will have a couple quiet days to ourselves. (which is why I actually had time to make this post.) I'll enjoy this time but can't wait to see the rest of my family tomorrow!
Here's all the pictures (hope you enjoy). . .

Holley's recital.
Her hair wrapped in rags! I think she's so cute with rags in her hair, she didn't really appreciate us taking this picture, but we thought it was so cute we couldn't resist.





On Sunday, my dad took a ton of photos for us. We got a lot of cute ones! Here's a sampling of some of the pictures he took. . .















Here are a few other pics from last week. . .
Brinley came out with these little gloves and wanted them put on her feet. She then started to waddle around the house saying, "I'm a penguin, I'm a penguin!" I have NO clue where she came up with this, but it was SO CUTE!!!!!!




Holley and Sadie after Holley's dance pictures,(which explains her clothes, hair, and the make-up.)

Brinley playing in the rain! I probably wouldn't have let her, but grandma was here, and I'm glad, cause she sure had a BLAST, and look how cute these pictures are!




Daelyn napping on the couch.


Here are some pictures me and my mom took of Daelyn a week ago! I thought they turned out WAY CUTE! You can even see she was still holding on to her little cord stub, it fell off finally the next day.



Holley and Daelyn last Saturday morning, Holley's been such a sweet big sister and wants to hold Daelyn every chance she gets.




Cute pics from last sunday.





Daelyn and her beautiful grandma Mayhue!



Daelyn napping on her Boppy.

Daelyn Brielle

All right here's the post you've all been waiting for. Sorry it's taken me a while, I started it a couple days ago, but blogger isn't letting me upload pictures very well, so it's been a work in progress getting all those on here. (not to mention, I can only spend so much time away from the all-consuming task of sitting to stare at my beautiful new baby.)

Knowing that we'd be spending Derek's birthday in the hospital we decided to celebrate on tuesday night before we checked in to be induced. We did presents, and had cake and ice cream. It was also good to have some fun family time, before leaving our girls for a whole night and day.

Here's Derek with his cake, and it's 30 candles.


And the girls enjoying the yummy birthday cake.



Our friend Brandi came to stay with the girls. She got here in time to have cake and ice cream with us, and help get the girls ready for bed. After we got the girls all tucked in and sleeping, Derek and I gathered up all our stuff and headed for the hospital. Here's my final belly shot before we left. If you don't want to read the whole labor story, then here's the part where you can just skip through all the pictures.


Our Dr was so sweet to induce me late at night, so that we'd be sure to have her on the 13th. It was nice I thought to check in at night when all was pretty quiet. I've always just checked in got hooked right up to the pitocin, but this time, they tried this little pill that they insert up by the cervix. The nurse said that if I was close enough to going into labor on my own, that this little pill would get my contractions going, and push me into labor.
We were so happy when it started working well within just a couple minutes. And since I wasn't hooked up to the IV yet, I was able to walk around a bit, and get up if I wanted. I was even able to take a warm shower, which felt so nice, and helped with the contaction pain. We also were able to doze a little and get some sleep. (Derek a little more than I.) It was really a nice change from being in bed the whole time, hooked up to the IV and monitors.
The Dr came in and broke my water around 9 am or so. I progressed evenly but slowly,(more efacing than dilating since I was almost 4cm when I came in at 10pm) and made it to about 5 cm late morning(around 10 or 11?), and started thinking the epidural would be nice. The Anesthesiologist was AMAZING! When I told him how sick the last epidural made me, he even adjusted the medicines he used to hopefully help (which it did! I didn't throw up at all this time!) The Epidural was much better than the one I had last time.
The Epidural did slow down my contractions, and they ended up having to put me on the pitocin, but by that time, I was already stuck in bed, and on the IV, and it didn't take too much pitocin to get me going again.
They checked me a couple hours later, and I was extrememly frustrated to be at only a 6. Then my contractions started to get painful again, which made me even more frustrated cause I was still on the epidural, and my legs were completely numb, so I didn't understand why I was in so much pain.
They decided that the medicine had probably just settled too low, because I was sitting up more than I probably should have been. I layed back and hoped the medicine would rise to my abdomen again, and tried to settle in for a longer wait. Then the nurse came in and checked again, needless to say, we were relieved and surprised when she said that I was basically complete. (Like half an hour or so after they said I was only 6cm.)
They paged the Dr, and prepped the room, and had me do a couple practice pushes. Whenever I contracted or pushed, they would momentarily lose the babies heart rate, which told them there was a problem with the umbilical cord. This of course made Derek and I a little nervous and anxious. Once the Dr got there, I pushed through 2 contractions, and she was here. My fastest time as far as the actual delivery. (both others I pushed for almost half an hour.) Her cord was wrapped around her neck, but they untangled her, and she started to cry, and they laid her on my abdomen for Derek to cut her cord, and that's probably when I started to cry! She was so amazing, and she was here, and I was a bit pleased with myself for doing so well. I know thats not an incredible feat as far as labor stories go, but I'm gonna give myself credit for my own personal victories! I can't be as incredible as all of you other amazing women! (Like my friend Jocelyn who delivered her baby on Tuesday, and went from induction to 9lb 7 oz baby in exactly 45 minutes!!!!! You AMAZE me Joce!!!) I do feel that overall it was my best labor and delivery yet. Not being in the bed the whole time, not throwing up at all, not as much pushing, GREAT nurses, Great Anesthesiologist. (It was fun to have a couple nurses we personally know, and a couple more that have kids who Derek has taught in Seminary. Thats living in a small town for ya!)


