VALENTINE'S

I started making these table runners last year and they were all finished but the binding. As I stated before, the binding is my least favorite thing to do and since I got them back from the quilter's so close to Valentine's day I didn't get them finished for last year and so I finally got them done this year.



This is the scrappy back to my table throw. I love doing scrappy backs and using up all the left over fabric. I also made one for Christine but forgot to take a picture of it before I sent it to her.

I have started a tradition where I make a "Surf and Turf" Valentine's dinner for my kids. Costco always has there lobster and crab legs for sale this time of year and so I splurge and get some and make a delicious dinner.

I have found that grilling the lobster is the best. It makes it taste sooooooo good and I also cook the crab on my side burner on the grill so that my house doesn't smell like fish.

It was a little brisk doing it this year, but the end result is worth it.

For dessert it was my custard I make for my banana cream pie only I didn't make a pie crust so we just had it in bowls with fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and whipped cream. Can I just tell you how delicious it all was. The only sad thing was that Christine and her family couldn't be with us this year.

DOES ICE REALLY MAKE YOUR DRINK COLDER?

Dan and I have this fun little debate going on. I like a lot of ice in my drink because I like it really, really cold. He keeps telling me that it doesn't make a difference that it only waters down your drink that a little ice is the same as a lot of ice. I don't know maybe it really doesn't make a difference but to me I can tell.

One night I asked Dan to get me a glass of water with lots of ice and this is what he brought to me.

I couldn't even drink the water for all the ice. We had a good laugh over this. I love having Dan around because he has a cute sense of humor and is always making me laugh.

Quilting Projects

For Christmas I made 9 of these table toppers. One for each of my sisters and sister-in-laws. One for my Mom, one for Christine, the top prize for my Bunco group and I even took time to make one for me this time. They were a lot of work, but well worth the effort for some amazing people that I love.


I love this pattern because of the 3-D effect of the trees and pinwheels. Thanks to Mary Jo for helping me iron over 100 of those little pinwheels and thanks to my Mom for helping me bind which is my least favorite thing to do on a quilt!


This quilt is one I did for the quilting store I work at. I have called this quilt "The Phases of Christine". It was not my favorite quilt to do but I ended up liking it more than I thought I would and when it was done it reminded me of Christine and some of the phases she went through growing up. There was a time when she was about 8 - 10 years of age that everything had to be lavender (there is lavender minky on the back). Then about the time she turned 12 pretty much everything was black and white and so I have fallen in love with it now because of what it reminds me of. But the battle is on, because Christine thinks she should have it.

I love using chenille on my quilts. I love the different textures and how unique it makes it look. The little circles on this quilt are made out of lavender chenille. I just wish it wasn't so expensive!


This quilt is one I did for the store at Christmas time to try and sell this fabric because it wasn't moving. It was kind of a fluke that I ended up making this and I had never done pinwheels before and so it was very overwhelming. I started making this quilt with the little singer sewing machine I had purchased about two years ago. The machine wasn't fancy in any way it just sewed what I needed alright with a few frustrations here and there and it was inexpensive and it had worked for me up until I started sewing this quilt. When I got to making the pinwheels it would not go over the many layers of fabric without bogging up and bird nesting the bobbin thread. After two hours of sewing I would only have two pinwheels made because of all the unpicking and resewing I would have to do. I came into Scott more than frustrated and so we ended up getting me a new Brother machine that was a steal of a deal on Costco.com. I swear the Lord watches out for me because at the very time this was happening I got an email from them about this great deal on this machine that was regularly $179.00 for $149.00. It is a great machine and I have loved sewing on it. I have since found out that Singer is at the bottom of the list now, where they used to be at the top of the low end to middle end machines and I was fortunate enough to sell mine for $70.00 covering half the cost of my new one. I am so happy in more ways than one!

I actually hated this quilt by the time I got it done. There is also a mistake in the pattern, there should have been another row of pinwheels and star blocks. When I was putting it together I realized that I had not made enough blocks and that I needed four more. It literally brought me to tears and I knew I could not make four more of those blocks and so I figured out how much I needed to make up for the loss and added the top and bottom white and striped row which ended up being one of my favorite mistakes after the lady quilted it because I love how she put the reindeer running across it. Fortunately by the time I got it back from the quilter I was in love with it and I am so proud of this quilt. I have also become more confident and I am not afraid to take on bigger and more complicated projects.

NEW HOME FOR CHRISTINE AND FAMILY

We had a great time going down with Brad and Christine and helping them move into their new home in Gilbert, Arizona. It was a lot of work, but we are so glad we took the time to do it. Now we can picture her in her new home and her surroundings. The best part of all of it was the weather. We were in shorts and flip flops and enjoying high 70's to low 80's.

