Lewis Family

Oh My Time Flies

2010-10-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how fast time flies! My baby is three weeks now! It is crazy how these sweet little spirits come into our families and it's as though they were always here. I can't imagine our life without him. He is such a sweet baby and we all just adore him. He is very lucky to have such great big brothers and a great big sister. I am lucky to have such great helpers. Here's some pics of the kids with Baby Carsy, as Braylon loves to call him!

Pictures of the Baby

2010-10-09T13:51:00.001-07:00

My dad has been very upset that we haven't posted more pictures of the baby. Sorry dad. I've been trying to rest!! But, here are more pictures of the baby. He is so sweet!

He's Here!

2010-10-09T13:50:00.001-07:00

This post is going to be out of order because my mom had the pictures on her camera and it took us awhile to get them downloaded!

Baby Carson Brett Lewis was born on Wednesday October 6 at 3:48. He weighed 8 lb. 7 oz and was 19 1/2 in. long. He was our biggest baby by a whole pound!!! Labor and delivery went great. I was induced and it went very smooth. Steve and my Mom were in the delivery room with me. I've been blessed to have my mom present for every delivery of our children. Thank you mom for being there with us!

Carson came out screaming like I had never heard a baby scream before. I swear he screamed for the first hour of his life. He was not happy to be out in the world. I think he was upset we made him come out earlier than he had planned on coming.

He has lots of dark hair. He looked a lot like Braylon at first, but the more I look at him the more he looks like his Daddy and Landon. I guess we'll see as he gets older. He's just sweet as can be and we love him so much already. We are so happy just have our little man here.

Coming Home

2010-10-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well, my mom brought her nice fancy camera to take pictures but she didn't bring her cord to download her pics on to my computer, so once we figure that out I can post the rest of the pictures of Carson Brett!

Here Steve and I are bringing our sweet little man home!

Special Hair

2010-10-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

What does it take to make"special hair"?

One bottle of spray in conditioner
Plus, lots of water

One blow dryer

One special "Daddy's comb"
Plus a pick
Plus "Mommy's brush"

And one Braylon Robert

First, you need to spray your hair with leave in conditioner until it is soaked.
Then, you need to add lots and lots of water.

Once your hair is nice and wet, you have to blow it dry with the blow dryer.

Next, you need to brush, pick, and brush your hair until you get just the right "special" look.

Finally, you get the end result: "SPECIAL HAIR"!

I swear, Braylon cares more about what his hair looks like than all the rest of us combined! He likes to make his hair look "SPECIAL" and this is what we must do almost every morning! He is too funny!

My Quilt!!

2010-10-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to learn to sew and my friend, Amy Farnsworth, was willing to teach me. I decided I wanted to make a quilt for the baby and I knew having a deadline would actually help me to get it done.

When we were in Utah this summer my sister-in-law, Stephanie, took me all around Provo trying to find a fabric store so that I could pick out cute fabric. We finally found one and I got fabric for the baby and for Coralee. After a few lessons from Amy and help cutting out all of my blocks, I was able to sew this Turning-Twenty quilt for Carson.

I sewed the top and then my other talented, wonderful friend Darcy Brown finished the back, bound, and quilted it for me as a baby gift! I am so proud of it and I think it turned out so cute. It is the inspiration for his room and I have loved putting it all together!

Baby Shower

2010-10-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

I am so blessed to have such WONDERFUL friends. My amazing friend Jessica threw me a baby shower with the help of my other fabulous friend, Christy, telling me that although I may not think I need one, I deserve one! She did such a great job.

I had such a great turn out and got so many wonderful gifts that I really did need from all of my friends. Coralee was there to help me and I think that she was more excited about the shower than I was! (If that is possible!) She cannot wait for the baby to come and she had such a great time! There was tons of yummy food, fun games, great company, a cute diaper cake, and a diaper raffle to help stock me up. It was such a fun afternoon and it really got me excited about our new little arrival.

My CUTE Family

2010-10-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Steve rarely asks for his picture to be taken, but on one of the rare Sundays that we have him home, he asked for some pictures with his kids. Here is our little photo shoot on Stake Conference Sunday.

Pregnant

2010-10-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

I hardly take pictures of myself when I am pregnant, but needed to to make baby shower announcements for a shower that my friend Jessica threw for me. Here's some pics about a month before my due date.

Lots of Things New

2010-10-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

We've had a lot of NEW in our lives lately. In August, Steve started a NEW job with a company called Geist Intelligent Facilities in Fort Collins. He is their Director of Sales and he loves every minute of it. It is such a wonderful company and he is learning, growing, and contributing so much there. It has been a blessing in our lives and we are so grateful for this wonderful opportunity in his career.

After the NEW job came a NEW car. When Steve's front bumper was about to fall off of his old car and I was praying everyday that he would make it to Fort Collins and back alive everyday, we decided it was time for a NEWER, more sturdy car! He went with another Altima and he loves it. It's a 2010 fully loaded with all sorts of fun stuff such as a DVD player, built in GPS, blue tooth, XM radio (his favorite), seat warmers, leather, and all the other "loaded stuff". I thought my van ran pretty good, and it did compared to the old car, but now that I've driven a NEW car, I am learning it doesn't run as smooth as I once thought!

We're loving the NEW, safe car!

Soccer

2010-10-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Landon played soccer this fall and boy did he love it!! He was so fun to watch. He was finally the oldest in his league and you could tell. He was on a fun team with a great coach. It was such a great season. He dominated and had so much fun.

Steve and I love to brag about it because we know nothing about soccer and cannot take any credit for any of his skill in the sport. We owe that to Will Farrell and his movie Kicking and Screaming! Landon loves that movie and he talks about it all of the time. After a game he would say, "Did you see when I did that one move like in Kicking and Screaming"! It was a hoot. He practiced all the time with Braylon outside and really taught himself well. It is so much fun to watch your kids develop their talents and find what they love to do!

Dragon VS. Knight

2010-08-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

The boys came upstairs in these costumes the other day and I thought it was one of the cutest things that I have ever seen! They then proceeded to battle. I laughed and laughed as I watched them and the battle lasted for quite awhile before the dragon began to cry. It was pretty funny. I'm not sure who won, the fight was actually pretty even!

First Day of School

2010-08-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

Well our school year has started and boy am I happy about it. We needed some structure and routine in our lives and school definitely brings that.

Braylon is going to preschool at our Rec Center two days a week and he loves it. He started on August 3 and is doing a great job. He is becoming quite the big boy.

Coralee and Landon started on Thursday August 12 and they are attending a new charter school called Foundations that is just up the street from our house. It is fabulous and I couldn't be happier with the school, principal, or teachers. Is a great place for us. Plus, they have to wear uniforms and I think that they are so adorable!! Doesn't Landon look like a little missionary?! These pictures melt my heart.
We sure are two proud parents. Our kids are amazing and we are tremendously blessed!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2010-08-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

I had such a great birthday this year! Cameron was in town and watched the kids while Steve and I went for an overnighter! We stayed at the Hyatt downtown, ate at the Keg, slept in, worked out, ate tacos, car shopped, and window shopped. It was fabulous!

On my birthday, the kids got up and made me breakfast. They made me a piece of bread spread with raspberry jam and topped with whipped cream and some juice. They also made me cards and gave me some of their stuff! It was too cute and very thoughtful.

It is becoming my tradition to have a family picture taken on each of my birthdays. We do not take enough family pictures in my humble opinion. My family is just too cute!

The Kindness King

2010-08-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

Funny story about my Landon. So we were driving home one Sunday and Landon was bugging Braylon in the car.

As we pulled into the garage and got out, Landon continued to bug Braylon.

I didn't see exactly what happened but Cameron was standing by the boys watching what was going down and he says to Landon, "Hey Lanny, what does your hat say?"

Landon looks at him and say, "Huh?" and he tries to look up at his hat to see what it says.

Cameron tells him, "It says Kindness King. Are you being the Kindness King"?

Landon's face turned a little red and he replied, "No".

He walked into the house and didn't bug Braylon again. I laughed and laughed because I didn't even notice what his hat said. Way to be on top of things Cameron!

Oh What a Summer!

2010-08-15T19:38:00.001-07:00

Well I did not keep up with the blog as well as I had anticipated this summer! I thought that I'd have all sorts of time once school was out and it was the opposite. We were busy having fun all summer. So here are our summer highlights!

Swimming at Nana's pool with our cousins

Swimming in Lyons at the river with friends

Coralee attended her first concert at Elith Gardens.
She saw All Star Weekend and Emily Osment

We bought season passes to Elitch Gardens and went about once a week.

