Life 2009 | Pixar Play Parade

I am finally getting some scrapbooking done. It has really been fun to plan out some pages.  In the excitement of planning our December Disneyland Trip - I felt the need to go back and start scrapbooking our big family trip to Southern California in 2009.  Yes, I never got around to completing those pages.  So now, I am!

Pixar Play Parade

March 27, 2009

Much of our week was spent as individual families, but today all of the Sorensen Family watched the Pixar Parade together. It was so fun to watch JJ & Beth, as the Pixar characters are some of their favorites!

Here's the layout I did:

I used the "Project Mouse Collection" 
by Britt-ish Designs & Sahlin Studio

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Project 365 - Week 52

Monday, December 21, 2009


Beth had her special Christmas program at Center Stage today. Joey and I got to watch her sing, dance, and we even got to see what they were learning in Karate. She had so fun and she did her part very well. They had a special visitor at the end of their performance and Santa came to visit!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009


It was JJ's last day of school today and we did the final preparations for Christmas. I started doing a bit of cleaning and then we got to babysit Baby Mallory while Uncle Cody and Aunt Becki did some shopping. The kids LOVED having a baby in the house!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009


I didn't get an advent calendar done/bought this year and I couldn't figure out something to do to help the kids countdown the days. Then last week JJ brought home a countdown chain and it was perfect. Of course, we had to make one for Beth too. We got a little behind this week in taking a chain off because of all the activities, so the kids got to take 3 chains off tonight and that was just awesome.

I love our Christmas stockings. They were all made by my Aunt LaRae and it has been a family tradition. Mine of course is the oldest since I have had it for as long as I can remember and its so neat that Aunt LaRae has kept making them as our family has grown! My brothers and sisters still have theirs and have them for their children too!


Thursday, December 24, 2009


Today I did a cleaning of the house and it took all day. The kids were just so excited that it was Christmas Eve! The day was just way too long for them. But finally I finished cleaning and it was evening. Dad came home and we started our evening by having Pancakes and eggs for dinner! Then the kids got to open up 1 gift - their new Pjs! They loved them and was so excited to get into them. They had baths and jumped into their pjs. We watched JOY TO THE WORLD - a little 1/2 hour film by the church that talked about Jesus and his birth with music from the Tabernacle Choir. It was then time for Bed. I was so surprised how fast they went to sleep!


Friday, December 25, 2009


Christmas Day finally arrived and it was truly a wonderful day. The kids let us sleep in until 8:30 and it was amazing! Santa found us and brought the kids a Leapster 2 and some games for each of them. We have only had 1 Leapster and now we have 2 so they each can play at the same time. So great! They also got candy, play dough, and new toothbrushes.

Before opening presents, we had some breakfast and watched A KING IS BORN - the classic animated film that I watched every Christmas Eve growing up. I think it was wonderful to help the kids remember what Christmas is about and it was nice to do that before opening presents. The kids loved all their gifts and it was so awesome to hear how grateful they were for every present. Beth just kept saying, "Oh, I love it so much - thank you mommy." Beth got a My Little Pony House with a pony, long-sleeved shirts and pants, Disney Princess Sticker/Coloring Book, Snowglobe, puzzle, Snow Boots, Winter Coat, and 4 amazing Princess Dresses. JJ got a Thomas the Train Set, Spiderman Legos, Bubbles, new shoes, winter coat, and snow boots. And the most amazing surprise of all was our last present. Joey surprised us with a WII! I had no idea, but he had been doing some extra contract work so he could save up and buy us one. It is so awesome. I have really been wanting to have one and now we do!

We spent the rest of Christmas playing with all of our new toys and just enjoying each other. I had a ham in the crockpot cooking all night so by noon it was done and we had a Funeral potatoes with our ham. SO GOOD!


Saturday, December 26, 2009


We spent all day in our pajamas playing with our new toys today, especially the Wii. It was so fun to watch our kids enjoy it and its something we can do together as a family. Right now the only thing we have that the kids can do is bowling, and they love it. They each have it down pretty good and its so fun to see them play. Beth already has a classic move of rolling the ball and ending with her legs crossed and the remote in the air! So cute!


Sunday, December 27, 2009


Unfortunately, we ended the Christmas week having colds. All of us just didn't feel too well today so we stayed home from church and just relaxed. For Family Movie Night we watched our new movie that Santa brought us - UP. We had seen it in the theater and loved it and now we have it in our movie collection!