The area by her house is so nice. It has lots of parks and ponds, you can even go fishing in the pond if you pay for a permit. There are turtles as well as ducks in the pond as well. The boys had a blast feeding the ducks. They have a cute wading pool in walking distance of their home and a pool close by that they can drive to. We were very impressed with the area and how kind the neighbors were. We know that they will be well taken care of down there.































On New Year's you can light fireworks down there and so we bought some and set off fireworks. We were all so tired and most of us sick and so we went to bed early.


We had a great time trying out some food places that were a must. We tried out Oregano's and our favorite was Joe's Farm Grill. At Joe's he grows his own herbs and vegetables that he uses and the food was not just great but amazing! Check out these lemons I bought there for only $2.00 each.


All in all we had a great time and enjoyed the warm weather. Even Lake Powell looked inviting on a cold winter morning.


Unfortunately the good-bye was difficult. One of these days I am going to stop being teary as I look at their picture. I left part of my heart in Arizona and I miss them so much. My world just seems a little more empty without them so close by.

JASON MET A BEAR

Jason sent us these pictures with a story on the back of the pictures. We think this bear statue is located in Vidor, Texas where he served for 6 months. We not only got a big laugh out of his story, but were glad that he is having fun on his mission. He has had over 20 baptisms in the 7 months he has been there and we have received many phone calls and emails telling us how great he is and what a dedicated servant of the Lord he is.

Enjoy the story.

Once I met a bear on my travels in the East of South Texas.

He was not a nice bear and roared at me! RAWRRRR!!! (Notice the tie being blown back.)

So I ran around him and came at him with a flying punch!

We met face to face in combat while I threw a Round House Kick!!!

He begged for mercy and through it all we became best friends. The scars where replaced with healing love.

The End

A BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY OF FAMILY TIME

We had the most wonderful day today, I wish it wouldn't of had to end! Christine invited us to go to the Joseph Smith movie at the Joseph Smith Memorial building and it turned into an all day event.



After seeing the movie we took the opportunity to try and have family pictures which didn't turn out so great. We got some great pictures of some and not so great of others. I shot this one of the two boys looking at the temple. Future missionaries for sure.

We ate lunch at the Lion House and then went to the Joseph Smith Memorial building and just sat in the lobby and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and talked and laughed together. Then we went over to the Visitor's Center and checked some things out there and after that we came home and played some games and snacked a little until it was time for the old and the young to go to bed.


We live in such a beautiful state with some beautiful sights to see and enjoy. But always my most favorite are the Church historical sights. Such a wonderful feeling there and I am so grateful to so many that went before us so that we could have what we have today. I am thankful that they were all that they could be so that we can be all that we need to be.

NANA'S 99th BIRTHDAY PARTY

Wow, 99 years?! I can't imagine living that long and I don't think I would want to unless I could have good health and a keen mind like my Nana.

We talked one time about all the things that she has seen change in her life time and it is simply amazing. She has gone from going to church in a horse and buggy and no electricity or running water to a high tech world that can't even begin to imagine a life without a phone in their hand.

We celebrated her birthday early and it was so fun to see so many family members that I haven't seen for so long. It was great to connect with them and good friends of the family. Nana enjoyed it so much that she told my mother that it was probably one of the best birthday parties she has ever had.

I couldn't resist getting this 5 generation picture with her. It didn't quite turn out like I would have liked, but time is growing short and I felt like I needed to take advantage of the situation.

I am so grateful for my Nana and for the influence she has had on my life. She has never forgotten a birthday, anniversary or special day my whole life. I treasure my memories of her. Thanks Nana and Happy Birthday!

DANIEL'S HOMECOMING

What a glorious day it was last Friday, it was better than Christmas morning! Daniel came home from his mission in Hawaii at 7:24 in the morning. It seemed like forever until we saw him turn the corner and start coming down the escalator. Everyone that was on the flight had come down and kept telling us that they were coming but that they were taking their time. The escalator seemed to crawl at the slowest pace possible as he was coming down it. I couldn't wait anymore and so I met him at the bottom of it instead of waiting for him to come to us. What a glorious feeling it is to hug your son and to feel of his sweet warm spirit again. What joy filled my heart as I welcomed my son home as he returned as man not a boy and he returned with honor.

Hugs were given all around and then we were able to meet one of his favorite mission companions, Elder Adams who was on a layover to Anchorage Alaska. Daniel's mission president, President Peterson who was released earlier in July was also there to greet all the missionaries returning. We also had the wonderful opportunity to meet the Furtado's a family from Hawaii that Daniel just loved. They were on their way back to Hawaii after leaving their son at the MTC earlier that week. What a wonderful family they are.

