Happy Birthday Aunt Liesl

Auntie Liesl is Erik's twin.

She has such a fun personality.

She loves Brian Regan (the comedian).

She is great with teenagers.

We love her so much and hope she had a great birthday (she is 7 minutes older than Erik)!

Saturday Sports

Yesterday was such a gorgeous January Saturday that we wanted to hang around outside. Lucky for us Ramie had her second soccer game, so we went. She did so awesome! Go Scorpions! From there we went to Conner's basketball game. He did so good! He scored 8 points and passed the ball around so well. They won...go Sharks!

Geography Bee

Monday, January 12 Conner was in a Geography Bee. It was for kids in 4th, 5th and 6th grade. He is in 4th grade. The kids were all given a packet with 100 questions they had to find the answers to and memorize. With Christmas break and cousins here visiting we didn't get much studying done. Erik and Conner worked on it a little bit answering about 60/100 questions. Worried about how competitive Conner is we reminded him of his lack of studying due to a busy holiday season and told him to just do his best. I was so worried and just hoped he'd make it through the first round.
Here Conner and his buddy Austin Carpentar waiting for their turn. WOW, Conner continues to amaze me. He is so talented! He made it to round 7! He has his Dad's awesome quality to be able to remember things sometimes only heard or read once! He answered a question Erik had no clue without even blinking. Go Conner Go Conner! He ended up coming in Fourth Place. We are so proud of you Conner!

Offically potty training, yikes!

Wish me luck...I have committed to hanging around the house and potty training Coleman (yikes)! Hopefully he will catch on quick. I am hoping since the minute he wets his diaper he wants changed. I think he is ready! I have found boys to be much harder than girls. Let's hope I am wrong! I will return and report with hopefully great news!

Carmel apples and sticky taffy time...

Monday, January 5th was a big day for Lindsey!

She woke up with braces...
and went to bed with no braces!

What a happy day! After 3 years of braces Lindsey is finally free.

She got a permanent retainer on bottom and goes in for her top retainer today.
We will have to do a little bit of gum graph on top where she had her tooth surgery, but other than that she is good to go. Of course, now we want our teeth whitened. We will try the whitening strips first:)

All her friends and leaders were so cute last night at YW's. They made a huge deal of how pretty her teeth look, you all rock!

Our baby is a SUNBEAM!

Oh my gosh is it possible? Cole is in SUNBEAMS! Scary...he is my baby!

What an emotional day this ended up being.

This will be an interesting year in primary. I've already volunteered to help in anyway:)

He looked so handsome, I love how Erik does his hair!

This was also his first time to wear a tie!

Christmas day fun!

We feel so blessed this Christmas season. Many people are without work, we feel very blessed that Erik has a good job at UPS and that I have been able to work a little cleaning with Oma. Santa came and brought very fun gifts. Conner got a "Double shooter electronic basketball hoop". A huge hit with friends, cousins, siblings and Dad so far. Cole got a "Speed Racer bike" hopefully he can learn to use the pedals?!Lindsey got "Guitar Hero" for the X-Box 360. Very fun and entertaining!Carly got an "EASEL" she loves to draw and be crafty. Carly and Conner showing off their COOL pj's!We got Conner a new football game for the X-BoX 360, legos, a Queen Creek High School BULLDOGS shirt and some DVD's.Carly has been asking for PINK legos for a year. She also got the 4 High School Musical 3 barbie dolls, crayons, and some fun craft kits.Oh did I forget to mention Conner's ASU Jersey?! Go Sun Devils!! Lindsey cleaned up with clothes, new BLACK vans, make up, lotion and jewelry. Erik got an ASU hoody sweatshirt. Now he and Conner need to go to an ASU game!

Anyone have tickets they aren't using? Papa, Oma and Logan came to see what Santa brought. Lindsey even gave them a performance on her guitar. Christmas morning we go to Gramers and Papa Morris' for a delicious breakfast. More bacon is cooked than you can imagine and the yummiest pull apart cinnamon rolls. After that we go into the living room and open presents. Wow, each kid got a full everyday outfit, church outfit and a toy. Thank you Gramers, Papa and Nana.

(above: Marcus Webb and Conner)

Marcus is so good with kids, they love it when he isn't working and gets to come and hang out!

Cute dress Carly!Lindsey, Lauren and Sheridan love to hang out! Gramers and Papa, thank you for a wonderful Christmas!

Nana happy to have everyone over and excited about the chocolate she got as well as her new crossword puzzle book.
Around 5ish the Larsen group meets up to exchange gifts.

The Lopez girls all got new dolls that eat and wet.

Kylee, Ramie, and Sienna

We got to Oma and Papa's before everyone.

Uncle Logan helped Carly do her PIXELS craft. What a fun Uncle! Thank you! Erik was up sleeping with Cole (who wasn't feeling good) and I was laying on the couch trying to squeeze in a nap before everyone arrived.

Poor Cole woke up from his nap burning up (the start of the flu). He pretty much sat on Erik's lap the whole night.

WOW, the pink golf cart from High School Musical 2, thanks Oma and Papa!

The highlight of the night, Crew and Case took off their sweatshirts and this is what we saw! A new little one is on the way, due in August! Yeah, congrats Lance and Heather!

Jewelry, Oma ordered Lindsey, Kayla, and Courtney this adorable necklace!
More ASU attire! Conner is all over clothes when they are sport related! Thank you Oma, Papa, and Uncle Logan for all the fun toys, jewelry and clothes. You spoiled us like always. Merry Christmas! Our wish is that everyone has a wonderful New Year!