http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58542/New-mission-presidents.html
Click on the link above and scroll to Stephen & Corinne Sorenson!! These are my incredible parents and they have been called to serve for 3 years as a mission president & mission president's wife! We are thrilled for them and for those that they will serve with. We will miss them something fierce, but we couldn't be more proud of them.
Their assignment???? To Be Announced!!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Kate's Princess Birthday Party
This post isn't exactly how I thought it was going to be. I have been meaning to get this post up for several days and just hadn't had a chance to sit down and do it. Kate had a really fun birthday party and I got some really cute pictures! But today, when I went to get my camera to upload the pictures, I couldn't find it. After searching the entire house, Jon and I also noticed that our laptop is gone. So, we had our new digital camera (complete with bag, lense, everything) and our laptop taken out of our house! We have a pretty good idea who did it and sadly, it was someone we invited into our home and trusted - and it was taken while we were in the house!!!
I think we're still in shock and still trying to figure out what to do, as well as trying to deal with feelings of being violated, feelings of being angry and especially feelings of being really disappointed.
Anyway...we'll see what happens with that...but, sadly, Kate's party pictures were on it. I did take 1 picture beforehand, so we'll go with that and a description of the party....
I think we're still in shock and still trying to figure out what to do, as well as trying to deal with feelings of being violated, feelings of being angry and especially feelings of being really disappointed.
Anyway...we'll see what happens with that...but, sadly, Kate's party pictures were on it. I did take 1 picture beforehand, so we'll go with that and a description of the party....
I got this idea from Kirsten....but, we took the invitation and 1 shoe to three of Kate's friends (Josie, Megan and Ava). We told them they would get the other shoe at her party and to wear their favorite princess dress. The three little girls all came and we got them all decked out. We made Fruit Loop necklaces, made crowns with jewels and gave them wands & rings. We played a game and then the Shoe Dragon came!
The Shoe Dragon was Jon. He had put on some green scrubs and we had rubber banded (is that a word?) a shoe to each of his arms and each of his ankles. Fortunately for the girls, there was a prince nearby - Jack!! He came with shield, sword, helmet and cloak to save the day! The Shoe Dragon fired rubber bands at the prince, but thankfully, the prince defeated the dragon! Once the Shoe Dragon was defeated, the prince took 1 shoe off at a time and placed it on the correct princess' foot. (Ahhh - it was so, so cute!).
Then we opened gifts, ate princess cupcakes and let the girls play. It was fun, easy and oh, so cute!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Kate's 4th Birthday
I can't believe that Kate is already 4!!! She is still such a delight and someone we love and cherish very much. Her birthday was the day that Jon and I got back from our trip, so we spread her birthday out over several days. When we got home, my mom had bought a cake and icecream for her, so we were able to sing to her and have cake together.
* Notice her hair dangerously close to the flames.
We love you Kate! You seriously do and say that funniest things and you make us laugh each day! We hope you will always stay as sweet and wonderful as you are now!!! We love you tons!
* Notice her hair dangerously close to the flames. The next morning, we woke up and gave her her birthday gifts. She got a new doll, Snow White DVD and Little People princess carriage (some great after-Christmas deals!). She was so excited and has had a fun time with them. I also did a little Princess party (next blog post) for her and she loved that.
Kate's current stats:
Weight - 33 lbs (50th percentile)
Height - 44 inches (50th percentile)
Favorite foods: spaghetti, cupcakes, Chik-Fil-A, top ramen, Blueberry Frosted Mini Wheats
Favorite Movie/TV Shows: Max & Rudy, Dora, Princess
Favorite friends: Hailey (she always mentions Hailey Rasmussen first and still talks about her every day), Ava, Josie, Megan & Emily Larson.
Favorite friends: Hailey (she always mentions Hailey Rasmussen first and still talks about her every day), Ava, Josie, Megan & Emily Larson.
Favorite Things to Do: take baths, talk, color, play with anything girlish
Favorite Activities: dance class & preschool
Upcoming Events in Kate's life: Possible surgery for her "outie" belly button. It hasn't closed all the way, so we're meeting with a pediatric surgeon on Monday. It's a quick, easy procedure, but it will be nice to get it done.
