"So when I die, will you be there with me?"

Ok. I am sitting here...late. I should be doing my work but my heart is overflowing tonight! With happiness because my baby will be 4 tomorrow, but mostly I am so emotional because of several things over the last few days. After being so emotional the last few days, I was just sitting here with Alex and out of the blue he asked if everybody dies? I explained to him that "Yes, everyone will die sometime!" He got a sick, sick look on his face and said, "I really don't want to die, mom! That would make Hank really sad." I said to him, " Oh Alex , it would make everybody sad, but we know that we will all be together again someday!" I then told him all of the wonderful people that are living in Heaven and how we will get to see them again. Then he was quiet again and said, " So when I die, will you be there with me?" .......I couldn't even compose myself. I immediately started crying and he then got REALLY worried.

So I hurried and said, "We are a family that is together FOREVER so I will ALWAYS be with you!" Then after that, he was satisfied!

For those of you who don't remember, a very close friend of the family..actually considered family, passed away 6 months ago very suddenly. His sweet wife, Kelli had their baby yesterday. As soon as I heard the good news, my heart instantly started aching for Kelli. I cannot even imagine how she was feeling and how much she wanted her husband, Dave to be there for the birth of their precious baby, London. What a beautiful thing to know that this sweet spirit went right from her Dad's arms into her Mother's arms!

Dave, we miss you! London....Welcome to the world!

David R. Wright, 1979-2008

I also just reconnected today with a very good friend from my college days.. She informed me that her 6 month old son passed away suddenly, 6 months ago. I read her story on her blog and was completely in shambles! She is such an amazing, strong woman to endure such a major loss in her life! Andrea, I love you and you and your family will be in my prayers each day!!

I am so grateful to have the knowledge that I KNOW we will see our loved ones again! ..That Andrea will be able to hold sweet baby Wyatt again and that Dave and Kelli will be able to be together with their 2 beautiful daughters again! And what an amazing reunion it will be for all of us when that day finally comes!

Bubba, So in answer to your question, I will be there for you! I promise I will be with you FOREVER!

Wyatt Larsen......September 21,2007-March 13, 2008

A week of Birthday fun for Bubba!

So Alex's birthday is on December 23rd....which is so ridiculously close to Christmas, so this year, I decided to try and have all of his little birthday parties a week or so before! And then on his actual birthday, we will just do something fun together as a family! It worked out great!

Last Sunday, we had his party with Brady's family and it was so much fun!

Then, Tuesday, he went with some of his little buddies to his favorite place ever............

CHUCK E CHEESES!! The kids all had a blast! They were so funny! They couldn't get enough of the whole "Chuck E Cheeses experience"!

And the parents had a ball too..............right guys???

And lastly, we had my side of the family over on Friday to celebrate his birthday! We missed a few of you but had a great time....even on a super snowy night!

Bubba, I love you so much and hope you have the greatest birthday ever! It is hard to believe my baby is 4! You are so sweet and take such good care of me and your sisters! And I love watching you and your dad "wrestle" over and over and over til Dad is totally pooped! You have such a tender heart and are always smiling and happy! I love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Candy Trains, Gingerbread houses and Breakfast with Santa!

Yesterday I got to go to McKaylee's class for "Fun Friday" to do a little craft with the kids. We made candy trains! It was really fun! And VERY easy! Thanks to my friend, Molly, for the glue dots idea! They worked great! I can't believe I haven't heard about glue dots before! They are fantastic! We had a great time! And Alex loved being there with the big kids!




After a fun time at the school we headed over to Grandma Zella's for Gingerbread houses! The kids absolutely love doing this every year! Grandma has all the houses ready and the kids have a blast decorating! And always end up eating WAY too many treats!! This year we took Hank and he was in heaven! Every time the kids would drop some candy, he was right there! I'm surprised he didn't get sick!! They all turned out so cute!

Alex and his cousins, Cody and Ben rocking out!

Alex giving his 3rd sister, Whitney some sugar!

Taylor!! You are so handsome!

Grandma! The ring leader of the whole event!

Hank was in absolute heaven!

Me, Heather and Kristin decorating the tree!

Cute Charly!
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Then this morning we had our ward Breakfast with Santa! All of the kids bring a toy to Santa for him to take to kids less fortunate! We had a great time! And the kids loved seeing Santa!
The Kids with Santa!

Me and my cute friend, Amber!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas shows EVER has to be .."A Charlie Brown Christmas". I am sure everyone has probably seen it at least once in their lifetime! But I get the same feeling every time I watch it each Christmas season! A few years ago, my parents gave us each a Christmas ornament of Linus doing his "Christmas monologue" about the true meaning of Christmas! My kids love putting it up each year! It is always the last ornament on the tree. Then we turn all of the lights off and push the little button to hear Linus' sweet message. This year I had a hard time holding back the tears. It is such a sweet little message from such a sweet and simple little boy!

If you hadn't had the chance to see this show, here is my favorite part! Sweet Linus sharing with his friends the "True meaning of Christmas!"

A visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus... and dancing kids!!

Yesterday the kids went to their Aunt Heidi's dental office where Santa and Mrs. Claus were visiting! They had a blast! Alex could not stop talking about how cool it was to see Mrs. Claus! And the fact that they got "BIG LOLLIPOPS"! That was a hit! Brady said they had lots of fun spending the afternoon with The Claus's!

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The other night, Alex and Brinley came out after bath time and were going crazy with their awesome dance moves!! They definitely got their rhythm from their dad!! It was hilarious! Here are some pics!