Uncle Cam got to come and visit us for about three weeks.
Thanks for everything Cameron. We love you so much!

We went on vacation to NV and got to visit Rob, Steph, and cousins on our way back.
Thanks for entertaining us and taking us to the mountains!

We got to stay with Carly and Kyle on our way out to NV.
Thanks for letting us stay with you guys!
We had so much fun.

I got to hang with life long BBF Loni and her adorable girls in good ol' F-Town.

Kids got to play with cousins and friends in Fallon.

The kids and I got to spend 10 days in Fallon with my family.
Steve couldn't come out because he just got a new job and
had to wrap up things at his old job.

Trying to take a picture of all the cousins is near impossible we discovered!

Coralee got a new haircut

Landon designed a new fashion trend!

Braylon also came up with his own unique hair fad

We sent Bob and Renae off on another mission to Africa

Landon finished his machine pitch baseball season and loved it.

We had the Lewis family reunion here in Colorado and so much fun with all of our
cousins going to a Rockies game, Water World, Elitch Gardens, Bob and Renae's
farewell, and just hangin out.

Grandma and Uncle Gav came to visit and attend the Univera Conference.
Gram stayed a few extra days and planted our flowers for us.

I took the kids on a hike in Boulder and we got soaked as we had to run down
the trail in the pouring rain! We'll never forget our first hike!

Coralee and I had to say goodbye to our good friends the Stangs

Coralee and her BFF Brynn

The kids took swimming lessons at the Rec Center

Coralee participated in her second piano recital

It was a fun, yet busy summer. They always go by too quickly. But looking back, we made the most of our time and made some fabulous memories!

Great Teachers

2010-07-07T13:21:00.003-07:00

After getting my degree in Elementary Education, I really had no desire to teach because there is so much to teaching. How grateful I am for the men and women who are stronger than I and have the desire to teach our children.

We have been blessed with the best teachers so far. Coralee was blessed to have Mrs. Twiss two years in a row and she grew and learned so much from her. She is the best teacher and we have grown to love her so much. Landon also was blessed with an amazing teacher and he really grew and learned so much this year as well. We were so impressed with the progress that he made and his teacher helped him in every area that he needed.

Thank you Mrs. Twiss and Mrs. Kat!!!! We'll miss you.

Coralee and Mrs. Twiss

Mrs. Kat and Landon

Last Days of School

2010-07-07T13:05:00.001-07:00

My how my babies have grown. It is hard to believe they are all getting so big. It is even crazier to see how much they grow in a school year. Here's pics of the kids.

Bray's last day of preschool

Landon on his last day of preschool

Landon on his first day of preschool

Coralee on her last day of First Grade

Coralee on her first day of First Grade

End of the School Year

2010-07-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

We had a busy end of the school year, but it was fun. On Braylon's last day of his little Rec. Center preschool class we went to the park and played with friends.
We couldn't get all the boys to look at once!
My Lanny Manny

My Braylon Robert

I got to be the room mom for Coralee's classroom this year and unlike so many people I know, I loved it! I think being a room mom is so much fun. I love planning parties and so it was right up my alley. For her end of the year party we had a luau and had a great time. We made shishkabobs, did a Mrs. Twiss says surfing game, and played games.

Coralee eating her shishkabob.

Landon was in preschool this year and he had a big end of the year bash at the park.
They played with bubbles, played at the park, ate hot dogs, and broke pinatas.Break the Pinata!

Braylon loved the bubbles.

Coralee had field day and I got to go and watch for a little while. They had tons of games and she had a blast.

It's A . . .

2010-06-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

We had our Ultrasound on Tuesday May 25 at 8:15 a.m. The whole family came as the kids have been so excited to find out what is in mommy's tummy. They did such a great job being quiet and patient while we waited. Me at 19 weeks
Steve

The kiddos waiting to go back to the ultrasound

Here's our pictures. Can you tell what it is?Looks like Skeletor!!
Oh . . . first feetie picture!

Hello!!

Oh look at that face!!
The perfect face of a baby BOY!!!!

When the tech told us it was a boy, Coralee and Landon got very upset!! Landon wanted three boys and three girls in our family and Coralee wanted a sister. Coralee said, "He can be wrong". The tech answered, "Yes, we can be".

But the more he looked around the more angles proved it was definitely a boy.

The only thing Steve said to me was, "I'm sorry". I had to call him afterwards and tell him he didn't have to be sorry and that I'm just happy the baby is healthy. That is really all that I want, however, I did really want another girl to dress up and put bows in her hair!!

Also, I thought for sure it was a girl because this pregnancy has been so similar to my pregnancy with Coralee and so different from the pregnancies with my boys. I guess it proves that pregnancies aren't the same.

But, I will say that as soon as we walked back into the room and I laid down on the little bed, I knew it was going to be a boy. My first thought wasn't one of disappointment, it was that we need more righteous men in our world and I am so glad that Heavenly Father has the confidence in me to raise so many fine men.

I'm not sure if I have the confidence yet, but I am working on it and am so excited for the challenge!

The Guesses are In

2010-06-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

Well it is tradition in my family to guess the sex of the baby before the big Ultrasound!! Here's everyone's guesses:
Me - Girl
Steve - Boy
Coralee - Girl
Landon - Girl
Braylon - Boy
Bob - Girl
Dave - Girl
Renae - Boy
Dad - Girl
Mom - Girl
Cameron - Boy
Carly - Girl
Gavin and Family - Girl
Tim and Family - Girl
Tonya - Girl
Billy - Girl

Talent Show

2010-05-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

Ever since last years talent show, Coralee has been anxiously awaiting this year's talent show. We didn't know about it last year and she desperately wanted to be in it and sing with her good friend, Maizie.

As soon as the paperwork came out to audition, we got it filled out and turned in and then started practicing Taylor Swift's song, "You Belong With Me". Auditions came and we were so nervous, but the girls made it in! They only took two acts from each grade and they wouldn't take two of the same talent, so they were so excited, as were we, when the girls made it.

The talent show was on Wednesday May 12 and the girls did great, despite the fact that the teachers running the show downloaded the wrong song. We had the music clipped to fit the three minute time limit and there was another girl who sang the same song and so they put her music on for the girls thinking it was the same, when it wasn't. The girls got a little lost, but still did so good!!! We were all very proud.

Our singing star

Coralee and Maizie

SUPERSTARS!!

Posing before the show

Our pretty girl

Dad even worked from home so he could come.
The performance

Each girl had a solo in the song. They were so good!
Taking a bow at the end

The girls laughing at our hilarious host of "Pennock Idol". (He's in our ward and did a great job) The talent show was a success and so cute!! The kids and teachers did such an amazing job.

Volleyball

2010-05-14T07:59:00.001-07:00

We played co-ed volleyball in our rec center league this year and it was so much fun!! We made it to the semi's in our tournament and lost. It was a bummer, but we did really well and had a blast. I must admit I was kinda glad to see it end becuase I just can't move as well as I used to and it frustrated me! But, the baby and I still held our own, kind of!! Here's our AWESOME team! You can see my baby belly pokin out!! Hee, hee The Underwoods, Us, and Stephy. We're missing Mark because he was working in Australia.
Go TEAM!!!

Coralee's Song to Her Nana

2010-05-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

Coralee wrote her Nana a song for Mother's Day and then sang it for her when we got to her house. It was pretty stinkin' cute!! She even sang it to everyone after dinner. Here are the lyrics she wrote. When I figure out how to download stuff from my video camera I'll post it!

"Nana, do you remember your first Mother's Day?

Cause I have something to say to you

And it's Happy Mother's Day

So get up and break down on the dance floor

Last time I did it OOOOOH, OOOOOH

You want to do it

You can do it

So do it

MMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

OOOOOh OOOOOh OOOOOh

So do it!

Happy Mother's Day, Nana

YEAH!!!"

Oh yes, my little singer. Isn't she so cute!!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

The night before Mother's Day we were in the car playing the game, "I Wish . . ." We throwing up things like, "I wish the earth was made of candy," "I wish I had all the money in the world," and then I thought of a great one, "I wish that every day was Mother's Day"! After my Mother's Day, I really wish that one would come true!

