The Larsen Family

Multnomah Falls

2011-09-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

We went to Multnomah Falls awhile ago with most of Brian's family. I took the camera fully intending to takes lots of pictures. This is the only one we ended up getting but I think it is a pretty good one.

Junie's First Month

2011-09-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

One of the only pictures I have of her first few weeks that her eyes are actually open for.

She likes to be wrapped up really tight. The moment her arms are free, her hands go straight for her face.

Sam really loves to take pictures with Juniper.

At The Sage with all the girls.

Pictures of Juniper's Birth

2011-09-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Before. This was taken right after I was admitted to the hospital to be induced. I was induced 2 weeks early because of low amniotic fluid. Brian and I arrived at the hospital at 1 pm on 7/7/11.

After. Born at 8:11 pm on 7/8/11. The labor was long and boring. I was a 2 when I got to the hospital. I didn't get to a 5 until 5 pm the next day (28 hours). Once my water was broken, things progressed much more quickly and she was born 3 hours later.

6 pounds 7 ounces, 19.5 inches

Samson came to visit the morning after Junie was born. He was so sweet with her. He brought her a cute little lamb. He continues to be a great big brother and loves his little sister.

Our first family photo.

someday...

2009-09-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

Aren't these bikes from Madsen Cycles awesome? Would seriously love one someday.

the boy is 2. oh my goodness...

2009-09-16T21:36:00.001-07:00

Samson turned TWO on Sunday. I still can't believe it. We had a very fun tie-dye themed birthday party for him on Saturday. Good times. Here are some pics from the event. I have more pictures from his actual birthday that I will post soon.

the tie-dye cake.

We are back...

2009-06-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

We caved in and got internet again at our house. Here are some pictures taken over the last few months. They are not in chronological order but you will still get the idea.

The newest addition to our household. Yes, we are the crazy people in the neighborhood with a chicken coop in the backyard. Their names are Cluck Cluck and Sammy Davis Jr Jr.
I've been working hard out in the yard lately. We expanded the garden quite a bit. We also took out a bunch of rose bushes and other ugly bushes in the back bed (along the fence) and planted all the herbs back there. This photo was taken about a month ago so it looks a lot different than this now.
Sorry about the blurry picture. Sam LOVES to help me in the garden. He usually just mimics whatever I'm doing. He also likes to eat dirt, step on the pepper plants, and stare at the chickens.
This is Samson's fake cry look.

One of Sam's hiding spots. He loves to pop his head out and say "BOO." He just discovered another hiding spot the other day. I couldn't find him anywhere but eventually heard something coming from the bathroom. He was sitting in the bathtub with the shower curtain closed. He got really excited when I finally found him. It was really cute.
Sam loves his cousin Matilda. He usually tries to cuddle with her like he's doing in this picture. He also loves to give her kisses. He gets very excited when "tiyi" comes over. I think he needs a little brother or sister pretty soon :)

We are all doing very well here. Brian is taking one class and working at Wells Fargo. I just finished playing co-ed intramural soccer at BYU. And Sam is busy just being Sam. Sam and I are going to Oregon next week and are very excited. Brian is headed to San Francisco at the end of the month to visit his brother Paul.

the new HSM star

2008-11-12T17:59:00.001-08:00

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Break Dancing Trio

2008-11-12T17:53:00.001-08:00

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Samson's New Wheels

2008-11-11T15:24:00.001-08:00

My Aunt Shirley found this awesome wagon at a moving sale and gave it to Samson. He loves it. It has been so much fun. I have been giving him rides everyday, weather permitting. The neighbor kids love it too. We spent about an hour and a half giving rides today. It was a blast. Thanks Aunt Shirley!!

yes we can!!!

2008-11-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

Pinocchio

2008-11-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Sam was a pretty cute Pinocchio for Halloween. here he is with Joel "Mr. Bones" Ruden.

We spent Halloween with Camie, Nate and Joel as well as Megan, Sean and Tilbert. We had a good time trick or treating, going out to dinner, eating raw apple cake and icecream for dessert and, after the kiddies went to bed, watching The Orphanage.
I'm pretty pround of myself for making his whole costume (except for the shoes and socks). I think I will make my kids' costumes every year.

2008-10-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures that my sister-in-law Annie took of Samson while we were in Oregon. Isn't she talented? Here's her website if you would like to see more of her photos: annierudenphotography.blogspot.com

Needless to say, we had a great time in Oregon. I loved to see Sam interact with his cousins and try to keep up with them. He's just so cute! Thanks for the pictures Annie...I LOVE them.

Birthday Pictures

2008-09-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order)...

Sam loved his birthday pizza. He's our little teenage mutant ninja turtle.

with the birthday crown

Sam trying out some of his new toys. He has barely touched his old toys since his birthday.

A new hat

A preview...

2008-09-20T00:00:00.001-07:00

OK. I know how lame I am. Sorry for not posting pictures if Sam's b-day yet. I still haven't put the pictures from the camera to the computer. However, here are a few that Camie emailed me. thanks Camie.

Brian made Sam a birthday crown.

More to come soon...or sometime...eventually.

