family photos on capitol hill

We scheduled a photo shoot with friend/photographer Danelle Empey the morning before we left D.C. As we drove into the city that day there were big rain drops falling to the ground. The sky was gray and as usual, there was no way to tell when it might clear up. But we continued toward Capitol Hill, fingers crossed that we'd be able to make something work.

Two minutes after we parked the car the rain stopped. We stepped out quickly and Danelle started snapping away. The lighting was perfect and I'm so glad we decided to go for it, even though I was so tempted to cancel and just keep packing.

I don't love what Shane and I are wearing. Looking back he should have worn a darker suit and I wish I'd worn a long maxi to cover my white legs but what matters is we captured that moment in time with our boys and the end of our busy lives in the crazy/captivating/colorful city that is the capital of our great nation.

moving on

Remember when Shane was gone all during my birthday weekend?

Well he was busy getting a new job at the time. He accepted that new job on May 1 and by June 1 someone else was living in our apartment of nearly six years.

We are now living in sunny California, right back where we were visiting in February-March. Living with my parents while we scout around for a house. Little did we know at the time that all this would be happening. Funny how once things finally got moving they went so fast. The timing was a bit rough because Shane had just started to settle into his new job in D.C. and the boys and I were finally enjoying some time together at home now that I'm done working full time (for the time being, anyway).

But -- here we are! Finally on the go after looking for struggling to find a direction during these past few years. Basically since Shane started law school we've been on the prowl for a summer associateship that would turn into a job. And that never happened. Thanks to the economic meltdown several thousand law students were left jobless over the past few years. We were just lucky Shane had a  legal job during law school that gave him enough experience to hop into this new firm. Otherwise, we'd never have been qualified for it.

We're still pinching ourselves because it all happened so fast. And it's the job Shane went to law school for that seemed completely out of reach when the market collapsed. So we couldn't be more grateful/stunned/awed by how this all unfolded so perfectly. As he said goodbye to D.C. this past week, Shane said he felt so strongly that this had all dragged out for so long for a reason. Even though it's been six years of struggle he was able to feel peace about all we've gone through to get here.

It was sad packing up our tiny, two-bedroom apartment. Even though we were so over it. It was still our home of nearly six years. The only one we've ever known together as a married couple. The one that welcomed our babies into the world and saw them take their first steps. It has been a haven from the chaotic lives we've lived in D.C. It connected us to a ward and circle of friends that we'll forever cherish. It will always have a space in our hearts.

But now we're ready to move on. We've been on hold in too many aspects of our lives. We needed a jolt to kick us back into gear. It feels so good to finally be moving --  and dreaming -- again.

happy birthday to me

I kicked off my birthday weekend with a trip to Eastern Market with my little men. It's one of my favorite places for a morning outing -- they serve a great breakfast if you can stand to wait in line and there's always a new vendor to check out at the flea market, along with the usual favorites. And being that it's the longest running fresh produce market in D.C. it brings with it loads of character and charm.

The boys were troopers, but after three hours they were done. Unfortunately, on the way to lunch with family, Christian threw up in the car so the next few hours were divided between hosing him off, cleaning out the car, washing the carseat, getting Pierce down for a nap -- and wishing Shane could magically teleport himself back into town.

But we made it through the rest of the weekend, managing to squeeze in some more awesome eats along the way (after all, aren't birthdays all about eating?) and enjoy some quality down time for reading, cuddling, and napping before Shane returned late Sunday night.

All in all it was a low-key birthday, which is just what I was hoping for.  Of course, I wish Shane had been around to celebrate but between all the phone calls, birthday cards/packages and FB posts, I couldn't help but feel blessed knowing I have such a fabulous support network of loved ones here in D.C. and around the world.

california trip

When my parents built a home on 10 acres back in 2007, I didn't really think it would benefit me much. That house was the completed a few months after Shane and I got married and I knew I'd always be welcome there but I wasn't sure it would ever feel like a home to me.

Well, I was wrong.

At the time I couldn't see the 2013 me, the one  still living in a two-bedroom, 950-sq-ft apartment with two little boys brimming with boundless energy and curiousity. I didn't know how much that house and 10 acres would mean to them and, therefore, me.

Not many people would voluntarily spend five weeks at their parents' house (which turned into seven!) but we enjoyed every minute of it.