I had such a great day. The talks at church were AMAZING and all the men who spoke said so many things I needed to hear. They were so complimentary and grateful for women and the roles that we play in our framilies lives. It was very uplifting. Then I came home and fed the kids, wrote a letter to my mom, helped get a few things ready for dinner, and then we headed out to my in-laws to spend the afternoon and evening with them. It was the best day. Here are a few of the things I loved about my day: My husband was wonderful and made me the BEST dinner! Bob cooked steaks and Steve handled everything else. When he asked me what I wanted for all the sides I couldn't really think of anything and then over the course of several days I kept spitting out things that sounded good. Well, he made them all!! He made me roasted sweet potatoes, homemade ceasar salad, grilled peppers, mushrooms, and crustini! It was a feast fit for a queen. He also TOTALLY surprised me and got me a new camera! Best present ever!!!!!

I loved being with my children and being able to tell them, "It's my happy Mother's Day!" That got them to do alot of things the normally wouldn't.

I loved spening the day with two moms that I love and admire.

I loved spending Renae's last Mother's Day before he next mission and seeing my husband with his mommy!

I loved eating the Robert Redford Steve and I made for dessert. Yum!

I loved watching my neice, baby Sophia, chow down on her Robert Redford. She is too cute!

I loved watching my kids have fun playing with their cousins.

Thanks for a great day everyone!! I love you all and I can't wait for my next Mother's Day!

Baseball Season

2010-05-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Landon LOVES baseball! He has since he was old enough to walk, so this year we decided to move him up into the 6 year old pitching machine league (because t-ball was too boring) and he is in heaven!!

He has been so excited ever since I signed him up and finally the season came! He has loved practices and he was so pumped for his first game. Steve and I were so nervous for him, but the first play of the game he was in center field and he got a ball hit to him and he fielded it and threw it in! We were so proud. When he got up to bat, I thought my heart would jump out of my chest and I felt so bad when he didn't get a hit. The second time he got up he didn't get a hit either. Steve was feeling pretty bad for him, but after the game when we got to him he said, "I tried my very best to hit the ball," and then he got his snack and was fine so we had to be too. He told us his tummy was "hot" when he got up to bat and so we think he was pretty nervous, but at his second game he hit both times and hasn't missed a chance to hit since.

It is funny how proud being a parent can make you. I love watching my children discover what they love and develop their talents. It's one of the things I love most about being a mom.Baseball ready (Landon's coach yells baseball ready and all the boys get low with their gloves! It is so cute!)

Lookin' too cute!!

All of the adoring, and adorable, fans

Baseball ready again

Throwing in warmups

He loves grounders!!

End of School Madness!!

2010-05-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

Wow! I had no idea how crazy the end of the year could be with a child in first grade and one in preschool! It is kickin' my butt! And it was proven tonight when I total had a freak out and lost it on my children!!We have been running a million miles an hour between school activities, baseball, piano, and life. I knew the craziness was taking its toll, but I had no idea that I was on the edge and my children acutally forced me to jump this evening!

I've been pretty emotional as of late, but last week had been such a great week. I didn't lose my temper or yell all week long (that is good for me!) and I had a great Mother's Day so I was sure that I was off to a new and improved me. Wow, how a crazy week and crazy kids can change all of that!

Today has been one of those where my boys have been losing it at the drop of a hat! They have thrown so many fits and I have tried to remain patient throughout them, but it gets draining. I have been at Coralee's school almost all day because she made the talent show and there were two performances today. I've been running in and out and all day long and I just wanted to have a smooth evening where everyone listened and cooperated and just did what I asked!

Keep dreamin' Rachel. No one would listen to me. I had to ask my children several times to do things and they still didn't listen. I wanted my boys in bed by 7:30 and so we were on our way when I tried to have prayers and scriptures, but they had been running around making each other laugh and they were all wound up!! All I asked is that they be quite for a few minutes and when they didn't do that I jumped from my ledge and the sparks flew.

Anyway, after about 30 minutes of crying and feeling like it was probably time to retire, I thought about Coralee and the fact that she hadn't practiced her piano and how she always fights me to do it. I then thought of how many times she has wanted to give up, but she has kept at it and she is turning into such a great little piano player. Of course I had an analogy pop into my head!!! And I realized that being a mom is alot like becoming a great pianist. Ya, I was learning a lesson from a lesson I had tried to teach my daughter. I realized that being a great mom doesn't happen over night. It takes years of practice and giving up was not the answer. Each freak out and every moment of weekness is something that I can learn from and use to my advantage to help me become better. Practice makes perfect and I won't be perfect in this life time, so I guess I'll just have to keep on practicing! Thanks for a great lesson kiddos!

Here's a letter from my Coralee! While I was freaking out, she was writing me words of encouragement!! I don't know what I'd do without her!

Translation:

"Dear Mom,

We are ungrateful fools and we should appreciate everything you do for us. I love you more than anyone. Love Coralee"

Ya, I think I told my children they are ungrateful and do not appreciate me! Wow, she has good listening ears. I owe that one to her teacher Mrs. Twiss.

A Bun in the Oven

2010-05-12T15:26:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who do not know, we are expecting baby number 4! We are so excited and cannot wait for the baby to get here!! I found out we were pregnany back in February on the day I found out that my grandpa Sorensen had passed away. It was some happy news after some sad. I was so excited that I wanted to be able to tell my family while I was home for the funeral and so I did and Steve told his parents as well. Other than our family, we weren't going to say anything until I got a little farther along.

However, we ended up telling the kids on Valentine's day because someone had come up to me and congratulated me at school (luckily the kids weren't around!) and I didn't want our kids to find out from someone else, so we told them early. It was very cute. We hid some presents around the house and one of them was a bag filled with baby stuff. The kids were so excited for their present, but as they started pulling things out they were so confused. We asked them, "Do you know what this means?" And Coralee answers, "We're having another baby cousin?" Boy how happy she was when she found out the soon to be baby was ours and not an aunt and uncles!! The kids were excited and have been asking me ever since when the baby is going to come out! It is going to be a long pregnancy for them, but is flying by for me!!

I had my first appointment on Tuesday March 9 and everything looked good. I love having my first ultrasound and seeing the baby for the first time. It also makes the pregnancy official in my mind. So, here's our first baby picture! The kids said that the baby looks like a ginger bread man! I think it looks like a peanut!! Either way, it is soooooo cute already!!

A Good Excuse This Time

2010-05-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

Again it has been way too long in between blogs, however, I feel this time I have a pretty good excuse. So back in Novemeber, my two darling boys did something AWESOME!! Landon had been playing with my camera because sometimes I let him take pictures. Well, him and Braylon were fighting over it and and so of course I took it away from him and put it away.

I was doing something on the computer and noticed that it was WAY too quiet. I called their names and heard some noise coming from our bathroom. I walked to the door and it was locked. I knew something bad was going on and so I grabbed a key and opened the door and there they were with my camera wrapped in a towel.

I was upset because I told him to leave it alone, but the sparks really flew when I went to grab my camera and it was all wet. Yes, my DARLING boys dropped my camera in the toilet and ruined it!! I was so upset I cried and called Stephen to bawl him out on the phone over what HIS boys had done!

I have been cameraless ever since and have therefore given up blogging because I have no pictures. However, there are some things I can blog and should really start keeping up on. I read my cousin Nettie's blog and she talked about a friend of hers who's baby died of sids and how her friend had done such a great job of documenting her babies life. Life is so short and so unpredictable I figure I really should make a better effort to jot my thoughts and events down.

At least it's worth a try!

Needed

2009-11-05T20:57:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I take for granted the fact that I am NEEDED. At times it feels like being NEEDED is a curse rather than a blessing. My kids NEED me to feed them, help them get dressed, help them tie their shoes, change their diapers, help them clean, help them do their homework, read to them , take them to school, hold them, play with them, laugh with them, cry with them, fix things, find things, bath them . . . and the list goes on and on.

Lately, I have noticed that all of these NEEDS have been piling up and making me tired and frustrated. However, tonight as I was able to hold each on of my children individually and tell them how much I LOVED them and feel how much they LOVE me, I realized how ridiculous it is that their NEEDS are making me tired and frustrated. Their NEEDS are what make me what I am and LOVE being . . . a MOTHER.

Coralee said the sweetest thing to me as I was lying with her talking before she fell asleep. She said, "Being a mom is the hardest job in the world".

I replied, "I am glad that you know that. I didn't know that before I became a mom and it is a lot harder than I thought. (Thanks a lot mom!! You made it look easy!!) I'm not very good at it and I'm learning as I go. I'm sorry you have to learn with me".

She then commented, "You're doing better than you think."

I LOVE being a MOM and I LOVE that I am NEEDED! I hope I don't take it for granted anymore! My children are my GREATEST BLESSINGS!!

We're Number 1!

