It Has Frozen Over Folks

Brian found some mice living in his hay out by the horses.

Brian's assistant's cat had kittens.

Assistant asked Brian if he wanted one.

Brian came home from work asking if we could get a cat.

Fact: You know what/where has frozen over because there is no way Brian would ever ask for a cat before that happened.

Other Fact: Karen does not want mice living in her house so she will allow a male outside cat to live in the backyard.

When we went to pick out the cat Tanner looked at Brian dead serious and said, "Dad if we get this kitten NO BAD STUFF TO IT OKAY." Let's just say some of B's past comments have Tanner legitimately concerned.

The kids are thrilled, beyond thrilled.

So far Milo has survived
1. going on the small and medium slide by himself.
2. being dropped at the height of Brielle's arms (several times).
3. Going down the big slide with Tanner (he apparently likes it).
4. Falling down the window well (at least four times I think we have that fixed now).
5. Two attacks by random neighbor dog.
All in one day. Good luck to you Milo you sure are loved!


Such a typical picture. Tanner with his arm on Brielle, Brielle wearing Tanner's jacket, Tanner's butt crack peaking out....I wonder if I will find a way to keep his pants up before he starts school.


This is what chubby little Brett has done during most of the excitement. For some reason sleeping all crunched up like this is so much more comfortable than being snuggled in bed. Oh well I am just glad he will take a nap.

Seven Years

This month Brian and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. I can't believe we have been married that long. We were listing all of the things we have experience in those years. I started with some obvious ones.
Three kids
Three moves
One House
Graduation
Dental Practice

Then Brian chimed in....
Horse Trailer
Three horses
One dog
One dead elk
I couldn't quit think of anything to go along with this last one on his list. I guess we will see what the next 7 years brings us.

Brett's Blessing

We blessed Brett last Sunday. I was hoping to enjoy some nice weather and good food with our family. We woke up to a snow covered world again that day so we just enjoyed some yummy food and visits with family. Here are some more pictures of the little guy.

I decided to try and make Brett's blessing outfit. (Not the vest we borrowed that from Tanner's blessing outfit.) If you don't look too closely it looks like I did a great job. It turned out fine with a few adjustments but now I know what I am doing if I ever make another one.

Have you ever tried to take a picture of three kids? You get a lot of this.

Tanner and Brett were the most cooperative so I got this nice one of them. I think Brett is starting to look more like Tan Man.

After what seemed like forever, many threats and some bribes this was the best picture I could come up with. Brielle was being such a stinker!

Baby Brett

Here are some pictures of our newest addition. Brett weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and is 20 inches long. He is just perfect,calm and so, so easy (so far). Tanner pretty much has nothing to do with him, and Brielle keeps close tabs on him (no surprise there). Family and friends have really spoiled us these past couple of days. Thanks to everyone for your help.

Not That Mom

Going through my baby stuff to get ready for this little guy I came across a magazine titled "Games to Play With Your Baby". I feel like I do a very poor job of this with all of my kids so in an effort to change I decided to read it. As I am going through the different games I see some that look nice and then some that I know will never happen. Upon closer reading I read the instructions to "In a high pitched voice say _____ to your baby." This was instructed with several games. Really do I really have to talk even more goofy to my baby than what comes natural? You know we all do it, why I don't know but I think the extra effort is not necessary.

Now my confession, after becoming more educated at what I can do to play with my baby I probably won't change. I probably should. But I just can't see myself putting fun objects and the end of the hall for me and my crawling baby to race to while saying "Stop" and then "Go" down the hall. That is just not me. What I can see is me playing fetch with my kids (when they pretend to be dogs) and throwing the ball they are fetching as far away as possible so it takes longer for them to retrieve. I know I know I am that kind of mom. Maybe the baby will like to play fetch. And maybe my kids will turn out after all because really I am just not that kind of mom.




Finally I think all is ready for this boy he should be here any day now. If only I could get Brian to settle on a name for more than two days at a time we would have him named. Of course if I would just agree to Butch or some such nonsense that would be his name, but again I am just not that kind of mom.

Sorensen News

Since it has been forever since my last blog I thought I would give an update of our family. Warning: this could be a long and boring blog.

Old News
Tanner and I went to Disneyland with some friend from here. We had a blast.




This summer we took a family vacation that didn't involve mountains or fishing.
First we hit Yellowstone National Park.



Tanner and Brielle have become the best of friend (and sometimes worst of enemies). On this trip they insisted on sleeping in the same bed every night. It was so cute.