And here is my weekly layout:


I used my CHRISTMAS WRAP & DIGITAL 365 Kits to create this layout!

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Project 365: Week 51

Monday, December 14, 2009


Today was wrapping day. Most of my shopping was done today and we began wrapping presents. I have started a little tradition with wrapping that my mom did with my brothers (after I was married and gone from home). She would pick a wrapping paper for each child and then would wrap all their gifts in that paper and then she wouldn't have to do any to/from labels/writing/tags. I thought it was really fun and so last year was the first year I did it and I'm continuing it this year! The kids like it too!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009


I have new visiting teachers and they came over to visit this morning. It was really wonderful to sit and visit with these wonderful women and just share a little bit of our lives with each other. They brought their children with them and Beth got to spend a few minutes playing with 3 girls about her age. She was in heaven! They left us with some yummy cinnamon rolls!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009


I mailed the majority of my Christmas Cards today! I have done Christmas Cards every year since Joey and I have been married. It's a wonderful tradition and I'm always so happy to have them done! I did about 80 cards this year and just need a few more addresses before I send the final ones out. I was so excited about how my cards turned out this year. The pictures that Maria took for us were amazing and I feel so blessed to have been able to get such great photos of my family! Along with getting the cards mailed out, I finished my Christmas/Grocery shopping today as well and it felt very good to have that all done.


Thursday, December 17, 2009


Today was baking day. I did a little bit of treat making yesterday, but the majority was done today. This was my counter full of supplies before I started cooking. I made Peanut Clusters, Turtle Pretzels, and some Cake (Tree) Pops.


Friday, December 18, 2009


Today was Christmas Parties at both JJ and Beth's schools. We packaged up our treats to give out to neighbors/friends and teachers as well. The kids both had a wonderful time at their parties and came home very excited and loaded with some fun treats/treasures.


Saturday, December 19, 2009


We got up early to finish up projects today. I started with running to the post office to pick up a package and then I spent the rest of the afternoon wrapping some gifts, making cookie layer bars, oreo pie and Red Velvet Cookies for our Christmas party tonight. We left home at about 5pm and headed to Salt Lake City where we walked in the cold to Temple Square to see the beautiful lights. It was pretty cold and we didn't stay too long, catching the trax to get back to our car. Then we headed to Centerville for our Friend Christmas Party. It was so great being with our friends and eating great food and visiting. The kids were SO SO good and they just played downstairs with the other kids and let us visit. It was a very good time!


Sunday, December 20, 2009


Today was our Christmas program at church and I had the opportunity to sing in the Ward Choir. Christmas music is so wonderful and it was a great experience to be a part of that today. After church it was a nice Sunday with just being together, having a nap, and continuing our tradition of our Family Movie Night. Tonight we watched The Muppets Christmas Carol - one of our family's favorite movie traditions at Christmas. A great way to end the week!

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Project 365: Week 50

Monday, December 7, 2009


I bought a Gingerbread House Kit and tonight for our Family Home Evening activity we put it together. Even with the kit - it was a bit hard to do. The Frosting just wasn't quite the right consistency or something and it didn't want to stick very well. So we didn't try to do anything very fancy - but we still had a good time. Actually the drippy frosting turned out to be pretty good icicles when it finally hardened!


Tuesday, December 8, 2009


Lots of snow this week. Other than the fact that I have to occasionally drive in it - it has been really fun to have. I love the peaceful feeling of snow. Orderville got like 19 inches of snow in a day and so I know my parents are so grateful. They really needed the moisture!


Wednesday, December 9, 2009


Last night was a difficult one. JJ had a hard time sleeping since his cough was so terrible and he had a fever which made us all worried that a seizure might happen. So JJ stayed home from school today and mostly just rested. The fever finally went away and it was definitely a relief. Beth had a bit of a cold too so she skipped school too and we just had a day of Christmas movies and resting.