2009-10-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Soccer is over! Landon was a little sad, but we are happy to have our Saturdays free! Landon's favorite part of soccer is "when I get goals". He scored lots of goals this year and he was pretty pumped about it. He was so much fun to watch and really turned into quite the little soccer player this year.

Here's our team minus one player.

Steve and Landon hard at work

Kicking the ball in

Father and son

Showing off his medal

Posin' for the camera!

Proud Mama!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2009-10-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

We sure loved watching our Rockies play this year. We wish they would've made it past the first round of the playoffs, but it was quite an adventure watching them make it as the wild card this year. They played some great ball.

We got to take the kids to a game toward the end of the season and it was so much fun. Our kids sat through the ENTIRE game!! Good job Lewis's! We had a great time. We sure love being able to see so many professional sporting events. Denver sure is a GREAT city.

Coors Field.

Cute Kids

Daddy and Bray

Mommy, Coralee, and Braylon

Landon enjoying his cotton candy.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

2009-10-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

Steve and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary this year. It is hard to believe that we have been married this long because it feels like we just got married yesterday! Yet looking back at all we've done and accomplished since we've been married, the nine years definitely add up! It's been an incredible journey so far and we know it will only get better!

To celebrate we went to Palm Springs with our good friends Kevin and Angie. We will forever be grateful to Kevin's parents who let us stay in their vacation home in the Springs. It was so nice to relax, golf, shop, and hang out and visit with great friends. It was the best!

The house sat right on the golf course and there was a hole right out the back door! In the evening when everyone was done golfing, we went out and messed around. It was fun.

Pictures with our friends!

On our way back from Palm Springs we stopped at Balboa Island. We rode the ferry across the bay and went and at on the ocean! It was so fun to walk around and window shop. It was a nice end to our weekend get-a-way!!

Happy Labor Day

2009-10-19T12:57:00.001-07:00

We had a great Labor day!! We invited some friend's over for dinner and had such a great time. Steve smoked ribs and a pork butt and it was delicious!! Here are some highlights from our night.

Friends

The Crawfords

The Shirleys

Uncle Dave

Sittin' around visiting

The star shaped sugar cookies.

Jumping on the tramp

Playing baseaball

Our kids all getting along!!

Ain't they cute!

Thanks for the fun night everyone! We loved it!!!

Not Another Move!!

2009-10-19T12:53:00.001-07:00

Our good friends the Stangs are moving to Pennsylvania!! We are excited for them, but sad for us. Brynn is Coralee's best friend and so she took it pretty hard. We're so grateful that we've been able to get to know them so well and that we've made some fun memories!! Good luck Stangs!!

Cousin Sleepover

2009-10-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

Our kids love to have their cousins, Jayla and Zachary, over for sleepovers. We pushed our couches together and made a jumbo bed they all could sleep in!! When I went down to check on them I had to take a picture because they looked so cute! It looks like Landon is holding Jayla!! I loved it. The next morning, Landon and Zach entertained everyone when they dressed up as "Captain Underpants"! Gotta love sleepovers!

Long Time No Posts!

2009-10-19T12:38:00.001-07:00

Well, I thought I was going to do better this year and I've already blown it!! Hee, hee. I'll start out the updates with our awesome softball team!!

We are the Champions!!!

We played on a co-ed softball team this summer and won our league!!

It was so much fun and we played with the greatest people.

We also played this fall, and although we didn't win, we

still had a blast!

First day of preschool

2009-08-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

Landon started preschool on Monday. Steve was a little sad, but I couldn't be happier!! I love my Landon, but preschool is going to be so good for him. And, I only have one kiddo at home for three hours a day! It is heaven on earth! I am sad to see my kids growing up so fast, but this has been a good thing for us.

Landon's teacher is Ms. Kat and he loves his class. Here are some pics of the first day. They aren't the best. I couldn't find the camera (forgot it was in the soccer bag from the game!) so Steve took these with his phone.

Buddies

Daddy's Boy.

Mom's Little Man

Our Big Preschooler

Ain't he cute?

Soccer

2009-08-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

Steve and I are coaching Landon's soccer team again. I barely got him registered and then barely found out about his first game. Last Tuesday I started wondering when soccer started. I called the Rec Center and found out that the first game was that Saturday and we are the Cardinals! I have been so out of it with school starting and doing the boys room! We almost missed the game and we're coaching!! Mama Mia!! (Landon uses that expression when "he is sad and wants his mommy!)

Well, I got a hold of our team and the game was a success. Landon was happy as could be and he even kicked a goal with a teammate! It was a successful soccer Saturday.

Steve does such a great job coaching!

He makes a big deal out of the kids and they

all just love him! He is a fun coach.

Such a cute soccer player!

GOAL!!!! Landon kicked this goal with his teammate!I love the way this woman is looking at him!Waiting for some action.
Landon has the cutest run!!

It is my favorite!

The Boys Room

2009-08-26T12:21:00.001-07:00

I have finally finished my boys room. It took me exactly one week from start to finish and I have to say that it was worth it! It was a lot of work, but I think it turned out GREAT! The boys love it. Landon kept telling me how "AWESOME" everything was and how great I was doing. He was pretty cute. I'm just happy that all of the levels, tape, nail, hammers, and stud finder are finally out of their room! It now looks like a boys bedroom and not a construction zone!

Their bedding

Their baseball chair that we found at American Furniture.

We love it!
The wall where you enter their room.

The large wall of the west side of their room.

Thanks Heidi for telling me to look at Hobby Lobby!

I found most of the decorations in their room there and it

was all 50% off! I went on a good week!

Our tribute to John is finally finished!

The baseball wall! I found the bat on sale

at Pottery Barn Kids. I love it!!

Well, it's all done except for a few touch ups and little touches. At least it looks finished!! Thanks for your patience boys! I hope you love your new room.

Blaahhhhh Stripes!!!!!

2009-08-21T12:42:00.001-07:00

Ok, so for any of you out there contemplating painting stripes in a room in your house, think again!!! Stripes look like so much fun, but let me tell ya . . . they're not!!! They are so much work!

I thought (there's where I went wrong!!) that painting stripes on one of the boys' wall to represent pin stripes would be so cute. It would match the sheets The execution, painful. It took me an entire day to do these stripes. I measured and drew lines in the morning, taped in the late morning early afternoon, started painting mid afternoon, and finished around 6 pm. I survived the process though and here is how it turned out:

Landon snapped a pic of me taping.

Wow! That is a lot of tape!

Finally done taping.

Painting. The problem was that I was trying to use caulk to

make the lines straight. It took me an hour to do the line you see here.

After that, I scrapped straight lines and just painted the whole wall.
I'm far from perfect anyway, what would possess me into thinking

I needed perfect lines!!

Wallah! The finished striped wall! AAAAHHHHH!

At least it is done. All I need to do now is touch it up.

You better love this boys!!

New Room

2009-08-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

We've been talking the talk for a long time and I'm finally walking the walk!! I have finally bit the bullet and have moved the boys in together. I can say I know why I have put it off for so long. . . it is a pain to do a room!!! Oh how you forget. Anyway, their rooms theme is vintage sports. It is going to be so cute once it is ALL done. And I just have to remember that all of this hard work will be worth it!!

Here is our salute to "The Duke".

The John Elway wall of fame.

Landon says, "John Elway is my favorite football player!"
Does he know he doesn't play anymore?!

Their new bunk beds.

Braylon spent the first night on the floor.

Imagine that!

The past two nights he has slept in the bed.

Making progress!

Sleeping Braylon 3

2009-08-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

Is he not the funniest boy! Found him here a few night ago while I was making my final rounds before bed. He will do anything to avoid sleeing in his room.

Stephen used to fall asleep all over their house when he was little. I guess that Braylon inherited it from him.

So silly!!!

Cousins

2009-08-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite parts of this summer, and one of Gavin's least favorite parts, was having our cousins stop by for dinner on their way home from Kansas. Thanks Kathy, Rayanne, and Aaron for coming to see us! We loved it!

Coralee loves her baby girl cousins because she doesn't have a little sister!
Braylon and Leah look like they're getting along right?!

Braylon really wanted to hold her.

But, obviously, Leah didn't feel like being held.

Leah loved jumping on the tramp.

When she was by herself.
And when Braylon wasn't around harrassing her!

Braden loved the tramp too!
Now you two know what to get them for Christmas!

Pretty Rayanne and Leah.
One last picture before they go!!

The BOYZ!

Can't wait til you come out to Kansas again! That's the only way we see you out in our neck of the woods!!

