Christmas VaCaTiOn

Catching up on CHRISTMAS 2009

Gunner had a fun preschool party, complete with a visit from Santa! Gunner loves Mrs. Bodine, and has some great friends in his preschool... including 6 other kids from church. At each party they get a new holiday bean-bag to take home, and they do the "bean-bag boogie". Cooper was already on Christmas break, and got to join the party too.

Cooper did great in his Kindergarten Holiday Program. It was perfect. The 4 classes wore their jammies and sang 6 songs. Cooper is a great little performer. The best part was he went straight from basketball, so he had his bball shoes on with his jammies. :)

We all had fun getting in to the holiday spirit. The boys loved doing their Lego advent calendar, that we got from the Sinemas along with an amazing Christmas quilt. From Dusty, Angie & Gage, we got to get a surprise out of the "12-days of Christmas" pocket each day. The boys LOVED them, and I loved that most of them were activities to keep them busy for a minute! I also pre-wrapped some books for each day of December, so we got to open and read a new book each day. We sang a Christmas song, and read a scripture each night in December. For our neighbors, we made gingersnaps, caramels, and sugar cookies. You can tell how eager Beckett was to get in to the cookie dough balls! Mr. Intuitive used the dishwasher as a step. He also stole the sprinkles and took them in the living room.

Santa was very nice to the boys this year, and they worked hard to earn a good Christmas (at least the few days prior!). :) They each got just what they wanted. Cooper got Heelys and a Darda racetrack. Gunner got a scooter, tech deck ramp and a skateboard carrying case. Beckett loved his little indoor basketball hoop.

Christmas morning was magical, except that Dad had to WORK! Technically, it was Christmas Eve, but we celebrated a day early so we could catch a flight on Christmas Day to visit family. Because he was taking the next few weeks off, he had to work a half-day Christmas Eve. We ended up opening all the non-Santa presents on our Christmas Eve. We also had a ham dinner and yummy orange rolls. And, then the next morning, we got to get up early and see what Santa brought before he left. We also gave them temple blocks for their rooms, and had an extra temple block... we had them guess who it was for, and ended up telling them it was for the baby in mom's tummy! They were so excited. Cooper shouted "please be a girl, please be a girl!" It was so cute. Here are the boys with their loot from Mom and Dad and each other.

Beckett's favorite part of Christmas was all the CANDY and chocolate!

So, we left to the airport hotel on Christmas Eve (our Christmas Day) to stay the night, since our flight was scheduled to leave at 6:30 am the next morning. About the time we left, a huge ice/snow storm started! It took us 3 hours (instead of 1:15) to get to the airport! Then all the restaurants were closed for Christmas Eve, but we finally found a Wendy's drive-through open after about an hour driving around. Even our antenna had about an inch of ice on it! We woke up at 4am the next morning, and found out our 5am shuttle driver got stuck on his way in to work. So, the hotel, LUCKILY, got us one of 2 SUV cabs that were running. The crazy taxi driver plowed his way through the snow drifts to get us to the airport. He was psycho... passing people on the right, etc. There were cars off the road everywhere. But, we made it! Most airlines cancelled flights that morning, but ours was "on-time". We boarded and were ready to leave (a little late), and they informed us the snowplow was stuck on the runway. After 2 hours waiting on the plane, we finally took off. BUT, we missed our connection in Denver, and instead of flying out at 10am, we were on a plane at 9PM! I was SO DONE after 2 hours in the customer service line. Luckily, our friends, the Bentleys, came and got us at the airport, and we were able to spend some time at their house (hopefully not crashing their Christmas!). The kids had a blast, and loved getting to see their friends! We made it on our flight, and to Spokane just after midnight.... after 23 hours travel time! We were tired, I was sick (puked in the airport as soon as we landed), but we were so grateful to make it safely - all things considered! What a way to spend Christmas Day!

The next morning, we took off to Hope, ID for the Gatten Family Reunion! All NINE of us Gatten kids, and our families, were able to make it! Spike was fresh off his mission. We had 4 condos at Pend Orielle Shores Resort. It is right on the lake. We had SO MUCH FUN! Swimming, racquetball, wally ball, running, aerobics, cards, movies, sledding, skiing, basketball, ping-pong, EATING, visiting, duck hunting, crafting, and so much more! It was so fun. We were roommates with my sister Mikin's family, the Mortons. They have kids the same ages as ours, and it was so fun!

