the momma to be

this beautiful girl happens to be my sister. she also happens to be expecting a baby in october!!! 

congrats to Brittany + Cardon! their child is destined to be stunning. 

and i finally get to be an aunt (on my side)! hooray!

family temple walk

The blessings of my grandparents' callings to serve in the Los Angeles Temple presidency are really felt when the entire family is together at their home right next to the temple, the spire peeking high over their backyard fence. Since their calling, it's become a tradition to take a family temple walk together after dinner. The temple is such a beautiful and powerful place. My family is fun and loving and close. And when I see the two side by side I am profoundly grateful for the knowledge I have that families are eternal, and that we are sealed together for time and all eternity because of this wonderful, holy place, because of the Atonement and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, and because of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter-days. It was a perfect evening stroll, ended with a visit to the Visitor's Center. A little slice of heaven.

grandma trudy's 70th birthday

After Sunday General Conference, all the family traveled to the temple for dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's... And to celebrate Grandma Trudy's 70th birthday! They live in the cutest house right off the temple parking lot, so they are literally just steps to the Los Angeles Temple. The temple spire towers majestically above their backyard fence and is simply such an awesome view.

Grandma made Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding (which she said was made just for me even though it was her birthday!;) And I don't know if it's just because I haven't been to a Larkins Family Dinner in a long time or what, but the food tasted amazing. Like home. Warm and Comfy and Love at Home...Home.

The boy cousins played football and Jay was dying to get in there. But the mother hens made sure he was taken care of ;) Which included an orange dreamsicle and when half of it fell into the grass, I let him eat because the day was just that perfect. (Jay's diet while in California consisted of all the 4 food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. I wish I was just quoting Elf here but I'm sadly serious.)

We sang Happy Birthday to Grandma dear and ate a dreamy and yummy lemon and raspberry cake while we went around the circle and Grandpa asked each person to tell the family what their favorite talk was from General Conference. I am so grateful for each member of my family and their shining spirits and examples and testimonies. They make life happy. 

Happy Birthday Grandma Trudy! We love you!