Worland, WY - aka Paradise

We had a secret vacation spot that we absolutely love...Worland, Wyoming! Yes, you heard me correctly, Worland!! My Aunt Claudia and Uncle Bruce live there and ever since I was a little baby, our family would travel to Worland every year - at least once (sometimes more, if we were lucky). Last weekend, the entire Sorenson clan (except for my brother Richard), descended upon Worland for a fun, relaxing, adventurous time. Bruce and Claudia go out of their way to make sure that there is delicious food and memorable activities and this year was awesome!!

Worland is the perfect balance of peaceful, relaxing down time and busy, fun activities!

Here's how we each spent our time relaxing:

Jeannette - sewing!!!! (my mom and I each brought our sewing machines, so along with my sister Becky, we sat for hours and hours working on sewing projects - ah, heaven!). Close behind sewing was drinking diet pop like it was the last of it on earth!

Jon - reading, catching up on sleep

Emily - jumping on the trampoline, playing games

Lindsey - jumping on the trampoline, watching Disney movies on a tv all by herself

Jack - jumping on the trampoline

Kate - playing with Cabbage Patch dolls, Strawberry Shortcake, Little People & Smurfs ALL DAY. I've never seen Kate play happily by herself for such a long stretch of time. She was in heaven!

Hannah - trying to get Aunt Claudia's most breakable objects, taking great naps

Steve (my dad) - taking two naps a day, reading, working on crossword puzzles

Corinne (my mom) - sewing

Peter (my brother) - taking naps

Mike (my brother) - working with Uncle Bruce in the garage to build a new bookcase

Candy (my sister-in-law) working in the garage on restoring a stool and old window frames

Becky (my sister) - sewingMike, Emily & Lindsey

Kate & Jack (proof that they actually get along at times)

Mike & Uncle Bruce in the garage

Candy - working hard in the garage

We found a few spare moments to torture Hannah by putting her in Cabbage Patch doll's clothes

We also did a ton of fun activities. Uncle Bruce had rigged up some of his equipment to blast 2-litter pop bottles in the air. He'd fill them with water, add air for pressure and then release them into the air. They were great! The kids took turns pulling the rope to release them and Becky would try to catch them in the net. The kids, Jon & Mike started to try to help catch the rockets and by the end of the evening, most of us where trying to catch them. At one point, Jon told me that if I caught it, he'd buy me a new camera. No luck for me that night - no camera! For one round, we chanted "We all go to Maverick on dad" (meaning that we'd go to the local gas station and dad would pay for it). For the very last round, we kiddingly said if both bottles were caught, we'd go to Hawaii on dad. That round, the bottles were both caught (thanks to Mike & Jon) and we jumped up and down with excitement. It was great!

Uncle Bruce loading the "rockets"

Becky & Peter getting ready to catch the falling rockets

The next night, Bruce and Claudia had rigged up an outdoor movie for us to watch. Using a white screen and an old projector, we all watched "Savannah Smiles" together. It was a nice cool night and we had a fun time watching it outside.

We also got to design, paint and race boats down the canal that runs behind the house. We each drew our design on a piece of wood and Uncle Bruce cut them out. They were painted and then raced. Some of the boats were: a carrot, Homer Simpson's head, a pirate ship, a bunny, and an Emperial Star Destroyer. The kids raced first and Uncle Bruce caught all those boats with his net. Then, the older kids (my generation) raced. Things were looking good until the net's pole snapped in half - sending several boats further down the canal. Jon and Uncle Bruce to the rescue! Several minutes, drenched from the waist down, the heroes returned with all but one of the boats! The last race was the grownups and then a race off between the winners! It was so much fun!

Most of the boat racers

The girls painting the boats with Aunt Claudia

The starting line

The finish line

The main reason for going to Worland when we did was to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday! He picked the perfect place to do it. We had a delicious dinner with yummy dessert and then my mom had put together a game of "What's My Line?" which meant dad, Aunt Claudia and Uncle Bruce were blindfolded and had to guess who each of us were. It was really fun!

Kate with a plate full of sprinkles (and a little bit of cake) to celebrate grandpa's birthday

Aunt Claudia, my dad and Kate enjoying a few last glorious moments on the trampoline.

What a great trip - thank you Claudia and Bruce (and all my family) for a wonderful weekend together and Happy 60th Birthday Dad!