Where has the time gone!

I know it has been almost a year since my last blog, where has the time gone? The girls have started 2nd and 4th grades, now only to be off track, part two of summer has just begun. Kate just turned 7, Ethan will be turning 4 soon, Cooper is growing up so fast, and time just seems to be going by at warp speed. These pictures aren't even the most current, I guess I have a lot of work to do!

4 Kids!

I still can't believe that I have four kids. I am over 30 and have a full mini van - well since you must have space between everyone, you can't add any more or someone will be touching someone (sounds like all those dreaded family vacations with long hours in the car). I must say though, as each day brings all sorts of new adventures (potty training Ethan just on the top of the list), I am so grateful for the 4 kids I have and how much I love them and how much love they show me (well most of the time, unless I am asking them to do their homework or come inside from riding their bikes).

Just a couple weeks ago a wonderful friend took some amazing pictures of my kids and I must share. Now don't be fooled, they may look like angels, but there is a little devil inside each of them, well except Cooper, right now he could do no wrong, except spit up all over his dad in his work clothes. Thanks again Alana.

Thanks Lori

Aunt Lori is in town for the summer and has a wonderful camera. While living at grandma's, she was able to capture some rare moments that few get to see. Hope all enjoy these as much as I do. Thanks Lori



I will have to show Nicole and Kate this photo daily to remind them that they do love each other and will have a sister who will always be there for them forever.



Here is our crazy gang (except for Cooper). The three are partners in crime and will keep anyone on their toes, or heels keeping up with them.

Fun Stuff

Here is Kate's field trip to the zoo. Jeff took Ethan and went along. As tradition would have it, it rained all day as it did when Nicole did the same kindergarten field trip. Jeff was a trooper to go along and have fun with the kids.



Jeff won a trip to the Jazz locker room clean out. Nicole and Ethan got up early and went along to see what treasures awaited them. They had a good time and came home with some cool and interesting things.

home is where the heart is

Here is our new home. We are so excited to finally be moved in. The past 6 weeks have been exciting and wild. Moving out of old home, getting settled at grandma and grandpa's house, welcoming Cooper to the world, and finding our dream home just 5 mintues away from our old home.

We are getting settled and can't wait to have friends over to visit. The girls are enjoying their own rooms and riding their bikes in the circle. We can't wait for the sod to take so that we can play in our wonderful backyard.

Jeff has been working hard with all sorts of projects, and I am just trying to find some sort of order to the madness.

I just want to send a thank you out to all those who have helped us move in. We couldn't have done it with out everyone's help. We love you all.

Cooper Timothy Sorensen

Cooper was born June 5, 2009 at 7:55pm weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz. After going to dinner and looking at a couple houses, we made it to the hospital with about 2 minutes to spare. No doctor, no drugs, a couple big screams and Cooper was with us. He has been the best baby, after all having to sleep with lots of noise, tolerate being carried like a baby doll by his sisters, and enjoying the love from his big brother.

Easter

While i'm posting...

I'm not sure what the Easter bunny does in the rest of the world, but at our house the Easter bunny hides each kid's Easter basket. They get increasingly difficult to find as each child ages. I can remember one year, when I was a kid, I found my Easter basket tied to the chimney shute opener and the only way to find it was to stick my head in the fireplace and look up.

My kids aren't quite old enough for the Easter bunny to do that, but it's still a good thing that the Easter bunny makes sure to tell me where he hid all the baskets so I can help the kids find them if needed.

Nicole's was the hardest this year. Her basket was hidden in the coat closet. She looked in the closet twice on her own before she came crying saying how everyone else had their basket and she couldn't find her's yet. So, with some careful "warmer... colder... ooh hot! hot! hot!" she was getting closer and closer. I grabbed the camera....

Here's another fun video. I caught Ethan red-handed getting himself out of his crib. You can see for a split second he realizes he has been caught and considers getting back in. But then he realizes no one is yelling, so he figures it's okay to proceed. Cute little guy... he was just getting his little doggie to cuddle.

In Dallas...

I had 2 days of business in Dallas, so of course I found a way to Arlington to see the 8th wonder of the world - the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Here are some pictures:

Fun times

Here is Kate just being Kate. She loves school and is always willing to tell you all about what she has learned. I can't believe how big she is getting.



Like father, like son. Here is Jeff and Ethan doing one of their favorite things, playing Mario Kart on the Wii. Ethan looks forward to when Jeff gets home from work and they can have some time to be buds on the couch together. Don't let Ethan's size fool you, he is really good and moving that wheel around.



Ethan is never slow at anything he does, like going up the tile stairs. Here is the black eye to prove it. Luckily no stitches, we have had a good run without needing grandpa to stitch anyones injuries for quite some time.

Just the same old stuff

I feel like each day is just the same old stuff as the day before. House to clean, dinner to make, laundry to fold, etc. Someday seem like an exact repeat of the day before and the day before that.

As I finally cleared the memory from my digital camera, I thought about the silly, funny, memorable, and important things that have made some days special and not just the same old stuff.

Nicole got baptized on February 28th. It was so neat to have her make that decision. I am very proud of her and all that she does. As you can tell from the pictures she was very nervous, but did really well and enjoyed the rest of the day once the fear of the unknown was gone.

33 on 3/3

Love you dad!

Happy Birthday from Nicole and Kate!

Happy Birthday Jeff! Thanks for being such a great dad. We all love you and appreciate all you do!

This Ones For You Babe!

Kate is such a cute dancer. This is her performing at the Festival of Trees. Her smile is so wonderful to watch.



