Getting our yearly family pictures taken — takes planning! I have to gear up to do it because I actually dread it. My kids dread it too and this year I made them do a dress rehearsal a few days before to make sure we have everything we need including shoes. I tried to schedule with two different photographers. The first one couldn’t do a shoot when Emma was in town and the second one says he prefers outdoor shoots and December is too cold. I begged him and we agreed that as long as it wasn’t raining we could do it outside. The day we picked was 30 degrees but no wind and rain so we went ahead with it. Our fingers and noses were numb when we were done but we were happy with how they turned out. He quickly edited a few so I could get a New Year card sent out.
Getting a family picture this Christmas was really important to me because Emma will be on her mission next Christmas and James the year after that...
This is a picture John took right before we had to take our coats off.
Our New Year's Card:
Larsen Family 2016
As we ring in a brand new year
We’ll look back at the last.
It’s been so real, it’s been so fun;
This year has gone by fast.
For Christmas in twenty-fifteen
We added child five.
Cerebral palsy, broken arms,
At least she’s still alive!
“Please, mom, I want to chocolate!”
Is Mia’s favorite phrase.
She’s happy, bright, resilient,
Her Chinese name means praise.
Sweet Tessa’s in fourth grade this year,
She loves to do ballet.
In her dream world there’d be no math,
But baking every day.
The first no surgery year for her,
And first time in a play.
She played a mouse in Frog & Toad,
Her piano skills sure slay!
Eliza's a photographer,
On Pinterest every night.
Gymnastics is her top pastime,
And you should see her height.
She started high school with a bang
In yearbook, choir, cheer.
She helps take care of Mia most,
It’s been an awesome year.
James loves his country and his mom,
And meatsticks with his friends.
He’s hardly ever serious;
The laughter never ends.
In physics, math and econ too,
It’s not just grades—it’s fun!
He’s known for wearing crazy socks,
And he’s our favorite son.
As senior, Emma played the role
Of Wednesday Addams here.
Her talent got her musician
And thespian of the year.
Now BYU is Emma’s home.
She likes the mountain air,
And women’s chorus and good friends,
And “RM’s” everywhere!
If you need something to get done,
Then Mom’s the one to know.
She works with youth in church each week,
And she’s a Zumba pro.
Because she loves her kids so much,
She feeds them healthy food,
Helps with school choreography
And handles Mia’s mood.
Dad leads our family and the branch.
To Mia, he’s Chinese.
His hair gets grayer every month,
He has the loudest sneeze.
At Ford he leads mobility
To help us get around.
After seven years in Shanghai,
To Michigan we’re bound.
Our hearts are full of gratitude
For friends and family dear.
And so we’d like to wish you all
A glorious new year.
Love,
John, Laurel and the kids
