My flowers

I took a few pictures from my garden the other day, so I could photograph them before the frost hits and they die.
I love the dahlias I grew this year, especially the white ones. The pink and white flowers are the dahlias. The other pictures are of some of my rock gardens.
The last picture I threw in there because I thought it was a good example of Autumn showing up at our house; MD with a Halloween pirate hat on watching "Charlie Brown - The Great Pumpkin".

Autumn Glory

Fall is in the air!

I love this time of year. How many times have I said that?
This spring we planted 3 October Glory maples and 3 Autumn Blaze Maples in our yard. They are young trees, so the leaves are a bit small, but I'm so excited to see the color!
The burning bushes are teasing me with a red leaf here and there.
My red dahlias have been blooming for months, but just yesterday the first white one appeared!
Gracie and I brought home some orange, red and yellow mums from the store yesterday, and last week we got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Anglesey's house and pick a large orange pumpkin and several small peek-a-boo white ones from their pumpkin patch.
The kids are already planning their Halloween costumes: The younger two will be a ladybug and a butterfly, the older ones some ninjas from some obscure cartoon.
The days are getting shorter, and the nights chillier.
With great anticipation, I await the upcoming holidays, wearing sweaters, sipping cocoa, taking walks and fireside sitting.
This is my favorite time of year.

Did I already say that?

Happy Store Day!

Yesterday morning there was a lot of excitement as we all got ready for the first day of school. The kids dressed in their favorite new clothes, all of them up early and moving quickly. Backpacks were filled to the brim with all those new supplies. We packed new lunchboxes, and chit-chatted about what the day might hold.
All throughout this hustle and bustle, Monkey D kept saying, "I go to school too". To which I would repeatedly reply, "No, you are too little still to go to school." When the kids dressed, she quickly got her clothes out, "I go to school too". "Not today, MD...when you are a little older". As we ate breakfast and packed lunches, she said it again. This time I replied, "No school for MD, but MD and mommy will go to the store today, okay?" She kind of frowned, but didn't say much.
As the time came for the kids to walk out to the bus stop (MA had already left earlier) I told them all to grab their backpacks and I would take a picture. MD shouted, "Wait! I get my backpack too!" She ran and got her Hello Kitty pack, and put it on and posed in middle of the kids. "Say cheese!" I shouted. MC said, "No, let's say...'Happy back to school day!'", So the kids shouted that. But MD said, "Happy back to schoo...um..Happy go to the store with mom day!"
In the picture you see above, we are all grinning because of her.
Oh, and the kids all had a wonderful first day of school.

Move over Simpsons!

Here are the Larsons - SIMPSONIZED!
Shelli, Trev, Monkeys A, B, C, & D.

You submit an actual picture of yourself, and ta-da- you become a sketch!
Want to Simpsonize yourself?
Click HERE!

(Thanks for the link Brady!)

Sand, Sun & Surf

We are back from the beach!
My sister Kristi and her family joined us for some beautiful sun-kissed days at Rockaway Beach on the Oregon Coast. We were later joined by my brother Mike and his family, and we all enjoyed the sand, sun and surf together. The vacation was filled with beach-combing, Frisbee, Aerobie, Foxtail, horseshoes, sand-castle building, surf jumping, kayaking, kite-flying, rock climbing the jetty, exploring the washed-up boat on shore, downing Tillamook ice cream at the factory, delicious home-cooked meals at the beach house, lots of Rice Crispy treats, games, ping-pong, & napping. It was thoroughly relaxing. We all enjoyed being together and the great weather and location. I'm not the only one who sometimes wishes I was still there. Two weeks later, MD is still asking me EVERY day..."We're going to the beach house today?"
Sadly, not today, but thank goodness for great photos and happy memories!

Summer So Far

We have been so busy this summer, I haven't posted much lately. So, here is a little taste
(with pictures) of the things we have been up to.

Monkey A turned 12. What happened to my little girl?


Monkey C had her ballet recital, and of course we think she danced beautifully. She will start her 4th year this fall.


Uncle Jeff got married, and now we have a new Aunt Kelli. Jeff is Trevor's little bro. It was a beautiful day.