Here we are skiing at Schweitzer Mountain. I took Cooper and Gunner. Thanks to help from Uncle Dusty, Gunner had a blast once he finally got his skis on! Cooper had only been once before, and caught back on quick too! Gunner skied most of the day until he fell asleep at about 3pm. His last time down the hill, he didn't fall down once! Cooper didn't quit until they kicked them off the run when it was closing... he kept wanting to go "one more time". He was skiing through the trees, and going over jumps, and riding the chairlift with his cousin, Noah (they are at the top pole on the chairlift in this picture). I can't believe how awesome my 6-year-old is, and so independent! Neither of them complained about being cold, and it was just so fun! I can't wait to move by the mountains and have some ski buddies!

Gunner, Cooper, River, Wyatt

Pictured by row below:

Mom, Gunner, Cooper & Gunner, Uncle Spike, Wyatt, Uncle AJ, Uncle Tim

Hayliann, Uncle Tom, River, Wyatt, Uncle Tyler, Cooper & Noah getting off the chairlift

Alyssa & Sophia on chairlift, Sophia, Noah & Aunt Mikin

Sally, Gunner asleep in lodge, Ella

Gunner celebrated his 4th birthday on December 29th. After dinner that night, we had a "Rock 'n Roll Party". We divided into "bands" and came up with lip-syncs to some of Gunner's favorite songs. The blue frosting made perfect lipstick for the girls! Everyone REALLY got into it! It was tons of fun, and Andrew's band, "Beef Stew" won the competition singing "I'm Just a Kid". Gunner actually got sick on his birthday, and went in and out of wanting to participate, but he was the reason to celebrate, and everyone had fun!

Love in the middle of the above picture, Cooper is holding baby Gage (Dusty & Angie's baby). He was so cute and cuddly, and we loved meeting/spending more time with him!

A few miles up the road is the Elementary School, which had a perfect hill for SLEDDING! Papa had brought sleds, and bought everyone a new snow-ball maker (Andrew is demonstrating below)! The snow was perfect for forming the perfect snowballs, and after sledding we had a fun snow-fight. Papa didn't use the snowball makers though, he used a shovel!

Across the top all the kids who sledded:

Beckett, Gunner, Ella, Emma, Mylee, Cooper, Sophia, Ryder, Wyatt, Noah, River, Kiah, Alyssa

I love the picture in the middle above of Gunner, Ella and Sally. These three are all within a few weeks old of each other. They have a lot of fun together, and are so excited to go to preschool together next year!

We had a lot of fun crafting! We made hair bows, flowers, jewelry, etc. Papa even gets involved helping the boys make zipper-pulls and necklaces made out of all sorts of cool stuff... like bear claws, turkey talons, antlers, etc.

Another highlight of the reunion was our NEW YEARS PARTY! Brynne was our party planner, and we did a Gatten Olympics. We divided into 4 countries. We had to "act" like we were from that country the whole night while we participated in different team and individual games. We also each come up with "cheers" for our countries. During a break, Andrew busted out some Snoop Dogg for everyone too. Andrew was the best for the boys at limbo... who new he had this hidden talent?! Cooper was the kid from his team for the "Poofy Puff" contest (fitting as many marshmallows in your mouth as possible). Uncle Brett won. Cooper ran to the bathroom to spit out after 8, and I said, "Are you ok?" He said, "Ya, but I lost." I, of course, told him it was fine, but think it's so cute how competitive he is, and how he felt like he let his team down. :) Cooper was so fun at the party and got to stay up until midnight. The little ones were asleep in the condos. Then, to end the night, the POLAR BEAR PLUNGE! Yes, many of my crazy siblings/nieces/nephews jumped in the freezing cold lake off the snowy dock! Uncle Brett even stayed in for about 5 minutes! And then, made snow angels with his daughter, Nikell!

