And So It Begins...

Eve is now mobile!

I think we're safe for a little while longer :)

I take that back. She just did a double roll across the floor.

And so end our days of being able to turn our backs....

Mother's Day - Fort Worth Style!

In addition to Mother's Day, Eve also turned 5 months old! Now that's something to get excited about!

For Mother's Day, I really wanted to spend some time in Fort Worth, since we're moving in a couple of weeks and hadn't been there yet! When I was really little (under 5) our family lived in the Fort Worth area, and I wanted to stop by and see our old houses. We couldn't spare a whole day, but were able to go for Saturday afternoon/evening!

This first one is the one we rented when we first moved to Texas from Provo, Utah. I don't remember living here. I guess my long term memory wasn't properly functioning when I was 1 year old.

But after that, we moved into this brand new house that my parents had built and this I remember! We were here for three years I think? This is where we were living when Merrill started school. I remember my mom and I watching from the bathroom window as he crossed the field to the school.

And who could forget the huge canal that ran along the side of the house? We found a snapping turtle in that canal once! Note the retaining wall that my dad built, still in use!

Eve is so thrilled to be sharing my childhood memories :)

After that, we headed into downtown Fort Worth for some dinner. I really wanted to be able to see the stockyards, but time just didn't permit. Maybe next time!

We went to dinner at a pizza place by TCU called "Mellow Mushroom". It was yummy and the decor was really fun!

Eve got to ride a cow! I don't know that it beats a cougar, though :)

We definitely love pizza!

Waiting for a table....

And our yummy chicken cordon bleu pizza! Worth the wait!

We even let Eve try some. Shhhhhh.....don't tell! It was just the crust.

She thought it was so yummy! I had to take it away because she gummed it so much it was falling apart and I didn't actually want her to eat it! Just to suck on the flavor....

I also let her have a sip of water from my cup (her first time!) which she LOVED! She likes drinking from big kid cups! But no picture of that.

When we finally made it home, she was pooped! I didn't mention that we hit several areas of HORRIBLE traffic on the way there (and I got a bit lost) so it took us twice as long as it should have. So it was a late night for all!

On Sunday, the official Mother's Day, I got to wear a corsage that the YW had made for a camp fundraiser. And by YW, I mean, we, their leaders did a lot of the work....

I even got to make my own! I made several, but this one turned out pretty good!

Thanks to Eve for making me a Mommy! We love her so much!

Back in the Trenches

Today completed my second full week back at work. After being off for five months with Eve, it's been quite an adjustment to be back. But at least I don't have to get up with her at night anymore! Andrew has taken over that privilege :)

I hate leaving Eve every day and only getting to spend two hours in the evening with her instead of all day - but she's loving all her time with Daddy! What a treat! And he is totally showing me up at being a better stay-at-home parent. She's not going to want to switch back to me!

Happy Eve-ster

I am not happy. I already typed and posted this entry! And then it just disappeared! I found it in my unpublished entries with all the pictures but no words. Sigh. So now I have to retype it all. Kelly is my witness - I already posted this once!

We spent Easter in Utah this year with Andrew's family and had a great day!

Eve isn't too sure about the holiday at first (like most new things...)

But she got happier when she knew it included Grandma!

And Great Grandma!

After church, we stopped by Kelly and Lance's house to say goodbye to my family. Stuart, Genevieve, and Chiara were looking very festive! And so springy!

Grandma and Grandpa Larsen with their two Easter grand-babies. (We missed you, Darci! And Kelly's unborn fetus....)

Cutie Easter cousins! Chiara looks so pretty! Eve looks....confused...

That's better, Eve!

Two of the world's best Dads!

We gave Eve her Easter basket later that day:

I think she liked it!

She wouldn't look up for any more pictures after that. She's hooked!

That afternoon we went to Easter dinner at Andrew's aunt's house in Kaysville with many other cousins, aunts, and uncles. After a delicious meal with lots of visiting, we headed out for an egg hunt. Eve was very good at it! She found one right off the bat - with only a little help.

Who cares what's on the inside when the outside's so yummy?!

Three cuties! Such great aunts!

And a "great" Grandpa!

The Easter bunny even found Andrew and I, so far from home. No complaints from us!

Graduation

As I mentioned before, the impetus for our big two week vacation was Kelly's graduation from BYU! What an accomplishment! While we were in Utah, we got to go around with her and take the classic graduation shots:

And some not so classic....This is a creepy rabbit that we found in the BYU Bookstore. Watch out - it'll get you! We stopped by the Bookstore to visit some of Andrew's former co-workers. As soon as we stepped foot on BYU campus we couldn't walk 10 feet without running into someone Andrew knew. We ended up being there for quite a while!

We got to stroll along the south side of campus, where they recently completed and beautiful walking trail and waterfalls, a stream (ish) and lush landscaping. Fancy! And a little chilly...

And of course we have to indoctrinate Eve in the BYU lifestyle (she must go to school there), so we took some shots of our little family at the popular photo spots!

Don't let Lance see this one!

Eve got to ride the cougar! With Andrew's help....

Kelly got mad at me for dressing Eve in red. I couldn't help it! It was colder in Utah than we had anticipated and we don't have any cool weather clothes for Eve. We live in Texas! So Andrew's mom went and got Eve this little jacket that she could wear while we were there. It wasn't on purpose that I dressed her in red!

Two BYU grads!

Sisters! After the official graduation ceremony.

We had four cousins graduating on the Larsen side of the family, so we all got together for a group shot after the ceremony. Congrats to all!

Our family! Andrew and Eve stayed home during graduation. Chances weren't great that she would behave that long and we didn't want to chance it.

Mom and Dad are so proud of their little girl! All grown up!

The siblings (Stuart hadn't arrived yet and Merrill wasn't able to come down from Washington -they were in the middle of moving to Oregon).

We're so proud of you Kelly! What an accomplishment! And just in time :)