Thursday, December 10, 2009


Although JJ felt lots better than yesterday - he still has a pretty bad cough so we decided to keep him home one more day. Today I was reminded how important it is to scrapbook. I have been so into the design part that I have not put actual scrapbooking as a priority. I have all the photos and thanks to this Project 365 project I have a lot of journaling - but I have slacked off on the actual layouts. My kids got out the very few albums that I have today and just was so excited to see the pictures. My poor Bethie complained about how few photos she actually had of her in books. I really need to remedy this. This year my goal was to find balance in my life - between designing, scrapping, family time, etc. and I just didn't accomplish it. I think I'm just going to have to try again next year.


Friday, December 11, 2009


JJ & Beth were so excited today because they each got to have PAJAMA PARTY at school! They got to wear their cute pjs, eat snacks and watch movies in their classes. JJ was so excited to be able to have hot chocolate and watch the Polar Express!


Saturday, December 12, 2009


We woke up today to find a nice big leak in the roof of our bathroom with water everywhere. Not a great thing to start the day with. It was warmer weather and the snow started to melt, plus it rained a lot today and just made things worse. It seems as if our trailer is falling apart and it is not good news. So today we just hung out at home. Bethie drew a picture of me with the Magna Doodle. Apparently I'm a fairy because I have wings and a magic wand :) It was actually one of Beth's best pictures so far!


Sunday, December 13, 2009


I had the opportunity to participate with my Church ward in our Stake's Annual Christmas Fireside. This is the 3rd year I have participated and it has been a wonderful tradition. We were told tonight that this stake has put this on every year since 1978. Each Ward choir prepares a song to sing and with 11 wards in our stake - that's a lot of great Christmas music! So each ward sings their song and then after everyone is through, the whole congregation joins in singing a couple of pieces from Handel's Messiah. They have a small orchestra and some soloists that come and help with that part of the program as well. Very fun times!

I have really struggled the past couple of months with many things, especially through our financial hardships. It's been really hard to hang on and have faith and trust Heavenly Father that we'll make it through. It has just been taking its toll on me and this week it hit extra hard. I have been really wanting to move and get out of the trailer before anymore problems come up. I've been wanting SO MUCH to just leave and start over. I have been praying for an answer and just not feeling like I was getting one. I've cried, I've yelled, I've worried, I've stressed. I've talked things out so much with Joey and I just wanted to get out of where I am right now. I've been on a constant search of a new home. Well tonight everything came out. I cried and worried and talked everything through with Joey again and suddenly the answer the came. Heavenly Father finally was able to get through to me and I realized that all the stress/confusion that I have been feeling WAS my answer. In the scriptures it says that when you are seeking an answer to prayer - if what you are praying for is not right then you will feel "a stupor of thought." I guess I always thought of that as maybe feeling nothing. But I now know that it can also be confusion and not being able to focus on things. When the spirit finally got through to me tonight - and I realized that the answer was to WAIT - not move yet - everything immediately got better. We are not in the current financial situation to try and move with deposits/rent money and moving costs and all that. But its going to be okay. I'm finally finding peace and it really really really feels good. Sure, I still want to move and get out of here - but its not right yet and I know that we will know when the time is right. I know that Heavenly Father is there and that he hears me and he loves me, even when it takes me a long time to actually hear him.

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Project 365: Week 49

Monday, November 30, 2009


For Family Home Evening tonight we put up our Christmas tree. It's just a small 4 1/2 foot tall artificial tree, but it works nicely in our little trailer. We put it up on a storage bucket and it works great. I love blue and silver together and so once again we used the same decorations we have had for years for our blue/white/silver tree. The kids had so much fun putting the ornaments on too. And for the first time in 5 years, I put out my Precious Moments Nativity. The kids were young and I was afraid they would break them and I haven't really had a place to put it so I haven't put it out. But this year, it worked great under the tree on the storage box and the kids seem to stay away from it - and so it's there. I'm so glad - I have missed it and it really reminds me of the real reason for Christmas. For the FHE lesson we talked about the 2nd Article of Faith and started memorizing it. I'm so proud of my kids for getting the 1st one down!


Tuesday, December 1, 2009


I can't believe it is December 1st already and the weather has really started to feel like winter is coming! Beth has even broke out her heavier coat, gloves and hat! She thinks it is time for it snow! :)


Wednesday, December 2, 2009


Another one of those special moments where the kids were playing so good together and even sharing the chair as they watched a movie before bed. I so love it when they are good to one another!


