Northern CA

When I saw that the wedding would be an hour's flight from my parents home, and that a big Ogden family reunion was happening that week, I couldn't resist extending our vacation. It had been a year since our last visit, and it was Joseph's first time meeting a lot of the people we saw.

We couldn't resist making a tradition out of going to the zoo with Grandpa. The tigers were cool but a little scary.

Hoping along the lillypads was great fun -- aunt Allison was surprised that Ian would intentionally step off the pads into the water. Ha!

Joseph loved all the attention from Grandma. They had fun on the porch swing, eating rocks, and picking green beans.
Checking the tomatoes and watering the garden have also become a tradition at Grandma and Grandpa Ogdens. Ian made this face every time he squeezed the trigger. And can you tell who insists on dressing himself lately? Watering the garden naturally progressed into filling this bucket and stomping and splashing around with floating toys and a glittery ball. Grandpa is full of fun ideas!

While we hurried to get ready for church, Ian kicked back in a comfy chair. Has anyone seen my shoes?

The week began at Pine Mountain Lake for the Ogden family reunion. That is a fun group of people. Highlights included the Fart Machine II, a musical at the outdoor theatre, taking turns with uncle Gary's fake tattoo sleeves, eating great food, swimming in the lake and staying up way too late playing cards. Thanks Allison, Jason, mom and dad for all the help with my boys! We had a great time!

Jason is the world's coolest and knew just how to play with Ian at the lake. He played catch with Ian, chased him all over the lawn, and swam with Ian on his back. Ian can't stop talking about Jason's baseball bat.

We miss you guys! Thanks for a memorable and very fun visit!

Ventura and Family Fun

While in CA for the wedding we had fun going to museums and playing at the beach. (but boy was it cold that weekend!) We miss playing with all the Larson cousins already!

Ian loved a display on planets.

This cool contraption carried sound from one side to another. Ian loved it, then tripped and fell and got a bloody nose. Then we were done with it.

At the harbor museum in Ventura we checked out a dwarf mammoth that used to live on a channel island. Bet you didn't know those existed, huh? Awww.....

Some of the Larson crew.

The bride's family generously opened their condo on the beach to us. It was the perfect place for us! We took several trips down to the sand, but it was never quite warm enough for us Texans.
We finally decided to jump into the heated pool instead. But when that was still too chilly, we went inside and took a hot bath. That was just right! Can you believe Scott fit in here too?

California Wedding

Congratulations Michael and Carly!

Scott's younger brother married his sweetheart in Southern CA earlier this month. It was a beautiful ceremony in a gorgeous church the bride's grandfather helped build. It was so neat to see so much of the Larson family gathered together, and we had so much fun catching up! We sure missed our East coast and missionary family members who weren't present!

Joseph and I witnessed most of the wedding from outside the chapel doors -- about 5 minutes into the ceremony Joseph threw up all over both of us. Ian happily covered his legs and the pew with sparkly stickers (thanks for stepping in when we dashed out, Krystal!), and Scott stood up front as a groomsman with his brothers.

Here is Ian presenting the newlyweds with their first gift -- a pinecone. We didn't know what he was up to and I did not expect him to march right up to them like he did! I loved her dress. Carly made a very classy and beautiful bride.

Ian insisted on wearing his suspenders like this. He ran all over the church property to make up for sitting still for the ceremony.

My guys looked so handsome!

We really enjoyed the outdoor reception -- especially the girls hired to keep kids from falling into the pool. It was a lovely day to be outside, too!

It was great to play on the grass and not worry about Texas bugs!

If you haven't ever heard Joseph's laugh, you haven't really lived. The wedding and festivities were a lot of fun. Thanks to the happy couple for giving us a reason to leave the humidity behind for a few days and for a great excuse to visit my home state! Carly, you have married into a great family!

Rub-a-dub-dub and other stuff

I love that our boys bathe together now. It is especially fun when Ian talks his daddy into getting in as well!

The other day, something was happening downstairs that the boys couldn't be a part of (probably mopping the kitchen or something exciting like that.) They had been happily playing upstairs and hadn't wanted to be downstairs until they couldn't be, but now being forced to stay upstairs was the most awful thing ever. Here they are waiting impatiently to be released.

Also, aren't these little boys getting so big? And so adorable? I sure think so.

This little daredevil began climbing the slide when he was about 7 months old. He can now get to the top this way, and by climbing the stairs! Ian enjoys pushing Joseph off, and sliding down into him while Joseph is climbing up. Often, Joseph thinks this is great fun.