Christmas Sunday

Enjoy a few quick Christmas photos we took before running out the door to church!

We would have had some pics with dad, but he had a meeting... but he did look good running out the door in Grandpa Sorensen's fur collared Sugar Daddy coat!

Mia learns her colors

As Mia and I were eating our lunch, I thought it would be a great time to review her colors! I asked her what color a few things around the house were which she got quickly. I then asked her what color my shirt was. After a pause, she answered "plain!" What color of plain, "plain like a tissue" she says. I guess after getting frustrated she responded, "I don't know, why don't you learn my colors for me mom!" What a Mia! For some reason she has a difficult time with WHITE!

At the same lunch conversation, she asked where Santa lived. I told her the North Pole. She said, I suppose he likes ice! She can't get the concept of WHITE, but she can use SUPPOSE in a sentence!

Halloween Fun!

Today feels like Christmas Vacation. We stayed up late watching a movie, slept in until 8:00 and stayed in our P.J.'s until 1:00! Now we are in preparation for Trick or Treating!

Here are a few photos of the Halloween Carnival last night. Mia was a cute little Cuppy cake!

And Madi (yes, she does look like a boy!) our SCArY VaMPIre!

Savanah and Mia, getting judged!

Madi showing her VANGS! (for some reason she had a difficult time saying FANGS, even without them in!)

Mia won a second place prize!

Madi won a third place prize. I was glad Marcus took pictures, I was in the kitchen helping out!

It was such a fun night, although my back was so stiff I could hardly bend over at the end of the night.

We didn't get pictures of Whitney, she was "sick" and her friend Makayla was "tired". She said the costumes were not good enough for pictures anyway! As for McKay he stayed home truly sick, or stayed home thinking he was getting sick. Today he is feeling just fine. We brought him some candy home so he wouldn't feel left out. Marcus also dressed up as a bee or fly or something black with little 2 yr. old wings! As for me I was dressed as the CRAzY mOM just like normal! It always turns out to be a fun night for kids and adults as well!

I am a push over!

Wes and Carrie are busy training to be EMT intermediates on the weekends. Their kids stayed over night last night because of late nights and early mornings! Savanah gets some crazy ideas in her head sometimes. This time it was having her hair curled. She wanted it done last night, but, I declined! This morning bright and early she reminded me that I said we could curl her hair! SO WE DID! I figured why waste a nice curl job on a lazy Saturday, so we did a little photo shoot! Savanah is very photogenic and loves striking poses! She could not take the sun in her eyes, so she squinted at us! We need to figure out all of the settings for better light on the pictures!

Our Suprise project!

Marcus was out of town for a week, so we decided to change things a little. The kids were so excited to help paint the wall and not tell Dad! I went a little more conservative than I first planned. Neutral is easier to decorate with, especially for a non decorator!

Marcus was too late getting home for us to see his reaction. We turned off all of the lights but one, but he could still tell it was darker in the room. Here is a portion of the finished product.

Notice the accents on the candles: Totally getting Kimalaish!

Yes, I even made some fall flower arrangements! GASP!

This it just the top portion of our wall, not much to see other than CHOCOLATE BROWN, so I thought I would get our fall decor in. It is good I really love the fall colors, because this will be our decor until Christmas! I know sisters you are shocked to see anything but a bare wall! This event needs to be journaled for sure! I wasn't too concerned with Marcus' reaction, he really doesn't care, especially if it does not involve him doing it!

SpLiSh SpLaSh!

We had the girls go and get in the bathtub so they would be clean for church. About five minutes later, Mia comes in, goggles around her neck and floaties in her hands. We asked her, "Mia, why aren't you in the bathtub yet?" She told us, "I need my floaties blown up so me and Madi can't drown!"

SILLY GIRLS!!!

Madi, Mia and I (Whit) were down feeding the pigs with grandpa, and decided that we wanted to run home. Mia wouldn't let either of us carry her, so we let her jog with us. (We all had flip flops on, Mia's were on the wrong feet, as usual.) Mia almost made it all the way home. When we only had a little ways to go, Mia stops, looks straight at me, panting, and says, "Whitty, I'm so tired! I am going to die if someone doesn't pick me up!" So I went over and picked her up and carried her all the way home. When we got home, she said, "Whitty, thanks for carrying me. I was going to die!"

I don't know what we would do without our Mia or Madi girls!

Caution... Open wound... BEWARE!

Our plan today was to move/organize our wood pile.....BUT this is what our plan turned into.