Above/bottom left - The Polar Bear Plunge Participants:

Uncle Tom, Uncle Brett, Uncle AJ, Uncle Dusty

Nikell, Hayliann, Mylee, Uncle Jon, Uncle Tim, Aunt Brynne

Sophia, Wyatt

After the reunion, we spent the next week of our vacation in Spokane, WA at Andrew's parent's house. His sister, Artie's, family, the Waites, live close too, and we saw them everyday too! After a busy week at the reunion, it was fun to relax a little. Barbara is such a good cook, and we had a turkey dinner, prime rib, apple pie, chocolate cake, and lots of other yummy food! Cooper loved lighting fires in the stove. We also got to spend a day at the children's museum downtown with Grandma and Aunt Artie. We saw Alvin & the Chipmunks Squekuel, ate lunch and played at the mall, created things with Grandpa in the garage, listened to Tanner play his guitar, played cards with Erynn, and just had fun. Andrew and I also got to go on lots of dates thanks to their willingness to babysit!

Gunner got to celebrate his birthday again with the other side of the family at Chuck E. Cheese!

The boys: Gunner, Tyler, Beckett, Tate, Cooper

Overall, we had a great Christmas Vacation! It's hard to believe that we'll live close to all these families next Christmas!

Pregnancy Prayers

Yes, I'm pregnant.

Yes, I am thrilled with this blessing.

Yes, our baby is still in my tummy "because we've said lots and lots of prayers for the baby to not die", as Gunner would say.

Let's just hope these prayers continue to get answered!

I am 15 weeks. Due July 23rd. Sure it's a boy - will be SO grateful either way.

So, this news of my pregnancy may explain where I've been the last 15 weeks (happy, yet nauseous, tired, behind on everything, overcome with gratitude)... but, it doesn't fully explain where I've been the last 9 months. If you care to know, and like lots of details, I can explain. This is mostly for my own "journaling", so feel free to skip. :)

9 months ago, I started clomid. We've used fertility drugs for all 6 of my pregnancies. After trying for about a year for our first baby, we found out I have really low progesterone. (as in mine is 2.1, and most women are high-teens to low-twenties.) The BLESSING - clomid worked! I got pregnant right away, but miscarried because my hormones dropped back off. Clomid, and progesterone suppositories, blessed us with 3 ADORABLE boys, whom we love so much! I feel so blessed to have modern medicine to allow us to be parents!

So, 9 months ago, we started clomid again, hoping to have one more baby before getting out of the Air Force this August. Moving pregnant and getting on private insurance, would mean my pregnancy would be a "pre-existing condition" and not covered by insurance. Surprisingly, I got pregnant in May the first month of clomid! It took until the 6th month to get pregnant with Beckett, so we were really excited it happened so quickly! I was due this February. I bled at 7 weeks, but everything seemed fine. Then, at 13 1/2 weeks, they were unable to find a heartbeat. I was at the doctor's office with Gunner and Beckett in tow. They wanted me to go to the hospital for an ultrasound. My dear friend, Jaime, met me there to watch my kids, and they confirmed that the baby's heartbeat had stopped at approx. 9 weeks 6 days. I went back to the doctors, and talked about a DnC surgery to remove the fetus. They wanted to do it the end of the week, but I wanted it done right away. The surgeon on-call had a canceled surgery that afternoon, so I went to my friend, Jaime's, house to wait to hear if they could get me in that afternoon. They called and said they would do it if I came right away. She drove me to the hospital, I checked myself in for surgery. I felt so alone. However, a surprise blessing was my anesthesiologist ended up being our friend from church, Shaun Crook. I felt so comforted knowing there was a priesthood holder there, and someone who had my best interests at heart. He even started my IV when the tech missed it a few times! Minutes before surgery began, I asked if I could call my husband one more time, and he was on his way in the hospital doors (after finishing a dental surgery, picking Cooper up from school, and dropping him off at the Bells' house). I was able to kiss him before surgery. I woke up. I was ok - physically. Andrew left to take Gunner to his preschool open house. I prayed.

This may sound odd, but through the whole thing, I was MOST ok with the fact that this baby wasn't supposed to come to earth at this time. The part I didn't anticipate, or had never experienced before, was the wave of depression that overcame me. I didn't feel like myself at all! Andrew was back at work the next day, and I was back to having to be a mom to 3 other kids, and recovering from surgery. It was Cooper's 1st week of Kindergarten, and he was still needing me to walk him in, but instead I couldn't even drive him, and had to send him kicking and screaming with a neighbor to school. He sat in the office for an hour. The next day Andrew was able to come with me to Kansas City where Beckett had surgery for a hypospadius repair (penis surgery). I was a wreck sending him back for general anesthesia after losing my baby just 2 days earlier. I was sure I was going to lose him too. Thank goodness my rational, loving husband was there too! 3rd day post-surgery, Gunner started his first day ever of preschool. He surprised us and did ok - I was the wreck, and poor Beckett was drug along a day after his surgery.

