DAN'S 32nd BiRtHdAy!

SUPRISING DADDY AT WORK!
A BIRTHDAY BUTTERFLY!
THE GOOD CAKE!
IS THAT REALLY 32 CANDLES?!!!
THE KIDS DECORATING SKILLS!
DAN DID NOT HAVE TO FEED DACIE AT DINNER!
His b-day gift from me! ha ha

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DA!

Week Synopsis 6/2-6/10

Monday June 2-Happy Birthday Dan! Most the day was chaos control, answering phones, finishing the LAST book of the twilight series, and making a birthday for Dan (cake, decorations, wrapping,etc.)! We went and took lunch, balloons, and a birthday song to Dan at work. There were some patients there, so we totally embarrassed him--yes!!! I armed the boys with birthday blowers & Dacie had on her butterfly wings and a birthday hat too. The song did not quite work out the way we had planned-but it did the trick!

I was excited to make a red velvet cake from a recipe we got from a girl at Dan's work, which he totally LOVES-I woke up early to go buy $6 worth of food coloring and other 'secret' ingredients, as well as pick up Dan some breakfast before work! As I started making the cake I realized that it did not have any flour in it. I called the girl at work to see if I had read the directions right. She felt like I had. Now, we have had very few red velvet cakes that have tasted this yummy! So I followed her directions explicitly. As I dumped the batter/water into the pan I was quite skeptical. As the cake was baking I looked up online for some red velvet cake recipes and ALL of them called for flour. I knew I was doomed. After a half an hour of burning the red water onto my cake pan I pulled it out of the oven and had the WORST cake ever (look at pictures above and below) !!! I guess the girl had copied the directions a little bit wrong. I was so sad. Dan told me he had 3 cakes at work and was totally satisfied in the cake department. He even brought a complete one home to share with us.

We had a family party that evening--I think Dan's favorite gifts were the broken gun shoved with play-doh from Ryland and the hand-made comic strip book from Colton. All the gifts were 'fancy' wrapped in newspaper from the boys. The boys also helped decorate, which made it all the better!

Now Dan is finally as old as me for 4 months (the kids constantly remind him)-his favorite time of the year-ha ha!

The infamous ruined red velvet b-day cake!
Dan's work pulled through with a real birthday cake!

Tuesday June 3- Sterling had kindergarten screening. He was screened by Colton's old teacher. She told me he can go right into 1st grade. He did well with math-he counted up to 101 when she asked him to count for her--she told me she was hoping for 6! Lets hope he keeps excelling, I am not sure I will know what to do if I have a child that genuinely has a hard time keeping up.He is so HUGE compared to the other kids coming in to test! Sterling is counting down the days until he starts--he knows the EXACT date, not a day before or after. We went and got his 5 year portraits taken at Wal-mart later. This was a huge 'feat' for me since he never got his four year pictures taken, and his 5th birthday was in November-poor kid, he is going to wonder if I hate him ( I really don't Sterling)! We also did some serious shopping for my family's reunion coming up!

That night I went and walked the track-3.5 miles this time!~

They let us go look at the bear before they tried to tranquilize it--if you click on the picture you can see his head where the branches meet the tree trunk w/ his two little ears sticking out!
Wednesday June 4- Part of our summer schedule involves playgroup now. The little kids are all in a one afternoon nap-time, and the older ones are used to allot of kid interaction.

It was a pirate treasure hunt at Riverfront Park. They made eye patches and hunted for treasure (some bubbles). It was fun!

When we arrived there was a plethora of fire engines, animal control, fish and game, and police officer cars. I wondered what the occasion was and then realized that a bear had decided to come to playgroup all the way from the mountains! He was really close up in a big tree closest to the field (smart bear...get down by the cool river). His fur was the color of Sterling's hair (a beautiful brown, red). It was speculated that he was an adolescent that had been driven from the pack by the dominating male.He was moving between the two mountain ranges. He slept most of the time, until they tried to tranquilize him out of the tree--then he started climbing up and down the branches for us! It was taking quite sometime to get him 'tired' so we had to leave before he "fell" out. But, it was cool to see the guys ready to catch him and how he reacted to the tranquilizer gun.

We also capitalized on the 'free lunch' program they do here at the school in the summers for the first time today-we are going to be regulars for sure! My kids get fed for FREE and my kitchen stays clean!

All the pirates looking for their treasure!
Our home made eye patches--Ryland kept his on all afternoon and never took it off, even in public!

