Growing Up Before Our Eyes

I'M NOT SURE IF IT BECAUSE WE ARE EXPECTING A LITTLE ONE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, OR IF IT IS BECAUSE CHARLOTTE IS DOING AND SAYING SO MUCH MORE, BUT WE LOOK AT HER AND ARE AMAZED AT HOW OLD SHE IS LOOKING THESE DAYS! I AM CAUGHT UP IN THIS NEW STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT, WATCHING OUR LITTLE GIRL VERBALIZE NEW WORDS, RECOGNIZE EMOTION, AND PROCESS THINGS EACH DAY AND AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HER MOTHER. EVEN ON THE DAYS THAT ARE NOT SO SMOOTH IN OUR HOUSE (LIKE TODAY), I AM HUMBLED AND BLESSED TO HEAR HER LITTLE VOICE CALL OUT "MAMA." (I FIND THAT ON HER "OFF" DAYS, DRESSING HER IN A REALLY CUTE OUTFIT OFFSETS THE ABRUPT MOOD SWINGS AND MELT DOWNS OF AN 18 MONTH OLD. THANKFULLY WE HAVE DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO KEEP HER WARDROBE QUITE FASHIONABLE.)

THIS IS CHARLOTTE'S WAY OF SHOWING ME SHE WOULD RATHER NOT GO DOWN THE STAIRS.

"WHY WOULDN'T THIS BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO RELAX, MAMA?"

HER POST-NAP HAIR KILLS US! IF ONLY WE ALL LOOKED THIS SWEET RIGHT AFTER WAKING.

STARTING TO GET INTO THIS SPONTANEOUS PHOTO SHOOT, CHARLOTTE FLASHES A KILLER SMILE.
ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE PICTURES.

LATER IN THE DAY, THIS PICTURE SUBTLY REVEALS A MOOD SWING IN PROGRESS.

"I'M NOT MESSING AROUND, MAMA. THOUGH, I DO AGREE THESE NEW JEANS ARE ADORABLE."

OUT WITH THE HIGHCHAIR...AND IN WITH THE BOOSTER. (THANKS FOR THE IDEA, ROBBIE!)

"OH, I GET TO COME TO YOUR BABY SHOWER, MAMA! I WAS WONDERING WHY I HAD ON MY PARTY DRESS."

ON THE VERGE OF SAYING SOMETHING BRILLIANT (I'M SURE.)

GROWING FEET

LITTLE LADY

THINKING OF THE LOVE SHE HAS FOR HER PARENTS.

CAUGHT IN A MOMENT OF INTENSITY.

A SNEAK PREVIEW OF HER HALLOWEEN COSTUME. I THINK THIS IS CUTE ENOUGH TO GET A FEW PIECES OF CANDY.
"BAAAAA"

The Bruise

CHARLOTTE RECEIVED HER FIRST MAJOR BUMP AND BRUISE THIS PAST WEEKEND, WHEN HER FEET GOT THE BEST OF HER AND SHE FELL RIGHT INTO THE CORNER OF A DOOR. MOMENTS BEFORE THE INJURY, CHARLOTTE WAS PLAYFULLY DANCING AS JEFF AND I WATCHED ON. UNFORTUNATELY HER DANCE MOVES LEFT HER A LITTLE TIPSY AND AS SHE WENT TO RACE DOWN THE HALL THE DOOR ABRUPTLY STOPPED HER! INSTANTLY, A RATHER LARGE KNOB APPEARED ON HER FOREHEAD, ACCOMPANIED BY A LOVELY VIOLET BRUISE. THANKFULLY, THE GIRL IS SCRAPPY, AND AFTER REFUSING ICE, SHE FOUND COMFORT IN HER BOOKS.

"MOM, WHAT IN THE WORLD JUST HAPPENED?! THAT THING KILLS!"

"DON'T WORRY, I WILL BE OK. I JUST NEEDED A MINUTE."

