A High Priest and a Teacher

On Sunday, June 28th, 2009 Rod was ordained as a High Priest by his dad, and Alex was ordained as a Teacher by Rod. It was a great and a special day for our family.

Eternal Love for Megan and Kendall

Megan and Kendall got married yesterday morning at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. Megan is Rod's twin sister Whitney's step daughter.


Megan and Kendall coming out of the temple as a married couple.


Happy couple - Megan and Kendall


Megan and Kendall

Rod and I

Irva (Rod and Whitney's mom) , Rod, Whitney and Reed (Rod and Whitney's dad).

Me in my new dress

Laurie, Kendall's mom, and his brother Brock.

Brad and Liz (Rod's sister and her husband)

Elle (Megan's sister) holding the bouquet

Stephen (Megan's brother in-law) and his son Carter

Rayder and Chris (Megan's brother in-law and son)

Megan's sisters, Melanie and McKenna

Kendall's side of the family

Megan's side of the family

Beautiful bride, Megan

Megan's siblings and their families

Megan's parents



Reception at the Nielsen's Grove Park

Beautiful set-up from Jana's "Flower Affair"

Austin (Megan's brother) and Alissa, his wife. Austin said that this was one of those rare occasions that you will see him wearing a tie.

A ring ceremony was held before the reception. Jerry and Laurie, Kendall's parents talking about Kendall.


Jim and Karlene, Megan's parents talking about Megan.

Craig and Whitney, Megan's parents talking about Megan.

Beautiful Whitney.

Rod performed the ring ceremony. Rod giving wise advice to Kendall and Megan.

Irva, Megan, Kendall and Reed (Megan's grandparents)

Alissa (Megan's sister in-law), Elle, Megan, Melanie, and McKenna (Megan's sisters)


Kendall's side of the family. This is when the tornado hit the party. Not quite, but it felt like it. Notice the trees bending in the background.


Time to cut the cake in the rain. Kendall holding an umbrella.

Next family wedding is for Melanie and Jeff, our nephew.


Beautiful summer picnic wedding reception.


Flowers and Chinese lanterns. Beautiful!


Elle and Alex. Alex was not able to be a part of the wedding because he had a basketball camp all week. He showed up to the reception when we were cleaning up.


Elle and Alex.

Congratulations to Megan and Kendall. We wish you a life time of happiness and eternal love.

Happily Ever After-Nikole and Jordan

Nikole and Jordan were married this morning in the Draper Temple.


Nikole and Jordan-Happily Married


First Kiss? Not!


Handsome Groom, Jordan.


Beautiful Bride, Nikole


Jordan's nieces, Brielle and McKenzie...fairy princesses

The most handsome boy Alex

The only moment when my hair was not blowing in the wind.

Nikole and her side of the family.

Jordan's sister, Hilary. I love her new hair cut.

Jordan's sister Tai and her son Isaac.

Jordan's mom and dad, Dianne and Tim.

Jeff and Melanie, the Happy Engaged Couple

Jeff and Melanie got engaged on Tuesday night. We received the happy news last night when they came over to our house. They also surprised Jeff's parents and siblings who are visiting us from Arizona. Wedding date is August 1, 2009 in Boise (possibly)...yes, only 6 weeks away. Happy Day and Congratulations both of you.

Our Baby is 14 Today

Let's take a trip down the memory lane, shall we?

At 1:55am on June 10th, 1995 our 7 lb 11oz and 22 inches long baby boy was born.


This is where Satan happened. I was still in labor and Rod was breathing on me. He had just come back from a wonderful dinner at the hospital cafeteria, smelling like roast and potatoes. All I had was ice chips...ALL DAY!! I was starving. Of course he had to come near me, and that's when the extreme disgust came over me. "DON'T BREATHE ON ME!!" I yelled. Then I received the epidural, and Satan exited the room.


First daddy-son moment. I wonder what Rod was thinking. Was he in awe with this miracle child? I know he was instantly in love with his baby boy, and still is.


When I first saw Alex and was able to hold him, I started laughing because he looked exactly like my uncle Matti or my mother. I loved holding Alex. I carried him everywhere. He was like a growth attached to my hip. Many hours during the day I spent on the couch just holding him on my chest. He slept so well that way, just listening to my heart beat.

First day at home. Rod looks so tired but so happy to be a father. Rod was the best husband and father from the first moment he laid his eyes on Alex. Every night he got up and went to get Alex so I could feed him. Then Rod would wake back up after I was done feeding, and put Alex back to sleep. Night after night, he did his father bonding with his son.

Our first visitor was our best friend, Greg.

Grandma Larsen giving Alex's first bath.

Alex's blessing in August. He wore a traditional Finnish blessing gown, which has been handed down from cousin to cousin, sister to brother.

Could a kid be any rounder?

Alex was there to welcome his cousin Elle in September. They became instant best friends.

Halloween! Alex was not able to sit yet by himself, so we had to quickly take the picture before he fell over.

Thanksgiving at White Sands in New Mexico. He ate the sand like it was ice-cream.

Trip to Lake Powell in the end of August. Not quite ready for water-skis.

Christmas in Finland. My dad and Alex. Only picture taken with those two together. I treasure this picture so much.

Mummi loves Alex!

First haircut given by aunt Whitney. So handsome!

Alex loved baths, especially in our kitchen sink.

I love this blonde boy!

Next Thanksgiving at White Sands in New Mexico. He didn't eat the sand anymore.

So stylish...ready for the family pictures.

It has been such an honor to be Alex's mother. I hope that I have taught him all the important things that he needs for his life from now on. I hope he knows how much his family and friends love him, and how much he means to all of us. He is truly a miracle child to us and he has been nothing but a joy in our lives. We love you so much, buddy. Happy 14th birthday!