Travis, Natalie and Malia

Update

2010-01-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

Random Pics... Enjoy

Well, a few things have happened and changed in the last four months. Our baby boy is 5 months old now. (Wow, did that fly by fast.) We will hopefully be finding out our court date in the next few weeks. We hope it will be early February, it can happen anytime after Feb. 9th. For those of you who don't know. C is technically a ward of the Adoption agency until we stand before a judge and sign a bunch of papers then he is legally ours. After we know the court date we can then call the temple and set up the sealing. Then not only will he be legally ours but he'll be ours for "time and all eternity" too! I am just so excited that Malia will get to go in the temple with us. She's almost seven and I think this is going to be one of those things that she'll never forget. It's a bummer C won't remember a thing!

We had a great Christmas and I'll admit it, birthday, too! I am officially old now. LOL

I truly had a great birthday this year. I got up early and went after-Christmas shopping with my sister-in-law Danna and Lexie, her 8 year old. I bought lots of stuff at 50% off! Then we hit Mcdonalds for pancakes and sausage! We ate lunch at "Fongs", and yes the food deserves the quotation marks. Where we met up with some friends from Travis' childhood. Then we piled all four of my nieces and Malia into the SUV along with a bunch of sleds and snow gear and had a blast sledding down the hills in the park. After a fabulous dinner, presents and a birthday cake with my name on it. We again loaded up the nieces, grabbed the brother-in-law and headed over to the church gym for what is becoming our perpetual game of volleyball. Courtney even hit the ball a couple of times. We're so proud of her! Then a hot shower, a big bed (hehehe.. all to myself) a sleeping baby and a good nights sleep!

Did I mention C is sleeping through the night ( most of the time, except for the occasional growth spurt. which leads to monumental nighttime feedings. Did I mention, how big he is getting?

Malia is doing great, she is loving the first grade and is turning into quite the little reader. She has tons of friends and has been a great help around the house. I couldn't ask for a better kid!

Conner is ours!!!

2009-08-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

Conner Rex Larsen is officially our son!! Papers were signed today and the adoption is official. I'll get some pictures up soon but here's some stats...

Born Thursday August 6, 2009 8:45 pm
8 pounds 9 ounces
19 1/2 inches long

He was actually early. (I know, think how big he would've been if he'd been full term!) And it looks like he's going to be in the hospital for at least another week, University of Utah. So, please keep him in your prayers so that he can come home soon.

Sidewalk Chalk!

2009-06-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Rock Climbing at REI

2009-06-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Donna took her family, Malia, and me to REI and we climbed the big rock! Both Tim and I made it to the top and rang the bell. Both Jordan and Malia got about halfway and were so brave. Colin took one look at the big rock and decided he wasn't going to climb. He told us "maybe next time"! It was hard with long fingernails, I think I'll trim them before I try climbing next time! But, Malia and I had so much fun! Thanks Donna!!

Blog Slacking!!

2009-06-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

So, I thought I would have all kinds of time to blog, once school was out. What was I thinking??? It's the same thing every year, I look forward to the end of the school year, because I'm going to have all kinds of time. Every year I suddenly find the summer going way too fast and being way too busy. So, I have about an hour until we leave for swimming lessons, so here's a few updates.

Our biggest update would be the yard renovation we're doing.

Here's a before picture...

Here's a week ago....

We've done more, the deck is now gone and there's been some cement poured and the fence is going in next week! Needless to say, we literally tore everything out and we're starting from scratch again. But, this time we have a plan!!

So, of course school got out and Malia graduated from Kindergarten! Big step, she is now a reader and a writer and a full time first grader! Instead of a part time kindergartener!

Miniature golfing! Travis is trying to pass on his skills to Malia and so far it seems to be working. She is quite the little miniature golfer, she was really getting the hang of getting the ball where she wanted it to go. We had to work on keeping the club down on the ground though, it kept coming up and almost hitting people in the face! Nate and his two kids came with us and we all had a really good time. Except about halfway through Sarah decided that she longer liked this game and flung her club, that kind of got her in trouble! So, she hid in the bushes and cried, it was too cute!

Malia is learning to like the water, which is a big relief to me because she has never liked it before. I kept putting off swimming lessons thinking she'd outgrow it but it looks like swimming lessons was the key to conquering the fear. She's got these two wonderful excited teachers who get these kids to do amazing things through games and fun tricks. It's amazing and

wonderful! This picture is from her first day they are playing a game called "animal in the basket" they sing this little rhyme and then they have to go under water to get out of the basket. The kids are eager to play and don't even realize they are practicing going underwater! Malia is almost facing the camera in the back of the circle, can you see her?