We have gone on two different camping trips. Both times we brought the ATV's and had a great time riding trails and getting dirty.

So far summer has been a blast. This week brings us 4th of July, a family reunion and then we are off to the Oregon Coast!!

Here's to life

Love this photograph by Katie McDonnell!
There is something about it that sums up a mood I am in every now and then.

weekend getaway

Just posting a few of my favorite pictures taken from this weekend. Trev planned a trip to Portland, Oregon for my birthday.
We visited the zoo and some other beautiful sites around the area.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend Trev and kids!!
Love you!!

Daddy's Girl

Our youngest child at 3 years old is many things. Fiesty, head-strong, smart, sweet, funny, loud, head-strong, persistent, loving, fun, head-strong...the list goes on and on.
I have been feeling a little frustrated with the...hmm, how do I say it....Oh! I know...head-strongness. Doesn't want to take her allergy medicine? Okay, spill it on mom and scream at the top of her lungs. Doesn't want the nurse to check her heartbeat? Okay, kick her in the stomach. Doesn't want to go to Primary at church? Okay, scream and push her way out of the room.
Now, I have made her sound like a horrible child. She isn't a horrible child. She is a lot of fun, and we enjoy her very much. But she knows what she doesn't want, and when that is the case, EVERYONE knows what she doesn't want.
I have needed a break, because it seems that I am the only one she wants. Only I can put her shoes on. Only I can take her to the potty. Only I can get her out of her carseat and only I can scoop her ice cream. After a while it takes it's toll.
Here is where daddy comes in. Trev had the day off last Thursday, and needed to drive to Portland and back. I reminded him that I had my tennis lesson that morning and was depending on him to watch her.
He told me that was no problem, he would take her with him and they would have a daddy/daughter day and I could get a break.
Well, to make a long story shorter, I had a wonderful day and got a lot done. The greatest part, is that Trev and Monkey D also had a wonderful day. She was great for him, and they enjoyed the trip. The stopped at a waterfall, went out for lunch and enjoyed being together.
Basically they bonded, and now guess who she wants to scoop out her ice cream?
Yesterday after Trevor went to work, she kept going on and on about wanting Daddy and wanting to go in his truck with him (like their trip). I said he was at work. She got a wobbly chin, put her head down and slowly walked into the other room. I could hear her pitifully mumbling something, so I peeked in at her. She had curled up with a blanket on the floor and was saying over and over in a muffled, sad tone, "Oh my Daddy. Oh Daddy, my best friend. Oh my boy, my daddy. My best friend."

I love it. One day, one waterfall, one truck ride, and she's daddy's girl.

Fallon fan

This Star Wars spoof with Jimmy Fallon had me laughing pretty hard.
Hope you enjoy it!

Click Here to watch

Easter time

We had a great Easter. MD just loved dying eggs. She couldn't get enough of them, and was just so amazed at the beautiful colors. We had cousin Ty join us for our egg hunt, and loved watching them all find the eggs. There was a slight moment of panic when we couldn't find that last egg (this year they were hid in the house), so the adults went over and over every inch. Finally Aunt Kiersten discovered it and we all had a good laugh. Trev made honey herb pork ribs for Easter dinner. So so good Trev! What a way to wrap up a lovely day.

Cotton

Cotton is our puppy. He is a blonde Pomeranian, and we got him for Christmas. After 14 years of marriage, "some day" has finally come for us. I knew we would have a dog eventually because my husband is an animal magnet. He loves them, and they adore him. Don't get me wrong, I like animals. During my life I have had pet cats, rats, hamsters & fish. I love to visit the zoo! But I'm kind of like a cat. They are pretty independent and can take or leave you, and I'm the same with them.
Dogs are different though.
Here's what I have learned about dogs.
1. Puppies are the cutest things until you've had them for 2 weeks and they are still pooping and peeing in your house.
2. Getting a new puppy is like having a newborn baby. Except puppies don't wear diapers.
3. When you take the dog out to pee, and he is in a mischievous mood, you don't care that your neighbors hear you screaming "get back here you dumb dog!". Especially when you are barefoot, in your pajamas, and your 3 year old is running after you down the street crying her eyes out because YOU ran off.
4. Some puppies take longer to housetrain.
5. A dog is a member of your family.
6. A dog wants to please you and protect you and play with you and lick you.
7. A dog has facial expressions and knows how to use them.
8. A dog doesn't understand when you all leave the room and forget to bring him along.
9. Playing "fetch" is a lot of fun.
10. Petting soft fluffy fur is soothing.