I was SO upset too, that I had to go through 13 1/2 weeks of nauseousness that comes with pregnancy for me, being tired, not feeling like a good wife and mother, and then just to lose the baby made it feel like it was all for nothing.

Another hard thing, was that a few days before my miscarriage, Andrew said while laying in bed, "I've never felt like I've had a feeling either way about the sex of our kids, but for some reason, I really feel like this one is a girl." Which, made me happy at the time. But, made me sad when I lost her.

Besides feeling unable to be there for my kids when they needed me most, I was completely unprepared to have post-partum depression. I'd never had it before. I would sit on my couch and stare at my kids. It was SO hard to be so far from family. I felt so alone. I hadn't told very many people at all that I was pregnant, but then that made it so hard to ask for help. Besides, what do you say? "Can you come watch my kids so I can sit on the couch and do nothing all day?" My house was a wreck. It was really the first time I've felt like I didn't have control of my emotions.

So, despite my emotions, and not being physically or emotionally prepared, I got back on clomid on my first cycle after my surgery. Never before had clomid affected me the way it did now. It felt like there was a beast inside of me. I never took things out on my kids (thankfully, although I could somewhat sympathize with those who do when you are emotionally unstable). But, my poor husband probably didn't recognize his wife. AND, we were supposed to be making a baby! ;) The first month didn't work, but we did it again. The 2nd month of clomid was even worse. I would cry for no reason. I would get so down on myself, mainly. My great husband gave me an amazing blessing, and would just hold me while I cried in the middle of the night. I was fully prepared to stop clomid, and get myself together before we tried the whole baby-making thing again.

I am not proud of those few months of my life, but I feel SO blessed when we found out that the 2nd month of clomid WORKED! Although, I was SO scared to lose another baby too! Andrew said he'd take another first-trimester wife, over a clomid wife, anyday! :) It took me a long time to get "excited" about being pregnant this time. I just was more scared than anything. But letting our kids know on Christmas, and our family know shortly after, has helped me get more excited, and feel more hopeful.

All of the pregnancy calculators say I am due July 24th, but my doctor said July 23rd. July 24th is a bitter-sweet day for me. As many of you know, our dear friends lost their baby girl during delivery on July 24, 2008. And we had more dear friends deliver a still-born boy this past July 24th. And based on my ultrasound, my last pregnancy baby died at 9 weeks 6 days, which was July 24th. And, now, I am due July 24th. I have no doubt that my Heavenly Father shows me his love is so many ways. He has a plan for me.

I bled again (which is when I got the above ultrasound), but everything looked ok, and we've heard the heartbeat a few times, and our kids pray OFTEN for our baby! I don't want to jinx myself by writing this, but I feel safe. Like things are good. Like my tummy is growing, and I'm nauseous again (but so blessed to have Zofran and Phenegran part of my daily routine with TOTALLY helps!).

I feel like being on fertility drugs, and pregnant, and recovering from a miscarriage, and fertility drugs, and pregnant again, I've been SO BEHIND on every other part of my life. However, Andrew and I have a renewed love and connection, and I am SO grateful for him in my life, to stand by me through all of this.

So our pregnancy prayers continue (and hopefully the nausea ends soon!). We feel so blessed - in so many ways.

And, hopefully, I can keep up with my blog now, and not disappear again on all of you!

So, I guess life will go on. And probably only get harder as we experience life with 4 kids! But, I know my Heavenly Father loves me!

{I asked Cooper to draw a picture of our family, and to not forget the baby in my tummy. I've seen friends announce their pregnancies this way, and think it's cute. He did it in 2 minutes tonight before bed, and handed me this 1x2 inch drawing he had cut out. It's tiny, but I blew it up, and I think it is just perfect. Enjoy!}

post edit: Can't forget to mention a few friends were so helpful in making me feel better about even continuing to want a 4th. It is hard to "do it again". Mainly fearful. But my friend said her doctors tried to tell her to stop trying for her 4th after 4 miscarriages (2 stillborns), and she is SO glad she didn't listen. I agree with her that once you have spiritual confirmation that you are supposed to have another baby, there is an empty place in your heart until you do. Thanks Jenifer!