With Travis having grown up around horses, I thought it was high time Malia learned how to ride. So, I called up the equestrian center that is literally right behind our neighborhood and set up some lessons! Malia loves it, although she can't quite pick which one she likes more, swimming or horseback riding! Plus, she seems to be a bit of a natural, everyone at the stables thought she had ridden before and were surprised to find out she'd only had two lessons!

Malia is riding "Man" and yup the horse is a "he"!

This is Malia

riding bareback!

Anybody that's ever heard of "it" will appreciate this one. We went to Ogden last Sunday to see my Aunt Marla. Who for those of you that don't know spent the last 10 or so years of her life taking care of her ailing parents. So, she's by herself now and sorely needs company. So we spent about half the day talking and goofing around. It was a lot of fun. We got the camera out and kept trying to take pictures, but she does not like having her picture taken. So this is the best picture we got!

Last but not least, I was excited to go through my wedding album pictures and have digital copies made. We are celebrating 10 years in November, so I figured it was time to do something about them. They came out a little blurry but I'm still excited to have digital images.

15 Days

2009-05-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

Need I say more?

Hehehe... okay one more thing...

We finished "state testing" today. I shouted "Wahoo!" Right along with the kids!

I have succumbed...

2009-05-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

okay, okay I admit it, I'm counting down

16 more mornings I have to get out of bed on time

16 more drives to work

16 more days of asking "can" you go the bathroom? I hope so!

16 more school lunches

16 more afternoons of counting down the minutes

16 more sets of "goodbyes"

16 more drives home...

Then I'm done for 2 1/2 months before I go back to the beginning again!

Thoughts by Malia

2009-04-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

I thought this looked like fun...

Answers to the questions are are word for word Malia's response.

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you.

2. What makes mom happy? Me being good.

3. What makes mom sad? When I accidentally hurt her.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? By doing silly things, like making silly faces.

5. What did your mom like as a child? Having a mom

6. How old is your mom? I don't know, thirty two (wow, only 3 years off)

7. How tall is your mom? thirty two inches

8. What is her favorite thing to do? play with me or read a book.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Read a book or be at school.

10. If your mom becomes famous what will it be for? What does that mean?

11. What is your mom really good at? Writing and coloring

12. What is your mom not very good at? Sometimes you have to ask daddy, does this look good on me?

13. What does your mom do for a job? I know. She goes to school and teaches the kids.

14. What is your mom's favorite food? Her cereal

15. What makes you proud of your mom? When she learns how to do something, like running faster than me.

16. If your mom where a cartoon character, who would she be? Minnie Mouse

17. What do you and your mom do together? Play games.

18. How are you and your mom the same? Well, we both kind of talk the same.

19. How are you and your mom different? Our hair.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because she takes me.

21. What does your mom like about your dad? He gives her flowers.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? The bathroom.

This one's for Donna...

2009-04-23T17:55:00.000-07:00

So, a BIG thank you to Donna. She helped me find a scrapbooking website so I could make some very cool profile pages to be shown to birthmoms.

Then exciting news, we're actually be shown to a birthmom on Friday!! Then we'll be shown to another birthmom on Monday!! It's actually through two separate agencies. So, I'm praying and crossing my fingers. But, I think I've started to come to terms with the highs and lows of this whole process. I really think I'll be okay if we're not picked. It just really excites me that we're being shown, and I'm okay with that. The Lord is in charge and when it's our baby, we'll know.

Anyway, it's the four scrapbook pages I put together. They're small here, but if you click on them you can make them larger.

Adoption

2009-04-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

I have updated the "We want to adopt" link that is on the right, so everyone needs to click on it or just use the URL below and check out the new LDSFS website and our new profile posting. I think it's much better than the one before. It doesn't have quite as much information, but lots more pictures. Plus, the whole look of the website is better. It's still in beta testing so it's not the one you get when you go to itsaboutlove.org but it's the website they are sending birthmoms to when they come into the offices. Exciting Stuff!

https://beta.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/10519127/ourMessage.jsf

Zebra Costume

2009-04-15T13:23:00.001-07:00

Malia is taking a modern dance class. And I got roped into making the costumes for their recital. They are dancing to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." The teacher is being the lion and all the little girls are being zebras. So, they are not supposed to look exactly like zebras but modern dance zebras! This is the first complete costume. It took me forever to figure out the sleeves but, I think it turned out adorable. They will wear black leotards and black footless tights underneath. I wish you could see the belt a little better, it's fringed! So, I have 8 more to go, wish me luck!

