Chickens

Here's a look at our latest science project...

Living room turned ER

Della fell off her bicycle in the driveway this afternoon and landed on her forehead.  Fortunately, her helmet prevented a more serious injury - she just got a big cut for Daddy to sew up.  We are so blessed to have a talented surgeon in the house to take good care of us!  Della was brave and tough.

Della's new do

It was time to say "good-bye" to the long hair.  Here's Della's new look for the summer...

Seven little monkeys

Today we went to Hartley Nature Center for a "School field trip." We really enjoyed hiking

 through God's beautiful creation.

 We all enjoyed hiking and climbing trees.

By Megan

No more training wheels

On monday Lars and Della figured out how to ride bikes without training wheels! Della figured it out about three minutes before Lars did! Della style. 

 In this photo, Lars almost has it! 

 Lars has it down, and he loves it!

 

This photo is of Della going around again!

* Neither Della nor Lars know how to use the brakes. Yet.*

by Megan

Baby in a basket

by Megan

Photo update

We finished off the ski season with a fantastic day at Giant's Ridge.  Hannah and Megan raced their first 10Ks with smiles (and no hats).  Gorgeous day! 

 I skied the 24K and Matt did the full 48K.  Grandma and grandpa L came along for race support.  Fun to have my mom and dad there cheering  - just like old times! Ok, I'm not 16 years old anymore, but I have the same boyfriend and we were on the same trails.  Brought back a lot of good memories.

 Rachel had a chance to ski on our home trails a few times before the big melt last week.  Too cute.

 Our family went to our first UMD hockey game last weekend.  Lars was fascinated with the bulldog and Hans loved the action. 

 Today we spent the afternoon outside going around and around the driveway.  Luke got an early birthday present - big boy bike with lots of gears.  Hans learned to ride in the wagon.  Yeah for spring!

Finally!!

Guess we'll always remember the "leap-day blizzard" of 2012!  We got over 10 inches of snow in the last 24 hours.  It's the fun kind of snow that can be molded into igloos and snowballs.  So much fun!

 Rachel is learning to dig big holes and defend herself against our playful husky puppy.

 Della is also on the defense against brothers, snowballs and dogs.

 Note the goggles on the little guy.  He's just too cute.

Love a snow day!

Birkie Fun

We had great weather for our first Birkie experience last week.  Hannah and Megan skied the Junior Birkie race on friday.  A speedy 3.5K.  Grandpa Larsen was our chauffeur and encourager while grandma stayed home with the little ones.  Thank you!

That's Matt on the start line for the 50K skate race.  Yep, the guy with the hot pink legs and red jacket.  There are no fashion rules in this race.  He had a great race, breaking his goal of three hours with a finish time of 2:47.  We are so proud of him!  

Happy 7th Birthday, Lars!

We celebrated Lars' birthday with chocolate cake, new skis and a great family ski outing to the Birkie trails for a "night ski" under the lights.  Celebrating life and the joy he brings to our family!

A letter to Lars:

LARS.  Sweet Lars.  I am more thankful, more aware of God’s goodness, more focused on eternity, more patient, and yes, more tired because you are a part of our family.  The last seven years have been a journey I never could have imagined.  We have loved you from the moment you were conceived.  God knit you together in His image, in his likeness.  He has had a plan for your life before there was time.  When we discovered you had some physical and developmental “anomalies” God gave us peace in the face of uncertainty and asked us to trust him like never before.  We surrendered control, knowing that God has the power to give and take away.  The sound of your cry on the afternoon of February 22^nd, 2005 was beautiful beyond description.  After months of appointments, scans and prayers we finally got to hold you.  I looked at your sweet, scrunched up face and promised you that I would take care of you and be the best mommy I could be to you.  Taking nothing for granted we began our life together.

Every milestone is cause for celebration.  A lesson in patience.  Proof that medical experts can be wrong.  We find joy in simple things.  Swallowing.  Pooping.  Smiling and laughing.  Rolling.  Walking.  Talking.  Hugging.  Singing.  Wow!!

I have the privilege of being called your mommy.  I watch you play with your siblings, smother little Hans with love and hold Della’s hand as you walk into Sunday School.  I watch you smear your chocolate milk all over the table, play tractors and trailers and ride your bicycle.  I smile as you greet everyone in the grocery store with a loud and friendly “Hi”.  I listen for the familiar “pitter-patter” of your feet across the floor earlier than I want to get up in the morning.  I read you Curious George just “one more time”.  I watch you ski down hills and giggle with joy.  I tuck you in to bed and pray you will know Jesus and praise the God who made you.

As we celebrate your seventh birthday I want you to know that I feel so blessed to call myself your mommy.  I love you just the way you are.  Life on this side of heaven can be hard.  I pray that you will rest in the goodness and grace of our awesome God.

I love you, Sweet Lars,

Mommy