A trip to get stitches. Marcus was pounding a pole in the ground and the final slam of the post pounder brought a pounding headache! He was lucky enough to not be knocked out, although he was a little fuzzy, and a lot pale. He bent over and just said ohhhh...I ran over took off his hat and then the blood began to run down his face. Our personal EMT, Chet, saw McKay running out with a towel and came over. It was a nice gash about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. I sparred you the picture of the skull the Dr. allowed me to take. We walked away with 9 stiches. The Dr. was a little worried that he fractured his skull but, couldn't see any signs. He totally posed for the above picture. Marcus hates needles, the smell of antiseptic, anything medical when it comes to him! He still laughed with us during the shots! This next picture is not really that bad, as I said I didn't post the ones of the Dr. holding it wide open, but if you hate blood...don't look now!

This is before the blue stitches. The cut just kept creeping into the hair, so the Dr. would add another stitch. He acted a little goofy for a little while, having a hard time focusing, but after his ice cream, a whole lot of tylenol, and a little rest. He is doing better. So much for our Saturday projects!

The End of our Cub Scout Era

McKay received his Arrow of Light last month. Pam and Dennis prepared a ceremony about his path through the Cub Scout program.

McKay was so excited to receive his Arrow of Light award.

The symbolic face painting....Mia was jealous, but walked away with a heart!

Dennis shot his bow to show us his skills!

Grandpa T. told us fun stories. He had the kids captivated as usual.

Nothing like a fire roasted hot dog!

We are so proud of McKay and his willingness to finish this award. Now, on to Boy Scouts. Pam and Dennis do a great job organizing our Pack meetings! I hear she checks our blog once in a while:)

Surviving schedules!

We are getting back into the swing of schedules. Whitney is enjoying the new school, still missing the home cooking they have at the elementary. We had a celebration today...she got her P.E. locker open on the first try.

McKay is loving his class. I am not sure his teacher is enjoying it as much. I got report that he is a frequent talker. I wonder where he gets that?

Madi is an ideal student. She has the best learning personality, hopefully she'll stick with that! She loves to get her books passed off and back in to her teacher. She started gymnastics today...with the stipulation of her continuing piano.

Mia finally got to go to preschool today. This year they decorated a flower with any material they choose. Mia picked her favorite.....fabric! She went and picked some of grandma's scraps. She sat in the bathroom while I showered and glued her fabric on her flower. The were saturated with glue, so they dried nice and crinkly good for a flower I suppose! (What I won't do for a little peace. She is still going through issues not having the kids home. I can't get very far before she freaks out!)

Mia showing off her coat hook!

Today we measured how tall they were for the stem, and hung them on our wall to stay all year. Cute little flowers growing up with me!

Back to School

We have begun! We were up bright and early this morning in attempt to make it a calm morning. Believe it or not we succeeded! I even got a few pictures. I was prepared to make a good french toast breakfast, but Marcus one up'd me and bought the kids their favorite SUGAR cereal! Ya they will be hungry at 10:00! Oh well, they don't get that everyday, oatmeal tomorrow!

Whit was up extra early and was ready in 10 minutes. I told her if she kept that up she would be able to sleep a little longer....I am sure the newness will wear off within the first week. Kyler mentioned that Whit could ride with them to school, she jumped at the chance. She was a little nervous to start a new school, so she was hoping Morgan would be a big brother for at least today!

I woke up at 3:00 a.m. listening to the coyotes, and making mental notes for all of the things I needed to remind her of. My list: there is money in your lunch account already, set in the front to middle of the class, back row asks for trouble :), remember who you are, call if you forget your locker combination, don't visit too long after school and miss the bus! I felt like I was sending her off to college! I know... I am one of the fanatic moms! I guess after the first, it will be easier. No tears, believe it or not! A prayer and she was off, even willingly!

I got a short run in and then the other kids started getting up and ready! No French toast, so breakfast was quick. Grandpa came over to get a few pictures of the kids on the first day , and soon the bus was coming. Whew...now I am tired! Wishful thinking I left the treadmill on to continue a little jog, but no here I am blogging. What you ask is Mia doing....painting my toenails with "ponelish" (every color and many layers)! She will be having with drawls this week with the kids gone all day!

Waiting for the bus! What cute kids!

Cool 5th grader! Hiding his excitement! It was a little chilly this morning, but the jacket was more to complete the look!

Madi had her fun attitude on today. She was so excited to wear her skirt (skort for all of you who hate girls in skirts at school as bad as I do...skirts and jungle gyms not a good mix!

We searched for the long socks, but had to settle with the short ones and vans for the first day attire. She told me we could maybe look in the MALL for socks!

My cute middle schooler! Mia was up at 6:30 a.m. to say good bye! (a nap today maybe!)
Too chilly and not so light outside for Whit's pictures....she is growing up all to quickly!

Whit was wanting to post a few of the funny things Mia said a couple of days ago....I guess the blog duties fall back on me now!

McKay was teasing her then when he left the room Mia said "McKay's a doke (dork) huh Whit!"

