The Avenger's Midnight Showing

Justus and his friends planned way in advance to go to the midnight showing of The Avenger's.  They also all dressed up.  Justus was The Incredible Hulk.  He bought Hulk contacts (which were very uncomfortable), a purple shirt and a lab coat - all for this very special event.  His friends arrived a little late and were in a rush so I didn't get a picture.  But they each dressed up as a different character in the movie.

Tori and her friend Bria also went dressed in their Avenger's t-shirts.  Adri's in her p.j.'s.  She did not go the the movie.  It was a school night! 

They went to a movie theater that was a little further away so they could watch the movie in IMAX 3D.  They absolutely loved the show and were glad to be some of the first to see it.

It did come with a price though.  They were all a little late for school the next day since they didn't get home until 3:00 AM.  And they felt like zombie's all through what school they did get to.  I would have fallen asleep during the movie!  The things kids can do!

YES!!!

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION!
Bye, bye kids - mom loves you!!! :)

Tori - a mighty 9th grader! (she prefers 'freshman')

Adri - an awesome 6th grader

Justus - a sophomore in High School

Tori's 14!!!

May 1st is a happy\sad day for our family.  Seven years ago on Tori's 7th birthday my dad passed away.  Yesterday we all got together as a family and had dinner and then went to the cemetery to remember grandpa.  My mom gave us all this cute picture of my dad - the way we all like to remember him with a big, wide grin and being just a little goofy wearing a cowboy hat that's too small. You can see why the grandkids absolutely adored him and miss him so much.  We all miss him!  After we went to the cemetery we came to our house to celebrate Tori's birthday and eat Oreo dessert.  YUM!

Tori wanted this cute little owl on her invitation and we even found a cute balloon with an owl and all of her fun colors.  Bright and cheery - love how it turned out.

Allie posed so cute for both Tori and Grandma Sorensen.  Grandma Lorae thought she was darling.

Grandma Bonnie, Tori and Grandpa Mike

Kade (a.k.a. Pirate), Tate & Cinch

Tori opening all of her gifts as Adri, Josie, Gracie and Brooke watch.

We got her hair stuff because she's getting to that age where she likes to look perty!  Love ya Tori hope you had a wonderful day!!! :)

Easter Weekend

Saturday we went to Jake's mom's for an Easter party and after a very rainy egg hunt we ended up with 3 baby chicks!  Our house is turning into a zoo!!!  Here's a picture of the kids holding their babes.  Justus has decided to build a chicken coop out back.  We'll see how that all turns out.

You can tell that Justus was woken up way to early Easter morning by a very eager Adri.  He got a new suit for church and he looks very handsome in it.  What's even better is he actually likes it!

Tori also got woken up too early.  She was trying really hard to show some excitement, but it just wasn't there.  She got a new Easter outfit to wear to church and a really cute necklace.

Adri was so busy unloading her basket she hardly had time for a picture.  She also got a new outfit for church and some summer shorts.  The candy seems to be her favorite though!

The Easter Bunny even brought us a waffle maker for breakfast.  That was part of the reason I forgot to get a picture of them in their Easter duds before church.  We kind of ran into a few problem making our waffles.  But after one trip to my mom's and a trip to the neighbor's we were finally able to fill everyone up!  Church was nice.  I taught the lesson in my Primary class and was so scared that the kids would be bouncing off the walls, but they weren't.  They sat quietly for the most part and listened to the Easter lesson.  After church we went to my mom's and had another great party, but I forgot my camera! :(

Annual Gingerbread House Making!

Tori really gets into making her gingerbread house.  She always seems to take the longest, but her house always looks very precise and beautiful.  Adri made sure that Grandma Sorensen didn't forget about the event.  The minute she was home from visiting cousins in Ohio Adri got right on her about getting it scheduled.  Grandma didn't fail us!  She built 17 houses for all the grandkids and one for herself!  Justus is boycotting cold weather and refused to do a typical gingerbread house.....  see more below!

Here's Adri working on her gingerbread house.  This is very toned down for her.  Usually she's trying to put as much candy on as possible so she can snack on it later.  She did however insist on blue icing.  It came in handy for Justus' too.

This is Justus hard at work on his beach house.  Ha, ha!  The kid cracks me up! 

We do know how to build a mess!  This is Grandma, Wendy (working on baby Allie's gingerbread house, Adri and Codi.  See that tummy hiding behind the chair?  Codi is due in 2 days and insists that baby boy will come exactly on time.  We hope she's right!  We can't wait to meet him!

Tori, Mallory, Josie and Gracie are working hard.  Tate is being crazy! ;)

Tori and her beautiful house!  Great job Tori!!!  She has to have everything just so, right down to the pattern of cookies on her roof and perfectly aligned fence.

This is pretty much what happens to Adri's gingerbread house.  It goes within days!  Wonderful work Adri!!!  Maybe just a bit messy though!

And here we have Justus' master piece complete with ocean, thatched roof, surf board and palm tree!  Way to get creative Justus'!

All he wants for Christmas is a real good tan!  

Tori and her Awesome Award!

Tori entered the VFW Patriot Pen Program with a 400 word essay and won at the post level.  She was awarded a $200 check and her essay will go on to the district level.  If she makes it through that she'll go on to state and then national.  The first place winner gets a $10,000 scholarship.  

Way to go Tori - we're so proud of you!!!

Allie Mae Sorensen

Here's the cute baby that Justus gets to share his birthday with.  Don't you just love her olivey, jaundiced skin.  Jaundiced baby's are so gorgeous!  She just got lights delivered to her house last night so she's on her way to a more healthy look.  Good luck Allie you're a keeper!

Tori, Justus and Allie, and Adri.

The birthday pair!

Tori's 13th Birthday Party!

Tori standing by her Birthday sign that Adri made!  Well done Adri!!!

B-day invites.  Tori helped plan and make them.  Gorgeous!

I wasn't feeling so good on party day so the kids cleaned the house and helped with all of the birthday decorations and such.  What great kids I have! :)

Waiting to get started.  Adri decorated the ceiling.  What would we do without her???  She loves to help as long as it's her idea.

It was one of our warmer days and the kids just wanted to be outside enjoying it.  Jasper loved that!

Tori opening her gifts!!!

The flaming cake!  Tori put the candles on herself and they were so far apart it took her 3 tries to blow them all out.  13 candles really lights it up!

Tori with baby Addi.  She's a cutie pie!

Tori in her new birthday clothes Monday morning right before school.   Lookin' cute!  Have a wonderful 13th year Tori!  LOVE YA!

Tori's NEW Room!

Tori came home to a new room today after school.  She wasn't as excited as myself and Grandma thought she would be, but she claims she was in shock.  Grandma spent many hours making her this beautiful quilt (THANKS GRANDMA!) and spent the day helping me hang cute things in Tori's room.  Sadly it has taken many YEARS to get her room finished.  Tomorrow is her 13th Birthday so we thought this would be the perfect time to make Tori's room a ROOM!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS TORI!!!