White House Garden Tour

Meant to post these sooner since they were taken back in October when my mother was still in town. We were lucky enough to get into a White House Garden Tour Sunday after church.

back of the White House (the more picturesque side, printed on the back of the $20)

Part of the Jackie Kennedy (Onassis), or First Ladies, Garden

shadowy shot of Shane and I to prove he was there as well (he's always got the camera in his hands)

more of the backside of the WH -- the second floor is where the First Family lives

my mother and I in front of the Rose Garden (where press conferences are often held and important announcements made by the president)

the Oval Office, which opens into the Rose Garden

Golden State Perspective

Shane thought he was pretty clever finding this online. He has a theory about Californians and Texans and how they view their states in comparison to the rest. Of course, since he married a California girl (lucky guy!), he's had to suppress some of his skewed opinions on the greatest state ever (just trying to keep with your theory, handsome).

Baby Larsen

just wanted to share some exciting news in our lives: shane and i are expecting a little baby boy this spring. around march 26, to be a little more exact. we wish we could tell you all in person but we figure at least this way you hear the news from us and not just through the grapevine.

baby larsen appears to be healthy and strong and measuring right on schedule. he's been especially active in the past week or so and we've enjoyed feeling him kick and squirm. as for us, well, let's just say the news hasn't completely hit us yet but we're definitely anxious to meet this little guy.

we can hardly believe we'll be 23 weeks pregnant come thanksgiving. time sure flies as you get older. ;)

Adventures of the Larsen Nephews

Keith's family has spent the fall deer hunting. Wyatt got his first deer this year, and we just heard that Bobbie got one too. In fact, from the sounds of it, Keith is the only one that didn't get a deer this year. :) Next year, Keith, next year.

Unfortunately, the only thing Tayson caught during the season was a bee. As you can see from the poor little guy's swollen face, they didn't get along very well.

Haiden playing lifeguard.

And here we have all three of the boys together (Haiden, Tayson and Wyatt)

Tayson Kicks Back

Tayson's taking it easy in the new house. Enjoy it while you can, kindergarten is just around the corner.

Keith, Bobbie and the boys just moved into their new house. Each of the boys have their own room so Haiden and Wyatt might not end up killing each other before they are 16. However, there is still only one Playstation, so things could still get violent.

New York, New York,

My mother came out for a visit last month -- we were so excited to have her! It was the first time she'd seen our little apartment and I think it was the first time I've ever really had her to myself (not an easy trick to pull off, with nine other siblings around). The first weekend she was in town we spent three days in the Big Apple, did our share of shopping and some sightseeing, and topped things off by finally seeing "Wicked" on Broadway.

a beautiful cathedral on 5th avenue

the famous skyscrapers

scary picture of me but my mom is super cute -- we're at the Trump Tower sitting in the rooftop garden

Gershwin Theather -- home of "Wicked" (we practically ran all the way there through Times Square -- running late from our afternoon shopping spree, but we made it with time to spare)

and we are off to see the wizard...I mean, witches

Shane thought I needed a picture with the words "Munchkinland"...

so I made him join me on the other side of the camera (he gets all the credit for the cool photos taken that weekend)

on our way out, leaving oz...

ancient sphinx at the met

castle in the middle of central park

Virtual Jack-O-Lantern

My mom just sent this Pumpkin Simulator link around in an e-mail -- pretty fun for those not wanting to make a huge pumpkin mess but still play around making jack-o-lanterns. Carve a face on the pumpkin with a pen and click "done" to watch it come to life.

Happy Halloween!!

'Save the Date' for 'The Office'

Okay, those who know us well know that we enjoy NBC's "The Office" probably a little too much. Every Thursday at 9 pm, or soon after, we plunk ourselves down on the couch for our weekly fill.

So much about the show and its characters crack us up. The latest laughs are coming at the expense of Andy and Angela. Andy, so in love with the less-than-enthusiastic Angela, has set up a "wedding website" that could easily be the real deal and now he's sent out their "Save the Date" announcement.

With a wedding date for Thanksgiving 2009, I'm not sure the odds look too good for the couple -- especially with Dwight still trying to entice Angela back. But I guess we'll have to wait and see. May the best man win.

Also, for those poor souls who missed it, I'm posting a link to the opening scene from the "Baby Shower" episode aired a few weeks back because it may quite possibly be the funniest yet. Click here to view (and laugh your head off).

Scenes From Virginia Beach

A few weeks back, Shane and I drove down to Virginia Beach for the funeral services of my great-grandmother, Evelyn Marie Tanner. Pictures of the her final resting place and her home in town are posted on our family blog.

Down below are a few pictures we took later that afternoon while walking the beach with my grandfather. There was a sand-building contest the week before and my favorite was definitely the one about the wise man/foolish man.

White House Welcoming Ceremony

The other week, President Bush welcomed President Kuofor of Ghana to the White House. A few of my Senate colleagues and I were fortunate enough to be offered tickets for the early morning event. It was a gorgeous morning out on the White House lawn. What a perfect way to start the week, eh?

All members of the military were present to participate in the ceremony.

President Bush, alongside President Kuofor, made the rounds, waving at the people.

Hard to see but Bush is speaking now at the podium.

These cute Ghanaian women were willing to let us take a picture of them in their gorgeous attire.

And I think this guy here just wanted a picture with some American girls...