A New Year!

Yes, we are still alive. Yes, I have committed to doing better at my blogging. Yes, I will do posts about what we are currently doing, but I am anal, and will still have to go back and update what I missed in 2009 (June-December). I know, sad.

Here is our 2009 Christmas Card. The family picture on front flipped up to reveal each person's word updates (found below), and had the collage on the very back. Sorry if it got there late to most of you, and not to all of you, but I actually impressed myself by just getting it created...

We LOVE you all! LOVE reading your blogs. Hope you all didn't give up on us! I'll do better. PROMISE!

Cooper {6}

aka cooper-dude, coop

· soccer, basketball, baseball, swimming

· fan of Jason Bay, Red Sox & BYU

· kindergarten, reading, PE, 1 lost tooth

· bike, scooter, park, neighborhood

· wii, legos, wrestling brothers, guns

· friends, cool shirts, growing hair

Gunner {4}

aka bud, gunner-funner-face

· basketball, wiffle ball, trampoline

· Cooper’s shadow, misses him all day

· legos, tech decks, action figures “guys”

· preschool, drawing, wii, computer

· rockin’ out, cool tricks, “fight”

· takes on alternate identities

Beckett {19 mos}

aka bubzy, boo, beck

· busy! moves chairs, messes, hides stuff

· infectious smile, loves church nursery

· pop & treats over real food any day

· favs to say: his name/age, “Scooby-doo”, dog sounds, “Hi” to everyone

· LOVES blanket, showing off, balls

Andrew & Cassie

aka dr. or captain larson, dad, mom

· dad: dentist in Air Force, lots of surgeries, Young Men’s, ESPN, golf, pitching to boys, wrestling boys

· mom: photography, exercise, coaching soccer, crafts/quilting, chasing boys

· ran half marathon together, andrew-2

{Team Larson}

· live at Whiteman Air Force Base (B-2 stealth bomber, Kansas City Royals)

· TX trip (BYU v. OU, Rangers, Astros)

· Branson, Denver, Seattle girls trip, Wyoming BYU game, Spokane/Cd’A

· rafting, roller-coasters, church history, MLB games, water-slides, camping

· Moving to Cd’A, ID in August!!!

Grandparent visits are the best!

I guess since Grandpa and Grandma Larson are back for another visit, I should blog about their visit this past May. We LOVE when they come, and feel so luck they come so often! Here they are pictured at Adam-on-di-amon. We had a lot of fun touring the LDS Church History that is around the area!

We started in Independence, which is about 50 miles from the Air Force Base. This is where the Saints settled after leaving Kirtland, and before being exterminated from Missouri, and forced to Nauvoo. The Prophet Joseph Smith had dedicated this site for a temple, but they were forced to leave before a temple could be built. It is believed Independence will be "Zion" when Christ comes again to the Earth.

Not far from Independence, on the North side of Kansas City, is Liberty Jail, where Joseph Smith was a prisoner on false charges. It is so neat. They have the original jail, surrounded by a Visitor's Center. A very spiritual experience to learn about his trials while in prison, and what the Lord revealed to him about how we can deal with our own trials (D&C 121-123); that they will be but a small moment, and if we endure them well, we will be blessed.

Then we traveled to some of the grave sites of the special witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Those who saw the gold plates, and bear testimony of it in the preface of the Book. There is the "Monument of the Three Witnesses" in the private cemetery, which the church owns. David Whitmer was buried in the public cemetery not far away. There are many other familiar early church members buried in these cemeteries.

We also visited Far West, MO. This is where the saints had settled for a short time after leaving Jackson County. There was this site, dedicated for a temple. They even laid the 4 cornerstones, which are still in place. But, had to leave before the temple could be completed.



Then it was a short distance to Adam-on-di-amon. Although there are no buildings, or guided tours, this is one of the most sacred places I have ever visited. It feels so calm there. This is believed to be part of the Garden of Eden. Also, there is a small marker where Joseph Smith said there once stood a Nephite alter. It is now mostly farming land, however, it is beautiful, peaceful, and amazing.

