Here is Sterling blowing out the candles with one of his favorite friends (Brynley) who has the same birthday as him, but was at HIS party!!! So CUTE how excited he gets about sharing. I love that kid!
ps- don't listen to my voice...I cannot do more than one thing at a time and I was taking pictures-ha ha
Sterling Daniel Sorensen turned 6 TODAY!! 
I don't know how many of you get woken up to a hot air balloon pretty much in your backyard for your birthday...but STERLING sure did!
I kept hearing a funky sound from my room
We had a breakfast of donuts while watching it follow the river by our home--
IF that was not the best day ever....Aunt Cara came over the day before and helped mommy make 23 ice cream cone cornucopia's for Sterling's class. Cara's looked prettier, so she did a majority of em'.
They turned out looking pretty yummy if I do say so myself!
of course, Sterling got the royal treatment at school. With the class cake at his place all day, a birthday sticker, and new sunglasses!
Mommy came into help in Sterling's class that day as well. 
While he was party'ing mom was busy making sure the Turkey cupcakes were iced & finished... and party bags filled--before she headed out to Sterling's party
WITH his friends (they invite the number of kids according to the age they are turning...he invited 6) at the local ceramic shop! Including a surprise appearance from Grandpa Sorensen (who drove over and hour to be with Sterling on his birthday)
Everyone painted ceramics, except mom (including Dad and Grandpa)
and opened presents and cake and drank Punch.
Sterling even got to add his hand print to the famous birthday wall in the back of the shop!
Incidentally, one of Sterling's favorite buds who has been one of his friends the longest (Brynley Taylor) shares the same birthday as him. He has always taken her flowers for her birthday-(despite them moving farther away and not getting to play as often)! She came to his party, and Sterling LOVED sharing it with her (check out the video clip I included)
oooh...but don't let the fun end there. We drove everyone home and then returned home to PARTY with the FaMilY (who had to wait very patiently w/ Aunt Cara for us to return) They had painted their own little pumpkins and wrapped all the presents.
One last round of cake, singing, and presents and we called it a night....
I turned 33 (Dan had to remind me b/c I thought it was 32)!!!!!!
My sister and BIL had come the night previous and filled our car with 33 balloons. They also TP'd our bushes, door and mailbox w/ more balloons and Happy Birthday streamers.
DAN WAS HOME!! For the 1st time EVER (even when we were dating)
When I got back from that Dan and I went and had a picnic lunch in the park, laying under the trees in the fall colors and WARM weather. We got run over by ants...so we went to a furniture store to price couches, as ours are dying!
Although-it was my b-day Dacie looked like the one who was growing up to me today. I could not resist taking a million pictures!
Of course there is nothing sexier than a man in an apron making your b-day cupcakes!! mmmm...red velvet--my favorite!!!!
After going out to dinner w/ Dan to get my favorite salad-- we came back home and had a 'mini' party w/ my sis and MY CHILDREN!!! I am NOT officially 33 until I blow out my candles according to Sterling. He does not believe in the day BUT the party!
NOW I am 33...
Dan's mom when she was watching the kids this weekend--had a creative idea and let the kids decorate cards for me, and then took them to the dollar store to pick out presents for me.
...and of course, here is the 'loot' I raked in w/ a new winter coat hanging in the closet!
Here is a shout out to my sister Cara, BIL John, and SIL Beth!!
This is how Amy looked when I met her 9 years ago (she is the 3rd in on the left...middle)--
This is my little Amy NOW, all grown up!!!
(Amy LOVED on my boys, even before her own--here she is with Colton)
(Amy (far left) sending Kerri 'her only sister by blood' on a mission)
Amy has always been true to the gospel. Her faith is guileless like her mom's...and I do not think she ever challenged or rebelled it. She has seemed to always know it was true. I remember when I first was married to Dan, and I would be down in the basement while she was hanging out with her friends. She was dating a guy that she liked allot-- and I remember that she was always the one who sent everyone home on time, never broke the rules, and never acted like she was trying to show off or not be herself around them (especially him). I felt like she was confident in who she was and with her relationship with her Heavenly Father.