The fish and game guy going to get another tranquilizer gun-the big bear won't sleeP!

Thursday June 5- Was girls game night. I got what I came with (by choice)-- which was off bug spray and bug candle for our reunion this LONG weekend!

Friday June 6- The PANIC set in. I almost had an anxiety attack that day when I realized how many things I needed to do by myself, as I had to plan the reunion mostly on my own--it was not anything I could turn over to others. Last minute catering fell through, as well as ordered crafts not arriving on time. Not only did I have to bring all the extras for the reunion but I had a family of 6 to get ready to camp for 3.5 days! Tents, clothes, flashlights, sleeping bags, coats, shorts....It was a good thing Dan was home that day to fight with! Really, despite it all-we made it work! That night we had two softball games which I re-injured my thumb playing in! If I could get the glove on then I was OK. I have not hit as good as I did the first triple header night--people keep catching my outfield fly's! aaah!

Shot taken at the Grand Canyon

Colton LOVing being included in the skits--Indiana Jones saves him from the frightening Afro guy!

Saturday-Tuesday June 7-10- HUTCHINGS HOLD 'EM REUNION 2008 ~Flagstaff. Despite the panic on Friday we only had to turn around once for something forgotten, and we were the first to arrive (considering we had the shortest drive)! It went soo GOOD--it met all my expectations. The weather was absolutely PERFECT. Not too hot in the days and not too cold in the evenings.Minor sunburns and bug bites. We were covered in dirt and smelled like fire! We visited the grand canyon, camped, played games, did skits, ate out, rode the ski lift....

My family lost a total of 133 pounds collectively!!! I am so proud of them.I placed 5th out of 14 for the biggest loser contest and pulled in with a loss of 5.11% of my body weight! Maybe some serious cleansing the week before and the dropped 16 pounds from it helped.Today (after) I am sad it is all done! Now what are we going to do with our summer? My family all lives far away from me, and rarely are all 9 kids together at the same time--- I like to keep them while I can. It is so boring now--so I better go find something to keep me busy--aaah Girls Camp!

Shot taken from the top of the mountain after getting off the ski lift!

Happy BELATED Birthday Chaddy Waddy!

Allrighty-since it is Colton's birthday today and I am in the birthday SPIRIT and since Colton is swimming and at the movies with his aunts, AND since I am over a month LATE. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY Little Bro! My brother Chad entered a family dominated by GIRLS. He had 3 older sisters to terrorize and tease him upon his arrival. HOWEVER Chad was the one who did the majority of the teasing and terrorizing. With Chad around life is NEVER boring and you are NEVER sitting still.(I could not resist these 2 pictures of a serious WAVE in Chad's hair department as well as a yellow paisley shirt)

We shoved dolls and dress ups at him quickly, but he passed those right by and went for the trucks and dirt.My sister Mindy and him terrorized my mother in their early years. They were the ones who smeared red lipstick all over the carpet and mirrors, or kicked down fences protecting us from the ditch with their boots. However Chad somehow always managed to not get into trouble and laugh his way out of any situation. He still does it to this day. He can say things and do things most cannot get away with because he mixes it up with some humor.

I remember coming home after a peaceful day at church and we were sitting at the table sharing our lessons we had at church. Chad proceeded to tell a full on story in detail about a dragon eating him and his class and spitting him back out on the beach. He explained that his class all dried on the sand before they came back to class and that is how we did not know. That is one of my earliest memories from when I was younger-so it must have made a grand impression to stick this long.Chad is so full of imagination and creativity it hurts me and others around us!
(Chad and I hanging with some of our pool friends getting ready to go camping. I am on the bottom row far right and Chad is on the bottom row in the middle w/out glasses)

I was s senior while he was a freshman in high school. I loved embarrassing him in front of his friends. But no matter how much I called him "my freshman" in the halls and hugged him, I don't think it worked.It takes allot to get Chad embarrassed.

(Chad helping me marry my wedding stuffed animal bears. It was a BIG wedding with invitations, neighbor kids, desserts, decorations--he never complained, he was always up for a party!)

Chad is always in for a prank, or a trick, or acting, or making things drama. He will be your right hand man. I remember him faking that he had broken his back when we had gotten in a fight and he had fallen down some stairs. I fully believed him!