Highlights included:

- feeding chickens and gathering eggs -- boys were quick to grab their shoes most mornings so they wouldn't miss the chance to head out with grandpa

- playing with the pets -- two cats and the beloved family dog, Maya

- racing each other to the huge slide that takes you from the balcony to the backyard

- riding quad runners -- both boys would grin ear-to-ear as we rode over the hills and visited neighbors' animals (cows, goats, horses, donkeys)

- climbing the famous rocket (my parents acquired it recently but it lived for many years at the park near our church building) -- mostly Christian but Pierce was able to get to the first level on his own and really loved going down the slide with help

- sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine -- it felt so good after a drawn-out D.C. winter

- roasting s'mores around the campfire pit and camping out in the backyard with grandpa

- more than a few trips to Apple Hill for fresh cider, apple donuts, apple pie and fresh produce


- playing in the snow -- we had one crazy day where it snowed and Christian was ecstatic!

- having all 10 of us kids home for a long weekend together -- during which Dylan, who just received his mission call to Brazil Sao Paolo East, went through the temple with a ton of family support -- and we managed to get a decent family picture altogether


- a tour of some of my favorite foods: Round Table Pizza, Jamba Juice, Rice Express and La Bou



- getting to know all our Sellers cousins -- my sister, Chelsea, and her three kids live nearby and my sister, Megan, trekked out from Alabama with her two so we could all be together for two weeks



- meeting little Hallie, Kayla's sweet baby girl, for the first time (a cousin on the Larsen side)

- visiting with great-grandparents -- we're so fortunate to have both sets of my grandparents still living and in the area so my boys got to spend time with them as well

- watching Christian get such a kick out of helping my dad around the house and yard

- swinging on the tree swing -- this spot under the trees is heavenly, we spent several afternoons over there

- early easter eggs hunts with cousins and friends

- getting to see my boys so comfortable with my parents and siblings -- it was so neat to watch them interact and watch my boys go and cuddle up on different laps other than mine

- catching up with dear friends from my elementary, high school and college days and seeing their beautiful kids

- running with my dad three times per week on a beautiful 5.5-mile trail, and then running a half marathon I was not prepared to run because my mom signed me up (and my little sisters ran the final stretch with me!)

- escaping for a few days to the bay area with Shane knowing my boys were happy as clams with my parents and siblings in charge

20 questions for the birthday boy

Christian turned four years old two weeks ago today. I finally got around to doing a birthday interview with him. I've been wanting to make them a tradition since we heard about them through our good friends.

So I took 20 questions -- modifying a list I saw online -- and posed them to our new four-year-old. It was fun to hear his responses. Some of them definitely caught me by surprise.

What's your name? Christian Larsen

Where do you live? ...Here..!

Okay, those weren't on the official list but I had to hear what he'd say and how he'd say them. I especially love the way he says his name.

1. What is your favorite color? Yellow
2. What is your favorite show? Phineas & Ferb
3. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cheesy roll-up (quesadilla)
4. What is your favorite outfit? Incredibles (Dash) costume
5. What is your favorite game? Fishing (game)
6. What is your favorite snack? Cheesy roll-up (Ha! He also admitted to liking popcorn -- his usual movie-time request.)
7. What is your favorite treat? Chocolate milk
8. What is your favorite animal? Elephant
9. What is your favorite book? (Couldn't name one, but he's enjoying going through the Curious George series right now and some random library books.)
10. Who is your best friend? Piercy! (Didn't see this one coming...figured it would be Ben or Milo.)
11. Where is your favorite place to go? Zoo
12. What would you like to learn about now that you're 4? ABCs
13. What do you love about yourself? My eyes
14. What does Daddy do at work? Nothing (What's funny is lately he's been very proud to declare his dad is in the Army. I wonder if I should have worded the question differently. Oh well!)
15. What's your favorite thing to do with Daddy?
16. What's your favorite thing to do with Mommy?
17. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pasta (I know he loves pasta but I think he's had it for breakfast maybe once.)
18. What do you pray about? Jesus
19.What do you want to be when you grow up? Bigger
20. What makes you happy?

national arboretum

As much as our trip to California made me anxious to move westward, today was definitely one of those days that helped me to re-appreciate D.C. and all it has to offer. I know without a doubt that whenever we leave, it will be a very hard day indeed. Not only is there so much do do and see, there are so many people we have come to love.

Today my friend Brooke and I took our kids to the National Arboretum to enjoy some fresh air and spring weather. It was such a nice day that even sitting on the 14th Street bridge for nearly an hour in traffic didn't ruin our spirits.

 elated to be out of the car and free to run around

he was only content once he had not one but three sticks in his possession 

a minute after i took this photo the park police hollered for him to get out of the tree -- whoops! 

 play area at the youth garden

time to get wet 

sweet mama + baby moment

 can't really get enough of that face -- she's so smiley!

 or that face

or those toes 

 ben, the karate kid

at this point the older boys were completely in the fountain 

 soaked but happy as can be

I hope Brooke will forgive me for sneaking in the shots of her and her sweet kids. She's such a fabulous mom that I can only hope some of her amazingness rubs off on me.