We love you Kate! You seriously do and say that funniest things and you make us laugh each day! We hope you will always stay as sweet and wonderful as you are now!!! We love you tons!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
"Just Like You Mom"
Kate (whose birthday I will blog about next)....said to me this morning....
"Someday, I'm going to be a mom just like you. Then I'll get to drive and mop!"
Some days that about sums it up!
"Someday, I'm going to be a mom just like you. Then I'll get to drive and mop!"
Some days that about sums it up!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Cruise to the Bahamas
Jon and I have been married for a little over 11 years, and sadly enough, we have NEVER been on a trip away without kids. Yes, pathetic! We were able to go away for a couple of nights when Jon finished medical school and Beth watched the kids, but we took Kate with us. She was about 4 months and was a perfect angel, but still, we had never been away.
So, for our anniversary, birthdays and Christmas this year, we decided to finally take a little trip together. My sister, Becky and my parents (with the help of my other siblings as well) were so, so incredible to watch the kids. Becky slept at our house and got them up and ready each day! The kids had a great time and we are so grateful for the love and care they were given while we were gone. (Surprisingly Jack seemed to have the hardest time....he was a little naughty and refused to go to school on Monday).
We left on Thursday night and took a red-eye flight to Miami. We slept on and off a little bit, but it's impossible for me to actually fall asleep sitting up. We got there and walked outside to find this:
Beautiful blue skies!!! Ahhhh!! It was great. We waited for a bus from the cruise ship that came to pick us up. We got to the dock, boarded and ate our first meal! About 4:30 p.m., they did their mandatory drill of knowing how to gather at the life boats and then we set sail about 5:00 p.m.
Jon with Miami in the background
Jeannette with Miami in the background.
We had delicious dinners each night - we ended up with our own table - and our waiters were really great. They called us "J&J" because they were "M&M." Eating dinner was one of our favorite parts. They would bring bread, then appetizers, then the meal and then dessert. It was so fun to have a fancy dinner each night and not have to clean it up or cut anyone else's food.
On Sunday, we decided to get off the boat again. It was a little cloudy, but very windy and cold. We walked into a few shops and found little souveniors for the kids (you know..."if you're good while we're gone, we'll bring you back a surprise"). Nassau is a very old, poor city and most everything was closed because of it being Sunday and because of the cold weather. We attempted to go to the beach, but the wind was blowing so hard that we decided it wouldn't be worth all the sand that we'd get in our eyes.
So, for our anniversary, birthdays and Christmas this year, we decided to finally take a little trip together. My sister, Becky and my parents (with the help of my other siblings as well) were so, so incredible to watch the kids. Becky slept at our house and got them up and ready each day! The kids had a great time and we are so grateful for the love and care they were given while we were gone. (Surprisingly Jack seemed to have the hardest time....he was a little naughty and refused to go to school on Monday).
We left on Thursday night and took a red-eye flight to Miami. We slept on and off a little bit, but it's impossible for me to actually fall asleep sitting up. We got there and walked outside to find this:
Beautiful blue skies!!! Ahhhh!! It was great. We waited for a bus from the cruise ship that came to pick us up. We got to the dock, boarded and ate our first meal! About 4:30 p.m., they did their mandatory drill of knowing how to gather at the life boats and then we set sail about 5:00 p.m.
Jon with Miami in the background
Jeannette with Miami in the background.
We had delicious dinners each night - we ended up with our own table - and our waiters were really great. They called us "J&J" because they were "M&M." Eating dinner was one of our favorite parts. They would bring bread, then appetizers, then the meal and then dessert. It was so fun to have a fancy dinner each night and not have to clean it up or cut anyone else's food.
On Saturday morning, we arrived CocoCay. It was windy and cloudy, but we exercised, ate breakfast and then got ready to get off the boat. When we tried to find where to get off, we asked someone where to go, and the said "We're moving." Oh...apparently, a storm was coming in, so they continued on to Nassau, Bahamas. We watched movies (thankfully we had taken our portable DVD with cables to connect it to the TV in our room), played games, ate and took a nap.