Chad has been on more news channels than anyone else I know. He was also featured in an oddville episode for MTV ( I would love to get my hands on it)acting out his Jurassic Park velociraptor. I guess someone saw him in the street doing it, while he lived in Brooklyn. He can make sound effects, animals, etc. putting us all to shame. He also has been featured in a newspaper or two on top of it all (one time in a pink monkey suit).

I think he was also the only straight guy to work for Armani in NYC too while attending art school.

While Chad is manly, and definitely all-boy, he certainly is left brained and has a super artistic side. Not only did he get three degrees in film and art.He had a lead in an off Broadway musical while living in NYC too-it is funny to remember all this, it seems like a life ago! He also sang in a mens acapella group at University of Colorado-after he was married and had a baby! The girls still went wild over him-

(Our infamous Christmas nativity, acting it out at Grandma Roths-Chad the wise man in the middle)

But, the time I became closest to Chad was in the summers after I went to college and we both worked at the pools AND when we served missions at the same time.

Chad and I's lives started crossing when we started working and having the same friends during the summers, with all of our life guarding buddies. Chad and I would attend parties, dinners out, camping trips, etc. while hanging out with these friends. It was always comforting having him there because I ALWAYS had someone who believed the same as me, had the same standards and was on my side...not to mention he would not tell my mom when I would kiss someone, and he always made everyone laugh-he was cool!

Chad protected me during these type of events too. I remember going to time square on New Years, and this guy was totally 'smashed'. He was hitting on me while getting in my face. It was uncomfortable for me. Chad saw this, and stood between me and the guy getting in a few punches here and there (the guy was so drunk he did not feel a thing). I was always safe when he was around.

(Chad in Moscow as a Missionary)

But I can tell you that there is NOTHING that can seal a kinship, than that of siblings serving a mission together.Chad and I went on our missions a week apart from one another. We were in the missionary training center together. I came later and left earlier than him, since I was going stateside English speaking, and he had to stay and learn some Russian. It is a boys priesthood responsibility, and they prepare their whole lives to serve. It is a milestone of manhood in some senses. With girls it is an option and an opportunity offered. When my opportunity finally arrived it was later than most (I was almost 22) and happened to hit at the exact time Chad was leaving. We prepared to go together. We even gave our farewell talks together. He NEVER complained about losing some of the limelight by me choosing to serve at the same time as him. He seemed to embrace it (literally).

We LOVED to wig everyone out by hugging, because those types of relationships are absolutely avoided in any form (including hugging the opposite sex) while serving missions. We choose it and appreciate 'the break' on love to think about other things--just in case it all sounds a little harsh to you!

(Alicia on left pointing to Roseville California & Chad on right pointing to Moscow Russia on a world map- we were WORLDS apart while serving!)

I vividly remember the first time I was able to hear Chad bear his testimony in Russian to me and my companions while we were at the MTC (Missionary training center) together --it was powerful. I cried.

I LOVED writing letters back and forth with him. There is just a common understanding and kinship that happens when you are all involved in such an inspired work at the same time, even with our experiences being so different.

(Chad and I finding each other in the MTC on my first day-that is why my eyes are still red from crying!-loving to FREAK everyone out hugging, making sure to point to our badges, so they knew we were related)

I was still protected in the MTC- I had a district leader who liked to withhold our mail by "accident" in his dorm room. SO one evening after having a heart attack about NOT getting a letter from my special boy friend and my other companions mail (mail is money on a mission!). Chad helped us out and went into the boys dorms with his whole district of Russian missionaries in black trench coats to "request the goods". They quickly returned with no confrontations, with our blessed mail. He was still looking out for me!

(Chad making us smile as a Usher to a frieside in the MTC)

Chad still had his humor on a mission. It is a great thing to have as a missionary when sometimes we can take things a little too serious. I remember going through some of my things as I was getting ready to leave, and I remember finding a small George Michael (yes, the singer) pin from by big FAN days. I found Chad's trench coat packed in his suitcase and strategically pinned it to his lapel, where I was sure everyone would see it the first time he put it on. Sure enough on the first day of fall weather I saw Elder Hutchings running around the MTC wearing the pin proudly and never saw him take it off the whole time there.ha ha ha

I also remember one time as we were taking an outside break from our studies and were walking around the grounds at the MTC. All of a sudden I hear loud banging on a window three stories up. I look up only to see Chad plastered against a window yelling -LET ME OUT OF HERE! (Since foreign language missionaries have some pretty intense weeks of language learning-they don't get out as often!). A few other elders joined in his plea, and then suddenly they all disappeared....that is when a teacher appeared in the window! I always had a reason to smile.(The day Chad went into the MTC- Alicia left, Mindy middle, Chad right-I'll see you in a week!)

