Snuggles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coralee and Landon were fighting over the camera to take pics!

They did pretty good! Just a little off center!

Happy Birthday Landon

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

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

Presents ~ Hoorah!

Little excited!

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




AAAARRRRR Matey!! He got pirate dress ups!

Recital

Coralee took voice lessons from our good friend Jen Kroff and then sang a solo at her dance recital. Coralee sang Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid. She did a wonderful job. Her little voice always makes me so happy. We all get a little teary eyed seeing her up on stage and realizing how big she is getting. I love that Coralee LOVES to sing. Our house is always filled with her sweet little voice.

Is she cute of what!?We hardly take family pics so I made sure we got one, but where's Braylon?!

We tried to take another one after the recital, but now where's Landon?!

Happy Halloween

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

Ms. South Carolina and Hanna Montana

Power Ranger and Dragon

Gratitude

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

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

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