Saturday, December 27, 2008

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!
I hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did! We were all obviously very good this year because Santa spoiled everyone! We had so much fun! Our morning started with Coralee coming into our room around 7. We made her climb in bed and snuggle until the boys woke up. She couldn't contain her excitement any more, so we went in and woke the boys up at 7:45. It was so nice to sleep in!

Everyone came downstairs and went into our family room where we opened stockings and secret santa gifts. (The kids draw names and buy for eachother.) Then we came into the living room and the kids tore in! Here are the before pics:
and the after:

This year's family theme was a musical Christmas. We got a piano that Steve and I put countless hours into. Steve picked it up and moved it into our wonderful neighbor and bestest friend Steph's garage. Then I spent an entire Saturday sanding it down, Steve primed it, and then I painted it brown with the help of my cutest most wonderfulest neice who lives in Arvada and is my name sake, Rachel. It was quite a chore, but Rachel made it a blast! I found it on Craig's list for $100 bucks and thought it was such a bargain (and it was) but it was a lot of work to get it looking nice. Next time we'll buy one that doesn't require as much work. If there is a next time!!

So, the kids got lots of instruments. Coralee got a recorder and a harmonica; Landon got a little electronic drum and drum sticks, and Braylon got a recorder and an elmo guitar. I love music!! From Santa Coralee got lots of art stuff! She got a little art desk with lots of fun supplies: paper, coloring pads, markers, crayons, etc.; Landon got Playmobile knight stuff: a castle, knights, horses, and dress up gear; and Braylon got lots of building stuff: bristle blocks, lincoln logs, and kinex blocks. They also got clothes and other little toys, but those things were the majority of what they got.
Stephen got work clothes, a razor, an electric picture frame, and a bunch of framed pictures of me and the kids. (Funny story. My friend Amy was kind enough to squeeze me and the kids in for pictures and so to show our appreciation, Braylon puked all over her backdrop!!!! Horrible. I had no idea he was sick and he didn't act like it until he spewed all over! It was awful, but Amy was so wonderful about it! Thanks Amy!)
I got a laptop with a monitor and docking station! Plus Stephen got adobe photoshop on it for me! I have been wanting it for years, but our old computer couldn't hack it! I'm so excited. He also got me clothes, cds, and a gift card to the mall. I'm not worthy. What can I say, my man loves me.
It truly was a wonderful Christmas. Brother Dave came and shared it with us and we loved having him here. Hope you all had a very merry Christmas as well.

Friday, December 19, 2008

So SAD

We did a family photo shoot the night before the kid's and I left for Nevada the week before Thanksgiving. Stephen looks so sad! I didn't notice that night, but the pics break my heart!

Dad with his babes! Bray was already asleep. He is such a good baby!



Coralee and Landon were fighting over the camera to take pics!
They did pretty good! Just a little off center!

Happy Birthday Landon


Landon turned four in November. Crazy! Seems like he was just borned!

Not a fan of huge parties, so the kids get biggins when they turn 5, 8, 12, 16, and 18. That's the way moms did it and I think she is a genius! However, I don't mind doin' something smallish for them because in my humble opinion, I think that one's birthday is the best day of the year. So, this year we did pizza and friends for the evening. Landon's got a little big because he needs it. His friends Brigg, Levi, Dallin, Zach, and Keagan all came for the bash!

Presents ~ Hoorah!

Little excited!


I made him my mom's yummy homemade chocolate cake and homemade ice cream and he hardly ate any of it. Oh well, me and my friends Christy and Sally enjoyed. Along with Steve and Brother Dave.




AAAARRRRR Matey!! He got pirate dress ups!

Recital


Coralee took voice lessons from our good friend Jen Kroff and then sang a solo at her dance recital. Coralee sang Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid. She did a wonderful job. Her little voice always makes me so happy. We all get a little teary eyed seeing her up on stage and realizing how big she is getting. I love that Coralee LOVES to sing. Our house is always filled with her sweet little voice.
Is she cute of what!?We hardly take family pics so I made sure we got one, but where's Braylon?!
We tried to take another one after the recital, but now where's Landon?!

Happy Halloween

It is so fun to talk about Halloween at Christmas! Hee, hee. We had another great Halloween. Between parties at school, Steve's work, and friend's homes we kept busy during the month. We were happy that the weather was abnormally warm. We were actually able to trick or treat longer than ever before! It was fun.


Ms. South Carolina and Hanna Montana




Power Ranger and Dragon

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Gratitude

I have been sitting at my kitchen table putting together Christmas presents for friends and family and my house has been silent! Silent from children's yelling, screaming, fighting, and the list could go on! All three of my children are sleeping right now and I have to tell you it is heaven on earth right here Brighton.

Well, it has not been completely silent, I have been listening to Christmas music and it has moved me to tears several times. Maneheim Steamrollers is a Sorensen favorite and so many of the songs remind me of my dad. I am listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the moment and as my home has been filled with such soft, spiritual music I have truly began to feel the reason for the season. I have so much gratitude right now for my Savior, family, friends, and blessings.

