TTW - Dollar Store

One day while we were home Rachel and I decided to entertain ourselves while Cade was at preschool by taking the other 3 to the dollar store in search of wrapping paper for Robin's baby shower and party supplies for Kent's early birthday party.  Right on cue, Kent decided he needed to poop while we were there.  Rachel was so kind to take him next door to Ace while I attempted to entertain the two little girls.  I spent a majority of my time putting things back in their placed after they took them off the shelf, but what do you know we survived and these two cute things got to dress up.

TTW - Olson Ranch

One day while we were home we were treated to an afternoon at the "Olson Ranch".  Maja, Lori, and Robin met us out in Viola to let the kids ride the horses.  Little did they know they were going to exercise Juno (the dog) and dig holes for them.  We had a great time and hope to be able to do it again next time we visit.  I even showed up in a few pictures, thats what happens when Rachel takes a turn with the camera.

Addy loved the horses.

First meeting.

Kent would have taken Juno home if we would have let him.  Isn't the Palouse gorgeous!

Feeding the horses peppermints.

Kent's turn.

Fetch, Juno.

A photo opportunity.

Cheese.

Such a big girl.

These two crack me up.  We forced Kent to ride the horse, not that he was scared but simply he was content with Juno as his entertainment.  

Riding away into the sunset.

The boys found a shovel and Kent said he was digging holes so he could come back the next day and plant corn.  The kid loves him some corn on the cob.

The boys also got a kick out of throwing Juno's ball into the water and making him jump in and get it.  I think Juno thought it was fun the first few times, but the 5th time may have been too much.

TTW - Park Day

While in Washington we took the kids to the park one day after breakfast.  We had a good time, but were a little disappointed with how run down Krugel Park in Pullman is, it makes me want to buy my own can of paint and paint the merry-go-round, slide, and train myself.    

They did however have a new climbing structure that Kent dominated.  This kid loves to climb. 

Everyone needs a trip down the elephants trunk.

Addy loved the merry-go-round, too bad it made me sick watching her.

We made everyone hold onto a bar.

No words needed.

On top of the other climbing structure.  

Becoming fast friends.

"Wow, I have one of those too!"

Kent loves, loves, loves his aunt Rachel.

Best Buds!

TTW - An Attempt at Formal Pictures

One day we will learn that if you want a large group picture it is better to hire a photographer, but in the mean time we will settle for amateur photos, unphotoshopped kids, and a Grandpa Leo with increased blood pressure from uncooperative kids.  We didn't have everyone in the family there, but anytime you are only missing a few people you might as well document it.  This time we were only missing Ammon, Lance, and Robin and we had my Larsen grandparents there.

In the words of Addy, "I being princess."

The sun was a killer for some.

One decent shot

Another decent shot.

Just the kids. 

And last but not least, Addy thought the doggie door looked like a far easier option compared to the wide open screen door next to her.

Trip to Washington - Four Wheeling

One afternoon while the girls napped, my dad and Brett took the boys out to the Lehmitz farm to do some four-wheeling.  Of course the boys loved it, one of Kent's favorite things is the enormous helmet he gets to wear.  They were also lucky enough to meet the Lehmitz's new litter of kittens and told us all about how they climbed all over them.  Enjoy the pictures!

Washington Trip - What Doesn't Fit

We did lots of things while we were in Pullman which will be documented in later posts, but for now I have a few random pictures that don't fit into their own post.  

My cousin Dallin came home from his mission to Brazil. No one bats an eye at a missionary's family overtaking the airport in Salt Lake; it is expected, especially mid-week.  But having that much family welcome someone home at the Lewiston or Pullman airport gets a lot of stares, it happened with both my brothers and now Dallin.  But regardless of the stares, we do it because we are so proud of those missionaries for dedicating 2 whole years of their lives to missionary service.  

Jami and Kent goofing off while we waited for Dallin's luggage.  

The weather was HORRIBLE while we were there.  But at least there was some beauty after the storms.  

We did some dog sitting.  

Auntie Aubree made this water-filled jumping pad that the kids enjoyed.

A less than quiet duet on the piano.

Early morning sewing projects with Grandma.

Road Trip

As I mentioned in my last post, Ammon was on TDY in May.  This was his longest TDY yet...3 weeks.  Being a single mom for a day isn't fun, let alone 3 weeks.  As soon as Kent finished preschool, a week into the TDY, the kids and I took off for Washington.  The kids and I started the trek alone, driving all the way to Boise, at which time we picked up my dad from the airport, spent the night, and drove the rest of the way to Pullman with him.  Some may think I am spoiled to have my dad fly down to drive with us, but I am a horrible long distance driver.  I get so tired so easily on car trips, I need someone with me and the kids don't count.  I knew I could make it to Boise by myself, but beyond that it probably wasn't safe.  Not to mention it's entirely freeway between Ogden and Boise, which allows for me to take care of the kids easily by myself, but anyone that has driven from Boise to Pullman via McCall, knows that those roads aren't quite as straight which makes it hard for me to drive and take care of the kids at the same time.

Before we picked up my dad at the airport we stopped and visited Ammon's sister Aspen and her family.  The kids were so excited to get out of the car and play for a while.

Grayson and Addy swinging

Addy manhandling Audrey's bunny, that was so much mellower than the one I had as a classroom pet.

The kids enjoying the trampoline.  This was my kids' first time on a trampoline and they loved it!

There is no better view to welcome me home then the wheat fields.  They were so green while we were there.

Preschool Graduation

Kent officially finished his first year of preschool in May.  We have been so pleased with his preschool and how much he has learned.  They tend to put a little more emphasis on reading and writing than other schools, which I like.  We are sad that he won't get to attend this preschool next year (we are moving) because 95% of the kids that go to the school two years in a row can read by the time they go to kindergarten.  We are also sad because the price of preschool in Washington is at least double what we paid here.  At the end of the year they have a graduation for all the classes in North Ogden and also the classes from the school in Tremonton.  I had no idea how big the graduation was going to be until I walked in the gym 30 minutes early and the bleachers were almost full.  There were so many people there, lots of the kids had extended family attending too.  Poor Kent only had Addy and me (Ammon was on TDY) and my mom's cousin Wendee who was so nice to come and help with Addy so I could take pictures.  I thought it was funny that more people attended Kent's preschool graduation then attended the high school graduation of Ammon's brother James in Rosalia.  

Since we now live in the digital age, I took a picture of all his art work before it went in the trash.  Does that make me a bad mom?

Performing the songs.

One happy graduate.  

There's an Artist Among Us

The kids and I spend a lot of time drawing with sidewalk chalk outside.  Sometimes Ammon joins in the fun and wows all of us and the rest of the neighborhood.

Spiderman 

Buzz Lightyear

Addy's Hair

Addy's hair is continually growing, we have even trimmed an inch or two off of it to even things up.  Her hair is pretty thin and wispy, but she has a lot of it.  It doesn't curl, which makes me sad, but we manage.  It also doesn't stay put too long either, which results in me touching it up a few times a day.  Normally she is pretty good at letting me do her hair, as long as she has something to occupy her attention, i.e. the iPad, Duplos, a sink with water running, etc.  Here are a few of my creations when she stays still longer than normal.

But sometimes she is just not interested at all, which results in her hair in her face all day long, which also drives Ammon and I crazy.  Exhibit A...