Pink Granny

Happy Birthday Claira

2010-03-07T01:02:00.000-08:00

Today my oldest granddaughter turns 12. Wow, how the years fly by. It seems like only yesterday that she was a toddler just learning to walk. Now she is a beautiful young lady who loves to read, play soccer, cook and sew just to name a few things. Claira is a wonderful student in school and is very involved in 4-H. We spent a fun day together yesterday enjoying each other's company.

Tomorrow in church, Claira will be going into the Young Womens program.

So Happy Birthday Claira, enjoy your special day!

And not to be left out is Claira's brother Dallen who is always so full of energy and fun.

2010-01-30T22:28:00.000-08:00

My friend at Orange Peanut is doing a free giveaway for cute hair accessories from the Fox Den so go sign up to win at kanzlerthoughts.blogspot.com
You only have until tomorrow night, Sunday Jan 31, to enter so hurry on over there!

YEH!!!! Progress

2009-04-10T00:00:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, we have been remodeling our home for the last few years. Yes, years. Things got put on hold when Derek's work slowed down. No mon, no fun. Then the county told us if we didn't finish ASAP we would have to pay permit fees again. So we are back at it. Today the tub deck got installed! YEH! It was quit the ordeal. First they tried to take it up the stairs but it would not fit. So Derek took out the front window and they lifted the granite onto the roof and through the window. This thing weighed a ton. Hats off to Marcos and his crew from Capitol City Granite for getting this heavy slab on the roof and through the window. They did a great job!

I'm so excited. It is all starting to come together. Now we can start the fun job of tiling.

After that was finished we went to visit Lance and Derek helped him get his Chevelle running. He is putting it up for sale. It was a busy but fun day!

Family Time

2009-03-27T01:46:00.000-07:00

This week has been family time and we have had fun playing. Michelle and Josh have been here this week visiting with their girls. It was so exciting to see them as we have not seen them for 7 months. Way to long to go without seeing the girlies. All our kids were able to stop by and see them either Saturday or Sunday. There is nothing better than having all of our family together. It will be sad to see them go in the morning. Danielle was the picture taker when all the grandkids were all together so I'll have to get a picture from her to post here. These are some pictures of our time together.

What would a trip to California be without a stop or 2 to In N Out. Nothing's as good as an In N Out burger.

We took the monkeys to the Zoo to see the monkeys. Josh's highlight of the trip was that one of the coachs of the New York Giants was in front of us in line to get in. His daughter heard Josh telling Michelle who her dad was and when she told him he came over and introduced himself to Josh. We saw them later and he asked Josh if he wanted his picture taken with him. Of course he did as the Giants are his favorite team.

Wednesday we went to Dillons Beach to see the ocean. It was a very windy day so we didn't stay long. We had a nice picnic and then walked along the beach Callie collected sea shells by the sea shore.

On they way home we stopped by the Jelly Belly factory and went on a tour. Callie insisted she didn't like jelly beans but soon changed her mind.

Callie and Bailey helped grandpa make banana chocolate chip waffles for breakfast one morning!

Today was a beautiful day in the seventies and the girls wanted to go to the park. They are not too excited to go home where it is snowing and 9 degrees today. We are going to miss them when they go. We have enjoyed having them here this week and playing Nerts at night. We need to recrute Michelle's college room mate Emily to play with us sometime as I have been told she is the only one to beat Josh. Play time is over so I guess it's back to business time.