As I've been sitting and working, it started to snow. Of course my first thought is of my husband driving home in his little Nissan Altima on bad roads and in bad weather. But after saying a little prayer for him, I stared out the window and watched the snow falling. It felt like Christmas. This month has been filled with activities, shopping, parties, and hustle and bustle. This past week was supposed to be filled as well until Braylon threw up all over my friend Amy's house! (So sorry Amy!) The poor little man has been so sick. He got better for two days and then he threw up again last night! I've had to cancel preschool, candy making for neighbors and co-workers, our hot chocolate party, and play dates my kids have wanted to have. Of course I was feeling sorry for myself when I was being thrown up on over and over again by Braylon on Monday, but looking back illness has made me slow down and enjoy what this time of year is all about. My family, pondering over my blessings, and giving. What started out as one of the worst weeks ever has become one of greatest weeks of my month. Funny how life works isn't it? For all life's quirks, hardships, and up and downs I truly am grateful for this week.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Coralee's Eye Surgery

Coralee had eye surgery on October 9. My mom and dad flew in with Braylon and I from Utah to help with the boys while Steve and I went with her. Coralee has estropia and far sightedness. Her eyes were rolling out and the surgery was hopefully going to straighten her eyes, however, her eyes are now rolling in. These surgeries are often times under or over corrected and unfortunately, in Cora's case, that is what has happened after each of her surgeries. She had surgery when she was 20 months. Although she was very nervous, she did great. The hardest part for her was that her surgery was scheduled for 11 and she didn't get wheeled back until 2! The poor thing had been fasting and she was thirsty and hungry! Steve and I tried to help her forget by being silly!

It helped that we had a great nurse. She gave Coralee all sorts of prizes and things to do. Coralee even got to watch Snow White on her own special t.v. while she waited.

The hardest part for Steve and I was watching her wake up from anesthesia. It was horrible! She yelled, screamed, and cried and she was so incoherent. She kept crying, "I want my mommy! I want my Mama!" I was holding her the entire time. Then she would say, "I don't want you. You're mean. I don't like you. I want my Mom. I want my Dad." It brought tears to both of our eyes. She also asked for her grandma and for her aunt Kassi and aunt Rayanne. Oh, the hardest line was, "Please let me go see my mom." She was so polite! It broke my heart. But finally she woke up and she did so well that night.

She had a visit from her friends Brynn and Alexa and she also received cookies from her friend Levi. Thanks for all the support friends and family. We appreciated all your prayers and thoughts. Also, thanks Brian and Annie for providing us with such a yummy dinner!

Coralee's eyes before the surgery . . .

Coralee's eyes after.

The redness was not as bad as when she was a baby and now the redness is completely gone! Ya!

Bray Bray and Grandpa

I love, love, love this picture of Braylon with my dad! It is the cutest! Braylon had fun seeing all of this aunts and uncles and bamma and bampa when we went to see Uncle Bill off on his mission.




We were so happy that bamma and bampa got to fly back to Colorado with us and stay for five days! Braylon kept bampa busy riding the moving escalator at the airport! Too cute!

Billy

Braylon and I got to fly out to Salt Lake to surprise my brother Billy when he entered the Mission Training Center for his mission to Micronesia, Guam! It was so much fun to see his face when he first saw us and to get to share in such an emotionally spiritual event with him.
Arriving at the MTC. Billy kept his composure so well. He was so anxious just to get there and get on with everything. He was nervous giddy in the car on our drive up to the MTC. He was so cute!

Getting the "dork dot" from mom and one last beating from me!
Wow, can I cheese any more! Chillin with the siblings! Tonya and Cameron got to come up as well. It was so fun to be with so many peeps in my fam.

Billy with Braylon. Thanks for being such a great example Bill. Tonya, Braylon, and I.
The MTC was amazing. Billy is the first sibling I've been able to go with. It was so cool to sit in that huge room with all the new missionaries and feel the spirit radiating from all those young men and women. I was truly humbled as I realize the sacrifice and dedication missionaries have. I have learned so much from my sister Carly while she has been serving her mission in England! Missions are tough work! I always wanted to go on one, but I think the Lord new I couldn't hack it and so he sent Stephen into my life! Anyway, I am so proud of my brother Billy who is now in Guam teaching the people and lovin life!

Conference


We went and watched General Conference in October with our friends Stephanie, Matt, Heidi, and Jackson, Shirley. The Shirley's served us belgium waffles and it was delish! We took this family picture to send to Carly on her mission. I can't believe how big our kids are getting! It is so crazy good!

Shout Out to the Young Women!

Well, I was officially released from serving in the young women's program in our ward today. Although it broke my heart, I know that it is a good thing for the young women and for me. I've had mixed emotions as this is the first time I have ever been released from a calling because I have served my time! In the past I have always been released because we were moving or because I was being called to another position. Weird!

Anyway, just want all you girls to know how much I love and admire each one of you. You are all rock stars! Thanks for letting take part in your lives for the past three years! Here's the pics from your untalent show!






Days like today also make me think about to warmer days in comparison to winter, but cooler days in comparison to the summer! I love the fall! The fall brings back treasured memories of growing up and harvesting for winter. I remember snapping green beans, peeling peaches, and husking corn. I have carried on this tradition with my own children and loved their help this fall as we husked our corn in preparation to freeze it for the winter. They were also great helpers when we picked strawberries and raspberries to make homemade jam! Yummo. Thanks mom
for teaching me how to can and freeze!