Along with our church history sites, we also had did a lot of other fun things with Grandma and Grandpa! We went to the Deanna Rose Farmstead. This is a free place where you can see animals, fish, ride donkeys, play on the playgrounds, visit an Indian encampment, watch a cow get milked, ride miniature tractors, walk through the gardens, etc. It is fun! We actually ran into the Mormon missionaries there... they volunteer there 4 hours a week. Grandpa even got to get a smashed penny to add to his collection!

We made sure to hit a Royals game!
Our boys LOVE the new Outfield Experience. They can bat, ride a carousel, mini golf, pitch, race, etc. They love it... and we use it as a bribe to get them to sit well through the first 5 innings!

There are fountains across the outfield. I didn't know that Kansas city has the 2nd most fountains of any city in the world.... I think Venice is #1. Some are small, but all are neat.

Thanks to our good friend, Brad Cochran, we were able to get a private tour of the B-2 Stealth Bomber! These things are INCREDIBLE! Driving out the flight line, we also saw the A-10s, and the T-38s on the runway, as well as the visiting F-15s. Also, got to see some inert nuclear bombs! Pretty fun to be taking pictures while standing on a line that says "photography is prohibited". :)

Next, we visited the National WWI Monument and Museum. Gpa, Gma, Dad and Cooper toured the museum, then we all went up to the top of the monument, which gives you a great view of downtown Kansas City.

This is a neat picture inside the museum, of the reflection of the monument onto the glass floor. Under the floor are the fields of poppies. I never knew why the poppy was "the" flower of WW1. It is because in the bunkers and war fields, amid all the artillery and dead bodies, the poppies would continue to grow as wild flowers all over!

View from the top of the WWI Monument.

Instead of driving the hour back to base, we decided to stay the night in a hotel in the city. They boys had fun swimming. Cooper is our daring swimmer, and Gunner loves to chill in the hot tub. :)

We walked around The Plaza, and outdoor shopping area. It is the OLDEST and FIRST outdoor mall in the United States! The architecture is really cool. Lots of painted tile. It also has lots of fun fountains. The boys thought this one was funny, cause it looked like the little boy was peeing on the frog. Oh, the sense of humor of little boys! We made sure to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. Yum!

And, of course, some of the best memories from Grandpa and Grandma visits... reading stories, playing board games, going on walks, lots of staying up late and missing naps, getting lots of treats, "10-count grips", smears, and wrestling with Grandpa, a short-order cook who makes anything you want to eat, and more! For Andrew and I, it means, NO changing diapers, NO having to give baths, lots of help, and endless good conversation. We love you guys!

Baptism for the Browns!

I hope I never forget what a neat experience to be a part of Roxanne's baptism... from the beginning to the end (Wait! There is no end... it is and eternal gift!).

I had finished coaching a soccer game, and Roxanne came up to me and asked, "Can I talk to you for a second?" All I knew at the time, was Roxanne was Taylor's mom. :) She said, "I have some experience with this with my ex-husband's family..."

I thought she was talking about something I'd done wrong... like abused her son or something. :) You just never know as a coach what the parents are thinking!

She continued... "and I've been meaning to ask you for a long time... are you Mormon?"

Phew! Much easier to answer than the abuse fear! :)

"Yes!", I said. "Are you?"

"No... but, I want to be!", she answered. (the conversation continued about Taylor having gone to church for about a month while she and her husband's deployments overlapped... ya, can you imagine?! Basically, Taylor talked about how much he liked church. Roxanne was ready to make big changes in her life, and she noticed our garment lines and BYU apparel. :))

What?! Was it really that easy... missionary work, I mean. But, I've come to find out through Roxanne's conversion, that IT IS really THAT easy for those who are prepared to hear it.

We just happened to be having the missionaries over for dinner that week, and invited them to come.

"Really?!", she asked. "You would do that?!"

She acted surprised at the invitation... I was thinking, "Are you kidding me? I dream about missionary opportunities like this!"

The rest is history. :) Elder Barnes, and Elder Gallegos taught Roxanne in our home over the next several weeks, and on May 9, she was baptized! I should mention what a neat feeling there was in our home as the missionaries and Roxanne visited frequently!