Not Enough To Do

2008-10-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

I like pink! As if you didn't know. I was kind of a tomboy when I was younger and didn't like frilly girly things but for some reason the older I get the more I like pink. So, I bought I pink hammer because it was cute and because they donate to Susan G Komen for the Cure for each hammer sold. I like to support the Komen foundation because I figure that if they find a cure for breast cancer it will help find cures for other cancers, it is the cancer foundation you hear the most about and because most of their stuff is pink. You should see my cute pink mixer. Anyway, after buying my pink hammer I thought,I need more pink tools and looked up the website of the maker of the hammer. It is made by Tomboy Tools. Guess what! They have more pink tools! I thought these would make fun Christmas gifts for the ladies on my list. I was telling Danielle about this and that they do home parties and she said, "why don't you sell them"?
Well, duh. I have nothing better to do. HA HA. I work stocking cards, selling candles plus my church job, wife, granny, mother, friend. So, I just want to let all of you know that I am now a Consultant for Tomboy Tools!
So, if you are interested in pink tools or want to host a home party (you can earn 1/2 price tools), let me know! Also, we don't just sell the tools we are a educational company and teach you how to use the tools. They also have non-pink tools for those of you who don't care for pink.
They have a tool kit complete with pink jumper cables that would be great to have on hand in your trunk and my favorite the pink utility knife. You know how you always have to find a screwdriver to change the blade in your knife. Well this one has a knob you turn with your fingers instead of needing a screwdriver. You have to see it! Any way the tools all have these little extras that only a women would think of and you don't have to worry about your husband using your tools if you get the pink ones. So let me know if you need or want anything. I can also do up a Christmas and/or birthday registry for you and you can tell your family to give me a call. Hay, these would make cute shower gifts, too! You can view the tools online but it would be more fun to see them in person and visit. So let me know. oh, if you do order online make sure you get my consultant id # from me first. Oh, and thanks to Danielle for getting me going with this.

Wild and Crazy Weekend!

2008-09-10T15:18:00.000-07:00

My nephew Brett got married on Friday August 29.

So that Thursday afternoon Derek and I along with my brother Randy flew off to Salt Lake City for the wedding festivities. When we reached Salt Lake my brother Gene, Brett's father, picked us up from the airport to wisk us away to a BBQ at the home of the bride, Kourtney. We had a wonderful evening and a delicious dinner getting to know the Nielsen family.

Here is a picture of my Brother's family that evening. Emily, Kourtney, Brett, Corrina, Gene, Heather and Eric with Corrina's parents seated in the chairs. After the dinner we went and checked in at our hotel.

In the morning we all went to a wedding breakfast at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. This is a picture of all of those from Brett's side at the breakfast. We had about an hour in between and then we went to the Salt Lake temple for the wedding and then had pictures outside afterwards.

Here is the happy couple along with their parents after the ceremony.

Gifford and Wendy Nielsen, Kourtney and Brett Sorensen, Corrina and Gene Sorensen.

( For those of you wondering about my brother and I having (almost) the same last name, I was a Sorensen before I became a Sorenson. ) After pictures we went to my sister in laws parents and had a bite to eat. Then did a little shopping for some items needed for the reception. Then we were off to the reception at Thanksgiving Point.

It was a wonderful dessert reception with all kinds of fun desserts to try out.

Heather and the getaway car!

After cleanup at the reception we went back to the motel and woke up in time to spend 10 minutes shopping at Tai Pan before being wisked off to the airport to fly back home. If you have ever been to Tai Pan you know that is so not enough time.

We flew home and scurried to put food in the car to get to a Unsworth family reunion. That's my mother's side of the family. As I was in charge of the food and they were all waiting for us to arrive as they were getting a bit hungry. So we hurried and cooked a yummy dinner of tri-tip, salads, corn, watermelon and biscuits with brownie sundaes for dessert. Sorry, no pictures from the reunion as I was busy in the kitchen.

What a weekend!

We had a wonderful time but never stopped going.

Idaho Part Two

2008-08-19T23:01:00.001-07:00

The above pictures show our favorite part of Idaho and the saddest part when we have to leave.

We had lots of fun playing with the girlies. They all have different personalities and are fun to be with. Marlee is the best little baby. She never cries and sleeps most of the time. Her older sisters love to hold and entertain her.

Derek helped work on Josh and Michelle's new home. I know they will be glad when it is time to move in.

Marley was blessed while we were there and then we had a delicious lunch at Josh's parents house. Sandy and Craig put on a wonderful lunch and we had fun visiting with their family.

While the men folk were working on the new house, Michelle and I took the girls to the park to play. It turned out to be a hot day! There was no shade where the playground equipment was so we didn't stay as long as the girls would have liked.