On Saturday night, we arrived at Nassau and at dinner, they told us we could get off the boat if we wanted to. We decided to do it, so we got off. We took a cab to the Atlantis Resort (which is like a Vegas casino/resort) and walked through their aquarium.
On Sunday, we decided to get off the boat again. It was a little cloudy, but very windy and cold. We walked into a few shops and found little souveniors for the kids (you know..."if you're good while we're gone, we'll bring you back a surprise"). Nassau is a very old, poor city and most everything was closed because of it being Sunday and because of the cold weather. We attempted to go to the beach, but the wind was blowing so hard that we decided it wouldn't be worth all the sand that we'd get in our eyes. We did see some locals carving things out of wood. They were fast and amazing and this guy on his cell phone made us laugh.
This picture does show how blue and beautiful the water is and the size of the ship!!
Sunday night's dinner included entertainment by our waiters. It was Italian night, so they all sang a song in Italian. (Our waiters where Marwin - the 2nd one from the left - he's from India... and the one on the far right - Mervin. He's from the Phillipines).
Another "treat" was to have someone come and make the beds in the morning and then while we were at dinner, tidy up the room and leave towels in the shapes of elephants and swans.
The last night on the boat was really wavy and choppy. It kept me up for most of the night, so we were definitely ready to get off the boat, step back onto American soil and go home to the kids. We missed them, but had a fabulous time together!!
This picture does show how blue and beautiful the water is and the size of the ship!! 
Sunday night's dinner included entertainment by our waiters. It was Italian night, so they all sang a song in Italian. (Our waiters where Marwin - the 2nd one from the left - he's from India... and the one on the far right - Mervin. He's from the Phillipines).
Another "treat" was to have someone come and make the beds in the morning and then while we were at dinner, tidy up the room and leave towels in the shapes of elephants and swans. 
The last night on the boat was really wavy and choppy. It kept me up for most of the night, so we were definitely ready to get off the boat, step back onto American soil and go home to the kids. We missed them, but had a fabulous time together!! Tuesday, January 12, 2010
2010 Calendars (using 2009 pictures)
Each Christmas, I love making calendars for my parents, Jon's parents, us, and my siblings. This year, I also made one for Lenore (our wonderful friend in Ohio who took such great care of us while we were there) and Jodi (our other wonderful friend in Ohio who was not only a great friend to me, but an incredible teacher to our kids). That was a total of 9 calendars this year!! Each calendar was slightly different for that individual, so the pictures below are from my calendar.
Kirsten and I started about a year ago to plan this year's calendar. We usually plan and make them together. Together, we had planned and bought the supplies for January, February & March before we moved. I really missed doing it together - so we just compromised - we shared ideas over the phone and e-mails. It's not quite the same, but I still had a great time doing it! Kirsten - you continue to be my inspiration!
I usually have to start in October and usually finish literally a day or two before Christmas. They take a ton of time, but they are so much fun! So, here is the final product!! It's probably my favorite calendar in several years!
March
April
May
June
July - this is probably my favorite page. (I literally asked Kirsten to mail me her "celebrate" stamp. I stamped my calendars and sent it back).
August
September
October (my least favorite page - kind of boring!)
November
December
Kirsten and I started about a year ago to plan this year's calendar. We usually plan and make them together. Together, we had planned and bought the supplies for January, February & March before we moved. I really missed doing it together - so we just compromised - we shared ideas over the phone and e-mails. It's not quite the same, but I still had a great time doing it! Kirsten - you continue to be my inspiration!
I usually have to start in October and usually finish literally a day or two before Christmas. They take a ton of time, but they are so much fun! So, here is the final product!! It's probably my favorite calendar in several years!
January
February - Kirsten actually make my February pages for me! They are so cute and it was such a treat to just put the pictures on them. Thank you, thank you!
March
April
May
June
July - this is probably my favorite page. (I literally asked Kirsten to mail me her "celebrate" stamp. I stamped my calendars and sent it back).
August
September
October (my least favorite page - kind of boring!)
November
December
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Trip to Oregon
The day after Christmas, we drove to Oregon to spend several days with Jon's parents. The kids were great in the car and only needed 1 stop in the 530 miles!! Jon's oldest brother Bob and his wife Debbie and 2 of their boys (Kelly & Tyler), as well as Jon's youngest brother, Tom were already there. They had been working hard for several days putting in window seats and new closets into three bedrooms. They finished the night we got there and did a good job!
