Larsen is Three!

It is hard to believe but our Larsen is 3. We have had had a fun April celebrating her.

Her first milestone associated with the big 3 was moving up to the big kid class. Both she and Bridger were so excited. They couldn't wait to be in the same class. Bridger has enjoyed showing her around and teaching her all the new "work" in the Primary Classroom. 

On Larsen's actual birthday we had a small family celebration. Grandma and Grandad joined us resulting in some extra fun and gifts. (Did we mention that Larsen loves pink. As I review these photos it seems she is in nearly head to toe pink in most??)

Easter Weekend Larsen had her friend birthday party and some sweet friends many of whom we have known since they were infants themselves were able to come. Grandma and Grandpa also got to join in on the celebration. One of the big brothers was also able to come and he is nearly Bridger's exact age which worked out really well. We enjoyed some crafts, an egg hunt, yummy food, and lots of time during a sunny beautiful Spring Day.

Of course we had to snap some Easter shots and have our own egg hunt!  

In the midst of this Larsen had her 3 year check up. She is 33lbs 8 ounces and 36 inches tall. She hasn't been sleeping much (does she ever??) and so was really crabby during the visit. She then promptly fell asleep in the car on the way home. Luckily our pediatrician lives in the neighborhood so she also knows the sparkly side of her. 

We are busy getting the yard into shape (well Matt is) and Bridger is playing t-ball. Photos to come!

A LOOONGG Winter

It has been a super long winter filled with snow days and days and days. However, Spring is finally peeking through, but no big warm ups yet. We have had crocus blooms for the last week or so and some daffodils are just opening up. Seedlings for the garden are toasty warm inside waiting on some true Spring weather.

Here's a recap of our winter adventures including the annual family ski trip.

Our biggest snows was about 2 feet. We did a lot of outside play in the yard. Turns out swinging is fun even in the snow!

 A little practice on the snow with the training skis.

 We took Larsen for her first time on real skies at Whitetail. It was a nutty day on the slopes but she had a great time. This is her very excited after making her first turn. 

As much fun as she had lots of snacks were required to keep her going. 

 We had a great time during our Utah ski trip this year. We go to stay at Bridger and Jake's new place. No photos of our awesome digs unfortunately since we were too busy doing other things. Here we are at Deer Valley enjoying the great views and hanging out with our superstar skier Bridger. 

 

Larsen also got some lessons from superstar skier Bridger. She had fun trying out the slopes in her new pink helmet. 

 

Matt and I enjoyed some adult time in the powder at the end of the week. Lots of fun!!

Year End Holiday Miscellany

Happy 2014! The holiday season flew by for us and it turns out we were so busy we didn't take many pictures...except in the snow! We have spent a lot of time in the snow as it has been an unusually snowy early winter here. 

Our first snow adventure was during our Thanksgiving trip to Deep Creek. We enjoyed lots of food (and I mean lots) and we had some fun in the snow and good company inside with both sets of grandparents. Bridger even got to ski while we were there for opening day at Wisp Resort. Outside our condo had enough snow for some fun play and sledding. It was really too cold to be out for long but we did go to the nature center and saw the birds that have been rescued (who knew that some species of owls don't have a good sense of smell so they don't mind eating skunks?) Larsen enjoyed a lot of quality time in the bug section with her magnifying glass. 

We have had plenty of snow at the "new house" and we are so glad to have good snow clothes as the kids will play outside for hours in the snow. 

 We spent a little time inside and went to a Pancake Breakfast with Santa. It was lots of fun though both kids weren't really ready to open up with Santa about what they wanted. No tears but Larsen only tolerated a quick sit before being ready to get out of there!!

There is a train garden at a local mall that we went to see...we didn't get a chance to go to the train garden in Highlandtown and we miss that one. It was less crowded, had lots of quirks, and was really nearly as good. We'll make sure to try and get back down there next year!

We took no pictures of Grandma and Grandad on their visit for Christmas except for a quick picture of Larsen and Grandad beating the bread. Our usual bread beater was not interested this year. :(

Bridger was very excited to set treats out for Santa and his reindeer though. He was very serious and very worried that the neighborhood cats might get to the treats first. Not to worry Santa got to enjoy it first thanks to Bridger's note. 

Santa left one treat outside the kids' doors...headlamps for camping. They got a big kick out of it and insisted on wearing them most of the morning. We took a walk with them on Christmas night and it was adorable. Even if they are never used for camping (though I hope they are) that walk was worth it enough. 

 
Santa brought a bean bag for each of the kids. They have been enjoying reading in them and we hope they will use them a lot in the future. Larsen would like you to know it is actually called a "bingy bag"

Santa also brought some fancy coats. Bridger really likes his. Larsen tried on her coat and about every other item of clothing given to her for Christmas in the morning. She was certainly the slowpoke with opening. 

 Winter wouldn't be complete without some indoor fun over break. We went to the Aquarium, Science Center, and the Walters Art Museum and a new place where they had inflatable bouncy house and a ball pit. It wore the kids out which was good as all the festivities worn the parents out!