Happy New Year!

My youngest cousin, Kenton, spent some of his winter break in the rockin' town of Lindsborg. It had been awhile since we had seen him so we really enjoyed spending some time with him during our Christmas and New Years gatherings.
Kenton brought us a fun adventure for the new year. It seems that on the trip through Oklahoma, from his hometown of Carrollton, Texas (outside of Dallas) an idea of purchasing some fireworks came about, the thought being that while it's difficult to shoot off fireworks in suburban Dallas, rural Kansas might be easier to do some illegal celebrating!
So New Year's Day Eve - we bundled up and headed out to the "farm". It was just a wee bit chilly outside - temperature was a balmy 17 degrees, with a brisk breeze - as we reveled in the new year!
I tried to take a few pics to mark the occasion but as you can see my gloves kept getting in the way and I was shivering just a bit too much to hold the camera still! But we were not to be deterred!
A new record was set for the Larson family - shortest amount of time spent blowing things up!


Getting ready!





Packing up to head home and warm up! There's Kenton in the background, getting out of the car to check on how we were doing - "too cold" he said!

Christmas in KC

A few pictures of our Christmas in KC!
Many thanks to Rob and Ang for taking such good care of us and welcoming a full house of overnight guests when the weather wasn't very cooperative.

Brayden checking out the gifts
Alex and Brayden before all the unwrapping

Alex with Grandma & Grandad checking out his new Wii game

Brayden's bow courtesy of Aunt Meg

Life is an Adventure!

Molly in front of our old tree

So it's been awhile since I've posted anything . . . mostly due in part to the fact that our computer was quickly heading downhill. So despite how much I wanted to share our life adventures, I wasn't willing to wait half an hour for a picture to upload! BUT! We are now back in business with a much happier and faster computer!

Which leads me to be able to share a wonderful Christmas adventure with you!

Our story really begins in November, when I finally decided that we were in need of a prelit tree. Mostly because my hands would get ripped to shreds as I tried to put the lights on and also because I think they just look prettier! Thus began my month long stalking of lighted Christmas trees at all of our local retailers! I found the perfect one at Target and then I just sat back and waited until that magical sale sign went up! Then it happened last week, 50% off! But it was not to be, as by the time I made it there - it was gone!

But today a joyous thing occurred, as I was out at Target, searching for a last minute gift, I happen to see that the trees are now really marked down!So I snatch my new favorite up and head to the front of the store, only to find out that only the display trees are the ones on sale. (Back in my Target days we didn't sell the display trees, but I realize that times are a changing and I am more than willing to take advantage of the discounts!) So I told em to load up the display tree and bring it on up!

After some lovely moments involving me trying to get a tree out the front doors and into our car we were on our way! (If anyone should tell you that they saw a woman with the bottom half of a christmas tree over her head walking out the door of Target in Salina today, that most certainly would not have been me!)

Then came the getting it in the house and set up. I must say either our living room is smaller than I remembered or the tree grew between the store and home, Either way I spent the afternoon transferring decorations from the old tree to the new tree and giggling as I thought about what Bryan would say when he got home!

Mols checking out the new tree.


Molly in front of the new tree!

Molly Pictures

Okay so it's pretty evident that our dog can be a bit of a "ham" when it comes to pictures.
Here are a few that she let me take over my lunch hour today.

Despite the fact that I have done almost nothing with the garden recently - the okra is blooming again and is so pretty to see! I couldn't resist taking a picture of it too!

Happy Weekend!

Back to School

Well school is officially back in full swing! The transition from summer to school days has been a bit rough for me this year as work has been full of many, many, many changes in the last few months. I have felt so very fortunate to have a supportive husband to come home to each day and to cheer me up when my days have been crazy! Just in case I haven't said it enough - thank you Bryan - for keeping me sane the last few months!


We don't have a back to school picture to take yet - but I thought I would share a recent shot of Mols posing during the last days of summer.


We had a relaxing labor day weekend! Friday night had us traveling to Lindsborg for dinner with my mom and grandma and awesome homemade chicken enchillada's! (Thanks grandma!) Dad was trekking in the wilds of Colorado and missed out! Saturday was spent cleaning around the house and enjoying the opening day of the college football season - GO HAWKS!

Sunday we traveled to the big 'borg again to visit with my cousin Mike and wife Laine visiting from Missouri and then on to a BBQ with some friends in the hopping metropolis of Assaria, Kansas! Monday meant sleeping in - and the oficial start of fall decorating around the house.

Our fall schedule is filling up fast and we are looking forward to the many opportunities to spend time with family and friends over the next few months!
Happy fall ya'll!

Welcome Hadley! (A bit late)

A big congrats to the Carlson Crew on the newest family member, Hadley!

I had the pleasure of meeting her in person 2 weeks ago and she is absolutely beautiful!

Here she is shortly after arrival being loved on by big brother Connor and big sister Kylee.

Our Beautiful Garden

Ahhh some lovely pictures of our growing garden!

The Okra & Onions

Banana & Green Peppers

Fresh picked and ready to eat!