Backpack

2009-08-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Ever since we got Coralee and Landon their backpacks for school, Braylon has not taken his backpack off (He inherited it from Landon). He wears it in the car, when he goes to bed, around the house, outside, and he's even worn it to church. This LITTLE man has such a Big personality.

Sleeping Braylon 2

2009-08-21T11:49:00.001-07:00

Every time my friend, Steph, comes over we find Braylon asleep on the stairs!!

All I can figure is that he really likes her and just wants to be near her!!!

At least this time he looks a little more comfortable!

Baseball

2009-08-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

Landon LOVES baseball.

I am sure that there are other kids out there who LOVE baseball,

but I have not seen anything like Landon.

He has been playing since he was big enough to hold a bat

and finally, after years of waiting, he was old enough for t-ball.

Steve worried that he'd be bored because he has been hitting off the pitch for years.

But he loved it regarless of hitting off a tee and he especially loved that his

Daddy was one of his coaches. We had so much fun watching him play this summer.

During the last game Landon ran after every ball no matter where it was hit. The best was when he dove onto two boys already going for the ball and they all laid there in a dog pile!
Warm ups before the game. He is so cute!!

Preparing for the hit.

Getting the grounder.

Well, it was a fun summer of t-ball. Landon is sad, but at least soccer starts soon!

Photo Shoot

2009-08-13T10:57:00.000-07:00

For my birthday, I wanted a family photo shoot. Although Steve was hot (in more ways than one, mind you), we survived and Cam got some great pics! I'll love them forever!

Bangin' Bangs

2009-08-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

On Monday August 10, Coralee and I went and visited my friend Kim at Super Cuts to cut bangs. I needed a change and Coralee has been wanting bangs for awhile now and she finally mustered the courage after watching me go through with it!! When I asked Steve if he liked my bangs he replied, "Your bangs are bangin'!!" Hence the title for this blog.

Thanks for thinking my bangs look bangin' babe! I like them too!!

(This is not the best pic. But my fam has been asking for a picture and this is all I got!! I'll put more on later.)

Another First

2009-08-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Aging is SURREAL . . . sometimes I feel like I am running in a race and life is just a blur as I sprint by.

It seems like only yesterday, I was lying in bed nervous and scared for my first day of school. I remember closing my eyes so tight praying that the tighter I squeezed my eyes, the faster I’d fall asleep. After what felt like hours, I would open my eyes and much to my despair I would not only still be awake, but only minutes had passed.

This memory came flooding back as I went to check on Coralee last night and I saw her in her bed with her eyes squeezed tight. I thought she was asleep, but when I touched her hair, her eyes flew open and she looked at me with big brown deer in the headlight eyes. I had scared her. She was nervous about her FIRST day of FIRST grade. I told her I knew how she felt and that if I could survive the first day of first grade, so could she.

Sure enough, she fell asleep and she is surviving her FIRST day of FIRST grade, however it is only 11:21 and she still has four hours left! On the other hand, I am not doing as well as I had expected. I have been so excited for Coralee to start school and go for a whole day, but after getting her to school late and missing her march into her school doors (Steve and the boys were there. I was parking the car), I must admit I feel rather melancholy. I feel like I have just finished one leg of a race and as I sit back and reflect, it doesn’t seem possible that my baby girl is old enough to be in all day school!!! Life is flying by too quickly. I need to slow down and enjoy it more.

Here is our little princess in her first day of school outfit.

Thirty, Flirty (But only with Steve), and Thriving

2009-08-09T23:04:00.001-07:00

Today I turned the big 3-0!!! It is crazy because I thought that I would feel so grown up and mature, but really I just feel the same! BUMMER!! However, I guess that is good because we are only as old as we feel right?

(Don't know what's up with my camera and the color pink!! But I made Cam take a pic of me!)

I had a GREAT birthday weekend. Coralee, Cameron, and I went to the Castle Rock Outlets with my friends Erin and her girls and shopped all day on Friday while my WONDERFUL brother-in-law, Dave Wave, watched my boys. It was so much fun. While we were shopping, Steve called and told me that he needed my home by five and that I needed to pack some pjs and comfy clothes and left it at that.

When we got back, I packed and he whisked me out the door and we were off toward Golden. He took me to dinner at McCormicks, then we went and saw That Was Loud, This is Now at Heritage Square, and then we stayed the night at the Marriot in Golden. Then we woke up on Sat. and he took me and dropped me off at Salon Siverado for an hour massage, facial, pedicure, and manicure! It was wonderful!! I have the best husband ever!!! Sorry ladies. (Steve getting my turkey ready!! Yum, yum!! I love turkey!)

Saturday night we went and watched Bob and Renae in their stake's Jubilee play and then Sunday (my actual birthday) I had fun managing the children while Steve was at meetings and then after church we headed back to Arvada to listen to Bob speak at a stake fireside (which was incredible!!) and then we went back to their house for Thanksgiving dinner and cake and ice cream It was a great day!

Letter Boxing

2009-08-09T22:50:00.001-07:00

Thank you Ashely Harkness for introducing us to the world of letterboxing! We absolutely love it! On July 30 we set out on our first adventure. We went to Berry Patch farm and Admas County Regional Park to collect our first sets of stamps in our handy dandy letterboxing notebooks!! We had so much fun!!

For those of you who have not heard of letterboxing, I'll try to explain. You choose a stamp that represents you or your family, you get a notebook, an inkpad and then you go to the following website, type in your zip and you'll find all sorts of clues to find a letterbox. Follow the clues and once you find the letterbox, you get to stamp the stamp into your notebook and then you leave your stamp in the book that you found and then put it back for the next letterbox junkies. It is so much fun. It is like a scavenger hunt. My kids loved it!! Go to www.atlasquest.com to read more about it and to find letterboxing adventures near you.

Sorry about the pics. Don't know what happened with my camera! Here are the kids and I at Adams County Regional Park after finding our second letterbox.
We got Cameron hooked while he was out visiting us. Here he is with the kiddos.

On our way to search for the letterbox.

Landon looking for the letterbox.

Landon finding the letterbox!

This was so much fun! I recommend it to everyone. It takes you to places that you have never been and places you would probably never go because you didn't know about them.

Happy Hunting!!!

Sprained Ankle

2009-08-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

This picture is for my brothers who claim that I was faking a sprained ankle at home just to ruin our AWESOME game of water baseball so I could get attention and have everyone wait on me!! Such a male comment. Hopefully this proves that it was a decent sprain and I had everyone reason to have everyone waiting on me during my last night at home in Fallon.

Gav and Tim, this was even taken after the color started to fade! Take that! Miss you two! Thanks for the good time!

Sleeping Braylon

2009-08-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

So Steve comes home (Tuesday July 27th) from his softball game and as he enters the house he says, "Have you seen where Braylon is sleeping?"

Steph, my bosom friend, was over watching a movie and I reply back, "No".

"Come see this," Replies Steve.

Steph and I walk over to the front door and look up the stairs and this is what we see!!! We could not stop laughing!!!

How uncomfortable does this look!

I had heard him moving around on the stairs, but he never came down so I figured he went back upstairs to sleep. He is obsessed with these "tenna shoes" and so he must've wanted me to put them on. They were sitting next to him on the stairs!

Talk about a kink in the neck!

Such a funny boy!

I just love Steve's question, "Have you seen where our son is sleeping?"

Like if I saw this I would have just left him there! Too funny!

Tornado Scare

2009-07-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

On Monday July 20th My mom, my brother Cameron, Steve, and I went to the movies to see Harry Potter. At then end of the movie the theater got really loud and we realized that it was hailing outside and the wind was howling! The next thing we knew, the movie stopped and an employee rushed into the theater and announce that there was a tornado warning and that we all needed to evacuate the theater and head into the bathrooms. From the sound of it I thought we were surley having a tornado. I made Steve call our sitter and get the kids into the basement! A bit of an overreaction, but from the sounds of things I was sure that the end was here!! It wasn't even raining out at our house when poor McKenna got all of our kids out of bed and made them hike down to the basement! (Sorry McKenna!) Needless to say, we didn't wait out the tornando warning before heading home.

When we got home, the weather wasn't too bad but then it hit at our house! It dumped and dumped! This picture didn't turn out because it was so dark, but it rained so much that the our street flooded. The water got so high it was above the wheel wells of our neighbors cars!! That is what I was trying to capture a picture of. It was crazy!! Every time my family comes from Nevada we get the craziest weather!

My Boyz

2009-07-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

Stephen was successful getting the boys to take a nap! Yea Steve!

It's amazing how sweet boys can look when they are sleeping!!