Next we went to Glacier National Park.

We took a little hike to this waterfall. It was so gorgeous. I can't wait to go back when our kids are older so we can do some serious hiking.





Finally, we stayed a night with Grandma GG and Lloyd.


I was terrified of a really long car ride home with two little kids, but they did great. Portable DVD players are the best thing ever.

Newer News
We are finishing up the harvest of our garden. It did really well this year.
This is our freaky carrot and huge potato. We even got a carrot that was the perfect hour glass figure of a woman, which one of us just couldn't get over. Sorry folks I didn't get a picture. I think we also have a two or three year supply of pickles and frozen zucchini.



Finally we are expecting our third little one. I am due in the beginning of March. I have my ultrasound in two weeks. B doesn't want to find out what we are going to have. I am undecided. We will see if he can convince me in the next couple of weeks. I have also just gotten braces (which are still killing me),and am in the middle of filling a long term substitution at the Elementary School. Hopefully that explains a little bit of my blog neglect.

Personal Style

In an effort to get away from the trailer drama I decided to blog about Brielle. I know it is not as entertaining for all of you but she is still a little cutie.

Lately she is working on finding her personal style. Here are some of her favorite looks.


I am responsible for the flower that is as big as her head, but the necklaces and bag are all her doing.

Tanner's Amish hat comes in handy.

Thanks for the dress Becky.

Winter wear is for indoors and out.

Begging to go outside.

Setting the Record Straight

Well, this is a first for me. I have never done this blogging stuff, but due to erroneous reports and malicious attacks against my character, I feel it necessary to set the record straight (kind of like Joseph Smith had to do).
First of all, I love my family very much. I understand everyone has weaknesses and strengths. I don't believe in exploiting someone's weaknesses (or perceived weaknesses) online. Karen has known we have been in desperate need of a horse trailer for quite some time. We have a horse (that was given to us) and no way to transport the animal. I had been looking at used trailers for quite a while, but Karen would throw a hissy every time I brought the subject up. I didn't know what to do. I found a great deal on a trailer while Karen was out and about and just went for it. I didn't dare consult with her because she would most likely cause bodily harm (her words, not mine). To make a long story short, I encourage Karen to get what she needs and wants whenever she needs to. She has wanted carpet. I have told her repeatedly to get it. She won't. I think she does this so she can hold it over my head whenever I want something. Thanks for listening, A confused and abused husband.

Birthday Gifts

Brian told me that I needed to be sure and make a post about what he got me for my birthday. Lucky me he read the blog and actually picked up on one of my hints.(Keep reading past the first picture to get a few more details.)



For some reason it felt like he wasn't trying to help me have a happy b-day, but was in a desperate search to smooth things over. This is what he bought "for the family" on my birthday (he knew I was against it). Tanner, Brielle, Brian and I can totally use this to take our one horse up into the mountains and go for a day long horse ride.



Dear Brian,
Thank you for the grinder I really do appreciate it and did not expect it. Also, the next time you go ahead a buy a really expensive item (like a trailer) that I am against, (even if you do it while I am gone so I don't know about it until the deal is done), I will sell your truck.

P.S. I think I was supposed to just write about the grinder. I couldn't resist adding a few more details of the story! Sorry.

Upcoming Birthday

My birthday is coming up (this is in no way a post to remind people or guilt people into saying happy birthday to me). I am feeling pretty old and actually forgot it was coming so quickly until Brian started talking about it. So here is a recap.
B (to Tanner): Guess who is having a birthday soon.
Tanner: Me I want a rainbow (fish) cake for my birthday.
B: No, not you someone else is having a birthday.
T: confused
B: It's mom. What do you think we should get her?
Me:(in my head) Wow he actually remember my birthday. He is planning what to get me instead of running to the store on the way home from work and grabbing the first thing he finds (which sometimes turns out remarkable well, and sometimes not).

A couple of days later I found Brian shopping on the internet
Me: What are you doing?
B: Just looking up some things.
Me: Looks like you are looking for a new t.v.
B: Yep your birthday is coming up.
Me: That is not what I want for my birthday it is what you want.


A couple of days after that
B:We have some fun things we are planning with the scouts.
Me: o
B: We are going to be doing a really cool bike ride. I need to get a new bike the one I have is crap and I can't keep up with the boys.
Me: Really?
B: A new bike that is a good idea...(then only kinda under his breath) your birthday is coming up...

