Monday Makeover: Adding some flare to your style

Emily is the "girl on fire" (anyone read the Hunger Games??) She recently lost 30 pounds and is running marathons on a monthly basis. How amazing is that? I definitely felt inspired to start running after talking to her. She wanted a fun hair cut to go with her new rockin' body-- sorry if that embarrasses you Emily-- but you look fabulous! She's trying to grow it out, so I gave her a more updated look with some style and gave her a make-up lesson!

Before:

 After:

 Notice the bangs are a little fuller and piecey (I just coined that word!) She has natural curl but I wanted to give her hair a more polished but messy curl. It's easy to style, less heavy and perfect for growing your hair out! She rocks those bangs, doesn't she?

I have a busy week ahead of me-- lots and lots of hair! 

Hope you enjoyed!

Life Lately

Thanks to instagram, I have documented a lot of fun things going on over here at the Larsen abode. The boys are definitely keeping me on my toes and making me laugh every day. Here are a few fun moments I was able to capture:

 I somehow convinced Parker that pulling weeds is fun! He pulled a ton of weeds and brought me the pile with bright red cheeks (it was hard work!) I love that kid.

 Hudson went to the doctor to get his eye checked out. His right eye has been dripping and watering constantly since birth and it got infected. They put him on antibiotics and he will have to get a mini-surgery to make his tear duct bigger at the end of May. I'm nervous putting my baby under anesthesia but I know this really needs to be done. I will be asking for your prayers when the time comes for his surgery. :)

P.S. Dr. Saba is the NICEST pediatrician in the world! My boys love him!

We got Bosa Doughnuts for family night and my boys were in heaven! Hudson laughed every time he took a bite and Parker wiggled and danced until the doughnut was gone. It's the little things in life that make you happy right?

Happy Friday!

Monday Makeover: Sophisticated Mama

Michelle had a major dilemma. She is 26 and a mother of a darling four month old little girl. But she was feeling drab with her box color highlights and wanted me to give her a more "age appropriate look" because she gets carded on a weekly basis. People mistake her for a 16-18 year old girl. Now there's nothing wrong with looking young, but as an adult in your mid 20's, that's just offensive to never be taken seriously! :)

So I gave her a lighter, brighter more "sophisticated" look. I also took off a little length to give her some fullness. 

Before:

 After:

A little bit of eye shadow, blush and lip stick will always make you feel more "done up" and pretty! Doesn't she look great? She is such a sweet, kind, intelligent, beautiful 26 year old woman! And I think she rocks that blonde hair!

Happy Risers

My boys are REALLY good sleepers. I have already said it before and I'll say it again-- Babywise is the reason why they are such great sleepers! They are excited when it's nap time and they wake up really happy and ready to play, which means you know they slept good.

I took a few pictures of how hilarious they were acting after they woke up the other day. They were making me laugh so much, and they knew they were being funny because my laughter egged them on even more! (They don't sleep in the same crib by the way, I just put them in there together because they love jumping on Parkers bed.)

 Hudson sticks his leg stuck in there all the time and then freaks out-- silly boy.

 He is into everything now. His favorite thing is opening drawers (which scares me to death because he's pinched his fingers a few times!)

 See, big boy!

 They play so well together... for the most part.

 One word: Goofy 

There's a real smile. Look at that little face. He's so dang cute!

I had a conversation with a friend that I use to work with the other night that really struck a cord with me. Her and her husband don't have kids yet and they are unsure if they want to. They asked me about being a parent. I told them that having children is one thing you will never regret. To me, becoming a mother was such an incredible calling. It has its challenges and can be very demanding both physically, emotionally and mentally. But it is all worth it! It has taught me to love others more than myself. To be more patient (which I'm still learning), compassionate, loving and has brought me more joy and gratitude than I ever thought was possible. The second I held those little guys in my arms, I knew that my life was changed forever. 

When I lay in bed at night, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my family and for the gift that God gave me to be a mother. 

Monday Makeover: Short and Sweet

My sisters were sick of fighting their little girls to do their hair, so I gave them classic bob's!

                       Before:                                                                                                After:

                                                                                       

They are best friends and do everything together (including getting into lots of mischief!) Kylee cut her own bangs months ago up to her scalp-- not a joke! So I gave her "real" bangs now that they have grown out enough to look like bangs! She has never worn her hair this short before and was so excited. My sister said that every morning she wakes up, she runs to the mirror while shouting "Mom, is my hair still short?!" She's so afraid it's going to grow back long while she sleeps! 

 I wanted to get a side shot of Ava's hair cut. She stuck her tongue out in every picture. Funny girl I tell you!

In my opinion, a bob is a timeless hair cut. Don't you agree?

I need to have a little girl someday...

April Showers!

One of my best girl friends, Shari, is having a boy! She has a little girl-- Bella (a.k.a. Parker's girlfriend) and was in desperate need of some BOY things since Bella is ALL girl! I couldn't wait to throw her an "April Showers" themed baby shower (thanks to pinterest for the idea!) The fun part about it was it was cold and overcast today, so it all went perfect with the theme! 

 I've got to get a pun tub next time I have a baby! That thing is awesome! I wish they had one for my size... looks comfy.

 She's gonna kill me for posting this picture but I don't care-- she looks so cute!

The favors were lemon drops with umbrella tags that said "thanks for dropping by."

I love parties.

Easter Morning

We went over to Mimi and Grandpa's house on Easter morning. It was a riot to watch the kids find the "hidden" eggs on their easter egg hunt! It was even more awesome to see Gunnar's crazy bed head-- check out his rockin' hair in the picture below! Makes me laugh!

 Getting ready for breakfast

 I am still full just thinking about that breakfast-- no joke! It was so worth it though!

 Getting ready to start the easter egg hunt

  Hudson was happy with his one little egg. That was all he needed. Doesn't take much to satisfy a one year old!

 A. Dor. Able.

Parker shook every single one of his eggs to make sure they were filled with candy and traded all of his jelly beans for chocolate with his Aunt Lindsay-- he doesn't like jelly beans! Who knew?! 

Holidays are so fun with kids. But the best part of the day was going to church and reflecting on the Savior and His life. I am so grateful to know that He already atoned for each and every one of us and we just have to be willing to accept Him and repent every day, one day at a time. I make mistakes and mess up all the time, but I'm so grateful for His grace, love, mercy and forgiveness. What a comfort to know that He lives and will come again. I hope that you all enjoyed your Easter!

Happy Tuesday!