My Adorable Hat!!!

2009-03-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

I have to show off my absolutely adorable hat. My friend Lindy made it for me! This is a self-portrait with the camera, hehehe... I'm totally talented aren't I! Anyway, back to the hat, here's the cool part, you can get one of your own. Lindy and her husband have recently discovered the only way they are going to have another child is if they do IVF, and I'll point out to anyone not familiar with it, it is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. But, there's good news they just might qualify for the Miracle Fund through the University of Utah, but it costs $400 just for a consult. So Lindy has set up a blog selling these absolutely fabulous hats, in order to raise the money for the initial consult. She made one for me and one for my adorable new niece McKinley... it's a little big on her. But, talk about cute!!

Anyway, here is the website, you have check it out...

wilkersonivffund.blogspot.com

Please support someone who is already a fabulous mom and so deserves the chance to be a mom of many! Buy an adorable hat!

Love Natalie

Birthday Time!

2009-03-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

March is a month full of birthdays for our families. My mom was born on March 13th and yes it was a Friday. So we consider all Friday the 13ths to be lucky, there is no paraskavedekatriaphobia (the fear of friday the 13th) in this family! Then Travis' grandma Martha was born on the 16th. Then of course our personal angel Malia was born on St. Patrick's day the 17th.

What I'm having a hard time with is the fact that not only is she turning 6 but she's reading and being independent and getting more gorgeous way too fast!

So, she's an only child so there's no reason not to do a birthday party every year. This year, she got to pick 5 friends and we're taking them to "Jump On It" a place in Lindon that has "10,000 sq feet of trampolines!" we've never been there, but it's only $4 for a kid ages 3 to 8. So, we figured why not! Malia is so excited, it's adorable. She really put a lot of thought into who she'd invite and then agonized over which of the girls from school to hand that last invitation to. I think she put it off too long and now none of them will be able to come, but the privileged four she had picked out in the beginning have all given their RSVP. So, one way or the other she will be surrounded by friends and family and will soak in all the adoration she so fully deserves!

Then of course we'll do a nice dinner and a few more presents on the actual day!

Short Update

2009-02-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

So, I realized that I haven't added anything since November, so I figured a short update was in order.

We spent a really great Christmas in WA with my family this year. Managed to fly in and out right in between snow storms. We also had a lively adventure trying to catch a flight out of Boise, then had to cancel it and catch a flight from SLC when we got halfway to Boise and the roads were closed.

The beginning of the year started out fine, but as the economy continued to go downhill Travis' stress levels have skyrocketed, plus he started a new semester of school which hasn't helped.

On a sad note, Natalie's grandmother in Ogden just passed away, after living for more than 10 years after a debilitating stroke. Most of Natalie's family has come to Utah for this weekend's funeral. This is a hard one because of the lack of good memories from the last 10 years.

Natalie's class is going well at school and Malia "loves" and I do mean "loves" school. Even when she's sick, she insists on going and is constantly asking if it's time to go catch the bus. She has also lost her sixth tooth and the Christmas song about wanting your two front teeth is very fitting.

Hope that brings you mostly up to date, I need to find some Christmas pics to upload. Hopefully I'll get back to blogging faster this time, November to February is a bit of a break!

Exciting News #3

2008-11-17T18:11:00.001-08:00

As they say... a picture is worth a thousand words!

(Can you see the little tiny hole she's pointing at? Boy her teeth are little, lol!) This is the third one on the bottom. None from the top yet. The two middle ones she lost this summer, so this will be the first one she can go to school and talk about! She was eating macaroni for goodness sakes! I never thought macaroni would be tough enough to take out a tooth! She's very excited about the tooth fairy coming tonight!

TAG - again!

2008-11-14T19:38:00.001-08:00

I've been tagged again... this one's about Travis not me, so I thought "why not!"

Where we met: at his house, one of his friends invited me over

How long we dated before we got hitched: three weeks to engagement - then eight months later we got married (backwards we know)

How long we have been married: 9 years this last Wednesday (Happy Anniversary to Us)

What's my fav feature about him: His eyebrows!