On our last day there we went with Josh and Michelle and rode the ski lift up to the top of Targhee. You feel like you are on top of the world. Where we are standing at the summit and it is 10,000 ft elevation, with a 2,000 ft vertical drop. It was windy up there and a little scary. It's hard to see the big drop in the picture. The Tetons are in the background. Derek is a bit nervous about heights but did pretty good.
Thanks again to Josh and Michelle for having us stay with you for the week we had a wonderful time.

Trip Down Memory Lane

2008-08-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Well I'm not one to post surveys and chains, but this one caught my attention, so I'm going to post it and see what happens. Here's how it works:Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember!Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

On The Road Again

2008-08-11T22:47:00.001-07:00

July 31 we left to visit Michelle and her family, as Marley was being blessed on that sunday.
Derek forgot to set his alarm, so we were off to a late start. As we were going out the door I couldn't find my keys to lock the house and Derek had given his house key to our daughter in law who was going to be staying at our home while we were gone. So we spent half an hour looking for my keys so we could lock up. Finally found them in the bottom of a trash bag. So off we went. Just as we were passing the tail end of the big BM (Battle Mountain) the van died as I was cruising down the road. So I coasted up the road as far as we could go and pulled off to the side. It was dead as a door knob. Derek felt it was the fuel pump. After several attemps to start the van I called information for the number to a tow truck company and just got their answering machine when I called them. So I asked Derek to just try it one more time. It started! So off we went back into Battle Mountain in search of the parts store I remembered seeing from the freeway. But of course they didn't have the part and suggested we go on to Elko, 70 miles down the road. Half an hour later the van dies again only to start and sputter down the road about 2 miles and hour and then die again. We waited for awhile and it started and we took off only to repeat this about every half hour. When we finally make it to Elko we spot a Carquest auto store and they have the part for a mere $250.00. Derek asks them if we can work on our car in their parking lot and they kindly said yes! So of course Derek is in one of his best shirts and has only brought his best shirts so I loan him one of mine. He backs the car up onto the curb and proceeds to drop down the fuel tank of the van so he can replace the fuel pump. What a job! It took him a little over an hour to get the van back in running order. As he is working on it I am busy reading and he says aren't you going to take pictures so you can blog this. So here are the pictures !

And then he starts singing Don't I look good in your shirt, his own version of Keith Urbans Don't you look good in my shirt.
Stay tuned for more on the trip to Idaho. (Who named that state?)

Abby's 1st Birthday!

2008-07-10T01:09:00.001-07:00

Abby turned 1 on July 2nd. It's hard to believe that she is already 1.

That year went by way too fast.

We had a party at her house that started off with some pizza!

Then Abby opened her presents with a little help from mom.

She got really excited over a riding toy.

Then we had some yummy cupcakes that were so good.

Here is the birthday girl.
Happy Birthday Abby!

Where's the Burrito?

2008-07-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

Can you find the burrito in all of that sour cream?

Someone likes his sour cream way too much!

Abby's Baptism

2008-06-24T23:48:00.001-07:00

Abby got baptised on Father's Day

Here is Abby with her parents and godparents.

The Godfather and Godmother with Abby.

David's brother Brian and Torrie's sister Chrissy

Grandma Julie and Abby

Aunt Amanda made Abby this beautiful quilt.

Amanda is quite a talented quilter!

After the baptism we had a lovely BBQ at David, Torrie and Abby's house.

We're Back!

2008-06-18T00:11:00.000-07:00

Off we went to Idaho with Danielle, Dallen and Claira to see the new granddaughter Marlee!

Marlee Blair Stewart

We went to see the Stewart's new home that is being built.

We took all the kids for a day of fun so that Michelle could be home alone with Marlee and relax.

First stop Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Then off to Yellowstone to see if we could find Yogi bear. We didn't spot him but we did find snow. Pelting the grandparents with snow was a highlight for the grand kids.

We did find Buffalo!

One day we spent most of our time indoors as it was snowing. Yes, snowing in June. We missed the California sunshine. We had fun playing games. The grand kids taught grandpa how to play guitar hero.

We stopped in Utah on the way home as Claira wanted to see the temple and we got to visit with our friend Mindy. We spent our day there shopping, shopping and sight seeing! We found this fun store called Down East home & clothing that has all kinds of name brand furniture and clothes at huge discounts. We wished we had a U-Haul so we could bring it all home but there was no room in the van, so we had to pass on all the cute furniture.
We are glad to be home in the California sunshine, we just can't get used to freezing weather in June. We had a fun trip and are greatful our grandchildren are such good travelers. Thanks Danielle, Claira and Dallen for going with us.

