Laura and Danny's Wedding

We arrived in Utah VERY early on Tuesday, Dec 27th.  Our flight left Denver at 6am, so it was an early morning for us!  And my parents who took us to the airport!

A short flight later, we arrived in Salt Lake City and were met by Andrew's dad.  And thus began our week in Utah.  After opening fun presents at Grandma and Grandpa's house, we all crashed for a nap.  Then the family geared up for a busy night of setting up for Laura and Danny's reception.  Eve and I stayed behind as our contribution :)

After a late night and lots of work, the church building was ready - and it looked great!  We all hit the sack for some shut eye in preparation for the big day!

Laura and Danny were sealed in the Draper Temple on Wednesday, Dec 28th.  It was a very special sealing and we were so grateful we got to share the day with them!  They were married in the same sealing room as Andrew and I had been and it was our first opportunity to be back there since our big day 2 1/2 year ago.  Eric and Kayla came out from DC so the whole family got to be together for Laura and Danny's wedding!  Lisa kindly watched Eve and another litte cousin during the ceremony.  Luckily, they both behaved.....

The newly weds making their exit from the temple!

I took a few pictures outside the temple, but was mostly focused on keeping track of Eve and trying to stay warm - there was a very brisk wind!  We did get one quick family picture (thanks Lance!) before leaving.

After the sealing, we all drove back to Provo and met at Magleby's for a delicious luncheon. 

The reception that night was....awesome!  Andrew's cousin and his wife have a party/event full-service rental business and came down from Idaho to create.....

...this!

It was quite literally breathtaking!  Looks a little different than it did at our reception :)  Andrew's mom put in a ton of work, with help from friends in the ward, and the whole evening was a huge success!  Besides the beautiful decorations and setup, the food was yummy!  Brownies and ice cream - inspired!

I didn't get to try any of the cake, but it was sure a treat to look at!

Eve kept busy during the evening by dragging her blanket around the floor and bumming brownie and ice cream of gullible relatives ;)

Andrew got the chance to visit with lots of friends and family so we all had a good time!

Eve's just excited to have a new uncle!  And a really fun one at that!

We're so happy for Laura and Danny!

A Colorado Christmas

It was so fun to have Christmas this year with little kids!  Ok, really just Chiara and three little ones who didn't really understand.  Eve was on the cusp this year....

Chiara opened her stocking first because she was the only one old enough to understand and yet young enough to not be able to wait until after church.  :)

Reagan had a little help with her stocking.  She must have been a good girl this year because she got a chewy rubber spatula from Santa!  Yum!

Eve didn't immediately take to the idea of opening stockings...

"Wait...so you're saying that this red sock is full of treats and toys for me?  Yeah, I guess I'm down with that...."

"Mom, this looks just like your kitchen dishes.  Just....smaller...and more colorful..."

Playdough! 

After stocking and a yummy breakfast (our tradition is cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs) we got all dressed up in our Christmas best and headed to church. 

It was an extra special meeting not only because it was Christmas and we were together with family but also because Stuart and Genevieve blessed Asher and Andrew, Lance, and Dad got to participate.  Eric held the microphone so he got to be in on it too.  So neat!

We came home and got a few shots of the girls in their matching Christmas dressed (thanks Aunt Kelly!) before nap time.

Eve loved playing with this little orange.  What a Christmas doll!

That afternoon, we had a glorious feast!  In addition to the family I've already mentioned, we had my Dad's Uncle David, a family friend John, Genevieve's two sisters, and the missionaries.  Quite a turn out!

After a good nap, Eve enjoyed her plate too! 

Then finally it was time to open presents!

Another Larsen tradition is to start with the youngest person and do rotations of each person opening one present at a time.  Eve got a really cool "see how tall I am" board from Aunt Kelly and Uncle Lance.  Can't wait to get that one put up!  What a creative idea!

Grandma got the best toy for Christmas - a barn complete with animals, a farmer, and cool sounds!  Eve liked to stuff each piece into the silo so no one could find them.  And to slide the rooster on the top back and forth to make it crow. 

We'll definitely be back to play with that toy more!  Grandma's always have the best toys!

After all the excitment was done, we had the pie.  And by pie, I mean PIE!  6 or 7 different kinds - I can't even remember!  Before we left, I tried them all and each one was a masterpiece!  If I should live to be 100, I don't think I'll ever be able to make pies like my parents.  Not only are they mouth-watering delicious, they also look almost too perfect to eat.  Almost...anyone who's had a Larsen-made pie knows what I'm talking about.  Pure heaven!

What a blessing for us to get to spend this special holiday with our family.  We are so grateful for the birth of our Savior and His life.  I love this time of year and the peace and goodwill that seems more present than usual. 

We stayed one more day after Christmas then got my parents up bright and early (3:30am!) on the 27th to take us to the airport for our flight to Utah. 

Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma for letting us come!  I literally did not want to leave!  But our vacation was only half over and we still had a lot of visiting to do!  Off to Utah!

White Pre-Christmas

I mentioned that on the 21st - the night we arrived in Colorado - they got about a foot of snow!  I don't mind the snow when I don't have to drive to work in it :)

It made for a white Christmas and for some fun playing on Christmas Eve!  We decked Eve out in her snow gear and ventured outside....

Andrew set the example for Eve - just dive in!

She wasn't so sure she wanted to play in this cold white grass!  "Hey, Mom, I'm a Texan - what are you thinking?!"

And even though Reagan's from Utah, she didn't care for it either....

"See ya, Reagan.  You're on your own.  I'm outta here!" 

Since Eve didn't seem to care for the snow, we thought we'd give the slide a try.  She likes slides!  Remember how much she loved the slide at the rec center? 

Apparently snow slides aren't as cool.

Chiara was having so much fun on the swings we thought surely that will do the trick!  Eve will like the swings if not the snow or the slide....

Wrong again.  Just more crying.  "Take me back inside!"

At least someone had a good time outisde!  The menfolk built an igloo with all the excess snow.  Way cool!  Literally!

The other promised daddy/daughter shot.  Three very fussy girls at this point, so not the best picture....

I guess Chiara couldn't wait to get back to the swing!

The only snow boots I could find at the store for Eve were a size or two too big, so they had fallen off by this point.  They weren't a total waste though!  Chiara loved to wear them around!  Maybe they'll fit Eve next year?

How cute is Reagan's snowsuit?  I want one in my size!

This girl was much happier when we got back inside.  I guess she gets that from me!  At least you don't have to wear special diapers for the snow!  (So, apparently, swim diapers are meant to rip down the side for ease of removing....who knew?  Not me!  You can tell how often we've used them....)

Apparently so does Reagan.  Does she get that from you, Kelly?

She certainly gets her good looks from her mommy!

Eve consented to Reagan having a turn in the bouncy toy since she'd also had a trying experience outdoors. 

Meanwhile, the men stayed outside to finish hollowing out the igloo.  That's a lot of snow!

And we were joined later in the day by another, less welcome, addition to our party.  The creepy, looking-through-the-window type of addition.

We were all content to spend the afternoon drinking hot chocolate (maybe that was just me....) and playing indoors where it's warm and dry.  Uncle Lance helped with with the blocks....

While Reagan helped Kelly....I'm actually not sure what they're doing....Kelly?