Baseball ghosts

We woke up to this Tuesday morning, "baseball ghosts" ! Balloons, posters, streamers, sidewalk chalk with encouraging words all for CONNER! It looked so cool! Conner was playing in the Jr. Minors Queen Creek Little League Championship game that night! He was so happy to think someone would do this for him! We all walked around and read all the awesome good wishes!

So creative and thoughtful!

What awesome friends we have!

Go D-Backs!

Memorial Day Traditions

This year was a little different when you think of our traditional Memorial Day. We always meet at the Mesa Cemetery at 10am. Erik, Lindsey and Carly were there, but Conner, Cole and I didn't make it. Conner had batting practice at 9am. No worries Cole and I went over to Oma's and Papa's to cut our the veggies for later that day - since his practice was right down the road. Carly is getting so tall.
Braley boys and Stephanie, belong to Tina (Erik's sister).

Lavold girls and Jake, belong to Liz (Erik's sister)

Cleaning off Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Morris' headstone.

Many observers...learning why we celebrate Memorial Day.

Lindsey's turn to clean with Papa's help.

Now over to clean Erik's little sister, Stephanie, who was still-born, headstone.

Now to Grandpa Williams headstone - this is a very neat experience. It gives us opportunities to teach our kiddos about their ancestors. After visiting the cemeteries we all met up at Gramers and Papa's for lunch. I love this time because we get to visit and enjoy one another. After eating and relaxing we headed over to Aaron and Liz's to swim (that is everyone except Cole and Erik they went home for a much needed nap). Sadly Aunt Liesl was sick with kidney stones and Marcus stayed home to sleep (missed you all). It was a gorgeous day!

Around 5pm we met up with the Larsen clan to hang out. Eating yummy grilled or fried chicken, veggies, pasta salad, watermelon, strawberries, and much much more (thank you Oma for always making the holidays enjoyable!). Oma had set up water fun for all to enjoy. Cole not sure about it at first.

Cole likes to always care some sort of toys (today was cars some days it is dinosaurs).

Jase, Lisa's youngest, I love this picture of him - little cutie pie!

Heather (pregnant with baby #3 another boy) and Lisa

These little ones were quite the daredevils! I thought Jase was going to break his neck and Case drowned the way they jumped into the pool! Glad there were no serious injuries!

Don't mess with Crew!

Case, Jase, Crew, Kylee and Cole having a great time!

Time for dessert (donuts and ice cream sandwiches) Case was in hog HEAVEN!

12-1-1

Isn't he a cute kid? Especially when he SMILES and is happy! Conner's baseball team "Diamondbacks" are rocking hard this season. Their record is 12 wins 1 tie 1 loss. They have won their first play-off game and we hope win the tournament. Their infield is so hot and pitchers on fire. We love watching them play and appreciate all our family members who have come out to cheer Conner on.
Conner and proud Dad Erik -his first play-off game was Saturday night so Erik could watch the WHOLE game.
Cole and Conner both hit home runs, yippee!
Afterwards "Sparky" the ASU Sun Devil mascot was at the ball field and was signing hats and baseballs. Conner was able to get his hat and baseball signed WOW, what a night!

Six and headed to FIRST grade

Brynn...Happy Birthday! Today is your special day, hip hip hurray! Brynn is such a fun and cute girl. (my sister Lisa's second child) One thing that comes to my mind when I think of her is "petite". Her clothes seem to all fit her BIG! She is full of life and determination. She loves school and is quite a good reader for a kindergartner.
Some things she likes to do is play outside, go to dance lessons, be crafty, play with her stuffed animals and spend time with her cousins (especially Ramie - they are the best of friends). Brynn is a sweetie and a joy to be around, we love you! Have a great birthday!

So many birthdays, it is now May and Tyler's turn!

Happy Birthday you handsome DEVIL!

Oh my you are "17" when did our little Tyler grow up? (my sister LaSchelle's oldest son) I remember when he was born...grandchild #1. He was loved by all of us so much - we could not get enough of him. That is still true today. Tyler is a pleasure to be around. He is such an amazing young man. He always tells you he loves you and hugs you when he sees you and when you are leaving. You can always feel his love for you.
I am grateful that my boys have such an awesome example to look up to. Tyler is a natural athlete and an obedient young man. He is easy to talk to and truly a pleasure to hang out with. We love you and hope you have had a great birthday!

Roper Howard get's baptized

Saturday Lindsey, Cole and I went to Clay Springs, Arizona to see my sweet cousin Lana Howard (my dad's brother Mike's daughter) son Roper get baptized. Charlie got to baptism him too! I am so proud of him. He is such a cute kid with a strong love for the gospel. I have to share a sweet experience that happened at his baptism.

I guess they have been trying really hard to get active and haven't missed a Sunday in 6 months. Well they only have ONE set of scriptures. Lana says that every Sunday Roper wants to take that set with him to primary. She tells him that she and Charlie need them for their class and that his paper back Book of Mormon will have to do for now. Well for his baptism they got him his very on hardbound scriptures with his name engraved on them and everything. Well their really good friend was giving the Holy Ghost talk and asked Roper to come up by him. He showed Roper his scriptures and Roper just started crying. He buried his head in this man's jacket and cried. It was the sweetest thing. Therefore, it touch all of us and the tears began to flow. The spirit was there and it was a wonderful experience. He is such a good little missionary with such a big heart. Later Lindsey said to me, "Mom how many 8 year old little boys do you know of that would cry because they got scriptures?" I said, "NONE!" We both agreed that Roper is a good kid with a sweet spirit! I am sure Grandma Larsen was watching with tears flowing of happiness!

Uncle Mike and Aunt Joyce. Uncle Mike looked so nice and Aunt Joyce gave an awesome baptism talk! She is super close to Lana and Charlie!


What a sweet family: Roper, Rowdy, Charlie and Lana.

What a good lookin' bunch! Kassi and Makell (Lana's little sister and her daughter) were there too!

Cole and Lindsey ( Cole throw up 30 minutes into the drive there - I was hoping we would make it!)

Cole loves Lindsey! She is a great helper!

Afterwards we went to Charlie's aunt and uncles for a luncheon. They have this stuffed mountain lion. I was scared and I knew it was dead!

We had a great time sharing this wonderful day with Roper and his family. It was good to see Shar, her cute kids, Uncle Scott, Aunt Joyce, Uncle Mike, Kassi and Makell and all of Lana's family. The weather was gorgeous all the kids wanted to do was run around outside and see all the animals (chickens, dogs, duck, horses, cats)! Thanks for a fun day! Roper we love you and are proud of you!

Happy NEWS!

i just received the long awaited call...Cole has qualified for long term services!

y a h o o ! !

this means we will get federal funding to help us out with his therapies and programs!

y a h o o ! !