What's my fav quality about him: his ability to say the right thing at the right time

His nickname for me: Nat

His fav color: I don't know and I don't think he does either

His fav food: Pizza

His fav sport: Nascar

Who said the L word first: I don't remember, I asked neither did he

First kiss: in his truck when he dropped me off one night

Fav couple thing to do: go for drives

How many kids: 1 a daughter - we're registered to adopt through LDSFS and through CASI - Tell all your friends

His hidden talent: running and jumping onto fences like a monkey

His fav pasttime: World of Warcraft

Will he read this: only if I tell him too

I tag... Bree, Heidi and Michelle

TAG

2008-11-12T20:41:00.002-08:00

you have to type the first thing that comes to your mind to make it fun:

I am: Natalie

I know: that I don't know a lot of things

I want: a baby

I have: great fingernails

I hate: being without a book!

I miss: my mom

I feel: calm

I hear: Travis playing games on the computer

I smell: red roses (from Travis!)

I crave: salsa

I search: Google

I love: Travis

I care: how others feel

I always: go to ballet on Wednesday

I believe: in the Articles of Faith

I sing: Primary songs

I write: at school

I lose: at cards

I win: when I cheat at cards!

I never: go anywhere without a book

I listen: when you're not whining

I am scared: when it's dark

I need: constant affirmation

I am happy about: lots of things

I tag... you!

Family Pictures

2008-10-19T20:08:00.001-07:00

We had family pictures taken... here's a couple of our favorites!

Funny!

2008-09-28T14:41:00.001-07:00

So, this morning as Travis and I were trying to sleep in, we heard a shout from somewhere else in the house. "Mom, I need you, right now!" It was repeated over and over again until I finally kicked Travis out of bed. He headed towards the screams and found Malia perched on the kitchen cabinet with the peanut butter, but she had not moved a chair over before she climbed up, so she was stuck. It was a pretty ridiculous picture!

On a not so funny note, I didn't get to sleep in yesterday either. I'm (well Travis to, but he hasn't helped much) the Emergency Preparedness block captain, in charge of about 8 families, and at 7:30 yesterday morning we had a "mock" earthquake. He said I was supposed to take notes to each house and wake up the families in about 20 minutes, but being half asleep, I heard that it had to be done in the next 20 mins. Then everyone was supposed to grab their 72 hour kits and meet at the church. So, by 8:00 I had everyone up and Malia and I were at the church (Travis was on the freeway on the way to work - long story) where we were told that we weren't supposed to be there yet! I retorted that they better just be grateful I was there and that was the last I heard of that. Anyway, only one family "died" from my group (I think I won!) most of the other groups had several families that "died"! That's only because they were up with their brand new baby all night and slept right through the earthquake. We had the fire department there and they talked about what would happen in an emergency and we passed out tons of information and then we watched a funny video some families in the ward had made. They showed three families, one that had absolutely nothing prepared, one that had 72 hour kits but hadn't looked at them in 5 years so they now had more children then 72 hour kits and one that was so prepared they sang primary songs on the way to the church! It was really funny, but it proved the point. Overall, other than the sleep deprivation, it was a good experience. So, Travis and I are going to spend the next couple family home evenings on the subject!

Children's Garden

2008-09-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

My friend "C" just came over and brought her camera, so I could download some pictures from the Children's Garden we visited together in July. So, it's out of order but too adorable not to share.

There was a cave you could walk through that you could hear bear growls echoing around the walls. Then tunnels for the kids to play in! Not to mention the big bear at the entrance to the cave.

Malia with C and her son B.

Malia is getting attacked by the big bug on the wall! Run!

There was also a big Noah's Ark with water squirting all over out of it. So we got soaking wet. Then there were some big hedge mazes, pretty simple, but the kids thought it was a blast.

First Day of Kindergarten

2008-08-27T17:40:00.001-07:00

Malia's First Day of Kindergarten - Yup, that kitty shirt is fuzzy!

Malia's cool new backpack - she picked it out herself!

Daddy and Malia

Mommy and Malia

Cool Malia in front of Miss Debi's door.

Miss Debi and Malia

Getting off the school bus, the principal is by the doors and the vice-principal is next to him.

Malia and her kindergarten teacher

Heading into the classroom!

The first day is all done, boy we're glad that's over!

Malia had a really great day!

I Made It!