Thursday, December 3, 2009


My kids are definitely ready for Christmas to be here already and the season is just starting. I know they are dreaming of lots of presents, but I hope I can instill in them the real reason for Christmas.

Tonight Joey and I went to see The Blind Side and it was an amazing story. I loved the movie and I loved being with my hubby.


Friday, December 4, 2009


The kids wrote their very first letters to Santa today. I helped them spell the words but they each wrote it all by themselves. So cute!


Saturday, December 5, 2009


My beautiful new niece was born today. Cody and Becki did really well! Mallory Marie Sorensen was born at 5:16pm and weighed 5 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches tall. She is so tiny, so sweet and has us all wrapped around her little finger already. I was able to spend a few minutes with Cody and Becki this afternoon before she was born (running some errands for them and taking Cody some lunch) and then later after the kids were in bed I was able to go over to the hospital and hold little Mallory. I can't wait for my kids to meet their new little cousin! And yes Mallory - you have made me baby hungry tonight!


Sunday, December 6, 2009


The kids and I were able to go over to the hospital tonight so that the kids could meet Mallory. They loved being able to hold her and give her kisses. Uncle Cody and Aunt Becki have been so wonderful to JJ & Beth. They are definitely their favorite Aunt/Uncle right now and so this was an extra special time that we got to spend with them at the hospital. I knew Beth would be so excited about her new cousin, but I was very pleasantly surprised to see JJ's reaction. He was so cute with Mallory and I can really tell that these 2 want a new baby in the family. :)

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Project 365: Week 48

Monday, November 23, 2009


Bethie's last day of school this week and they got to have a little Thanksgiving dinner. She had way fun and I thought she looked so adorable in the little pilgrim bonnets/hats that they made!


Tuesday, November 24, 2009


All packed up to head home to Orderville for Thanksgiving. JJ had his last day of school for the week and when Joey got home from work we drove down.


Wednesday, November 25, 2009


My mom and I spent today doing all the food preparations for tomorrow's feast. It was nice to do it today so we could have tomorrow to just be together as a family. My main focus was to make our family's traditional egg noodles (from my Grandma Sorensen's recipe). Everytime I make these I think of my Grandma and how much I miss her. I hope she is happy where she is and proud of her family. As my mom and I made food we had a great little visit and made plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was very nice to be there in the home I grew up in and just be with family.


Thursday, November 26, 2009


Today we had our first Thanksgiving dinner in my sister Kori's home. She and her family have restored my Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Esplin's home and its so beautiful. I'm so happy for her and her family to have this wonderful home to live in and its wonderful that the old home can be used again. We have been having our Thanksgiving dinners out in the barn every year because it was the only place we could fit us all, but now Kori has this wonderful big home that she shared with us this year. I loved having all of us together. It was good to see Charity - I haven't seen her in awhile and she is looking good and she and her kids have moved into a nice trailer, so I'm glad things are going well for her.


Friday, November 27, 2009


Since I didn't get any pictures today, since we just drove back to Orem, I decided to share what else we did yesterday. After our Thanksgiving dinner, we helped Kori and her family put up their lights. Okay, so mostly we just visited and laughed as others did it - but it was a hoot. So how many people does it take to get the lights up on the house - well there was Ray to hold the rope that was attached to Colby so he wouldn't fall (the roof was very slippery and steep), Kori to help with the rope on the roof, and Joey and Austin to provide moral support. LOL After getting the lights put up and playing more at Grandma's, we had dessert at Grandma's and then went back to the house for the lighting of the old house! We visited a little more and Beth got to have her very first sleepover - with Whitnee! She did so good. We also watched a movie with my Dad - which is always a wonderful tradition!


Saturday, November 28, 2009


Today was our niece's wedding day. I can't believe that Chelsea and Alicia are old enough to be married, but they are. It was nice to have Joey's parents come and visit with us and good to have most of the family together for awhile. The wedding was nice and it was very beautiful with the Christmas decorations. Some good food too. Congratulations Chelsea!


Sunday, November 29, 2009


Last week, these huge giftbags were dropped off for the kids as an early Christmas gift. The kids wanted to open them then, but I decided it will be nice to wait to have another gift under the tree for Christmas. I feel so blessed that someone out there thought of my kids - thank you to whoever you are!

