Larsen's Loop

Our little "Colty Bear" turned 15 this year. He has absolutley forbid me from calling him "Colty" anymore and has informed me most emphatically that he is not a "bear". That having been said, Colton really has grown up fast. He has a great sense of humor and is confident enough to make a friend out of everyone he meets. To celebrate this year he had a few buddies over for some lunch and then went out to a movie. Later that evening they all had a sleepover.

From as far back as I can remember my grandparents always kept a garden. They loved growing vegetables and fruits and we were most often the benefactors of their harvest. My Mother and Grandmother spent time in their kitchens each Fall canning tomatoes, green beans, peaches and jams. I myself have always opted to buy mine at the grocery store. In keeping with tradition the last couple of years my parents and siblings that live close by decided to plant a large family garden on Grandpa's property. This year I was inspired by the "Fashionably Foodie" blog (see link in right column) to try my hand at canning a few tomatoes myself, she made it look so easy and fun. I made my Grandma's tomato soup base which goes great in chili, soup or stew. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and their was a certain sense of satisfaction at having picked our own produce and now getting to enjoy the results throughout the upcoming Winter. Grandma's Tomato Soup Base -1 bucke...

Mikayla was in our local newspaper last spring, for being in a fashion show. She was asked to model some of the clothes made by her sister Tayler's advanced sewing class. The princess gown was one of her favorites. For months whenever we'd run into someone and they'd comment on how cute she was she'd urgently whisper "Don't forget to tell them I was in the newspaper!" Fame certainly hasn't went to her head. She just wants to remind people of her moment in the spotlight.