Visit with the Aunties

CHARLOTTE AND I WERE TREATED TO LOVELY AFTERNOON COURTESY OF HER NANY AND AUNTS LAST WEEK. WE WERE EAGER TO SPEND THE AFTERNOON DOWNTOWN, SHOWING OFF OUR FAVORITE MADISON RESTAURANT AND SHOPS. IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT WE ARE ALL TOGETHER, SO WE FELT VERY LUCKY THAT THEY MADE THE TRIP, AND WERE ABLE TO MAKE MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES.

IN AN EFFORT TO PERSUADE CHARLOTTE TO SIT LONGER, NANY PULLS OUT HER SPECTACLES.

"I THINK THESE GIVE ME A VERY SCHOLARLY LOOK."

WALKING DOWN MONROE STREET WITH HER NEW PURSE FROM AUNT KATHY... WHAT A BIG GIRL!
"MAMA, DID YOU SEE WHAT I GOT?!"
THIS HAS BECOME CHARLOTTE'S FAVORITE ACCESSORY. I OFTEN FIND HER WITH IT HANGING FROM HER ARM, CELL PHONE IN HAND MAKING VERY IMPORTANT CALLS AROUND THE HOUSE.

AUNT DIANE, NANY, COUSIN SANDY, MAMA, AUNT KATHY AND CHAR

WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THEIR NEXT TRIP TO MAD-TOWN! WE MISS THEM ALREADY. XOXO

The Tale of the Turkey

FOR SOME THIS ENTRY MAY SEEM UNNECESSARY AND PERHAPS EVEN BORING, FOR OTHERS IT PROVIDES AN ENTERTAINING LOOK INTO ONE OF THE LARSON HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009. IN AN EFFORT TO BE FAIR TO ALL OF OUR FAITHFUL READERS, A LITTLE BACKGROUND INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED...

THE TALE YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ HAS BEEN IN THE MAKING FOR A GOOD TWO YEARS NOW. A FEW YEARS BACK MY HUSBAND GOT WIND OF THE AMAZING TASTE AND QUALITY OF A DEEP FRIED BIRD. PEOPLE WOULD BOAST, "ONCE YOU GO FRIED, YOU NEVER GO BACK." THUS BEGAN HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE DEEP FRIED THANKSGIVING TURKEY. NOW, WHO ARE WE TO BREAK THANKSGIVING TRADITION - THE TEDIOUS HOURS DEVOTED TO SELECTING THE PERFECT TURKEY, GUTTING IT, BASTING IT, WATCHING IT TURN GOLDEN BROWN IN THE OVEN, WHILE FAMILY MEMBERS SALIVATE ALL AFTERNOON LONG? YET, JEFF PRESSED ON, FINDING WAYS TO BRING DEEP FRIED TURKEYS INTO ANY LARSON CONVERSATION. IT APPEARS HIS PERSEVERANCE AND DEEP ROOTED PASSION HAD FINALLY PAID OFF WHEN HIS PARENTS AGREED TO PURCHASE A DEEP FRYER AND GALLONS OF PEANUT OIL FOR OUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT CAMP DAVID. (THERE WAS NO WAY A BIRD WOULD BE FRIED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THANKSGIVING DAY, A PRACTICE BIRD WAS NECESSARY!) IT IS HARD TO SAY HOW MUCH TIME WAS DEVOTED TO RESEARCHING THE DELICATE PROCESS OF DEEP FRYING BEFORE OUR ARRIVAL AT CAMP DAVID, OR THE PERCENTAGE OF CONVERSATION DEVOTED TO THE FRYING OF THE BIRD ONCE WE ARRIVED. (I WAS TEMPTED TO CLOCK THE MINUTES/HOURS.) NOR, CAN I ADEQUATELY EXPRESS IN WORDS THE HUMOR THAT SURROUNDED THE EVENT. WHAT I CAN VOUCH FOR IS THE PURE DELIGHT ONE EXPERIENCES WHEN CREATING THE PERFECT BITE - COMBINING THE MOST TENDER, MOIST MEAT WITH THE SALTY, CRISPY SKIN OF THE DEEP FRIED BIRD. AH...PERFECTION! WHILE WE WERE ONCE SKEPTICS, WE ARE DOUBTING THOMASES NO MORE. HATS OFF TO MY HUBBY, WHO ONCE AGAIN HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER.

