Guaranteed to make you smile!

Drivers BEWARE

This is a real, live picture of Taylor behind the wheel.  He is going about 45 miles per hour at this point.  Poor kid has to learn to drive in a 12-passenger van.  But he really is doing well.  Can't wait to have another licensed driver in the house!!!

Jesi likes a few flowers in her hair...

(Yes, she is using a bath towel as a shawl.)

Best Buddies:)

All on their own, no coaching from parents.  I love kids' imaginations!

Generous Graci

Graci LOVES her long hair.  When it gets to the point that it might be a good idea to cut it, it is often difficult to convince her of this fact.  A couple of months ago Graci decided she would cut her gorgeous black tresses and donate them to Locks of Love.  We're proud of you, girl!

Grandma's House

Over Christmas break most of the family went to Grandma's and Grandpa's house in central Utah.  Christi and I split up the time there so one of us could stay with Elli here at home.  While Christi was there, she made a few videos of the kids.  Here they are doing some arts and crafts and also sending messages to me:)  I feel very self-confident after hearing Lexi and Sophi!

Cutest Hula Hoop Ever!

Road Trip with Dad

Last month I had to go to Cedar City for work.  Six of the kids wanted to come with me, so we loaded up and headed down the freeway.  After my work appointment, we got to go to dinner at Chili's, watch the new Cinderella, and go swimming at the hotel pool.  What an adventure!

Sophi found out she can stand up by herself (and jump and dance!) in the shallow end of the pool.  Way to go, girl!!!

 On the way back home we took a short detour to Richfield and went to see Grandma Larsen.  I was talking to Grandma in the kitchen and suddenly noticed that the house had gone completely silent.  Our family does not do completely silent!  We couldn't find the kids in the house, so we ventured outside, only to find all of them, including Cali!, up in a tree.

Waiting At Shriner's

Sophi and Cali both went with me up to Shriners hospital last month. We had to wait quite a while while they work on Cali's wheelchair.  It's amazing how much more patient kids are in these types of situations if there's an electronic device for them to enjoy!

Cultural Daddy Date

Last month there was a great local opportunity to celebrate Chinese culture.  There is a traditional Chinese dance company from New York that is called Shen Yun.  You can see some trailers of their performances at shenyun.com.  When I saw it advertised I thought Graci and Cali would love to attend.  They agreed:)  The three of us went up to Salt Lake for a fancy evening together and had a wonderful time.  I'm so glad for our ties to China and for opportunities to continue to learn about the Chinese history and culture.  Love you girls!  -Dad

Wax Attack

Christi has been threatening for years to wax my back. Tonight she decided the time had come.  OUCH!  Yes, I am blogging as I am being tortured. Thank heavens for iPhones.  OUCH!  Christi doesn't have a lot of sympathy for me, although she is impressed with how well I'm enduring it. She says she's been having her eyebrows waxed for years and I just need to suck it up.  OUCH!  Taylor, Jessica and Parker are watching with avid interest. Parker keeps saying things like "I don't know why I keep watching. It's really kind of nasty. But I can't look away."  OUCH!  Jessica keeps offering great supportive verbalizations. Things like "how much hair did he have before? Was it like a monster?" or "Dad, aren't you glad you're doing this?  Isn't it worth it? All this pain?"  OUCH!  I'm going to sign off now, before I black out. 

10-Year-Old Xander

It's amazing how fast children grow up.  Two weeks ago our sweet Xander turned 10!  Hard to believe he's been with us for almost six years.  Xander is such a wonderful boy.  He is thoughtful and kind.  He always tries to help.  And he is so creative!  He loves to build things with legos or other building sets.  He loves to cook and often tries new creations.  Xander, you are such an important part of our lives!  We love you so much:)

-Mom and Dad

Jesi insisted that she buy Xander a present with her own money.  The night before his birthday, Jess and I went to the store and she got him a football and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.  What a sweetie:)

He wanted pumpkin pie for his birthday cake:)

Beeping Easter Eggs

Every year around Easter, the Utah Council for the Blind sponsors an easter egg hunt.  They have special eggs that beep so that kids who are visually impaired can find them.  They also let parents and siblings get eggs, but they have to wear blindfolds so they can experience what their visually impaired family members are going through.  It's a really neat experience and we're grateful for the volunteers who help put it on.

Sophi standing next to any kind of character is a bit of a miracle.  She is finally OK with them.  Yay, Soph!

Mouths to Feed

We can always count on our kids to remind us if we're running short on food.  Parker lets us know if we're running low on 1% milk.  Graci always lets us know when we need more fruit.  Taylor alerts us if the peanut butter is almost gone.  Cali can't survive without almond milk.  And of course several of our kids are frequently pining for more Chinese food.

Today I walked into an ambush.  As I entered the living room, Graci and Xander started chanting "We declare more food!!!"  This particular time they were basing their revolutionary tactics on the lack of Asian food in the house.  They 'declared' it a couple of times, then Xander added, "and we have pitchforks and torches!!!"  Fortunately I was spared their wrath by the fact that they both burst into giggles after this comment.

Graci is SO amazing with her siblings.  She is always playing with them and taking time to share her imaginative play acting with them.  Graci, you are AWESOME!

Here is Xander demonstrating his "pitchfork and torches" look:

I told him that when he wears this "muscle shirt," I have to call it a "bone shirt" instead;)

-Dad

Sweet Conner

Conner is so sweet with his siblings.  He is particularly mindful of Elli and Sophi.  He will often give them hugs and talk to them.  In spite of Elli's special needs, he often reaches out to her and tries to let her know she is loved.   We're so grateful to have him in our family!  Thanks for being such a great big brother!

Cousin Ben

Over Valentine's Day weekend, my nephew Ben came to hang out with us.  He LOVES Xander and always looks forward to seeing him:)  And Xander loves it when Ben comes to visit.  Thanks, Ty and Laura for letting him stay with us.  Here are Ben and X-man all dressed for church:

Fashion Models!

Happy Birthday Lex!

Lexi is often at Grandma's house for her birthday it falls right after Christmas.  But even if she's in Ferron, she still gets breakfast in bed, gifts and birthday cake (Or, this year, cupcakes:)

We didn't get around to her actual party for a couple of months.  Lexi has always wanted an outdoor Teen Beach Movie party, but with a birthday in the dead of winter, that hasn't usually been feasible.  But with the unseasonably warm weather we had this year, we had a beach party in February!  She had pictures at the "beach," outdoor games, and even a campfire with hotdogs and S'mores.  Happy birthday Lex.  You are SUCH a special and important part of our family:)

Not Sure Where She's Headed, But She Sure is Cute!

Field Trip Fun

Last month, Xander invited me to attend his school field trip with him.  I was so excited!  We went to the natural history museum of Utah.  It is a fantastic museum which we would both recommend.  We saw many exhibits, ranging from dinosaurs (Utah had TONS of them) to Native American cultures to predators to how the various land formations came about.  It was a fun activity.  Thanks for the invitation, X-man!

Watch Your Weight!

Christi and I and several of the kids were in the kitchen preparing dinner.  

Me:  "Christi, we could have some Sophi stew tonight."

Sophi:  "NO!  We could have some Daddy stew tonight!"

Parker:  "No thanks, we've already had enough fatty food today."

Hey, now...