4th of July

2009-07-30T15:54:00.001-07:00

Erin, Brynn, Darrin, Emmett, and Alexa Stang

Cambry, Brian, Braxton, and Sara Loveridge

The 4th of July was always such a big event at my house when I was growing up so when Independence Day drew near and we had no plans, I got so sad and real homesick. The Stangs and the Loveridges saved the day by coming over and entertaining us for the evening. Coralee did a great job decorating the house, Steve smoked ribs and a pork butt, we made smores, broke a pinata, did small fireworks at our house, and then drove up to the water tower to watch fire works all over the valley. It was quite an evening and we had so much fun!Break the Pinata!!Yummy Smores!!

Dress Up

2009-07-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

Coralee is so much like me it makes me laugh! She loves to dress Landon up and I remember doing the same thing to Gavin and Tim!! Coralee and Landon came down stairs one day and boy did I get a kick out of Landon's outfit! They are so silly!

Steve told me a funny story that I feel is appropriate to share with this pictures. He was at work one day and he was sitting around with a bunch of co-workers and they somehow got on a strange topic of conversation. They were joking about how ugly the men would be as women. (Can't remember how they got on this!) But anyway, they are going around talking about how ugly each man would be as a woman and then they get to Steve and they say, "Actually you'd make a pretty woman!" Landon obviously takes after his dad!! That topic of conversation probably evolved from the fact that Steve loves to impersonate women for Halloween!!!

Dentist

2009-05-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

Landon had to get two fillings yesterday from Dr. Betty at Children's Dentistry. I was so nervous for him, but he was a champ and did amazing. I think I would have gotten claustrophobic (sp) with all of that stuff in my mouth when I was his age. He had a freak out right at the beginning, but once he settled down, he never even winced the rest of the time.

Braylon and Coralee were in the room with us the whole time and did so well. Braylon was watching Dr. Betty use the popcorn popper (or laser) to blast the sugar bugs (or cavities) and was a little concerned. He asked, "What she doing to my Lanny?" Dr. Betty thought that was the cutest thing she'd ever heard.

Although my children fight and drive eachother crazy, I'm so grateful that they love and care for one another so much. They really do have great relationships with one another. I am so blessed to have such great kids.

Besides Braylon's comment, the other highlight was the Knock Knock Joke Book that Coralee and I found. It was crackin' us up! Here's our favoirtes:

Knock, Knock

Who's there?

Amish

Amish Who?

Amish you shoo Mooch

Knock, Knock

Who's there?

Coincidental

Coincidental Who?

Coincidental chair and let's look at your teeth!

Ha, ha, ha! What a day at the dentist office!

Bolder Boulder

2009-05-27T09:49:00.001-07:00

I have to boast a wee bit because Stephen and I did something on Memorial Day that I would have wagered I'd never do in my whole life!! We ran a 10K race called the Bolder Boulder! I have been fretting for a month over this stinkin' race and was glad when it finally arrived. Although we'd been running, I didn't know if I started training early enough because, needless to say, I am not a distance runner. In high school, I felt that the 400 was a distance race!!! So, I am very proud to say that I RAN the whole 6.3 (or whatever a 10K is) and didn't have to stop and walk!!!! It was quite an accomplishment for me. Steve is a distance runner, so although it was an accomplishment for him, I don't considerate as much as an accomplishment as it was for me!!! (That's a compliment Steve!!!) I forgot my camera on race day, so I do not have picture proof, but I scanned our bids and here are our official results! Yea us!!!!

Steve Lewis
bib number:
MF257
overall place:
11503
location:
Brighton, CO
division:
M30
division place:
271 out of 520
gender place:
7969 out of 21941
mile 1:
00:09:19.01
mile 2:
00:09:21.95
mile 3:
00:09:18.83
mile 4:
00:09:08.26
mile 5:
00:08:53.68
mile 6:
00:08:45.43
net time:
00:56:37.37
pace:
09:06 (based on net time)

Rachel Lewis
bib number:
MF258
overall place:
11508
location:
Brighton, CO
division:
F29
division place:
160 out of 748
gender place:
3537 out of 26182
mile 1:
00:09:19.09
mile 2:
00:09:21.52
mile 3:
00:09:19.31
mile 4:
00:09:08.03
mile 5:
00:08:53.92
mile 6:
00:08:45.83
net time:
00:56:37.73
pace:
09:06 (based on net time)

This was such an amazing experience. It was so much fun to see so many people running and walking. The announcer said that there were 54,000 people participating over the course of the morning. There were people cheering us on the whole. People passed out doritos, cupcakes, popsicles, beer, water, gatorade, necklaces, vegan yogurt, and I can't remember what else. Those are the things that I remember seeing.

People stood on the sides of the roads with squirt guns and garden hoses spraying people down. It was awesome. The only thing I'd change about the race, is I would have put us in a faster wave. There were just way too many walkers that we had to weave in and out of, but I thought I feared that I'd have to stop and walk so now I know for next year. Yes, we want to do it again. Even though my ankle wouldn't work the day after, it was too much fun!!! And I am in the best shape I have been in for a long time. It's worth it just for that!!! Thanks for pushing me Stevie! You are the best!!!!!

Last Day

2009-05-21T20:28:00.001-07:00

It is hard to believe that my baby girl has just completed her first year of school. It seems like the first day of school was forever ago and at the same time it feels it was just yesterday. I have to admit, I am happy to have a break from rushing around every morning trying to get everyone out the door on time! I am so happy to be able to have our mornings move more slowly. I am so ready for summer! Yea!! Here pics of the 1st and last day of school.

Snuggles

2009-05-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

We just had our carpets cleaned and because Coralee has so much STUFF in her room, her bed was covered because the carpets were not all the way dry. So, she had to sleep with Landon.

She complained at first because, "Landon is too loud". But, I tucked them in and they seemed to be doing okay.

I told them that they needed to be quite and go to sleep and Coralee says, "But what about snuggles?"

I replied, "You can snuggle if you want to, just go to sleep!"

Because we ran like crazy today, I didn't hear a peep come out of their room which is extremely unusual. I went in to check on them and this is what I found.

I smiled as I reflected on my grumpiness when we had gotten home tonight because I was tired along with kids. Not a good combo in our house. All of the tension and anxiety subsided as I saw my two sweet angels asleep in their bed. It is these tender moments that make me LOVE being a mother. I wish I held on to these moments tighter so that I wouldn't forget when the days get hectic and crazy and the kids are loud and fighting!!

Mrs Twiss

2009-05-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

Coralee has had the best teacher this year!!! We have absolutely loved Mrs. Twiss! Coralee has learned so much from her and she goes above and beyond by doing amazing things for her students. I have truly been impressed and so grateful that Coralee had a teacher who has built her confidence and self esteem and helped her to love school during her first year of school. Coralee also got an acheivement Award from Mrs. Twiss for her efforts in the classroom this year along with all of the other students in her class. She had a great class.

This is another award that I was extrememly proud of. Coralee memorized over 55 sight words this year at school. I really did not do a whole lot to help her unfortunately. She did it on her own and in the classroom. I was so impressed with her and also with Mrs. Twiss for helping her to learn so much! Good job Coralee!!!!

Legacy Award

2009-05-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was in charge of Coralee's class party which was titled, "Blasting Off to First Grade". It was so much fun and I had a BLAST try to plan something that would make the kiddos feel special so that they would always remember the end of their first year of school. Little did I know that I would be the one who would not forget the end of the school year.

Right at the beginning, Mrs. Ortega, the principal, came into the classroom to hand out awards. I had no idea what to expect as Coralee is my first child to go through kindergarten. She handed out attendance awards (if they would have handed out awards based on the number of days kids missed I bet Coralee would have gotten one!!), pride awards, and then Mrs. Ortega began to talk about the Legacy Award. Se talked about what a special award it is and how hard it was for Mrs. Twiss to choose the kids who got it. The award is given in recognition of great character, citizenship, work ethic and helping to continue the legacy at Pennock. She called two kids, one boy and one girl and I thought for sure that would be it and then she announced, "Coralee Lewis" and I have to admit my eyes filled with tears. I was so surprised and again I must admit, I was very proud. I try not to be a proudful person, but it is crazy how much pride can swell within you when it comes to your children. I have had so many prideful moments this year as I have watched Coralee learn and grow into such an amazing little lady. I am so proud of her as I know her father is. We only wish he could have been at the class party to see her get her award.

Here We Go Again

2009-05-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I'll give this whole blog thing another try! It has been a long year for me. For some reason the past two years have just been tough, but I think that I am climbing my way out of my funk. At least let's hope so. School is out in four days, preschool is done, seminary is done, and the weather is starting to stay warm consistantly. I sense good things on the horizon! Here's a small glimpse into our past five months:

After Christmas our cousins Braden and Leah came to visit! Horray!