I am so happy for Roxanne. She has never looked back. We have become very close friends, as well. We even had the opportunity a few weeks after she was baptized, to accompany her to the temple in St. Louis, where she was baptized for the dead, including some of her own deceased family whom she remembered. It is amazing what the Gospel can bring into people's lives. Throughout the whole process I realized all the blessings we have through our Savior, Jesus Christ. And, the blessings of eternal families... and even the "harder commandments" don't seen hard when you realize the blessings that come through living righteously. For instance, Roxanne expressed concern that as a working mother, Sundays had been her only day to get housework and errands done, so keeping the Sabbath Day holy sounded hard... but, later said, "Just like tithing, I know that if I give the Lord something, he'll give me back even more!" It is SO true! Sacrifices bring such great blessings.

Baptism is such an amazing blessing... a chance to be washed CLEAN! A chance to make promises to our Heavenly Father that you will live your life for Him... but, also a chance to get unlimited blessings for your sacrifices.

Roxanne, I love you. Thank you for making me realize how special the Gospel is... and, how blessed we are to have "the plan". To know what we are battling through life's challenges for a reason. To remember how important it is for us to always be working at being better. To realize how important it is to be examples to those around us, so that they too can come unto Christ.

So... it continues... and because of Roxanne's example, her mom is getting baptized tomorrow! Seriously SO cool!

He did it... AGAIN! {13.1 miles}

We are so proud of Daddy... who did it again! Andrew ran 13.1 miles in the Warrensburg Half Marathon (the town about 10 minutes from base). And, not only did he run it... he ROCKED it! He had a time of 1:47! (He'll argue it was 1:48, but he didn't look up until AFTER he crossed the finish line. :)) That's just barely over 8 min. miles! He beat his time from his half marathon in April by about 10 minutes! He was so fast, he didn't even get to here the last few songs on the surprise playlist I made for him! AND... drumroll...... he took 2ND in his age division! (He claims there were only 2 in his division... which IS NOT true...)

We loved being Daddy's support crew! Cheering him on at mile 6, and at the 10/11 1/2 cross street, and of course the FINISH LINE! The boys couldn't wait for him to get to the crowd... they ran down to meet him, just coming over the hill (Yes, the last mile was a big hill! Actually, the last 7 miles were all big hills! Supposedly it's a pretty hard course!).
There were lots of people we knew who ran... this is one of them, Rich Reed. Rich was the YM president, Andrew is 1st counselor, at church. He is also the head coach of Cooper's U-7 soccer team, and I am the assistant coach. The boys LOVED that DQ was a sponsor! The "ice cream man" was a hit at the finish line.

I wasn't able to run this race for various health reasons (no, I'm not pregnant :))... but, lots of my running buddies did it! I was so proud of all of them! (Jayne, Michelle M., Pat, Christine, Julie, Sarah) I would try and run about 6 miles of their long runs with them... We have a running group called W.O.W (Women of Warrensburg Running Club). I LOVE having good running buddies at the gym, and on my weekend runs! I was especially proud of Jayne (in black), who recently moved into our ward. She was my facebook friend prior to coming, and had said she didn't think she could do it, but she trained hard, and did it!!! Pat (in the hat) is one of my idols too... she has run several ultra-runs (I'm talking 100 mile races!). She runs to meet us, runs with us, then runs some more. What an inspiration! She says she can do it cause she didn't start when she was young. :) She said, "We're just like chicken, we get tougher as we age!" All of these ladies are just such great people, and I feel lucky to know them. There are several others, who didn't run this race (some worked the aid stations and registration though), who I have grown to be great friends with too. Michelle S., Jaime, Megan, Amber, Deana, Rebecca... sorry if I forget anyone! I'm so lucky!

p.s. I can't believe it's been so long since a post again... I need to start doing better! I promise to start doing better!

Updates - I love post-dating

So I know it's been a while since we've updated things. I am working on getting up-to-date, and have done some post-dated posts to fill in some blanks. If you're bored, you can find new posts called:

8/14/09 I DO love you

4/30/09 All I could have wished for on my birthday...

4/20/09 Summer Buzz

4/12/09 E A S T E R

4/2/09 Shayden Jancee Bell

3/23/09 Sweet Emberlyn

3/22/09 More of March

3/16/09 Colorado!

2/28/09 A few more things February

I DO love you!

Back in February, for Valentine's Day, I responded on a blog post of one of my dear friends, Sarah Blamires. She is an AMAZING mom of 5 kids under the age of 7, who makes it look EASY! She was promising a homemade gift to the first 5 people who commented on the post, and I was lucky enough to receive this ADORABLE, useful, recipe holder. Thank you SO much Sarah!