It was a beautiful homecoming shared by many people whom we love and admire.

DAD SORENSON'S 85TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Christine and I loaded up the boys and headed to Denver Colorado last week to join in celebrating Dad Sorenson's and his twin sister Nilace's 85th Birthday. We had the best time being there with Dad, Mom, Lisa and her wonderful husband Garth and darling son Owen.

Lisa was definitely the most gracious host and made us feel so welcome and at home. Lisa is so talented and we felt like we were getting a one-on-one class from Martha Stewart herself only better.

Lisa's son Owen was such a good sport to share all his toys and his room with us. Carter and Easton especially loved that he had several Light Sabers and a R2-D2 that was voice activated and did some amazing things. They were in Star Wars heaven and played hard every day.

Dinner the night of the birthday was amazing and it was fun to see Aunt Nilace and meet her family that came for the celebration. We enjoyed the beautiful Colorado evening in the backyard and shared lots of laughs and ate some amazingly delicious food.

Dad and Mom Sorenson are famous for their "Big Drinks", they are always carrying around a large glass of Coke. Christine saw this HUGE jug in a gas station that we stopped at and we just couldn't resist getting it for Dad Sorenson for his present. It was the hit of the party and everyone got a big chuckle out of it. Dad told Mom that she was going to have to sit in the back seat of the car going home because he was buckling the jug in next to him for the drive home. Mom said he should put it between his legs on the floor board of the car with a big tube in it so he could just drink it all the way home. We were all laughing so hard.

I am so grateful to Dad Sorenson for all he has done for me and my family. He is a GREAT man whom I adore, admire and love. I am so glad that Christine and I made the beautiful drive to Denver to celebrate that great day with him.

I'M BACK

Wow, so much has happened since I last post anything. You realize how much happens in your life when you keep your blog up to date and then you don't and you come back and realize how much has gone on in a few short months.

Christine had another cute boy named Nile Ronald Cook. He is named Nile after his Grandpa Sorenson and Ronald after Christine's father Ron that passed away. He is a sweet tribute to these two great men.


Nile was born the day before Jason had his farewell in March. We were so sad that Christine wasn't going to make it and then she surprised us all and got released from the hospital and showed up at the church. She only stayed for Jason's talk and for Scott to sing and than she went home. We are all still amazed at the strength of this great woman!

Jason left for the MTC on April 7. He is now serving in the Texas Houston East mission and every week he amazes us with how much he is growing and learning. Jason has a huge anxiety problem and he has been valiant as he has conquered his fears and faced his anxiety head on and continues to grow and learn from the hurdles that are placed before him.

Jason is slowly getting used to new customs and cultures. He has seen shotguns propping front doors open and people with only two teeth, dead dogs on a porch and a few other things. He found some great Cajun spices one called "Slap Ya Mama" that we all got a big chuckle out of.

We are now counting the days down until Dan gets home. We only have 18 more days left and we will get to hug him after two years! Dan continues to serve valiantly and will leave Hawaii a better place for being there. Daniel got to celebrate his 21 birthday Hawaiian style and the Cloward's spoiled him with grilled steaks on their lanai.

I am so grateful for good people who love and take care of my sons!

I LOVE TO SPOIL

My son-in-law Brad gives me a hard time about how there are no rules in my house for the grandchildren. I said to Carter one night, "no you can't do that, that's against the rules." Brad immediately said, "what rules, there are no rules at this house for them." I tell him that, that is my prerogative. I have paid my price as a parent and now I get to be a grandma and I get to make my own rules.

When I saw these pajamas I fell in love with them but couldn't afford them. When Christine and I were at the Carter's store the other day they had them for 60% off and so I couldn't resist any more. Besides the saying on them is so true.

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA!!

TWO BIRTHDAYS

We celebrated Scott's and Jason's birthday on the 9th. Jason turned 19 and Scott, well let's just say he is another realm now.

Jason celebrated by going snowboarding with his good friends Cameron and Zack. Scott celebrated by going to work.

I gave Scott a video camera for his birthday. We have always wanted one and have never been able to get one. He was so excited when he opened his present and saw that video camera. We finally have one now that the kids are all grown up. Thank heavens for grand children.

We met at California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. My parents and Christine and her family joined us there for a great dinner. After we came home and had dessert. Scott chose Pumpkin dessert and Jason chose the Peppermint Log. Some of the rest of the family joined us in helping to celebrate these two wonderful men. I am so lucky to have both of these great men in my life!