Sure she LOVED silly girl things (talking on the phone, music, etc.) and enjoyed silly teenager fun--but she did it without compromising.
(Again... Amy playing the piano with Colton--we enjoy being spoiled by our child-less Aunts)
I remember being an EFY counselor while she attended a session at BYU. I was engaged to Dan at the time. One night my responsibility was to help create a virtual wall of counselors to help "guide" the kids back to the dorms and not wonder around campus. I ran into Amy w/ all her cool friends. I remember her yelling out as she walked off, "I LOVE YOU ALICIA!" It warmed my heart. As you marry into a family you always wonder where your placement will be, and how you will fit in. I never felt any sort of difficult transition with her. She loved me from the beginning and accepted me, no weird feelings or having to navigate our new relationship.
I have always felt that she has never been embarrassed by me. She always includes me with her friends. I have never been the nerdy, old-fashioned mom who married her oldest brother. I have just been one of the fam, and her friends--even when I was super BIG pregnant!
(Amy with baby Sterling when he was born)
I remember Amy losing a allot of weight in high school. I worried about her, but since then I have noticed that she is really healthy about it. She appreciates good food BUT in moderation. I KNOW she LOVED learning about nutrition at BYU. She enjoys good, healthy things (exercise, activities...)just like her relationships, or anything else in her life for that matter. However, she never solicits unwanted advice or judges others.
(Amy hugging HER OWN BABY-Lola on her first birthday!!)I could not love Amy any more for the fact that she gave Dacie a girl cousin.In hopes that they will have a close relationship as I do with some of mine. It is our first cousin on Dan's side of the family!!!! (now she just needs to keep the cousin friends coming...)
Best of all it has been amazing to see Amy become a mother. Not only does she make pregnancy, labor, delivery and nursing easy--she is a baby machine...The Love she has shown everyone very much goes into her relationships with her baby and hubby! It is FUN to talk about big, grown up things. Amy is very tender and hates to see anyone cry, especially her baby!
Before Amy had Lola ...she had her dogs-Bentley and Lucy, and I remember the worry and time she spent taking care of them as well. She LOVES animals too--She is tender-hearted.
I know Amy appreciates sleep and does well getting it. But she still takes motherhood on like a champ!I know allot of people in Amy's family really value her opinions and fashion sense. I notice allot of the siblings, as well as her mom, confide in her. They also turn to her for advice in fashion and really listen to her opinions. She knows how to get a deal, and make you look SUPER cute & trendy..I mean, look at the pictures-they are proof!!!
Last but not least--Amy is talented. She plays the piano (that is something I want my children to do--even though I passed up my opportunity). It is a valuable talent in the church!!! She also can make the darnedest, cutest crafts. From-- things to hang her daughters bows on, to the bows themselves, to letter for peoples names....she sees something and makes it happen in a cute, trendy, very well-done way. I always want her to have me for Christmas so maybe I can capitalize on these talents!! How selfish am I?
Those who are Amy's closest friends seem to stay close to Amy despite distance and growing families. Her close relationships just seem to get stronger. I am grateful to consider her one of mine. My life has been happier with her in it. She is one of the NICEST people I have met. Like I said, someone so stinkin' sweet deserves the sweetest birthday!!
SWeeT BirthDaY Dreams AMERS!!!
We LOVE YOU!!!!!
He entered the world on July 22, 2001 
Colton Ray Sorensen- 6 weeks
Colton Ray Sorensen-6 months
Colton Ray Sorensen-8 months 
Colton Ray Sorensen- 1year
Colton Ray Sorensen-2 years
Colton Ray Sorensen- 3 years
Colton Ray Sorensen- 4 years
Colton Ray Sorensen- 5 years
Colton Ray Sorensen- 6 years
(Dan and Alicia tandem biking up Provo Canyon for Dan's birthday-a month and a half before Colton arrived)
Colton was tired of waiting for me to decide to marry Dan and joined our family as quickly as was absolutely possible. He was born 9 months and a couple of hours from our wedding day.Colton was the best wedding present Dan and I could have given each other. His pregnancy came as quite a happy surprise. We were absolutely ready for our family to grow, but considering the circumstances how he arrived, it was a 'miracle' of sorts.