In case anyone out there is wondering I do not want a new t.v., a bike that is fast enough to keep up with the scouts, a horse trailer, an ice fishing pole, a horse, a saddle, or new tires for my birthday.

Maybe Brian would like a wheat grinder, a pair of running shoes, or some cute new summer clothes for his birthday.



This is a picture of the cake Brian bought me last year. It is a chocolate cake with coconut frosting. I hate coconut frosting... the chocolate part was good. (The flowers were really nice.)

Don't get me wrong I am glad that he remembers to do something for me but maybe a little more planning could help me feel a bit better about my age. And after six years together please remember that I hate coconut even if the cake is chocolate.

She's Off!

Brielle has been walking for a couple of weeks now and she is really off and going.

Here is her first (and only so far) battle wound. She got a little tipsy and landed right on a block.


Brielle loves balloons. She carried these around for two days straight.


She has been pushing Tanner's little chair around trying to get up on it. Yesterday I turned around and found this accomplishment. She is so proud of herself. The real bad news comes when she pulls it up to the stairs and tries to climb over the gate. I seriously get nothing done when she is awake.


Tanner is getting so big. He has started Sunbeams and loves it. This is his first day of Sunbeams. Brian got him ready and gave his hair a "nice part" for the occasion. My guess... the last time B had enough hair to part a "nice part" was the style. I did a little fixing when he was distracted with another job.

Tan Man is totally into basketball right now. He plays for at least a couple of hours each day. He thinks that he is the next Paul Milsap and when he is really into his game he will not answer me if I don't use the right name (sometimes I forget and call him Tanner instead of Milsap go figure).

Other updates: I just signed up for another half marathon. I am excited to be training for something again.

Brian found his dream boat. He is so excited about it. By dream I mean an aluminum fishing boat that has had better days. I have already let him know that he has to test it out before the kids and I go on a voyage.

The Holidays

Well it has been so long since I have posted that I think I will just sum up the past four months in one long post. Sorry if it gets too long and boring. I have started this post about 20 different times but it just hasn't worked out.

For New Year's my parents, sister, and her family came down. We had lots of yummy food on the 31st, then had a snow day on the first.

Brian and my brother-in-law used their four wheelers to pull the kids on sleds. They loved it!




We had a couple of snow days this year with friends and family. I have to say that this one was my favorite because it was in our backyard so.....Brielle took a nap the whole time. I didn't have to deal with tired cold kids at all! This is Brielle getting ready for some grub clueless that she missed out on all of the fun.



Tanner couldn't wait for Christmas this year. He was so excited and facinated with the whole idea of Santa Clause. That Santa knew just what he wanted. Thomas the Train. He loved it so much I had a really hard time getting any pictures of him. He builds tracks lines up trains and hauls coal for a good 2-3 hours a day. Beauty.

Grandma Sorensen stopped by after a dental appointment and brought everything needed to make a really cute gingerbread house. Tanner loved it.

My parents,three of my sisters and their kids came to our house for Thanksgiving this year. All that delicious food still brings a smile to my face. In all of the cooking, cleaning, and fun I didn't take many pictures. I did get this one of the kids doing their "project". Now whenever they are together they ask for a new project to do. The best part about it...they are so quiet when they do them!

Last but not least Halloween. Tanner really wanted to be Spiderman for Halloween. I came across this Superman and convinced him to wear it. I still missed the really cute Amish guy, and Cowboy I had in Halloweens past, but I put my feelings aside and went for the not so cute Superman. Of course he loved it. If you are like Brian and can't figure out what Brielle is, she is a clown and yes I know the bow is huge! I can't help myself.

We hope you all had a great one.

Brian's Side

Brian told me the other day that if I wanted to get comments on our blog I should write about him (he is right our blog gets way more comments when it is about him). I decided to blog about Brian's side of the room which is always a disaster. This is what it looks like today. My favorite parts are: the top of his dresser is covered in receipts and other papers (most of which just need to be put in the trash), there are a couple of coolers that have not been put away since hunting (mid September),and if you look closely there is a box of stuff from the move that he hasn't unpacked.

Those of you who are thinking that I am a slacker by not at least taking care of the laundry I understand. After four years of doing Brian's laundry wrong he asked me not to do it for him anymore, so he is now in charge of his own clothes.

By the way here is what my side of the room looks like.



If any of you would to see more of B's skills they are displayed rather nicely in his car. YIKES!