She always dresses herself. She came out with her cup cake shirt on backwards. I told her that her shirt was on backward, she of course argued. I told her that the cupcake was on her back. She just smiled and said ....I guess it's backwards day today!

A stink bug is either called a stunkbug or a stinka bug.

The kids were washing the baseboards, Mia asked where her wipe wager was (wash rag).

And just now she told me to stop moving my toes because it messes her up and annoys her!

I guess I won't be too lonely this year!

I hope everyone has a great school year! They seem to go so quickly, enjoy those activity packed days!

15 YEARS

Allison and I celebrated our 15-year Anniversary this month. Wow! I know.

Our Sunday school class keeps telling us that we are "kids raising kids". At times, we feel that way too. I will end now since I am really not a public gooshy kind of guy! Besides, I wrote because Al couldn't think of anything either!

We doubled up today so read on if you choose!

Count Your Many Blessings

name them one by one.

* Life

* miracles

* medical professionals

* Priesthood blessings

* Husbands who remain by your side

* loving family (through visits, calls, emails, Kimala new she was loved!)

* cell phones (maybe Cole doesn't think so, I called him a lot!)

* power of prayer

* baby Dawsyn who is such a good baby (she slept through the night, in a different house with goofy Aunts that let her have however many Popsicles she wanted!)

MANY MANY MORE

Cole is so good to Kimala. I may even go so far as to say he spoils her! He was home for a 1/2 hr. and was anxious to be back by her side. Very understandable under her circumstances! He was embarrassed to be in the bed, but Kimala was sick of being in it and the girls were in the other chairs! She looks so good!

The girls were so excited when she was out of ICU and they got to see here before we left.

We all had tears of Joy that day!!

I am guessing many of you have read Meg's blog so you know the story, if not here is the SHORT story!

Kimala was on a walk with Cole and Dawsyn, when she got light headed and passed out! Cole got her to the ER. Her blood pressure was extremely low, they gave her 7 iv bags, and did many test, one being a chest x-ray. Finding blood clots in her lungs! She spent a few long days in the ICU. I was so glad that I could be with her for a few days! I am sure that Meg would have been fine without me, maybe better, but it was sure nice to be there to be with Dawsyn. She is now home in the very capable hands of Cole to care for her. We are so appreciative of him and his love for her.

Marcus was kind of lonely, but I assured him, next time I would leave the kids with him!! He was so good to take care of things so I could stay as long as I needed to. We are glad to be home and have Kimala recovering nicely!

Here and there!

Here's our update for who knows how long!

Pumpkin Cream-Cheese muffins

Mom has been busy making muffins for our breakfast for our Torgersen reunion. This is one of the yummy batches she made. (I would know 'cause I was her taste tester!)

I have decided, I will only brush mom's hair if I can do it. I have been working on my curling skills for a while with the flat iron. I think they are looking good! :)

This picture is not of something Mia ate, it's lip stick! She had to put it on by her self. Mom made us go down to the unfinished basement, for this purpose.

How do I look?

McKay got his life back!!! although, on the small side!

BIG BOY ON A LITTLE BIKE! I think the boots are bigger than the bike!
His motorcycle has been broken down for at least a year, and we finally got it running again! He is saving up for an upgrade. Maybe some day McKay!!!
No i didn't puke, it's leftover smore-itto (smores in a buritto) I was saving it for my midnight snack! I know, I know, I am a messy eater!

At girls camp, we got to go to a challenge coarse, Carrie was the first year leader.

She was a great leader!

Thanks Carrie!

more Summer Summer Summer Time!

Whitney enjoyed her trip to  Kimala's so much!  They worked on these cute boxes filled with cards for the 24th benefit auction.  Kimala also took her to do some school shopping.  I am thinking that I should send each of my kids with her, they don't come home so happy after shopping with me and the little girls all day!  Whitney has been looking for someone to do the fun stuff with her.  Thanks Kimala for letting her experience some fun!

Madi was in needof some mom time.  She saw a barbie cake and really wanted to make one, after putting her off for a week, we finally got it.  We had to make the cake one day and finish it the next.  Our version is the simplified one.   She was so proud to decorate it herself.  The cabbage patch doll made a perfect size for the mini dress. 

Mia enjoyed licking the spoon!

This is what happens when parents go for 5 minutes.  Chet and Coquette came home to this in their yard.

Movie Night at the LEWIS'

Marcus and the boys got a wild idea to watch a movie outside.  It was a perfect evening for it!  We popped popcorn, had candy bars and a drink for everyone.  Who knows if the little ones watched or not, but they loved the movie treats!

I hope they always enjoy coming to my house, even when they get all grown up!

By the way we double posted so view on my friends!