(Check out my feet for balloons! The swelling got bad towards the end)
Colton's pregnancy was NOT textbook from the beginning. He taught me so much before he even entered the world. He taught me that my body would not be pregnant as I always envisioned it would be (a small ball out front). I gained 80 pounds his pregnancy and swelled up like a balloon.
I also learned what it meant to be a mom even before he arrived. At our 20 week ultrasound they discovered his right kidney to be allot larger than the average size. With a close eye on it, it began to be a problem-- and we were sent to a paranatologist (that's the word right? for specialized pre-born baby Dr's.) to see what our options where.
They were not sure what was causing the problem, BUT felt like it was not necessary to do surgery on him inutero. They felt an early arrival would be better. They decided that we needed to induce him AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and have him be born in a controlled environment with help nearby.
I was hoping for as natural delivery as possible, and had opted to go with hospital midwives in the American Fork Hospital. This type of pregnancy is typically against their protocol, but they kept me as a patient and worked with me. We had an amniocentesis done and discovered that Colton's lungs were not developed enough to deliver as early as they had hoped. So, instead I went in for weekly ultrasounds where they would measure the levels of amniotic fluid (which would be an immediate sign something was really wrong, if they went down) and stress tests. Colton was a very content little bug in my tummy.
However, all the things you worry about as a prego mom were coming true. I was not going to have a healthy baby, and I did not know the extent of what was in our future. I spent many nights worrying about him and his comfort.Wondering if Colton was hurting. Wanting to give Colton my kidney in return for his health. I started to realize what it was like to have your heart stretched and pulled that only motherhood brings. Motherhood is about tears.
(He came!!! Dan and I celebrating our first babY...COLTON ~although we did not know what his name would be until the next day, OR how we were going to spell it--we had to take votes!) Because my babies ALWAYS measure big on ultrasounds they always have my due date set early (as we had NO other way to determine his time of conception on this pregnancy). They tried to move my due date up to before the 9 month anniversary of our wedding AND I KNEW that was absolutely impossible. Based upon their earliest ultrasound they decided to take Colton 2 days earlier.
My body was not ready, and I do not think Colton was ready either. I had my membranes stripped the day before and it did NOTHING (besides hurt). They started the 'pit' on July 21 and I thought that it was not so bad. I thought I might be one of those miracle deliveries where they hardly feel a thing-HA HA HA HA HA.
After about 6 hours of regular contractions and NO dilation they decided to break my water-OUCH! The 'pit' was on the highest it could go... and labor hit me FULL FORCE. I could not even get a breather between contractions at times. I had no working up to hard labor (and I had never felt labor before)--it was a SHOCK! We tried the bathtub w/ no jets (because they had to monitor the baby VERY consistently), then I tried the ball, then I really wanted to die... and it became very apparent that I was going to need an extra hand to get through this. We finally ordered the epidural. I had been stuck at a 6 for over an hour. Soon as the epidural kicked in I jumped to a 8 and then a 10 within the hour. I needed the epidural to allow my body to dialate. Little did I know that this was going to be the easy part.
The pushing began. I pushed and pushed and pushed AND pushed. I always prided myself in being athletic (pre-baby). I knew what the hardest workout felt like, dry heaving and all~ and I liked the BURN, BUT NOTHING could have prepared me for the stamina and strength it was going to take to get Colton out. Finally, one of the nurses tied the end of a bed sheet and had me pull on one end when pushing while she held on the other end. We did a little tug-of-war with each other. I had kicked my mom at one point, who was holding one of my legs. I had never been asked, physically, to go this far... EVER. I was getting torn apart. After 2.5 hours of pushing they called in the doctor who was over my midwife, and they were consulting about a c-section. Luckily my body finally gave in, and I was able to get sweet Colton out--I sobbed. There is nothing that can describe that first little cry for the baby I had worked so hard and worried about so much already! Colton arrived long fingered, long toed and long bodied! My blue-eyed, blondie beauty!
His poor little head was as long as my foot-he looked like an alien!! He had what they call molding, when a baby is in the birth canal for long periods of time. IF it had hurt me so badly, what had it done to him? He had the saddest little cry when he came out-but then immediately he was alert and content to be held.