She came at 2:14 in the afternoon, On May 13th 2009 (her Daddy's 30th birthday.) She weighed 7 lbs, 7oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. (My biggest baby so far, by 2 oz and 1/4 inch.) And Here she is . . . Daelyn Brielle Larsen
Here she is with my Dr.
Proud Papa (Happy Birthday!!!!!)
In our recovery room.
Daelyn & Holley. (we have video of her with Brin but haven't taken a snapshot yet, we'll have to get one.)
Home and in her own bed
I think they may have more in common than their birthday! What do you think?
With Daddy!
Our sweet little brand new Angel, Daelyn.

Cinco De Mayo Parade,Swimming, Lemonade Stand!

All right, I didn't think I'd post again before the baby, but I said I would for cute pictures of the girls, and I think these pictures are pretty cute! Holley was in Safford's Cinco De Mayo Parade with her dance class. I thought she was so cute in her little costume, and doing her little "sitting dance" in the trailer. Her comment on it all when it was over. "I thought it was boring, cause we were going so slow, I wish I could have watched the parade with you guys." Next Saturday she will have her recital, and we're so excited grandma and grandpa Mayhue will be here for that!




And Here's Brinley waving back to everyone in the parade that waved to her. She was so excited to see Holley in the parade.


Wednesday was early out day, so I consented to let Holley open her first "Lemonade Stand." She was actually calling it a yard sale, and had kindof this whole bake sale in mind! I told her I would do Brownie's and Lemonade, and that's all. Her friend Connie next door came out to help, and when Connie's mom got the kiddie pool out, and invited Brinley over, Holley and Connie put their suits on, and the whole thing turned into a Lemonade stand/Swimming party. They had a lot of fun though, and made about. $4.50 (Thanks to generously tipping neighbors and family members.) That probably covers the cost of the lemonade, cups, and brownie ingredients! Worth it for the good time they had though!

Brinley wanted these little swim goggles on! Doesn't she just look like a cute little bug? I loved it!

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5 days to go! (or less!) I'm cranky, & uncomfortable but excited, and getting a little nervous/worried. Derek worries about me and the baby, but for whatever reason, I worry more about all the things I won't be able to control or take care of while stuck in the hospital, not seeing and taking care of my Holley and Brin for a few days etc. We're praying that all will be safe and well! We'll post pics when we can!

The Baby bump!

Ok, this one's for all of you who have wanted a better picture of my "baby bump." I had Derek take a picture of me yesterday to make sure we got at least one more belly shot. People are saying my belly is small, but it has been measuring right at term, as opposed to when I was pregnant wih Brinley, and I was much bigger, but my belly was measuring a week or two behind.(go figure) And even if I look small, I sure FEEL BIG! I've gotten quite uncomfortable, especially these last few days. At my last appointment, I was the Dr's last appointment of the day, so he took some extra time with us and answered all our questions about the rest of the pregnancy and possible induction. When I asked if he could tell what position the baby was in he said, "Why don't we do an ultrasound and look at her!" So we got another ultrasound, which was so fun! She's looking good, and still a girl! (Which I now have put more confidence in, because with only one ultrasound before, I still held a little unsurety.)

FYI, with Holley and Brinley both I was due on a sunday, and BOTH times, I was at church on my due date, and answering all the "when are you due?" questions with "right now." I both times was then induced the next day. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled to find out my due date was a sunday AGAIN, and have imagined the same sunday due-date scenario happening all over again. So I was thrilled when my Dr. said that since I was measuring at term, he felt ok inducing me anytime past 39 weeks! ("what? you mean actually have a baby before my due date for a change?") In fact he even said he'd be willing to induce me on sunday the 10th if I was interested in having the baby on mothers day! He basically said pick a day that week! (YEAH!!!) We felt a little torn between the 10th and the 13th at first, but I kindof thought I'd prefer being pampered on mothers day, and be able to eat, and not be in pain, and in the hospital. Not to mention having to ask another mom to babysit my kids for me on THEIR mothers day. SOOOOO. . . unless by some unforeseen miracle, my body learns how to go into labor on it's own, (which is NOT very likely given my history, and look at that picture, I've SO not dropped yet.) we're planning on an induction on May 13th! (Derek's Birthday) Derek's thrilled about the idea of sharing his birthday, we only hope she won't mind it in the years to come. My mom was born on her mom's birthday, and my brother was born on my Dad's birthday, so ever since we found out how close my due date was to Derek's birthday, I've thought it would be cool if the baby came on his birthday! So I'm now down to 13 days to go or less! Oh how happy I am that it finally seems to be in sight. The bags are packed, and baysitting arrangements are in place. We still aren't positive on a name, but we think we're getting closer, and that it'll be a nice surprise to be able to announce a name when we announce the birth! (just pray we are set on one by then.) Anyway, this will most likely be my last post before we post BABY PICS!! (unless of course I get really bored, or ambitious, or get some real cute pictures of the girls.) So wish us luck, and watch for pictures in about a week and a half!

PS I posted a couple more things today too, so scroll down to see Derek and the girls, (much more fun to look at than me 9 months pregnant!)

Derek and Holley's Daddy Daugher Excursion.

Derek wanted to scout a stream he'd heard about to see if it'd be fishable so he took Holley on a little hike with him. I love that when he told me he wanted to go he mentioned from the first wanting to take Holley with him. I love how he finds these little opportunities to build memories and strengthen his relationship with his girls! I'm grateful to be married to someone who is such a good Daddy, and loves his girls so much! (I also appreciate the opportunity this often gives me for some quiet time at home!) Thank you Derek, I love you!

The girls!

Here are some cute pictures I took of the girls last night! Derek was having his presidency meeting here, so I told the girls if they got ready for bed they could watch a movie in our bed! Usually they each take their own side of the bed, but I came into the room and found them both cuddling together on my side of the bed and I thought it was sweet so I of course had to take some pictures! I LOVE THESE GIRLS!!!!