I would have to say a great great way of describing my brother is: He will ALWAYS make you smile even when you are mad at him, or life makes you not feel like it. He never takes himself too serious, and because of that he is a joy to be around.

(Chad sitting and eating with his Russian district in the cafeteria-Chad would be the one with a pepper shaker in his mouth up front!)

It has been wonderful to see him grow up, get married, and become a dad. All his energy and enthusiasm are totally thrown into those relationships. It has been even more fun to watch our boys (6 between the 2 of us!) grow up together and love each other. Chad has just left Warner Brothers to go and work for the church in their graphic design department. Chad has fun, uses his talents, but is unwavering in his faith. He is the complete package deal. I think I can safely say that there is not a person who has had Chad in their life and are not happier because of him.

I am so grateful you joined our family and feel lucky to be called your sister. Thank you for helping me 'lighten up'!

Happy Birthday Little Bro!!(Uncle Chad wrestling all the boy cousins!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY McDREAMY!

Happy 32nd Birthday Daniel Ray!!!! Isn't he a McDreamy?- The groom Dan the man, at our Utah reception on October 28, 2000

32 years ago my life changed forever... as my "future" entered the world. Although we both could have chosen other 'paths' and not chosen one another...we did choose each other, and so on June 2, 1976 my life was forever changed for good. I was only 7 months old when he arrived, and we were both born in the same hospital--sometimes I wonder if our mom's crossed paths on BYU campus or in Provo. We would not meet for another 24 years or so-- But I KNOW the world is a better place for having him in it. I rarely get to celebrate JUST HIM..so I am going to "toot his horn"!! He deserves so much more than just one day!

Riding the metro back from visiting DC the day before our wedding. I had been sick and Dan has always been my Rock!

Dan's mission president summed him up very well, he said that- "Elder Sorensen would go into an area and make it better. No one would realize it until he left, and then they would notice it was much better." Dan does quietly come in and make things better , without any fanfare or demanding attention. He is a stress absorber, not giver. He is an observer--gently and quietly doing his tasks, and what is asked of him.

For a marriage/ family relationship class taught in church one week-they asked us to name all the qualities of our spouse that helped us choose to marry them. I ran across that list in my scriptures the other day and I would say it is the definition of Dan, if you were to look it up in the dictionary:

spiritually mature, sound reasoning, stability, calm, good looking, humble, accepts criticism, excellent missionary, serves me, soft spoken, slow to anger, expresses himself honestly, honest, smart, gentle, same goals as me, plays basketball, true to his word, never pushes himself on me, KING, treats me like a queen, tall, and likes sports.

Dan and his 'Best Man'-Justin Clegg (one of Dan's BF in highschool and college roommate)-ironically they share the same birthday-Happy B-Day Clegg!!

Because of Dan's maturity and eternal perspective in every situation allot of people (including myself) really look up to Dan for his advice. He is solid and thinks rationally (even if it means that he does not agree with me--darn it). He has a way with words that are clear, concise, and non-judgemental (except during basketball sometimes-ha ha). When he gives talks and teaches he really knows how to make the scriptures and gospel principles applicable to our life. He understands them. He is very knowledgeable (gospel and academic wise), and our family has benefited from that leadership. He will rarely offer unsolicited advice, he has to know you desire it before he offers it.He is the opposite of a dictator, which has been beneficial as we have found ourselves raising children, managing budgets, changing diapers, doing dishes, etc. etc.

Getting married was a 'leap of faith' for me (read I am engaged post) HOWEVER I had no idea how lucky I was going to get. I know that sounds cheesy. BUT I could not see what kind of father he was going to be, or the type of provider. I could hope and see qualities that would make him good--but he has FAR exceeded my expectations in some of those areas.

I did not know what I was going to be like pregnant (I'm not gonna lie, I am pretty hormonal) and he has taken the pregnancies on like a champ! I cannot imagine doing any labor and birthing without him RIGHT by my side..I really mean RIGHT by it. When I selectively chose a natural (no meds at all) birth I am ABSOLUTELY positive I would NOT have done it without him--he is an amazing 'coach' . The only person I really care about being there while I labor is him (OK and someone who knows how to catch a baby!) He is an AMAZING father and is definitely a helpmate in parenting. Many times he comes straight home from a 10-hour day (no lunch breaks) to roll up his sleeves and start dinner, bathe kids, take out trash, do dishes...without a word of complaint. He always encourages me to get out and go walking or to girls game nights.What hubby looks forward to coupon clipping and menu planning? Dan does!!!

