Fun Week!

Sorry the post is so long but I've divided it up so hopefully it isn't too overwhelming.

Back to School Family Party
This was a party, last Tuesday, put on by the city and everything was completely free. David and I saw a Black Hawk helicopter land while we were in the park in the morning(while they were getting ready for the party), and then we went back with Scott at 5pm for the free sloppy Joe dinner. We also got free popcorn and cotton candy. They had tons of games with prizes and moonwalk bouncy toys but we thought David was still a little young for those. They did however have a fire engine spraying water over part of the open field which Scott took David in.
and...he didn't like it very much. We also went on the carousel which was free for the day and it was David's first time. He loved it, but the look he has in the picture was how he looked the whole time. Just very focused I guess. Lot's to take in. =)

Sydney and I.

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Family Reunion
Thursday and Friday we were in Park City for the last couple days of Scott's family reunion. We had such a good time. It was so great to see everyone again and we wish we had been able to go for the whole week. But atleast we made it for a little bit of it. I also had the opportunity to take the family photos there so that was a good experience for me. I think I've decided that taking a picture of 13 kids is not for me! lol. Anyways, we had a great time and here are some pictures of the fun.

Most of us went swimming Thursday afternoon and it was so much fun! David was totally different than he was last time he was in a pool. He loved being tossed in the air and spun in cicles, and also had fun floating like an otter(me holding him of course),holding a volleyball and refusing to let go of it.The life jacket you see didn't last long because it's still too big for him. His cousin Jenna ended up making good use of it.
My brother in law Jeff and his son Jarred. My sister in law Heidi holding Sydney, and Jenna and Grandma Sorenson in the background. This was while we were putting together our skit(the guys in another room doing their's).Hilary ready for the skit. We had to act like our husbands.
Grandpa Sorenson holding Sydney
Grandma Sorenson provided the makings for all the grandchildren to make their own card. Here, David is making his with my help.
Visiting Family
Since we were in Park City we arranged to get together with a couple of my cousins and their kids at my Aunt and Uncles house up Emmigration Canyon. The last time I saw them was 2 years ago(even longer for my cousin J who was there) so it was so good to see them again.

My Aunt Jaylene and cousin Stephanie playing with Sydney.

She was all full of smiles and cute faces for them!
David found their piano and thought it was pretty cool. He even sat on the keys a few times.lol. Don't worry, they didn't mind cause they have a really nice piano upstairs!
Our family.
Ok, in this picture it's me with Sydney and David, my cousin Katie with her two kids Emma and Bruce, and my cousin Stephanie(pregnant due in November!) with her little girl Kaylee. The three of us grew up together on the "farm" and I am so glad we are still great friends even though we aren't necessarily neighbors anymore. Last time I saw them Stephanie and I were pregnant with our first, and Katie just had little Emma. How things change in 2 years!
David on the drive home. After David fell asleep, I was bored so I started taking random pictures of cars and business's and things with a long shutter speed( about 3 seconds). It kept me entertained for a couple of hours!

This last one is of the Rexburg Temple
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Birthday Party
Sunday evening we went to David's friend Tanner's 2nd birthday. It was fun to relax outside in the shade and chat while the boys played on all the cool toys the neighbors had. Our husbands were also there and some other friends, I just didn't get many pictures.

The Zoo

We went to the Zoo in Idaho Falls today and had great fun! It was the first time David has really been around animals and he loved it! Sydney only made it about half way through before she wanted to be held but that's ok. Some of the other kids around seemed just as interested in her as they were in the animals. =)
Huge turtles!

This monkey came right up to the glass and curled up like that while we were there. So cute!




It had a little petting zoo and David really didn't want to be put down. He was very concerned about the deep dry loose dirt beneath our feet. He did enjoy touching them though while I was holding him. He is so funny. =)
They had a drinking fountain where you have to put your head in the lions mouth(just like the zoo we went to while at a fam reunion in Utah 2 year ago), and David just wanted to play in the water!
Well I think I could look better in this picture but, oh well! They had a HUGE tiger and it was lying almost right below the little walk way where you look into his pen about 10 feet below. He seriously was HUGE! It was way cool. And the lions were up and moving around while we were there. I don't ever remember being at a zoo and seeing the big cats actually up and moving around. Very fun.