As sort of a "pay-it-forward", I offered to do the same for 5 of my friends... as well as to answer one question they have for me.

Unable to come up with anything creative on my own, I resorted to something I AM really good at... copying! When Gunner was an infant, and severely allergic to milk, I went on a milk-free diet for 9 MONTHS, so that I could continue breast-feeding. It was not easy, especially in the beginning. My sweet friend, Adrienne Lee, made me this cute little life-saver of a recipe book for my birthday. It came in handy many times! I still use a lot of the recipes!

So, my copying skills at their best, I came up with "7 Larson Favorite Meals... To Get You Through the Week". I did promise these by the end of March, although I didn't get them mailed until later... and now, I am FINALLY getting around to posting about it, and answering your questions. Better late than never, right?!

The questions, with answers:

(Tom Gatten) Didn't ask a question... except for "is this for real?" My answer was, yes. :) I just love that Tom is always on top of checking blogs, and keeping in touch. He is my oldest brother (I have six... and two sisters). He is an amazing vice-principal/athletic director at Brighton High School in Utah, a loving husband and father to 5 adorable kiddos, a marathon runner, dead-eye hunter, x-BYU baseball pitcher, and a caring Bishop. So lucky to have him to look up to... and for my boys to look up to as well!

(TiAnn Finn) What program do you use to create the adorable collages of your adorable children? Is it easy to do? I love them, it's very creative, and makes your blog look extra nice! I use Photoshop to edit all my pictures, and make the collages. Photoshop is expensive, for the full version, but you can get great student discounts if you know any students. Or, you can get Photoshop Elements, which has all the basic features you would need. I think it runs around $90, but Costco periodically does a $20 off coupon. Basically, you create a "canvas", crop your pictures, and put them on the canvas. It is very easy. I like that I can fit more pictures in a post, without making the entry a mile long. Thanks for the compliments, TiAnn, and if you ever get the program, or need help learning how to make the collages, just let me know!

(Mikin Morton) Cassie, what do I want to know about you?? I want to know what you do to relax when you get the chance? Do mom's ever get a chance to relax?! I actually love editing pictures during my down time, either ones of my family, or ones I've taken for others. I love to read photography blogs, couponing blogs, parenting blogs, etc. I also like to do my own blog, read others, facebook, write lists (yes, I'm just like Dad!). It is VERY hard for me to not do anything, but I will watch my favorite TV shows (a lot of times with the computer on my lap), or nap. LOVE my girls nights out too. Can't wait to live closer to you, sis, and hang out with you more often! :)

(Amber Harris) I want to know how you find the time to do everything you do? Your boys always look adorable, you seem extra organized and your blog is always so fun to read. As you can tell, summer has significantly decreased my blogging. :) I am a "go-er". But, not sure I would call myself overly organized. Maybe organized chaos. There are definitely things I wish were more organized... like my desk, my craft area, etc. But you are sweet to "think" I'm organized. :) But, I am a "lister", always have things to check off my list, and organization is always my goal. Sometimes, I wish I could slow myself down... because I have created "go-ers" of my kids too, who always think they have to be doing something. Thanks for the compliment on my kids too... yours always look adorable too!

(Kendra Wirig) If you were to have a girl someday in the future, what would you name her (sticking with your theme)? Oh, Kendra. As your mom of 4 boys yourself, it's nice to see you have hope that there would be a girl in my future. :) Although, I do think we'll try to get one at least one more time. :) Not sure everyone knows we have a "theme" for our names. So, an explanation...We have stuck to a baseball theme thus far (Cooper after Cooperstown, NY where the Baseball Hall of Fame is; A Gunner is a player with a good arm, or go-getter in baseball, and my oldest brother, Tom, the baseball pitcher's nickname was Gunner; Beckett from "Beckett Baseball Monthly"... the magazine that puts a value on baseball cards). I am definitely not obsessed with sticking to the theme in the future, but it just seems like it's worked out that we've liked those names. If we are lucky enough to get another baby... and it were another boy... we like Easton, Wrigley, Parker, Cutter, Mitt. Girl? Jersey (like a baseball jersey), or Summer (the season when MLB baseball is played). But, there are still plenty of other girl names I like outside of the theme. :)