He leads our family with prayer, scripture study and family home evenings. I never have to wonder if we are going to the temple or if he is paying our tithing.

You can get to know Dan better if you are into watching a game or two, playing 'thinking' games (board or PS2), you golf, listen to rock,or play basketball. Dan is very quick to apologize if he ever has lost his temper or done something wrong. Heck--he even apologizes when he has not done anything wrong. He is hard to stay mad at!

Dan and Alicia at our couples Halloween Party-October 2007
Dan can be a romantic (I know gag,gag). I LOVE his love notes, if you think he speaks well...you should read his thoughts. At our wedding reception in Utah, we had a program-- Dan wrote a song for me on his guitar and sang it in front of the hundreds of people there. Now, knowing Dan even better, I realize what a HUGE sacrifice that was for him. He really tries to make me happy regardless of the embarrassment, or time, money and effort. We have danced in the dark and in the rain. I LOVE the way my head fits perfectly in the crook of his neck... and despite our endless quest to cut back on our budget..babysitting and date fees are non-contested by him! I know he understands real love, and I am the major recipient of it. I know very few people have gotten close enough to him to feel that love, but if you have, it is a mature kind of love you would never forget.Dan is dedicated and devoted. Once you have him, he is an asset. He will not be going anywhere without allot of thought and prayer, and absolutely open communication.He has been very loyal to his employer and always gets done what is asked in a timely manner-- and done well, he treats his patients with respect, concern and patience. Dan is in for the 'long haul'. He approaches many facets in his life this way and because of this I have stability in my life.
Dan has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor. He LOVES wearing t-shirts with funny sayings on them! The office is his kind of show/humor. He can pull off a prank on me every once in awhile--but otherwise he is pretty predictable.
Dan is easily entreated and grateful for the small things (thus he could care less I am 2 days late on this post--he is just grateful for what I did do on his birthday). He has taught me to take things slower and to relax. He enjoys free-time and non-rigid schedules. He is strong in everything I am weak in (and vice a versa). Big trauma's do not stress him out-he can always see the bigger picture!
Sorensen Men September 2007
There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful Dan was born!
I LOVE YOU--I am glad you are mine!

Week Synopsis 5/26- 6/1

Monday May 26th - Memorial Day! We packed up the car and headed 20 minutes into Sedona. We hiked by church on the rock (a catholic church built into the mountain). It was a perfect day (see pictures below). We could not find a Subway on the way home so we settled for some greasy KFC. The boys all had tummy aches from eating so much, starvation was solved. Almost everyone missed naps so they were more than ready for bed. We ate dinner out on the front porch...cereal and strawberries. FHE (family Home Evening) had to be short b/c the kids temperaments were short. We are glad we have Mindy around it has been an unexpected treat!

(Check out Dacie's BIG knot and bruise on her forehead-due to her 2nd BIG fall off of the deck stairs--of course right after Mindy leaves and daddy is at work)

Tuesday May 27th - I was in heaven today! Mindy decided to be the favorite Aunt and took the kids to the park, out for lunch at Sonic, and for dollar store prizes.

Dan and I went and did our HUGE grocery shopping together (we had Dan around for 4 days! Tuesday is his regular day off--it was HEAVEN). It was really fun shopping together, if you could ever call grocery shopping that. The store manager checked us out and asked if we had a small army at home--we told him, "yeah pretty small." "How many?" "Oh just 4." He quickly replied, "Didn't anyone tell you kids were expensive?" ha ha ha "The first hospital bill told us that." That's all right we just saved over 150 dollars in coupons and sales!


We sprinted home to unload groceries and then go see the new Indiana Jones movie. We even held hands in the movie!! We came home to relieve Mindy. What a sister stud!


Mindy and I went to Enrichment that night..it was a cute shovel/pail/utensil (picnic) theme on service. During one part of the program they asked us to share some things that were 'downers' that day, everyone started naming things off. They turned to me and asked me what mine were, since I have so many little ones at home-I could really answer that I had NONE. It was a good day!


Mindy and I came back home so we could take on Dan in another game of Settlers-yeah, I WON this time! None of us are looking forward to tomorrow--it is bye bye Mindy and Daddy to work, mommy is solo-boo hoo!