I've finally read the Twilight Series...

and I have to say the 4th one is my favorite. In all the other books Bella really annoyed me, but in this one she was different.
SPOILER ALERT I could actually identify with her when she got married, then pregnant, and then feeling the love and protectiveness and everything else that comes with being a mom. In this book she didn't annoy me at all. I know the ending wasn't what some people had been hoping for, but I guess since I had heard that, I was expecting it. I liked it. I do think a future book somewhere down the line with them obliterating the Volturi would be fun, but I don't really care. I'm just glad I am finally done so I can once again pay attention to my husband, kids, and the Olympics!!!! =) Final thought- I liked the books but didn't love them, though the last one came close.

Two Month Old Sydney!

Sydney is 2 months old today! It is weird to think it has only been 2 months. It feels like Sydney has been a part of our family for much longer. She has been such a joy for us to have. She doesn't do a whole lot right now obviously, but she is good with what she does do. She sleeps through the night about half the time now and only wakes up once briefly for the other half. She loves to talk back when I talk to her and it is so cute! She loves to be outside. She loves to be held and cuddled which can sometimes be difficult with a toddler needing my attention, but I love to give her loves!! And she also loves to be held by her Daddy. She doesn't fall asleep in my arms very well, but put her in Daddy's arms and she zonks really fast. Maybe his arms are just more comfortable. =) We are just so glad to have Sydney and look forward to many more years with her!

She's found her hands!

Annalise and Steve's Engagement Photos

Here are some of the more creative ones. She wants me to withhold any that might end up being the actual engagement shot, so I haven't included any that are great face shots for both of them. I had a great time doing these pictures and playing with the colors on my editing program. Thanks again Annalise for the opportunity!

(taken with Kodak Ektachrome and Fugi Provia slide films and then cross processed)

Sydney Video and Twilight

I also wanted to comment that I am finally reading the Twilight series. I finished the first one in 2 days and am a few chapters into the second. I enjoyed the first one but have to say I would not compare it to Harry Potter. I really like Edward and the mystery and stuff surrounding him. Bella- well I really don't like her that much. Granted, she is in love with a super hot super powered vampire and not just a normal human, which I guess would merit being more obsessive and attached. But she's way to hapless and emotional and crazy and damsel in distress for me. That's OK. Harry wasn't my favorite character in Harry Potter either. The end of the first one was really exciting and I'm waiting for the second one to get more upbeat. Does it before the last 100 pages?? Anyone?? I actually read an article on MSN about it and lucky me had a huge part about the second one spoiled. Major bummer. Oh well. So far I don't think they're buy worthy, but I realize that could be because I'm not really a romance fan. I want more of what happened at the end of the first one! And less moping about chapter after chapter. Anyways, I'm sure it gets more exciting or else it wouldn't be so popular. But if it doesn't, someone let me know now so I can just stop.

Pictures from Scott's Birthday

This is the cake that Scott specifically requested. It is yellow cake with about 1 1/2 cups raspberry yogurt added to it(makes it really moist!)and blue food coloring, different colors of cream cheese frosting and tiers that were made from oval casserol dishes. I'm not the best baker or cake decorater but I was able to make it work I think. It tasted really good!

David was very fascinated with the candles. He kept saying "wow" for like 10 minutes afterwards. I tried to get a picture of Scott blowing out the candles but he decided to step inbetween me and the cake right when he did it. Oh well. If you're wondering what he's wearing from the waist down, they are SHORTS with an egyptian pattern on them that one of his companions gave him. He loves how comfortable they are.

Those who joined us for cake and a game of settlers. Scott's brother Russ and his wife Hilary, and our friends Derick and Tristen from our ward. Thanks guys, it was fun!

Tristen and I. She's the one who cut my hair. =)

My Wonderful Husband

So today is Scott's birthday!! I just wanted to take a minute and say how much he means to me. I love him so much. I love that he always makes me laugh. I love how loved he makes me feel. He's always lifting me up. I love that he's a great father. I love how he is so creative and likes to try new things. I love how in tune with the spirit he is, and how he's always teaching me. I love how easy going he is and how he doesn't worry about what people think of him. I love how hard working he is and how he never gives up. I could go on and on! I am so grateful that we will be together forever. He is such a blessing to me.

Here are a couple pictures that I found in our October 2006 folder.


And this one was taken I believe about a week after we got engaged in July 2004. We are in McCall Idaho where we have my family reunion every year.

I'll post some pictures of Scott's birthday tomorrow.