Samson's First Birthday

2008-09-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today was Sam's first birthday. I just can't believe it. It was such a great day-completely centered around Sam. We had a little birthday party which was a huge success. I will post pictures tomorrow but right now I'm just too exhausted. Check back soon for cute pictures of Samson.

SUCCESS!!

2008-08-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

We have tried a couple times to make fresh mozzarella without much success. The end product always came out hard and rubbery. It tasted fine but the texture was awful. We decided it was a result of the kind of milk we were using. So we got on the internet to try to find a dairy or store that sold raw milk. I was surprised to find a store in Orem called Real Foods Market that sells raw milk. So we bought a gallon for about $7 and tried it out. It worked! I was so excited to make homemade mozzarella that not only tasted good but was smooth and stretchy. We cut it up with some tomatoes and basil from our garden and drizzled it with olive oil. Check out http://www.realmilk.com/ to find places where raw milk is sold near you.

handsome Samson and our garden

2008-08-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

Samson looked so handsome today that I had to take some pictures and post them. We bought this sweater vest for him for the fall but I just couldn't wait. It's a little big on him and it was in the high 90s today but he still pulled it off.

Sam is getting so big. He'll be 11 months old in just 3 days. I can't believe it. It has gone by so fast but I have really loved watching him grow and learn new things.
Today I went to the backyard to check if anything was ready to harvest from our garden. I was happy to find zucchini, squash, over 20 jalapenos, a bell pepper, a handful of green beans, and several tomatoes. This was our first year trying a garden and it has been so great. I love gardening and especially love cooking with fresh vegetables.

Our garden. Herbs in the front (basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, cilantro, and dill). Then squash, zucchini and cantaloupe. A variety of different tomatoes and peppers and then green beans in the back row.

Recent Pictures

2008-08-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

Brian won a Wii for being so awesome at his job. We've only played a few games so far because they cost like $50 each but it is so SWEET.

This is how I found Sam the other night when I went to check on him. What was he thinking? Good thing the blanket has holes in it or I would have panicked.
Sam's new high chair. Can't beat a $25 high chair. Gotta love IKEA.

At the beach in Lincoln City with the Larsen Family.
Keeping warm with Grandma
I just thought this one was cute. Sam and his dad hanging out watching youtube videos.

Sam's Ultrasound

2008-07-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't heard (or noticed), Sam has a pretty large head. He is well into the 100th percentile for head circumference. His pediatrician scheduled a CT-scan just to make sure everything was working correctly up there. He is developing normally so we decided to try an ultrasound first. This was great because Samson wasn't exposed to radiation and he didn't have to be sedated. Anyway, the pediatric radiologist got all the information he needed from the ultrasound and there was no need for the CT-scan. Sam is totally fine. The doctor even said he has a beautiful brain. I was never worried that something was wrong but it was still a relief.

Oregon Trip

2008-07-05T22:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures that I took while Sam and I were in Oregon.

This first picture was taken on Father's Day.

Samson LOVED swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's new pool.

Lunch at Kyllo's in Lincoln City. Try to zoom in on the above picture. Sam's face cracks me up.

With his aunts, Lilly and Angelina

Grand Canyon

2008-06-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

We went to Tucson, AZ to visit Brian's sister, her husband, and their two girls over Memorial Day weekend. On the way back to Utah, we took a detour and stopped at the Grand Canyon. It was a quick stop but still totally worth the couple hours it added to the trip. It was amazing.

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T16:51:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day! It been a pretty good day for me. Brian made

a very yummy breakfast and "Sam" surprised me with a 2-hour spa getaway gift certificate. Just what I needed! I'm trying to decide if I should save it or use it right away. Hope all you other mothers are having a great day.

I love you Mom!

Our 3rd...

2008-04-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

Brian and I got married three years ago today.

Grandsons...

2008-04-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

laughing at livvy...

2008-04-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

Sam got a kick out of his cousin Olivia this weekend.

This went on for at least 5 minutes. It was hilarious and extremely entertaining.

(Sorry about the background noise)

Sam at 6 months...

2008-03-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sam had his 6 month well baby check up today. His measurements are:

Weight: 18.4 lbs/ 69th percentile

Height: 27.5 in/ 86th percentile

Here are a few pictures from the last week or so...

Tagged...

2008-02-21T17:10:00.001-08:00

10 years ago...
14 years old. 8th grade at twin peaks middle school in poway, california. soccer, art classes, learning to play the flute, playstation (tomb-raider and crash bandicoot), crush on one of those twin boys in our ward (don't remember his name), and wishing we lived back in mcminnville.

5 things on my to-do-list today...
1. write a 5 page paper
2. write another paper
3. homework for my geographic information systems class
4. make dinner
5. watch across the universe, clean the house, or give samson a bath ...anything to procrastinate my homework :)

5 snacks i enjoy...
1. tomato, cucumber & avocado salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing
2. chips and guacamole
3. chocolate souffle with vanilla ice cream (thanks nate and camie)
4. fruit
5. spinach and artichoke dip with baguette

what i would do if i suddenly became a billionaire...
pay off debts (school, house, hospital bills), fix up our house, build an incredible pottery studio, invest and save, hire a physical trainer, buy some really nice shoes and bags, travel.