(Our daily spider man sprinkler fun with neighbor friends...summer is here!)

Wednesday May 28th- Mindy got off by 9am (to go visit my bro. in Utah) and Dacie promptly fell down the deck stairs (for the 2nd time this year). It is hard to keep her contained when the boys keep the back door and deck gate open constantly--despite my insistent threats!!! Her head looks awful, and I felt bad the neighbor mom (who was outside) had to run over and comfort her, before I could get to her. Chalk up a bad mom point on the board that day!

We got our first package of fun party goods for the Hutchings family reunion coming up--we are getting excited! SO SO much work to do to make it happen! I started typing up agenda's, sleeping arrangements, and packing lists.

The old owners of our home (that we bought it from) have four children, and they incidentally moved back in with their in-laws (right behind us with a lowered fence). I am a respecter of privacy, so I was not sure I wanted so many extra bodies looking at us, or around...but it has been a blessing this summer--it has kept my kids outside! After air conditioning the whole neighborhood, kids running in and out of my home, otter pop papers and juice EVERYWHERE! I knew it was time to make a summer schedule of sorts!

Dan's raise/promotion was made official today at work. He is now the clinical supervisor at work. His pay raise and responsibilities begin June 1st! I am so happy for him! It was back to work for me too--answering phones!

Dan went and played basketball for a really LONG time tonight. It was their final farewell to one of his buddies (Dan's boss's son) who has been Dan's PT aide for a while. He is going off to school. Ryland decided LONG after everyone was in bed to wake up and wet his pants while pulling off the border wallpaper in our bathroom. AAAAH! (I am NEVER putting up borders again!)

Thursday May 29th- So I had a burst of energy today and we started our Summer Schedule. It has worked GREAT this week! My kids do so much better with structure and schedules, fun intermixed with work-helps me to enjoy summer with them, as I am task driven person! I had Dacie in bed a little early tonight so I could go meet up with my walking partners (we have slacked since our personal trainer moved out) at the high school track, in the evening. It felt GREAT! We walked 3 miles and I ran a 1/4 mile without stopping. 5K here I come!

Friday May 30th-Today was "inviting your friend over day". So we had Sean and Emma Hoggard (Ryland and Sterling's friends) over in the late afternoon. We had a bar-b-q- on the back deck before I had to run and get the babysitter. Dan and I had a city softball game tonight. Our first night with our new t-shirts my brother designed for the team. Colton got to come, as it was his date night with mom and dad this month. After a loss (we played the other LDS team)--we all headed over to Dairy Queen. It was crowded and hard to visit. But, Colton was in heaven and that is all that mattered. Afterwards-Dan and Colton started reading The Hobbit together. I also pulled out Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from my repertoire to give Colton a summer challenge (which he promptly finished by Sunday during naps). Onto Charlie and the Glass elevator!--It is hard to realize he just finished 1st grade sometimes! I fell asleep on the couch laughing at The Office Season 2 w/ Dan.

(Ryland showing off one of his outfit creations for Gma and Gpa S Saturday Eve)

Saturday May 31st- Was a good ol' summer day for us. Dan and I spent a large portion of the morning working on our yards, just maintenance. I really do enjoy it. Dacie typically ends up on the front porch swing screaming at the lawn mower and weed whacker. I do miss my backpack buddy from last summer (Dacie)--she mowed about every lawn with me.


Later that afternoon we had a family game of HORSE, and then goofed off on the front lawn and drank soda. Dan and I were not surprised to have burns on our necks and backs. Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen stopped by on their way back from Winslow (celebrating Great Gma's 80th). The boys pulled out every dress up in their costume box to "show off". We chased lizards w/ their new butterfly catchers (from gma and gpa). Dan finally caught one on Sunday!

That night after the kids were in bed we had our friends (the Trezises) over to play settlers of Zarahemla, watch an episode or two of The Office and visit. I lost miserably at settlers this time.

( Daddy Daugher enjoying soda, grass and summer on our front lawn after basketball)

Sunday June 1st- Sterling is obsessed with calendars. As we were running late to church he kept asking why I had not switched all of our calendars, or updated the family one on the fridge-is he FOR REAL!! ha ha ha ha. One day and counting until Dan's birthday! It was a great day to fast, pray, read scriptures, sleep and share Dan's b-day gift (cookies).

~ We hope your weeks are full of sprinklers, otter pops, soda, b-ball games, green grass, sunburns, company, and game nights!