*THIS PARAGRAPH is EXPLICIT-SKIP if you have a weak stomach! I could NOT walk. I was so swollen I could not go to the bathroom, so they had to place a catheter in me, and that hurt about as bad as birth! I am a bleeder and bleed quite a bit during birth. I quickly wanted to pass out. I had pushed my cervix right out and they had to place it back in while stitching my tear (I still have never heard of this so it sounds weird to say it). IF I did not have such physical pain and postpartum, the next week or so would have been allot smoother!
But he was HERE! My life was NEVER going to be the same and I was IN LOVE
(Back in the hospital again w/ little Colton all tubed and covered-poor sick baby!)
(Colton on his blessing day)We FINALLY could 'play house' with our new baby! We were a family.
(Proud momma and pappa on Colton's blessing day)
(Our final moments together as a family before Dan had to take off for Houston in our car and I stayed behind)Our weeks of "play" quickly came to an end-- as we were having to pack up our house and move to Houston --for Dan to attend graduate school at TWU to get his masters.He had been accepted into the Physical Therapy program. We were not able to make an appointment with SLC Primary Children's Hospital until after Dan had to be in school. We also had to keep us covered under our health insurance for Colton's kidney needs. Dan went to Houston before us, and I stayed behind w/ Colton and lived with Grandma Rawson (Dan's Grandma).
It was HARD. I was still trying to get the baby thing down, and I was lonely without my best friend and helpmate. The tests they had to run at the children's hospital were hard too. They had to run an IV and catheter while radio graphing his kidneys working (somehow). They also did ultrasounds and x-rays. I let my Aunt Sally (my moms sister) go in with Colton because I could not do it anymore. My Aunt Sally had children of her own that had medical needs, so it was so comforting having her there with me. This is what was to be the beginning of our relationship with hospitals and surgery. During this time Colton started having blood in his stool and was bleeding from his belly button.
They did find out that Colton's kidney was indeed getting bigger, and it was a UPJ blockage. The ureter that drains the kidney, while forming, had pinched shut and only allowed the kidney to drain slowly.They typically did not operate on these blockages until 8 months old. While waiting we developed a strong relationship with a pediatric urologist. We got the insurance in place and doctor found in Houston--and Colton and I were back with DADDY! We had just had our 6 week appointments. So much in so little time!
(Moving is tiring!!! Colton sleeping while we unpacked our apartment in Houston)Colton turned into THE BEST baby. He was a good sleeper (once or twice up in the night~ 2 naps a day w/ one being about 4 hours long), and took everything in stride. He was easily pacified. He was a flirt, and enjoyed people. I did not realize how good I had it with him until I have had a few babies that were NOT easy babies.
(Colton should have gotten his PT lisc. as well-for all the hours he spent on daddy's chest 'hitting the books' while daddy studied)
(Colton's first Halloween compliments of Great Gma Sorensen)
(This is what a little morphine can do to you! Colton Drugged up after surgery!)
(Sleep it off Colton, Sleep it off!)
(Sweet Sweet Colton carting around his urine on his back! Never complained once about it!)
But.. a week or so later while I was changing Colton-he looked like he was pregnant. When I pushed on his stomach it was hard as a rock. I called Dan in and he said we had to get Colton in immediatly. We got him in to the dr. later that day and Colton had developed a urnioma in his stomach (pocket of urnine in his stomach cavity). Somehow his surgery site had developed scar tissue and it had closed off the ureter, so his urine was leaking out and collecting in his body.
Colton would eat oranges peel and all!
(Sterlings birth announcement picture--Colton LOVED having a partner in crime!)
(Colton and Sterling started wrestling at a young age and LOVED it--)
(The Sorensen Family while living in Houston,Texas ~LtoR: Colton, Alicia, Dan and Sterling, at the temple)
Colton would walk up to any stranger and walk away with them. He had no fear of people. He was our only child that literally ran into nursery every week and tried getting IN earlier then when it was his time (18 months). He LOVES friends and new toys.
