Forever Family

When I was still secretly pregnant with my fifth, we visited the St. George Temple.  I felt peace, happiness, and completeness.

Remember that one time...

We took a 5 month old on a cruise.

Memorial Day

We went hiking.

Must be that time of year

Oh, and a lot of swimming and lounging pool side.

Year in Review

This has been a great year with lessons learned and blessings received.

Not much has changed with Grant and I. Grant is still the department head, teacher, and coach at Alhambra, but this year his team had a winning season! Must be the coach.

I work two nights a week on the weekend as an ICU nurse. I am almost done with school (for now), and May never looked so good. I also gave coaching a try with the under six boys' soccer team.

Raea was baptised. The social butterfly is making friends on all her sports teams and now in Activity Days. I can't believe my oldest is in third grade.

Ethan did swim team, soccer again, and finally rode his bike around the neighborhood. Kindergarten has proved that he is a smart, independent thinker.

Larissa sprouted. My tall, little four year old is more of a tom-boy princess than I ever was. How she has grown into her own!

Herston is doing very well. Although he still requires thickened liquids, you would never have imagined his struggles early on. He has caught up if not surpassed many other two year olds his age.

Looking forward:
A second honeymoon for our tenth anniversary.
A nurse practitioner in the home!!!
Larissa in Kindergarten.
Disneyland? (the reward for no diapers in the house)

"We are probably the last ones"

We went to Joe's Farm Grill after it was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It was so good and fun. I am still eating my ribs 3 meals later. Loved the garlic fries. (I think Herston is drooling looking at other people's food in that picture.)

Afterwards, we took a walk on their urban farm with the kids.

Usery Park Hiking Photos

Shoulder of the Year

Thanks

Another Family Photo

As I mentioned before, it was time for a family photo.

My Sister's Wedding

It provided a great photo collection; I just can't wait to see all the images from the professional photographer.

Family Drawings

Growing up I loved drawing pictures of my family. For our last Family Home Evening taught by Raea, we drew pictures of our family.

And yes, it is May and Raea wrote, "Santa please come."

The Gila Vally Temple

The Gila Vally Arizona Temple
open house 2010

In 1993, I went to the San Diego California Temple open house. I was 14, and I went to hang out with boys in California. At that time in my life, I didn't care about going to church, but I did make a half-hearted promise to one of my leaders that I would try to go to as many open houses as I could.

Seven years later I reevaluated my life and my faith, and a wonderful man was able to hold my hand as we went during the process together. In 2002, when I was pregnant with my first child, we easily took a small trip to visit the open house at the Snowflake Arizona Temple. It was a beautiful place with a beautiful spirit.

Fast forward to 2010 and The Gila Valley Arizona Temple is having its open house. I am working on Saturdays to save money on babysitting for 4 kids, and Grant is working during the week. We couldn't find a convenient time to make the 146 mile trip to No-Where (PIMA), Arizona. Unfortunately, I couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that I needed to take my kids and the voice of an unforgotten Young Women's leader. The temple was open until 9pm, so on little sleep from working a night shift, I dressed the kids and packed the car, so we could leave as soon as Grant got home. (We returned late the same night.)

Before we left, my neighbor randomly brought us dinner. They didn't know we were in a rush; they didn't know of our plans for the night or our lack of plans for dinner. I know they were prompted. I know the Lord provides a way. My Heavenly Father knew that my kids needed to see the temple. He knew that we needed to take some time out for Him.

As soon as we walked inside the temple, my kids gasped. Ethan said he thought we were walking on glass. Larissa held me hand the whole time, and Raea walked a little taller. Tears gently flowed down my cheek when we walked into the bride's room. "Raea, this is where you can stand when you get married in the temple."

I am so blessed to have the temples and to have shared this experience with my kids. I feel closer to my children and a greater responsibility to teach them in the way of the Lord.

The next ones are the Gilbert Arizona Temple and the Phoenix Arizona Temple. Everyone is invited to the open houses, and you can guarantee that our family will be there again.

San Diego California Temple
Raea and Ethan
2007

12 Month Old Comparisons

My kids in birth order.

For fun to compare with above: me and Grant's father, Jerry, at 12 months.

Dear Family and Extended Family,
I have one childhood photo of Grant, he is 18 months. If you have any, can you scan them to me?
Thanks,
Ruth, the new resolved picture organizer

Tree Lights

Grant wouldn't let me boycott Christmas even though Lilly bit through our Christmas tree lights. A little bit of wire nuts and a little bit of kid power, and we were back in business.

Temple Lights

My second trip to the Temple Lights this year, but not as smooth.

However, the hot chocolate sold across the street was a good idea.

FHE

"So there was this big tornado. And this little girl got stuck in a big hole, so Jesus came down and saved her. Then a ghost forgot how to fly and fell into a hole, too! So Jesus came down and saved him with his marshmellow. Then that is me jumping with my parachute. I went to the moon to save the balloon."-Ethan on how Jesus helps us and how we can help others

Memory Lane

Grandma O'Haver was my card playing, canasta loving, elephant collecting great grandma.

Alice's resemblance to Larissa in this photo is uncanny. Thanks to my older sister for scanning.

UPDATE: Send any stories about Grandma to azlarsen@cox.net to be included in her memory book. You are officially in the know.

Super Cute

So this is my cousin-in-law-ish. I Love it!

Good Luck!

Just Keep Smiling

Someone once told me the key to taking family photos is to keep your eyes up and just keep smiling.

Isn't that the key to everything? ;)

Herston is really walking.

A little sneak peak from my recent photo session. Looking for a photographer? Email laurenkenna@gmail.com.