5 places i've lived...
1. mcminnville, or
2. ashland, or
3. poway, ca
4. park city, ut
5. redmond, wa

5 jobs i've had...
1. house cleaner
2. pet store worker
3. florist
4. joe dancer concession stand
5. barista

5 things you dont know about me...
1. gained 50 lbs during pregnancy
2. love documentaries and foreign films
3. wish i was more outgoing
4. already want to have another baby
5. would love to eventually start a website to sell my pottery online.

now i tag...nobody. everybody who reads this has already been tagged.

HAWAII

2008-01-30T20:38:00.000-08:00

brian at the luau. Nice picture of anne in the back ground.

2008-01-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

Hangin out by the pool

MORE HAWAII...

2008-01-30T19:35:00.001-08:00

sam's baby burger (he didn't really eat it)

Enjoying the beach...
...and the water.
he needed a nap from all the excitement.
we love this profile shot.

Christmas Time

2008-01-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

Just a few pictures of Sam around Christmas.

Hat and mittens for those cold Utah winters.
At Grandpa and Grandma Ruden's house.

Park City

2008-01-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

Brian's Brother Paul, Brian and Jack Black having a night on the town.

For Mom...

2007-12-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

Due to Popular Demand...

2007-12-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

2007-11-20T12:33:00.000-08:00

This is just a little video that Brian took of Samson.

Recent Sam Pictures

2007-11-17T14:29:00.001-08:00

I just realized that it has been a couple weeks since I posted some new pictures of Samson. Sorry everyone. Here are a few that I have taken over the past couple weeks. He is now two months old. At his check up this week he was 12 lbs. 3 oz. and 23 inches long. He's getting so big and has even started sleeping through the night! Yay!

Sam in California. A couple weeks ago mom and dad came to visit. They flew here and then we took my car and drove to California for Aunt Rose's 80th birthday party. It was a quick trip but really fun to see all the Rudens. Sam was a big hit!
We had to stop in Las Vegas to do some shopping at the outlet mall. Dad held Sam for atleast 3 hours while Mom and I shopped. It was awesome.
A little spit-up on his pants.
Almost a smile. I have been trying for weeks to get a picture of Sam smiling. I think he is a little camera shy. I will keep trying.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

His Halloween costume: corn on the cob

This one is just really cute!

Sam Pics

2007-10-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

These were taken after church on Sunday. He looked so handsome. He does smile sometimes...I promise. He is getting so big. I haven't weighed him recently but these clothes are 0-3 month and are pretty snug on him. He's only a month and a half.

Sam at 1 month old

2007-10-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures I took of Sam today. I can't believe he is already a month old. It has gone by really fast. He is doing really well and we are beginning to see more of his personality. His eyes are still bluish and his hair has turned RED. I didn't expect that.

R.I.P. Waldo

2007-10-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

This morning I found one of our beloved green-cheek conures had died. We aren't exactly sure why he died but we think he may have been bitten by a spider or bug. It is very tragic. We bought Waldo soon after we got married and then we bought Clementine a couple months after that. Waldo was a very good bird and I will really miss him. It is a sad day.

Bath Time

2007-10-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

Sam had his first official bath today. It went really well. He cried at first but eventually calmed down. He smells so good now (especially now that the dry spit up is out of his armpit). I love it. He always looks so serious-it cracks me up.

Lesli's Visit

2007-09-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Sam (2 weeks) and Jacob (6 months).
My Little Angel
Megan, Allison, Lesli, Sam and Jake

Jaundice Baby

2007-09-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed in some of the previous pictures that Sam had a yellow tint to his skin. Well, he had jaundice. Poor guy. He had to have phototherapy and be under lights at all times except to eat and have his diaper changed. It was very traumatic but he had a very quick recovery and is doing very well now.

Sam had to wear these eye patches to protect his eyes from the lights. My mom and I took two hour shifts keeping our eye on Sam. It was a very long night.

2 days old

2007-09-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken yesterday when he was two days old. I am amazed at how alert and wide-eyed he is already. We have to keep his hands covered because he scratches his face. I know I am biased but I think he is the most beautiful baby!!

Baby Papasan Chair

2007-09-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Sam LOVES sleeping and hanging out in his papasan chair.

More pictures of Sam

2007-09-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

Sam and Aunt Megan. Megan and Sean are really excited to finally be near to one of their nephews. They are our official babysitters!
Sam with Uncle Paul

Chillin with the cousins. Sophie and Olivia are Jared and Heather's twin girls. They were born at the beginning of August.
Home from the hospital. Sam did very well on his first car ride.
Sam's room

Samson Oliver Larsen

2007-09-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome Sam! 7 lbs. 1 oz. 19 1/2 inches
More pictures to come soon!!

Sam looks exactly like his dad did when he was born.

I love how sprawled out he is in this picture.

2007-09-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

Brian and I have finally decided to set up a blog so friends and family can see photos of our little family. Sam will be here soon (hopefully) and I will post some pictures as soon as I can.