2008-08-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Well the first week of school is done! I survived, it's amazing. I actually have a great group of kids this year and I have the smallest class out of all 5 fourth grade teachers. Which is great, but it also means that I get the next couple of new kids. And now that the first week is over I only have 175 days of school left, haha...

Other good news, Malia is officially starting kindergarten on Monday. Nerve wracking for mom, but very exciting nonetheless. She's got a great teacher and did really well on her pre-kindergarten testing they did this week. She'll continue going to Miss Debi's in the mornings then she'll get on the bus that stops just two houses away and go to school. Then she'll come home with me after school. I hope it all works out the way I've planned it! We'll see!

Memory Game

2008-08-03T20:19:00.001-07:00

So we got this idea from our friends Spencer and Sarah and thought it sounded like fun.

Here's how you play:

1. As a comment on our blog, leave one memory that you had with either Travis or Natalie, it doesn't matter if you knew us a little or a lot - - anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. it's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about one of us, we'll assume you're playing the game and we'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, we'll leave a memory of you in our comments.

Let the memories begin!

Late Father's Day

2008-07-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

On Father's Day I gave Travis "permission" hahaha.. to buy a bike. So he finally bought it this last weekend. Ever since then he and Malia have been going out every night for rides. Then last night he went out on one by himself, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Now, I'm getting pressure from both of them to get a new bike myself. I guess I'm going to have too, either that or I'm going to have to start running faster!

Family Home Evening

2008-07-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Travis got home late on Monday so we rescheduled Family Home Evening for Wednesday. Travis read a story to Malia out of the Friend the other day about temples and Malia asked "What's a temple?" I was mortified! What kind of Mormon mom was I if my 5 year old didn't know about temples, lol. So, we went to the temple!

First we had a picnic in the park that's across the street from the Mt. Timpanogoos temple. Then we walked back across the street and took pictures of the temple, while talking about the differences between temples and chapels.

We drove by the American Fork tabernacle on the way home, so tabernacles even become part of the conversation! Overall, it was a fun evening for all of us!

Yellowstone

2008-07-08T19:40:00.001-07:00

Over the 4th of July weekend I was able to go to West Yellowstone on a canoe/fishing trip. The canoes didn't really fit in the truck but we made it in one piece.

Here's a picture of me with proof I really can fish!

Here's a picture of the sunset from our campsite on the last night we were there. Pretty incredible view.

Dancing and the Fourth of July

2008-07-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

Michelle and I were in a hip hop class together this year and performed late in June. One of Michelle's co-workers just happened to have a child at the studio and recognized her in the dance. He video taped and then posted our dance on you-tube then claimed ignorance on where it came from. So, Michelle thought she had a stalker out there somewhere! Pretty funny joke!

Here's the link check us out...

youtube.com/watch?v=EFvyowxv5Sw

As soon as I figure out how I'll post the videos Travis took!

It was so much fun, having never danced as a kid I really enjoyed having the experience of learning hip hop and modern dances and performing them. Although I have to admit I definitely looked the least polished out of everybody! But, I am so grateful for the opportunity and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

So, while I'm at it. The fourth of July was a lot of fun this year. Travis took off with the guys to go camping up in Yellowstone park. So I thought the fourth would be a real bummer this year, but I ended up picking up Sydney (Malia's friend) on Tuesday night and she spent the night until Friday, which kept me really busy. Then we headed to Sydney's house in Salt Lake on the fourth and hung out with them and their relatives all day. We barbecued in the back yard - the ribs were yummy! Then we headed to Sugar House park for the fireworks. We managed to entertain 6 kids under the age of 8 for 3 hours before the fireworks started at 10 o'clock. Then all of them but Malia laid back and oohed and aahed. But, I think Malia was fighting sleep because she could not sit still long enough to look! She kept jumping in and out of the wagon, climbing all over me like I was a jungle gym and running around. I definitely think she had fun but it wasn't watching the fireworks that was fun for her! We made it out of there and back to the house amazingly fast and the kids crashed pretty hard. Malia and Sydney slept downstairs and I curled up on the couch. So, then we just spent a nice lazy day on Saturday playing and hanging out! On Saturday I also perused KSL.com and found an adorable Moses basket, which we met up the seller and purchased that afternoon. So, now when we get a baby it has someplace to sleep right away, the crib is still in storage. As soon as I find the right bedding I'll pull it out and set it up. But, it's depressing to have it out when I don't have cute bedding to go on it!

Happy Fourth of July!