We spent Sunday at Church and then enjoying one another's company. On Monday, Jon and Tom took the 4 oldest kids sledding and were gone about 3 hours. They had a blast and only Jon sustained an injury - a big scrap to the head when he was trying to slow Jack down and ended up slipping on ice right before Jack got to him.
The kids loved putting a gingerbread train together (a wonderful gift from the Cowden's!), painting with water colors, watching movies, playing Ticket to Ride (we taught several people how to play), eating delicious hamburgers from Cove Drive-in and just being with family.
Our drive home was a little more strenuous and we had some slick roads, but it only took an hour and a half longer than usual, so that wasn't too bad. We love you Grandma & Grandpa Bowen and Aunt Rebecca!
Jack and Kate decorating the train
Kate, Lindsey & Jack ready to decorate the train
Grandpa showing the kids how to build a fire
Cute girl!
Super cute girl!
We spent Sunday at Church and then enjoying one another's company. On Monday, Jon and Tom took the 4 oldest kids sledding and were gone about 3 hours. They had a blast and only Jon sustained an injury - a big scrap to the head when he was trying to slow Jack down and ended up slipping on ice right before Jack got to him.
The kids loved putting a gingerbread train together (a wonderful gift from the Cowden's!), painting with water colors, watching movies, playing Ticket to Ride (we taught several people how to play), eating delicious hamburgers from Cove Drive-in and just being with family.
Our drive home was a little more strenuous and we had some slick roads, but it only took an hour and a half longer than usual, so that wasn't too bad. We love you Grandma & Grandpa Bowen and Aunt Rebecca!
Jack and Kate decorating the train
Kate, Lindsey & Jack ready to decorate the train
Grandpa showing the kids how to build a fire
Cute girl!
Super cute girl!Saturday, January 2, 2010
Christmas Day
We had a blast on Christmas Day!! The kids had written a letter to Santa, asking him to take our gifts to my parents house, and.....HE DID!!!! We got to their house a little after 7:00, and we were greeted by 9 of the happiest people, all singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and forming a tunnel for us to run through. It was so much fun!! We spent the day with my parents, Peter, Richard & Misty, Mike & Candy, and Becky & John.
Santa was fun this year and got the kids some really fun things...Emily & Lindsey got new American Girl dolls and a treehouse for them, Jack got the Millenium Falcon, Kate got a Polly Pocket roller coaster and Hannah got a Sesame Street house. All 16 of us packed into my parents front room, but it didn't seem like that many people. We opened our Santa gifts, then had a delicious breakfast and then opened gifts from each other. My heart took a lot of pictures that I will never forget!
We stayed in our pj's most of the day and then enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner, after being joined by my grandma, Aunt Camille and Matt Nielson. It was great to watch the kids play, watch movies and play several versions of Ticket to Ride (including the German and Switzerland versions).
Jon left for work around 3:30 and the kids and I headed home around 6:30. Thank you again mom and dad for such a fun, wonderful and perfect Christmas!!
Kate and her American Girl doll, Elizabeth
Grandma, Hannah and her new Bitty Baby
Kate asleep after a great day!
Santa was fun this year and got the kids some really fun things...Emily & Lindsey got new American Girl dolls and a treehouse for them, Jack got the Millenium Falcon, Kate got a Polly Pocket roller coaster and Hannah got a Sesame Street house. All 16 of us packed into my parents front room, but it didn't seem like that many people. We opened our Santa gifts, then had a delicious breakfast and then opened gifts from each other. My heart took a lot of pictures that I will never forget!
We stayed in our pj's most of the day and then enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner, after being joined by my grandma, Aunt Camille and Matt Nielson. It was great to watch the kids play, watch movies and play several versions of Ticket to Ride (including the German and Switzerland versions).
Jon left for work around 3:30 and the kids and I headed home around 6:30. Thank you again mom and dad for such a fun, wonderful and perfect Christmas!!
Kate and her American Girl doll, Elizabeth
Grandma, Hannah and her new Bitty Baby
Kate asleep after a great day!
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