After many mornings listening to her cry and scream when I would comb her hair, it was time to cut Nicole's beautiful hair. She got 6 1/2 inches cut off this past week. She definetaly looks grown up with her cute new look.

Here is Ethan and his dog or gog as he will tell you. Ethan convinced me that his dog needed a bowl of Alpha Bits (including milk) just like him. Ethan made sure the bowl was postitioned just right, on the edge of the counter waiting to spill all over the dog. Everyday there is something new that makes me laugh.

Falling For Fall

GO UTES!!!

It is officially fall for me. Football season is here, the kids are back in school, the days seem shorter, and the nights are cool. Fall is my favorite time of year. So here is a post will some of the favorite things about fall.

I must also mention that fall also brings me to make certain things at my house. I have made 6 batches of caramel popcorn, and have eaten probably 4 myself. I really should stop, but I just can't resist the chewy, crunchy, sweet popcorn. If any of you are interested try the following recipe.

Microwave Caramel Popcorn

16 cups popped popcorn (not microwave)

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon salt

Microwave on high for 1 minute - stir

again for 1 minute - stir

then again for 1 minute - stir

Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Stir, the mixture will foam.

Take a brown paper grocery sack and spray the inside with Pam.

Put the popcorn in and pour caramel mixture over the top. Roll closed and shake.

Place in microwave for 1 minute, shake

then 1 minute, shake

then 30 seconds, shake

and 30 seconds, shake.

Once done shaking, pour out onto cookie sheet to cool. Enjoy!

Kiddie Kandids Today!

Well, Amber has done a decent job of updating the blog, but I guess it is my turn. Amber took the kids to Kiddie Kandids today, and, well, since she's not quite sure how to get the photos off the kiddie kandids website to be able to post them on our blog, it's my turn.

There are some good pictures. For example, Ethan turns 2 in a couple months and he loves balls. Here is a picture of him in what he would consider to be heaven on earth.

I can't believe that he would actually sit by all the balls without throwing all of them.

Here are a couple of pictures of all 3 kids together:

Here is our little Kate. She is getting so big. She went to the doctor's office right after these pictures to get her kindergarten check-up. She didn't realize it going in, but they gave her 4 shots today. She isn't in the best of moods right now. Maybe I should take her to Ikea to lift her spirits.

Here is Nicole. She is also growing like a weed. She will be starting 2nd grade in a month or so. 2nd grade - I can't believe it. I can almost remember when I was in 2nd grade...

Here is the most amazing picture you will ever see. I have not seen these two so close to each other with smiles on their faces in about 4 years. I guarantee if you put these two this close together that they will be fighting and one of them crying (if not both) within 10 seconds. We'll put a copy of this picture in every room in the house just to remind us that these two can co-exist without pulling each other's hair out:
In fact, Kate just came up to me and said, "Daddy, don't you like the picture of me and Nicole hugging each other?" Just as I am about to answer, Nicole chimes in "I don't! I hate it!" I bet you can guess who causes the fighting.

10 Years

So here is to embarassment. Next week Jeff and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary. I can't believe what has come about over the last 10 years. But I will say I am blessed. I have a wonderful husband and three children who are amazing (well most of the time). So here is to the next 10 years. Hope they are just as fun as the last. Love you Jeff!

Happy Father's Day

So I feel really bad not posting something the wonderful man who has given me my family. Thanks Jeff for all you do. Happy Belated Father's Day Jeff!

Jeff is the best dad, he is always helping the girls and loves to be with them.

Jeff has three loves and they are Nicole, Kate and Ethan [Jeff's edit - It's actually 4 - Don't forget Amber, she's #1 - OK enough cheese....] He is truly an amazing father. The kids can't wait to have him home, especially Ethan.

He loves his kids and will do anything for them. So here is to you, the best dad. We all love you!

Pirates Cove

So here is Pirates Cove. One of the most amazing places our family has ever been. Thank to the generocity of Uncle Blake, we got to enjoy this amazing house/resort/villa/etc. I am not sure how to describe it but FUN FUN FUN is a good place to start. This is the top of the slide that Jeff and Ethan are going down.

As you can see Ethan loved going down the slide with his dad. We also sent him down several times by him self in a life jacket with Jeff waiting to catch him at the end of slide. I still am not sure if he loved it, but he never cried and always wanted to go down again with his dad.

Also Ethan loved the ice cream machine. This was just after he woke up from a nap and the ice cream is what he wanted.

Holly and Dave were such good helpers. Jeff and I could not keep up with the demand of slide runs, so Holly and Dave were always ready to take a turn.

Here our little Kate is jumping into the deep diving pool. Her face just lets you know that she is always having fun, no matter what she is doing.




Once again the favorite thing to do was the slide. The girls would get up and have their swim suits on by 9 am. We would drag them out of the water at 7 pm. We were supposed to only stay one day after spending the weekend in St. George, but we just couldn't leave so soon. We stayed an extra day. The girls were so happy. Not to mention Ethan, who learned to say "pool" this past weekend, and then would repeat it every five minutes.

Here is a perfect picture of Nicole jumping into the diving pool. She had been watching Dave and Holly jump of the platforms, so this is her version. She is so crazy.

Once again Holly and Dave saved the day. They had good practice looking after the kids for when we go out of town and they will be in charge. I will pray for Holly and Dave every day!

Here is grandma and grandpa soaking up the sun and watching the girls have so much fun. We truly had the best time. And what an amazing place. I could post about 10 more pictures of just the amazing place we stayed at. Thanks Uncle Blake for the invite!