Congratulations, Michelle and Josh on the arrival of your cute little girl.

Coloma

2008-06-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

Today I met Danielle, Claira and Dallen in Auburn and we went to Coloma for a field trip with Claira's class. They have been studying California history this year so we went to see where gold was discovered.

First stop the bathrooms!

The Grinding rock!

The Indian Teepees

Still waiting for the rest of the class to arrive on the bus. It took the bus a lot longer to get there so we went and looked at all of the different ways that the miners ground up the quartz to get the gold out of the rock. Dallen found a lizard while we were waiting.

After the bus arrived we took our group to learn how to pan for gold.

To see the Blacksmith shop and what they do there. He told us about these candle holders that they use to make that you would turn and the candle could go up and down. They were called courting candles and parents would put the candle up so it would burn longer if they thought the boy courting their daughter was a good catch or down if he wasn't because when the candle went out it was time to go home. Sounds like a good idea.

We saw the old school house!

Then we hiked along a trial for about a mile and a half. It was uphill and very hot so we were glad to reach the top. Where we saw a monument marking where the first gold nugget was found. The hike back down the hill was much more pleasent. From there we looked in the old stores and then went for a much needed Icee. The lady said that she sells about 1000 a day. I think she has the real gold mine. After we dropped our group off we travled back to Auburn for the highlight of the day.

In-N-Out

Then they dropped grandma back off at her car and we both went our seperate ways home! Thank you Claira and your class for a fun filled day!

I can't wait for our next adventure.

It's A Girl!

2008-05-31T00:11:00.000-07:00

I have a new little granddaughter!

Miss Marlee Blair Stewart was born on May 30, 2008 around 11:15 pm. She weighs 7 lbs 7 ozs and is 20 inches long. Congratulations Michelle and Josh. Josh was great to call to let us know that she had arrived a few minutes after she got here. Michelle was in labor for 4 hours and called me an hour later to let me know how they were going to spell Marlee's name. What a trooper. I can't wait to see what she looks like. I bet her sister's will be excited to see her in the morning.

Hang'um High

2008-05-10T16:56:00.001-07:00

So, my little brother Mike always has a story to tell. He lives next to my sister and yesterday he was holding open the gate so that the big rig could back out. Now you can not just stand by the fence and hold the gate open because there is not enough room. You have to stand on the other side of the fence on a chair, the one he was standing on was plastic, and put your arm over the metal fence and hold the gate open. So, that's what mike was doing when the plastic chair collapsed and Mike fell. Now the fence as you can see, is metal with a grape stake top. They look like spears to me. When Mike fell one of the fence pieces went up his arm by his wrist and impaled him. He was hanging with his arm in the air. yuck! He had to climb up the fence to lift his arm up and off of the fence. Gross. He had to go to the emergency room and get 12 stitches. Of course all of the guys thought it was pretty cool. I'm just glad his didn't have his head over the fence.

Here is the injury. The spear went in were all the stitches are and the point was poking out were the red hole is, closer to the wrist. The whole thing is a bit swollen today.

Progress!

2008-04-25T01:43:00.000-07:00

After 3 + years of remodeling we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. My wonderful husband has been working hard doing most of the work himself with some help from family and friends.

This has been quit the daunting task and I'm sure he has thought, "what has I got myself into" from time to time. He is quite the handyman and what he hasn't known how to do he has learned as he goes. I have been a little irritable from time to time about the length of time it has taken. He is usually very patient with me.

So, we are almost finished with the bathroom. Wa Hoo!!!

And the family room just needs a few finishing touches. We got carpet and a couch in there this week!

Getting Started

2008-04-25T01:21:00.000-07:00

My girls don't like that I always bug them to update their blogs because I like to keep up with what the grandchildren are doing. So they keep telling me to do my own. So even though I don't feel like I have much new going on all the time I will give it a try. I'm sure they will be suprised that I was able to do this with out asking them a million questions on how to do it. So, here goes!