We enjoy Cotton so much. I have surprised myself by the fact that I love this dog. I love watching the kids play with him and love him. They have no trouble bathing him, feeding him or even with "poo day" when they have to clean up the yard. He is an energetic, sweet little body of fluff, and I can honestly say I am glad to have him in our family.

Lonelier as Slush

My dear and funny friend Karen sent me an email this morning with a fun link.

anagramgenius.com

If you go to their home page and click on Anagram Server, you can input your name and find your own anagram. I got a good laugh as I put in my name and the names of my family members. Mom and Dad Anglesey, if you are reading this, you both have pretty funny ones.

If you try it, and get a good one, post it here and let me know.

Thanks for the tip Karen (aka...darkened enemas)!!

Your friend,
"Lonelier as Slush" or with maiden name used..."Uselessly agile hen"

green thumbs

Is it time to start thinking about gardening yet? I'm ready!
On the way through the check-out line at the store the other day, I saw a garden magazine and grabbed it. As I looked through it at home, my heart was pounding! The anticipation! I can't wait for the color, the fragrances, the dirt-stained fingernails. Bring it on, I say!
I do not profess to be a master gardener, but how happy I am that gardening is in my blood. I remember my grandparents' garden, my mother's gardens. I love to see what my sister has done in her garden, and now I have 2 sisters-in-law whose thumbs are obviously green too. My grandmother-in-law is no longer with us, but her garden was amazing. She could grow hydrangeas and geraniums like no one else could in this desert-like area.
I have a blank slate out in my back yard. A huge one. It is a little overwhelming, because I want to plan and do it right. But at the same time, I think...how can you do it wrong? I'm going to plant what I love. Lots of flowers.
There is nothing so beautiful as flowers, I think.

boarding bug

Just thought I'd share a few pictures of my two oldest kids. They discovered snowboarding this year. Monkey A is almost 12 and Monkey B is 10. They picked it up pretty quickly and are anxious to go a few more times before spring sets in.

Heartstrings

As I type this, I have 2 little three-year old arms wrapped around my waist, and a long haired, dirty blonde head resting on my chest. The older kids are off to school, and my "baby" just woke up and climbed up here on my lap. She is going through an interesting stage. She is my shadow and won't let me out of her sight. I think I remember my other kids being younger when they went through their "separation anxiety" stage. But here she is, just barely 3 years old, and attached to me with that invisible string as I go about my daily duties. I have been complaining about it lately, because it just makes it hard to do anything. As I walked toward the bathroom yesterday, she yelled for me, and I had to turn around and basically ask for her permission to go to the bathroom by myself, please. It's that bad.
But as she sits here on my lap, her little heart beating against mine, and her sweet full cheeks all rosy from slumber, my frustration ebbs.
I am filled with love for this little one, and feel determination to just relax and enjoy the fact that she wants to be near me. She is my baby. My last. The other kids clung at one point too, but their time has past. This is my last chance. She may never want to be this close to me again.
I'm scooping her up, and we will climb the stairs together.
Heartstrings tied, we will face the day.

Corn Maze and Holidays

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch in October. I can't believe Thanksgiving is this week and Christmas is around the corner. I am in love with this time of year.

Chillin'

Hey!!!
It's been quite a while. We moved. We lost our computer. We got a new computer, and now I am totally out of the habit of getting on it!
However I decided to get on today, and check a few things, including this way non-happening blog!
We love our house. Love it. We have made lots of new friends in our new area, and are finally feeling a bit settled.
It's nice to not be so over-focused on the house now. We have had some wonderful days visiting the corn-maze, carving pumpkins, hosting a Halloween party and trick-or-treating. Last night was great as we sat around the fireplace as a family and just laughed and talked and shared stories about this and that. We are finally starting to RELAX and it feels good.