(Uncle Russ styling Coltons hair for church while we lived with M&D Sorensen)Colton worked hard at making everyone laugh. He use to pull the funniest faces in his high chair trying to make us all laugh. His favorite thing to do (out of nowhere one day) was say, "look momma, look!" and I looked over to find him completely cross-eyed. He did it often. He likes people to laugh at, and with him!
(Look Momma Look!)
(Colton and Sterling welcoming their 3rd partner in crime...Ryland!)
Colton use to be ABSOLUTELY addicted to trains when he was younger. He is passionate about what he loves. He has an addictive personality. Now--it would be video games IF I allowed him!
(Visitng Thomas the Train and Sir Topham Hat up in Williams, AZ.)
(Colton and Sterling at a Father and Son campout in Flagg)
Colton is UP for ANY FORM of fun! If you organize it-he is GAME!
Colton doe not electively choose to sing. He does it, and CAN carry a tune. However, he has told me he wants to take piano lessons. Hmmm, maybe those long fingers may come in super handy!
Colton LOVES sugar. Sugar meaning jam, and sugar candy (like nerds, sweet tarts, gobstoppers, etc.) He LOVES ice cream. He LOVES carbs, ecspecially good rolls and bread-they are GONE!
Colton likes to pretend at times as well. Here he is as an undercover detective!
Colton is thankful and gracious. When he says thank you, or writes notes he is sincere. Like I said, he is easily distracted by fun and things around him...but when he is in the mood-it is for real. 
Colton was meant to be the first born-there is something about his personality. He is the leader of the pack! He is responsible, likes to take charge, be sure everything is fair, and his siblings are obeying the rules. I typcially have and extra set of eyes (and mouth) when he is around!
(Spending time in Sedona-Colton fell in the water and had to be rescued by MOM here!)
(Colton and Ryland enjoying yellowstone)
Colton is detailed oreinted. He is typically a 'clean boy' (if there is such a thing). He is very academic, and has picked up on things naturally. It takes very little teaching for him to grasp the concept. He is reading Chronicles of Narnia, Spiderwick Chronicles, Charlie and the Chocolate Factories (barely being 7) and is dying for us to let him start reading the Lord of the Rings. He also tested into the gifted program at school this year. We are so proud of him. He comes right home from school and gets his homework done, without any prodding (typically).
I always worried that Ryland would be the 3rd wheel when he was born. Since Colton and Sterling were so close in age and had more time together before Ryland was born. BUT it is so fun for me to see them pick up this trio (as naughty as it may be at times), Ryland picks up where the other two leave off of each other.
Colton LOVES Star Wars, Pokemon, and Transformers
Colton also LOVES family trips. He LOVES going to fun places and being together as a family.
Colton is also a great helper and cleaner. Where his brothers might lack in detail. Colton is pretty good about getting the job done right! He has been a lifesaver in our home!
(Colton sledding in the snow in Flagg)
Colton would play any season, all day, any day, ANY hour--he LOVES activites (including crafts, and projects inside, making books, etc.)
(Roasting marshmallows w/ visiting family)
Colton LOVES his boy cousins (Kayden and Boston)-the only ones closest to his age. He is ECSTATIC to get together with them. They are often the thoughts in his creative dreams and adventures he plans.
(Some of the Hutchings Cousins on St. Patty Day)
Colton pretty much has a bad set of teeth, all the way from spacing to cavities. His genetics were a bit off in that department I am afraid. Thank goodness we have a ROCKIN' dentist and assistant (Grandma)!
He LOVES anything to do with golfing too. I don't think his dad had any part in that play! ha ha
Last, but not least Colton is sensitive. He will cry at sad parts of movies. When I am crying he is the one who gets super tender. He was the one who cried while the baby chick was dying. He gets embarassed to show this side of him...but it is there. He will every so often still like cuddling with me, and I will take that for as long as I can. I remember when he was younger and we would lay down together for naps. He would always say "hold me". I will treasure those afternoons where I got to hold my little BIGGEST boy.
(Colton's 7th Birthday in California)
I look at these pictures and wonder where time has gone.
But I am also so excited for his future, because I LOVE the boy and man I see him becoming already.
Colton--Thank you for coming to our family RIGHT when you did. I needed you.