LOOK OUT THANKSGIVING BIRD OF 2009, OUR BUBBLY POT OF PEANUT OIL AWAITS YOU!

THE TORTURING DEVICE

THIS MECHANISM SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY ALL AFTERNOON LONG. TO SOME PASSING BY, IT MAY HAVE APPEARED AS THOUGH SOME SORT OF BOMB EXPERIMENTATION WAS GOING ON.

THE EVER IMPORTANT DRY RUB. OBSERVE HOW JEFF WORKS WITH THE DELICATE HANDS OF SURGEON.

GEARING UP FOR THE BIG SHOW
WHAT CHARLOTTE DOES NOT REALIZE NOW IS THAT SHE WILL MISS TASTING THE FRUITS OF HER FATHER'S LABOR. DON'T WORRY KID...THANKSGIVING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

THE PEANUT GALLERY
YES, WE DID IN FACT BRING CHAIRS BACK ONE BY ONE TO WATCH THE MIGHTY SPECTACLE UNFOLD.

THE MASTER CHEF

AFTER HOURS OF RESEARCH, WE DISCOVERED THE DANGERS INVOLVED IN HEATING GALLONS OF PEANUT OIL TO 350 DEGREES AND DROPPING A 16 POUND BIRD INTO IT...THUS THE HEAD TO TOE GEAR.

AND, LETS NOT FORGET BOB "THE FIRE MARSHALL" MALLOF

FIRE BOOTS, GLOVE AND EXTINGUISHER ON HAND - WE DID NOT FEEL IT NECESSARY TO END THE CAREERS OF TWO SURGEONS IN THE PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT BIRD.

HOW MANY MEN DOES IT TAKE TO DEEP FRY A BIRD?

THREE, A LONG BROOM, SAFETY GOGGLES, GLOVES, STOP WATCH, AND A PERFECTLY TIMED DROP. INSTRUCTIONS SUGGEST LOWERING THE BIRD OVER A SPAN OF 90 SECONDS. YOU BETCHA DOC LARSON KEPT A KEEN EYE ON HIS WATCH!

THE RESULT
I APOLOGIZE IF YOU FIND YOURSELF SALIVATING AT THIS MOMENT.

JEFF ADMIRES HIS WORK

THE SAD REMAINS

IT WAS HARD TO CALL IT QUITS WHILE EATING SUCH A SPLENDID PIECE OF MEAT, BUT ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END. AT ONE POINT, I DID OFFER TO BRING DOWN MY EXTRA PAIR OF MATERNITY PANTS FOR THOSE THAT KEPT CONSUMING.

THIS WILL SURELY GO DOWN AS A FAVORITE LARSON FAMILY MOMENT AND THERE WERE DEFINITE TALKS OF CREATING A NEW FAMILY TRADITION WITH THE DEEP FRYING OF THE BIRD. I ONLY HOPE THAT ONE DAY YOU, TOO, CAN EXPERIENCE THE RICH FLAVORS OF THE PERFECTLY FRIED BIRD.

Water Fun

CHARLOTTE TOSSING TOYS OFF OF THE DOCK.

(IT BECAME CLEAR HALF WAY THROUGH OUR TRIP THAT CHAR WAS VERY CONFUSED BY THE FACT THAT BOTH HER GRANDFATHER AND THE PIER WERE CALLED DOCK/DOC.)

I Heart Camp David

OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND, WE JOINED JEFF'S FAMILY IN THE GREAT NORTH WOODS. THEIR RECENTLY UPDATED COTTAGE IS THE PERFECT SETTING FOR FABULOUS FOOD (ALL DAY LONG), GREAT CONVERSATION, RELAXATION, AND SPENDING QUALITY TIME TOGETHER AS A FAMILY. WE LOVE BEING SURROUNDED BY GOD'S CREATION, AND SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS TAKING IN THE BEAUTIFUL VIEWS. CHARLOTTE, A BORN NATURE GIRL, CANNOT HELP BUT ENJOY HERSELF. SOME OF HER FAVORITE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE HAVING A NEW HOUSE TO EXPLORE, SLEEPING IN THE CLOSET (HER BAT CAVE), TAKING WALKS, ENJOYING LONG NAPS, PLAYING ON THE BOATS, SAYING "HI" TO PASSING BOATS, THROWING TOYS OFF OF THE PIER, AND HAVING MANY ADULT ARMS TO PICK HER UP ALL DAY LONG!

