Christmas Eve

Since Christmas was on Sunday, we decided to spend Christmas Eve in Wickenburg with my brother and his family. Our kids get along great - someone for everyone to play with. And we get along with Steve and Rozann too. :)

We enjoyed yummy food, desserts and the beautiful AZ winter.

 Gets a little cooler in Wickenburg than in Laveen, hence the red nose.

 There were some injuries - Abbey got bowled over while she was running.

 Played Mr/Misses Shark - a game they learned in swim lessons

 Riding the pink radio flyer scooter. 

We had a stirring performance of the Nativity:

 Taylee

 and Ammon played the extras....

 The Narrator encouraging the donkey to not drop Mary...

 the donkey helped Mary wrap her baby.

 A sweet Mother Mary and her baby Jesus.

 The cast: Tanner (donkey), Lucas (Joseph), Brianna (Shepherd), Shay (Angel/Star), Ashley & Lea (2 of the 3 wise men)

An Encore presentation: same cast, different roles :)

 

 With that, we headed home for bed to see what Christmas morning would bring and go to church for one hour.

Winter Festival

Poor Jeff, stuck on the outside of the seating- looks like he's in jail....or was it me??

 Lucas was so excited because they go to throw 'snowballs' at the end of one song. :)

 Rockin' out! :)

2-5-9

 So 259 - yeah!!!! We met these guys when we lived in Provo in our Singles ward. Commonly referred to as the 'Mesa Boys' among my roommates and I, since there was a whole group of them. Not only can they sing and harmonize as an Acapella group, but they write a lot of their music. Rob is a very talented musician and founded a non-profit organization when we were at BYU. Spire Music. He wrote his first inspired piece called 'He is Jesus Christ' on his mission - no piano, no orchestra, just missionaries singing. While at BYU, he was able to add the orchestra and put together performances at the Provo Tabernacle - Jeff, Steven and I were blessed to be a part of it. We even got to be on the very first recording of it - awesome! He's since redone some of it and had more professional individuals record it again and have had performances all over the country even some in our backyard at ASU Gammage. I'm proud to say I knew them before they were SUPER famous. :)

Rob actually just won a million dollar prize for a short story film he made called '12 Princesses' - made the local news. He's currently in London doing a recording in ABBEY ROAD!! Seriously though - I can't get enough of these guys - you won't meet a better bunch of boys, well men now. :)

Every year at the Mesa Temple, they have Christmas performances and this year 259 was on the list for a Monday night. We met Jeff there and were able to listen to them perform - brought back ALOT of memories from our BYU days.

 Rob, McKane (he helped coach our flag football team - that was awesome! Came in 2nd place - not so awesome), Greg - warming up.

Rob, Greg, Jeff, Jeff, Porter, McKane

 Not fantastic pictures, we were WAY back from the stage and this is how close my zoom gets and the quality when my 1 year old is smacking my hand. :)

 We talked with them afterwards and surprised to find most of them still live in the valley - Gilbert - the 'new Mesa'. :) Apparently Laveen is not even on the list. ha!

Of course we wandered a few moments for the lights - it's just so packed, especially on Mondays for FHE.

Rainy day

 Rainy days are few and far between around here. I happen to have my camera in my purse as I drove to the neighboring school to pick up Lea and Lucas. Isn't it beautiful!

 I don't even think it rained very much, but the low cloud coverage (any cloud coverage at all) is rare and a wonderful sight to see.

 This was the drive back home - how different the sky looks from one vantage point to another.

 Another view back towards the school - so amazing!

 The kids love to run home from the mailbox especially when it's wet (because really it wasn't 'rainy') outside. It's nice to mix it up a little instead of sunshine all the time - I know hard right? :)

Brief moments in the spotlight

 Enjoying the spotlight....

 Lea played a Christmas Song at the Activity Day Talent Show. This was her first ever 'play for anyone besides her piano teacher and practicing.' She did great and took a little bit of encouragement to keep her from going last on purpose. :) She's her mother's daughter. The spotlight is not something we crave, but it's worth it in the end.

 A little ward Christmas party fun! I was on a committee of 3, with lots of help we were able to put together a fun evening. I spent most of my night trying to keep track of my kids (Jeff was home sick with Ammon) and fill up the water jug. And although I spent most of the night walking back and forth from the kitchen with water, I would have much rather done that than bussed 35 tables!! Yes we had 35 tables set up that the Young Men set up for the night before. Every table was used - a wonderful turnout and great help setting up and taking everything down. Merry Christmas! :)

50 years

Married Dec 16, 1961 in the Los Angeles, CA Temple. A few years back, my sister decided we needed to save money for a 50th wedding anniversary party. (GREAT idea!! :)) I was able to fly 'home' to Richland for this party. Jeff wasn't able to come and was willing to stay with the kids so I could go.

 The invite for the party.

 1961 - wedding party: Bridesmaids are my mom's younger sisters and one other friend: Daryl, friend and Marietta, my mom, my dad, my dad's brother - Kenny, Grandpa & Grandma Sorensen, Grandma & Grandpa Clarke.

 Aren't they beautiful!

 View from the flight there.

 Temple session at the Columbia River Temple with part of the family - it was REALLY bright against the white Temple: Steven, Kristin, Caryn, me, mom & Dad. That same afternoon, some of the nieces and nephews were able to do baptisms together with my parents working in the Temple at the same time. Thankful my brother-in-law didn't get worn out after baptizing 7 of us multiple times. :)

 After the Temple, we met up down the street: Sorensen 7 at Dairy Queen for lunch. No we didn't cram in for the picture, this is how we actually ate. :) Sister-in-law Cheri took the photo for us.

L to R (number in the family lineup): Kraig(3), Steven(6), me(7), Kristin(2), Caryn(1), Rustin(5), mom, dad, Ryan(4)

 This is how they arrived for the luncheon on Saturday. In style. :) Friends and family from out of town were invited to the luncheon so they could spend more time with my parents. My mom's sisters said they weren't going to make it, but surprised her by driving all day, staying for lunch and heading back to Utah. Whew - long drive, sweet sisters. :)

 Here's the decor: It's beautiful (Caryn - my sister), put together 3 weddings this past year and had a wonderful friend to help her set up - it's gorgeous!

 Imagine 400+ guests to visit with my parents - it was truly amazing and I hope we have that in 40 years! So many loved ones who were positively influenced by my parents and who positively influenced myself and each of my siblings. I had a headache the next day - more talking I've done in my life. ha!

 

My mom's wedding dress, a cake was placed on the table (Sharise, my niece made it)

 The sweaters are from Norway - my dad had them made for him and my mom when he served his mission back in 1958.

 The individual photos are my parents graduating from college - BYU.

 Not planned we all coordinate - we just rock! :) We had a great time together - lots of laughs, memories and good food. All in-laws were there too (4 live in town) except Jeff and DeeAna (in Florida)

Steven and I flew together from AZ - thank you Allegiant for flying direct. Rozann and baby Taylee flew on a different flight to get home before us to get the rest of their kids.