Steve turned 30 on January 1!!

Coralee go her first loose tooth early February!

Coralee lost her first tooth February 26!

Braylon overcame his fear of water at the Brighton Rec Center February 27 and now he is a mad man in the water! kind of scary considering we are getting passes to Water World this summer.

On March 9, Nana and Grandpa returned triumpantly from their mission in Africa! Yea!! We sure missed them!

To celebrate Nana and Grandpa's homecoming, we went to touristy Kansas City on March 18! We did a church history tour and saw the Visitor's Center, the Reorganized Church, Liberty Jail, and Adam-Ondi-Omon. It was incredible. Here the kids are during our tour at the Visitor's Center.

Here's is our family at Adam-Ondi-Omon. It was amazing!

The real purpose behind the trip to Kansas City was for the NCAA Basketball tournament baby!! Oh ya, we've been three years in an row and we put our bid in for the sweet sixteen next year in Salt Lake!! Our fingers are crossed.

Stephen and the boys built our family's FIRST snowman at the end of April!! Will it ever get warm and stay that way?!! I answer myself, "No!!!!"

Sally Bally left me on April 9 and claims to be happy back in Wyoming amongst her family and friends! Shame on her! Hee, hee!

My mom came to visit on April 7 and then Dad and Cam came on April 10th. We went down to Colorado Springs and toured the Cave of the Winds and then went to Garden of the Gods. It was an awesome day. Here's Coralee, Grandma and Grandpa and the Cave.

Cameron, my baby brother, and I stopping for a pose in the Garden of the Gods.

Landon developed a love of photography whilest in the Garden! Here are two of the twenty photos he took with my camera:

Well, that gives a glimpse of our lives up to the beginning of April. I'll catch up on the rest soon. I swear! Okay, you all know I don't swear so I guess you won't hold me to that. But, I have a dream and that dream consists of me blogging more regularly this summer. We'll see!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

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.

So SAD

2008-12-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T09:53:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

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

Gratitude

2008-12-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

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.

Coralee's Eye Surgery

2008-12-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-14T13:12:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-14T13:09:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-12-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-12-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

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!

Days Like Today

2008-12-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

Days like today (there's four inches of snow on the ground and it was 3 degrees as we were driving home from church!) make me think back to the warm summer sun! We loved going to our friend Sally's pool this past summer and swimming with her and her kids. Coralee and Landon both turned into little fish and Braylon overcame his fear of the water. Oh, those summer days!

Sobs!

2008-12-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

I just found out today that my muy favorito burrito Sally Jane, in whom I share the same middle name, and her cutie patooties Ells Bells and Keags are leaving us to move back to her family in Wyoming! What evs Sally Bo Bally! Oh ya, and Lukey too! I am so sad for me, but so happy for you guyses. At least we have three more months eh?! Congrats on the job offer Lucas Pukas. We'll miss you guys.

And now I am too depressed to post any more tonight. Guess I'll play catch up tomorrow!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

2008-12-09T20:48:00.001-08:00

We've gotten quite a bit of snow already. This picture is from our very first snow in early November. The kids went out and played in it before school. Steve thought it was hilarious that Coralee was out making snow angels with grass flying all around her! It wasn't a very deep snow, but it sure got the kids excited!

This was from our snow last week on Coralee's birthday, December 4th! While Stephen took Coralee, her friends, and Landon to the movie to celebrate, I took Braylon out to play in the snow. We got quite a bit that day.
It's beginning to look like Christmas! Yea!

Why Oh Why?!

2008-12-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

Why oh why is blogging consistently so hard for me? No clue, but it is. I told my cousin Kelli that she inspired me to blog today and I didn't want to let her down! Hee, hee. So, here is my attempt to get an update in.

Life is good here in cold snowy Colorado. We are busy getting ready for Christmas and enjoying the holiday season. We just got back from Nevada where we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my family and attend my sister Tonya's wedding. It was so nice to be with everyone. The kids are busy singing all over the place with their Sounds of Joy choir. They had their big concert last Friday and they sang at two nursing homes tonight. It is so fun to watch them perform with their classes. Steve is busy with seminary and work and I am busy with preschool and our children. Life is just speeding by way too quickly for my liking, however I am trying to remember to stop and enjoy the journey. Hope everyone is doing well and that you're finding time to enjoy the journey too!

Bray Bray

2008-08-27T13:07:00.001-07:00

Everyone keeps asking how long Braylon's hair is so I thought I should do a Braylon Blogg. Here is the little fireball posing for the camera. His hair is pretty long. He still has not had it cut ever, but we need to get him a trim soon. At first Stephen wanted wait to cut his hair until his parents returned from their mission in March, but I think I finally have him talked into a trim. I like Bray's long hair, I just feel bad when it is hanging in his eyes! It is so cute though! We love it!

I love it when kids get into the scrunchy face stage. Ya know, when you ask them to smile and they scrunch up up their faces and their eyes close! Ya, Bray Bray is in that stage and I absolutely love it! Aint he so cute!

Coralee's First Day Of School

2008-08-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

I've been sad about this day, August 21, 2008, for the past five years! I thought that if I prepared myself and was sad for five years, than it would make Coralee's first day of kindergarten that much easier, but I was wrong. Last Thursday was a very emotional day for everyone, but also a very exciting day in the life of our little Coralee.

Coralee woke to find that she a received a visit from the backpack fairy. When she opened her packback she found a card, Hanna Montana notebook, two shirts, and an undershirt. She was so excited and had high hopes that the backpack fairy would return the next night. She learned that the back pack fairy only comes the night before the first day of school.

Then, she requested smiley face pancakes for her first day of school breakfast. There's nothing better than a plate full of sugar right before school. Poor Mrs. Twiss! After breakfast she got dressed in her new school outfit, got her hair done, and then came downstairs for more pictures and videos.

As I was videoing her before we got in the car I asked, "So, Coralee any last words before we leave for school?"

She looked at the camera and said, "Bye Mommy. Bye Daddy. I'm gonna (her voice cracked and she started to sob) miss you." She broked down and it was all I could do to not break down right there with her. I turned off the camera and threw my arms around her trying to keep my emotions in tact. I knew that if I cried it would make it worse so I just tried to console her.

We went outside, took more pictures and got into the car. Coralee was very scared to go to school, but I knew that as soon as she went she would love it. She cried some more when we got to school and the bell rang. She cried while she stood in line to go into class. She really cried when Stephen hugged her and said goodbye. But, she stayed in line with tears streaming down her face as she marched into the school turning around to wave goodbye to Stephen, Braylon, Landon, and me.

As we walked away, Stephen looked at me and said, "That was 100 times worse than I thought it would be." However, when Steve picked her up from school she said she loved it and had so much fun and that her teacher said that they were going to have even more fun the next day. She has been happy to go to school every day since!

It's hard to believe that she is old enough to be in school, but when you talk to her or watch her it seems like she should have been in school years ago. She is so grown up and sophisticated sometimes I cannot believe she is my daughter. It is so fun to watch them grow and develop even though it so hard emotionally!

Heritage Square

2008-08-26T20:11:00.001-07:00

Poor Stephen missed out on all of the fun so when we got back from Nevada he took that Monday off and we took the kids to Heritage Square. It is this cute place up in the mountains that has kid rides, a dinner theater, alpine slide, mini golf, and shops. Steve grew up going there as a kid so it is fun to take our kids there and hear him talk about the good ol' days. It isn't the happenin' place that it was when he was a kid, but it is still fun to go and play and the kids love it!

Feed Truck

2008-08-24T19:07:00.001-07:00

One of the most exciting parts of going home is getting go to the farm and ride tractors with Grandpa. Braylon was terrified of all the tractors, but Coralee and Landon loved it. Here they are helping grandpa feed the cows in the feed truck.

Sister

2008-08-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

I love my Nona. It was so fun getting to spend time with her in Fallon. Sisters are the best and I am so blessed to have two of them. Even though we miss Carly like crazy, we are so grateful that she is serving a mission in England.

Cousins

2008-08-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

We love cousins. It is so fun to finally have so many on my side. It is fun for Braylon and Landon to have so many boys and Coralee is in heaven having baby Leah. She wants a sister so bad, it is too bad that we cannot choose what we have!