TAKING IN THE VIEW

GEARING UP FOR A DAY IN THE SUN.

"MUST STAY HYDRATED."
DISCOVERING THE JOYS OF TOSSING TOYS OFF OF THE DOCK. THANKFULLY, BOB (AUNTIE DAWN'S BOYFRIEND, ENJOYS RETRIEVING THEM!)

"THIS NEVER GETS OLD...SERIOUSLY."

HANGING OUT ON THE TUBE. WHAT A LITTLE PEANUT!

BEVERAGE IN HAND, CHARLOTTE IS READY FOR OUR NIGHTLY COCKTAIL CRUISE.

"ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN, HOW CUTE DO YOU THINK I AM? BE HONEST."

MAMA AND CHARLIE

LOOKING VERY RELAXED AS WE MAKE OUR WAY AROUND THE LAKE.

FAMILY PIC.

"WHEN CAN I TAKE THIS CHOKING MECHANISM OFF OF MY NECK?" - C. LARSON

BACK TO HER OLD TRICKS...

"DADDY, CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW FUNNY THIS IS?!"

OUR LITTLE LADY

LOVE ON THE LAKE.

MIMI AND A VERY RELAXED CHAR.

BOB LETS CHARLOTTE TAKE OVER THE WHEEL OF HIS SWEET BOAT. SHE PERCHED HERSELF ON HIS LAP EACH DAY FOR A SPIN AROUND THE LAKE! ALREADY SHE FEELS THE NEED FOR SPEED.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO INTRODUCE BABY BOY LARSON TO CAMP DAVID!

Random Moments

THIS IS ONE OF CHARLOTTE'S FAVORITE SPOTS TO READ, SO I TURNED IT INTO A READING CAVE ON A RAINY MORNING. I LOVE TO FIND HER QUIETLY PROPPED UP AGAINST A PILLOW ENJOYING A GOOD BOOK.

SHOWING OFF HER BACK MOLARS THAT ARE COMING IN...OUCH! (I THINK OUR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD IS ANTICIPATING THE END OF TEETHING SEASON.)
AFTER CHARLOTTE TURNED ONE, JEFF MADE A SWEET LITTLE MOVIE DOCUMENTING HER FIRST YEAR OF LIFE TITLED "A YEAR IN CHANGE."
LATELY, CHARLOTTE CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF WATCHING THE 10 MINUTE MOVIE. SHE NOW ADDS HER OWN COMMENTARY AS THE PICTURES AND SONGS CHANGE THROUGHOUT. WE LOVE TO WATCH HER EXPRESSIONS AS SHE TAKES IT ALL IN, AND HEAR HER "OOHS" AS A FAVORITE SONG COMES ON. THIS HAS BECOME A FAVORITE DADDY/CHARLOTTE ACTIVITY, AND I LOVE TO WATCH THEM ENJOYING IT TOGETHER.

JEFF OFTEN LETS CHARLOTTE RUN FREE AFTER HER EVENING BATH. (JUST ONE OF THE MANY SUBTLE DIFFERENCES IN PARENTING STYLES SEEN IN OUR HOME...) IT IS A HILARIOUS SIGHT TO SEE HER TEAR OUT OF THE BATHROOM RACING TOWARDS ME. I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT HE DOES WITH HER HAIR IN THERE. I'M CONFIDENT IT IS GETTING WASHED, THOUGH YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT BY THE LOOKS OF IT!

WE ARE NOT SURE IF IT IS THE CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE OR THE PURE JOY OF SEEING HER MAMA, BUT SHE PEES IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT EACH NIGHT HE LETS HER DO IT. THIS POST-BATH ACTIVITY MIGHT HAVE TO COME TO AN END.

"OOPS, I DID IT AGAIN." ~ C. LARSON

RACING BACK TO DADDY. ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END...HERE COME THE PAJAMAS!