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Project 365: Week 47

Monday, November 16, 2009


Joey had to take off work today to try and fix things around the house and I am just an emotional wreck. For some reason our finances, the trailer, my computer problems, and everything has weighed down on me so hard and I just feel broken. I feel like I am at a fork in the road in my life right now. I'm struggling with so many personal things and I am really feeling depression/stress set in. Which way is the right way? Where do we go from here?


Tuesday, November 17, 2009


Beth has really been into having "collections" lately. From rocks to leaves, she has to collect at least 10 of things to have. At least she is seeing the beauty of the earth. I especially loved the colors of this leaf that we flattened in a book for her to keep.


Wednesday, November 18, 2009


One of the managers at Joey's work had a birthday and she sent the balloons home for the kids. They were so delighted!


Thursday, November 19, 2009


Hard hard week. I'm trying so hard to see the blessings (which there are so many of), but my heart still just hurts and their are so many decisions to make. My hubby was amazing tonight. He got his brother to babysit for us and we went out. We really needed a date night to just be together and be away from our problems for a little while. We went to Olive Garden for dinner and then we went to see The Time Traveler's Wife. I really enjoyed the book and I thought the movie was good too. We got home and the kids were asleep and as I was sitting on my bed, I just got an urge to do something for myself and since I knew Joey has no interest in the Twilight books/movies - and it being the night of the premiere - I just impulsively looked to see if their were any tickets to New Moon available. And there was - for the 3:30am showing and for some reason, it was just what I needed. The kids were asleep - Joey stayed home - and I could just get out for a little while longer. So I did it. It was crazy and I was tired, but I really enjoyed the movie.


Friday, November 20, 2009


Tonight as Joey was headed up to SLC to do his podcast he called and said, "Go outside. You have to see the sunset." So the kids and I bundled up and headed outside and I'm so glad we did. It was so gorgeous - I haven't seen colors like that in a long while - deep pink, blue, purple and orange covered the sky! The picture doesn't do it justice - but it made my heart feel a little better.


Saturday, November 21, 2009


Another down day. It helps to look at beauty like this.


Sunday, November 22, 2009


Popcorn, a good movie, and my family. Life is good. Sundays are usually our family movie night and I really love being with my little family this way. It helps me to keep it together and remember the many blessings I have.

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Project 365: Week 46

Monday, November 9, 2009


It's getting pretty late in the fall season, but still there is so much beauty to be found. I am loving that there are still trees that have yellow and I'm not even sure what kind of berry/fruit or whatever that this is in the trees - but I loved the contrast of the red with the yellow!


Tuesday, November 10, 2009


I can feel it. The air is getting colder and there's snow on the mountains and the contrast of that with the clear blue skies is just breathtaking.


Wednesday, November 11, 2009


I have a cold and its tough to be a mom when you don't feel well. But my kids are amazingly helpful and independent when I need them to be. And they made me feel so special when they brought their toys in to play on my bed just so they could be near me while I was resting. Love these special moments!


Thursday, November 12, 2009


Even though I have a cold I have been outside quite a bit lately. As I have walked Beth to school this week, I have really marveled about the beauty of the ending of Fall and beginning of Winter. I'm so glad that I live in a place where I get to see all 4 seasons.


Friday, November 13, 2009


It was really cold today, but the kids still wanted to go outside and play in the leaves for a little while and Beth had to run in and bring me outside to take a picture of this rose. I can't believe there is still a rose blooming in my yard, but it won't last long!


Saturday, November 14, 2009


Today we created what the kids called "a little movie theater" and used my laptop to watch movies while we snuggled up in bed for awhile.


Sunday, November 15, 2009


Today was a difficult day. It began at 4:30am when one of our water pipes got lose and filled our bedroom floor with water. After spending a few hours trying to clean it up and everything, Joey and I were so exhausted that we didn't even make it to church. We had no water all day and of course it would be one of those weeks where I didn't get the house clean or the dishes done, and we really needed water. At least we had drinking water. We cooked chicken enchiladas and went over to the Casseta's house to watch the Rivalry of the Century game between the Colts and the Patriots. It was fun to visit with the Casseta's again since its been awhile since we have been together. And the game was amazing - the Colts came out on top - BARELY and it was a very exciting game! We then came home to our friend (who owns our trailer), yelling at us for not taking care of the house and just lots of stuff that was really hard to take. It was just a horrible end to an emotional day...

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