Winter Wonderland

These pictures are mainly for my sister Lori who lives in Hawaii, but I hope you all enjoy the shots of freshly fallen snow. Lori, I was thinking you could blow these pictures up and tape them to your windows. Then it would really feel like the Christmas season!
This was the view out my front door this morning:
This (below) is the tree that Joey usually likes to run and climb up, but today the snow stopped him in his tracks!

Take a lookie at my cookie!

Many of you know that I love to bake and create wonderful little treats, and I especially love to share them with others, hoping it will make their day a little sweeter. I've recently been given the great opportunity to sell my baked goods at The Children's Hour. If you aren't familiar with this store, you're missing out. It's a fabulous little boutique on 9th east and 9th south full of women's and children's books, clothing, accessories, toys, jewlery, and now baked goods! I started off with some mint brownies and big chocolate chip cookies, but will be adding different selections all the time. I would love for you all to check out the store, and especially the treats inside! Spread the word!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I'd like to wish a ginormous HAPPY birthday to my sister, Lorilee. Lori is amazing in so many ways, and it breaks my heart to not be with her this year on her special day. I'm glad my mom and Cody are there to help her celebrate, and I hope she knows I'm there in spirit. 5 of my favorite things about Lori:

1. Lori is a terrific listener, easy to talk to, and gives great advice.

2. Her sense of humor can make anything funny, and I find myself laughing days/weeks/years later about something she has said or done in the past.

3. Lori makes everybody feel included, important, needed, and special. She can strike up conversation with almost anyone.

4. She has a great sense of style, fashion, and creativity, which she carries with confidence (which makes it even more attractive).

5. Lori knows who she is, what she wants, and stands up for what she believes in. She has a strong testimony and shares it more than she knows through all she says and does.

Thanks for being such a wonderful sister and fabulous friend. You've been with me through thick and thin, and I always know I can count on you. I love you!!

1st appearance

I'd like to introduce my niece, Summer. She is about 3 months old and this is her first appearance on the blog, but not the last, I'm sure. She mostly likes to sleep, eat, and be held- she is the cutest little peanut ever. I couldn't get over how adorable her big smile is in this picture- she'll make you fall in love at first sight!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

At our family Halloween party, everyone got all dressed up in costume to celebrate the holiday. There were games, prizes, spooky music, and yummy food including a jello brain, a jiggly hand, and a scary graveyard cake. It was the highlight of my Halloween, and I love seeing everybody get into it, especially my parents. Check out the cool costumes!

Mello-Yellow

While some people are "going green," we decided to go yellow (in our kitchen, that is). I thought our house needed some color to spice it up a bit, so we started in the kitchen. At first it was a little bright, but we finally got the perfect shade of buttery-yellow. I've heard that the color yellow tends to increase your appetite and make you want to eat more, which can have good and bad effects in a kitchen. But I'm enjoying the sunny hue; I think kitchens should always be a bright happy place.

Taste for the Cure

On Saturday, Dave and I volunteered for the Taste for the Cure, which is a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation. The night was incredible, with tastings, samplings, and demonstrations from restaurants around Salt Lake. We were lucky enough to enjoy food from The New Yorker, Metropolitan, Biaggi's, Les Madeline, Wild Oats, and Great Harvest. The event also included a silent auction and a Top Chef competition- never ending excitement! I didn't know fighting breast cancer could be so much fun!

frosting fanatic

Many of you may already know this about me, but I LOVE frosting. Every bite of cake, cupcake, sweetroll, etc. has to have gobs and gobs of frosting. Actually, I enjoy eating it just plain! Not only do I like to eat frosting, but I like to make it and decorate with it as well. Although sugar cookies aren't my favorite kind of cookie, I get excited to make them just so I can decorate them. I would do this for a full-time job if I could. Anyone hiring? Here is a sample of some of my Halloween cut-outs (the kitty is my favorite).

Go Utes!

Recently, we went with some of our family to a U football game. The afternoon couldn't be beat- popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, family, and a sea of red all cheering for the home team victory. I think it was Ethan's first of many, many football games to come. Days like these are why I enjoy the fall.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

I'd like to wish my dad a very happy birthday. My dad is one of a kind, and I love him for it. He's very talented in a variety of areas, including surgery, story-telling, flower arranging, wood carving, painting, gardening, and playing musical instruments. My dad could probably master any skill he wanted! He's always been there as a source of love and support and I hope he has a wonderful birthday today and a fabulous year ahead!

Jo-Jo

Joey (aka jo-jo) is our kittycat whom we just love to pieces. This is my favorite picture of him, because his personality just shines through. He is about 1 1/2 yrs old and our baby, for now. His favorite things are sleeping in the sun, playing hide-and-go-seek, Purina cat chow, water from the faucet, and cuddling. He's a single man, so look out ladies!

Living off the land

This is our first year planting and harvesting a garden and we've loved having fresh, home-grown vegetables in our own backyard! We could really live off the land, if all we ate was tomatoes, that is! Can you believe we collected all these in just one day?

Fun in the Sun

Pearl Harbor Memorial brought a tear to our eyes


Rainbow Falls in Hilo sure made a splash!

We wanted to renew our vows at the Temple in Laie, Oahu

The Dole Pineapple Plantation made us feel a little juicy!

Aloha to Lori & Cody!

One of the best parts of our trip was visiting Lori & Cody in Hilo! It was one of the best reunions I've ever had. I loved the beaches, the relaxed atmosphere, the sunny days, and especially going to Kona, yeah. Being there made me want to move to Hawaii and live with them in their cute house- it's such an amazing place!

Aloha Hawaii!

For our 1st anniversary, my sweetheart Dave surprised me with a trip to Hawaii! I was shocked and didn't believe him for about 3 days, but then I thought I should start packing just in case! It was one of my favorite trips ever and what a way to celebrate one of my favorite years ever!

You say it's your birthday....

I love having a summer birthday for many reasons, some of which include, 1. It's hot during the day and warm at night. 2. You can have outdoor parties, often involving waterslides, swimming, etc. 3. You can have a BBQ or at least eat outside. 4. It gives you an even break between birthday presents and christmas presents. 5. You sometimes get to celebrate on vacation!!


I was lucky enough to enjoy none other than The Cheesecake Factory on my birthday, finished off with the ultimate Dulce de Leche cheesecake (I hope this will be served in heaven)! Talk about a happy birthday!

This year's birthday was unforgettably fun, and I'm so grateful to all my family and friends who made me feel so special. I am so lucky to have them in my life, and they are the ones that bring me happiness the whole year through.

Pie in the Sky

We got the biggest pizza I have ever seen, and ever eaten! It belongs in a record book of some sort. Amazing how our family ate not one, but TWO of them. Actually, if anybody could do it, it would be the Sorensen's, and we'd still be ready for peanut m&m's a little later :) I think this pizza was over 27" across; it couldn't even fit through the minivan sliding door! But it sure was delicious!

I'm going to Disneyland!

If I had just won the superbowl, and someone asked me what I was going to do next, there would be no doubt in my mind.... I'd say I was going to Disneyland! It truly is the happiest place on earth, and I don't care how old you are; it gets more fun each time you go! It brings out the kid inside everyone and makes all your worries disappear. I loved each and every moment, from Space Mountain to the Matterhorn, from Small World to the Teacups. Truly magical!