Discovery Kingdom

2008-08-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

We talked about whales when we studied the letter W for preschool last year. When I asked the kids if anyone had ever seen a whale, all of them answered no. When I told the kids that I had seen a whale Coralee became very curious. All she kept talking about for days afterwards was wanting to see a whale. Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen were kind enough to make Coralee's dream come true by taking us to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, CA. We drove down Monday night, stayed in a hotel, woke up Tuesday played all day, and then jumped back in the car and drove home. The kids were troopers along with gram, gramps, Uncle Cam, Uncle Bill, and myself! We had a blast and it was a great memory for Coralee and Landon. Braylon got to stay home and play with his cousins Braden and Kylan. We got to go on lots of rides, see lots of luny toons and super heros, and see lots of marine animals. Corlaee not only got to see a whale, she got to see dolphins, tigers, elephants, giraffes, a llama, and she even got to pet a sea lion! It was so cool. Out of all the people at the show, little Coralee got chosen to go up and pet the sea lion. It was an expereince she'll never forget. It was so much fun. We loved every minute of it. Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Cam!

Posterity

2008-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

My dad is the second youngest of six children. This family reunion is for my grandpa and his three sibblings posterity. It is a huge reunion, but it is so much fun for all of us cousins. However, it can be very overwhelming for all of the in-laws! Here is most of my grandpa's posterity.
I am the oldest of seven children. Here is most of my Dad's posterity. We are missing my sister Carly who is serving a mission in England.I have three children Coralee - 5, Landon - 3, and Braylon - 1. Here I am with my posterity.

Families are such an amazing blessing. I am grateful to be part of such a wonderful family and heritage. I am also grateful for the sacrifice of those who came before me so that I was blessed to have the life style and upbringing that I did. My life has been amazing and I have enjoyed every moment, the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, the scary, the comforting, the hard, the easy, and the list can go on and on. It is through all of my experiences that I have become the person that I am and I owe so much of that to my family. Thank you!

Lattin Farm

2008-08-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Our big Sorensen shin dig was held at Lattin Farms. My Dad's family did such a nice job. We had bounce houses, the big water slides, crafts, this train ride for the kids, lots of food, music, and lots of conversation and visiting. It was fun to see cousins that I hadn't seen for years and get caught up on how everyone was doing. Coralee, Landon, and I had fun posing as animals. Bray was not interested! He was too busy being cute!

Push Pops

2008-08-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

My kids love push pops. Coralee kept asking Grandma to get her a push pop whenever she went to town, but we were having a hard time finding them. Finally, we found them at Wal Mart and the kids were happy. We had to get one for all of the cousins. I don't know if Braden had eaten push pops before, but he loved it as much as my kiddos! Too fun.

I'm Back Baby!

2008-08-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

I know I totally stink at this blogging thing, but I am trying. It has been a blur of a summer. I went from being home in Fallon with my family to coming back to Denver and being consumed with girls camp to getting back from girls camp and enjoying my mom (for only one day!) and Cameron (for a few weeks) to diving into Preschool to getting Coralee ready for kindergarten to now being totally exhausted, overwhelmed, and crazy! Was that a run-on or what! Hee, hee.
But we are doing really well. My motto is, "It is better to be crazy busy than to be idle". Yes, my life motto.

So, here I go playing catch up with my blog as usual. Woo, hoo! What fun. Hope you are all off to a great new school year and that your families are well.

Hay Ride

2008-06-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

We got to go on a wagon ride around the farm on Saturday morning. The only members of my immediate family who went were me, my kids, and my sister, Tonya. The rest of you are a bunch of slackers! That is how I feel about you. It was really hot, but it was fun. My grandpa Sorensen sat in the back of my uncle Brian's truck and he talked the entire ride telling us things about the dairy. As we passed one of the tractors that they use on the dairy, grandpa told us that when he bought the dairy he paid as much for it as my dad and his brother paid for the tractor! About $150,000! I thought that that was a very interesting bit of info! It is crazy to see how things have changed over the years. It was fun and it even put Braylon to sleep!

Baby Leah

2008-06-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Coralee has wanted a baby sister so bad. In fact, when we found out we were having a boy when I was pregnant with Braylon, she cried for two days! She said, "I already have a brother! I want a sister!" It was so sad. Well, finally, we have been blessed with our first baby girl cousin on my family's side. Baby Leah was born on May 22, 2008, she weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz, and she was 18 1/2 inches long. We had to wait one month to see her, but it was worth it. We have gotten more baby time than we could ask for and we have loved every minute, especially Coralee. She has been in heaven. The only problem is that now she wants a baby sister and unfortunately, we don't get to pick! Ya, try explaining that one to a five-year-old! Eye yeye yeye!

Cousins

2008-06-30T11:02:00.001-07:00

Grandma loves her grandbabies and there isn't anything that she wouldn't do for them. One thing that she loves doing for the kids is giving them baths her big fancy tub. Usually she adds bubbles that fill the tub, but not his time. Landon had fun taking a bath with Kylan and Braden after a day of long hard fun!

Grandma had fun playing choo choo with the boys. Braden is on the left and he is my brother Gavin's son. He turns 2 in July. Kylan is in the middle and he is my brother Tim's son. He turned 1 in March. And Braylon is on the right and he turned one in December. It is so fun having cousins so close in age even if all they really do right now is beat eachother up! Braden picks on Braylon and Braylon picks on Kylan. The older one picks on the younger one! Someday they will all grow out of it and be really good friends. Isn't Grandma cute!

Lake Lahonton

2008-06-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

We went out to the lake on Friday with all of my dad's immediate family. Every reunion that we have had, we always go to the lake and we have always taken a picture of all of my female cousins with Grandpa Sorensen. It's tradition! Here we all are.

Braylon enjoyed his "milk", playing in the sand, and sitting with his blanket. He was too little to go on the jet ski and kayak, but he still had a good time.
I got to take Coralee and Landon on their first jet ski rides. They both loved it. I let them each take a turn driving and they thought it was the coolest thing ever. Coralee laughed the whole time and Landon kept yelling in pure delight. It was so fun. I also got the take Coralee over so that she could see the dam. She was very interested that there was a dam at the lake.
Aunt Rayanne bought some life jackets for the kids to use and Landon fell in love with it. In fact, it was hard to get him to take it off so that someone else could use it. I think that little kids look so cute in life jackets. Love it!

My cousin Emily brought down her double kayak and my sister-in-law borrowed singles from a family friend. Everyone had so much fun kayaking all over the water. My sister Tonya and I took Landon and Coralee out for a ride. They did not enjoy it as much as the jet ski, but they had a pretty good time. Tonya and I got our arm workouts for the week. Feel the burn!

These Boots Are Made for Farmin'

2008-06-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

My mom had bought the cutest barn boots I have ever seen! There were so tiny and they fit little Bray! It was so funny watching him try to walk in these things at first. I don't think that his feet were in all the way and so it was quite entertaining. We could not get him to take his boots off. He wore them down to the farm to help Grandpa feed the cows. He is true farmer. Too cute!

2008-06-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

WE MISS YOU DADDY!

Cute story, so today Coralee says, "I miss Daddy. I want him to make me some sweet steak!" Sweet steak is Coralee's favorite meal that her dad makes. I thought it was pretty cute. Be ready to make Coralee some sweet steak when we get home dad!

Coralee's Hair Cut

2008-06-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

Coralee has been asking to get her hair cut up to her chin for months now and I kept telling her that I would take her when we went to Fallon. She had wanted to cut her hair earlier and then she changed her mind, so I wanted to make sure that she was serious this time. When we got here, she still wanted to do it and she kept telling everyone that she wanted her hair cut like Grandma's and Aunt Tonya's. I took her to Bellisima to get it done and she did really good. I think it is adorable, but she thinks the back is too short and she misses her long hair. I think it is the aftershocks of chopping her hair, but I am hoping that it grows on her. I love it!

2008-06-29T22:32:00.001-07:00

We are on vacation in Fallon, Nevada visiting with my family and for my Dad's family reunion. We have been gone almost a week and we have had a wonderful time except for the fact that Steve is not here with us. Although we all miss him terribly, we have kept busy and the kids have been able to do so many fun things. I want to be able to share what we have been up to with all of you, but more importantly with Daddy! So, I will do my best to get everything that we have been doing posted on here before I get too busy and never do it!

The dairy that my dad and his brother own bought the huge water slides from Costco for the reunion and we have been taking turns between families using it. We got to play on it on Tuesday and the kids had so much fun. We were outside all day and it was so nice because it was overcast and not scorching hot. Unfortunately for California and Oregon, but fortunate for us it was overcast because there were lots and lots of fires burning which made being outside easier to handle. It was a blast.