Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The First Day





**Presenting...**

Lorelai Leigh ~ 1st Grade


[Lorelai lost both of those two top teeth within 14 hours of school starting!]







and...

Alexandra Louise ~ 3rd Grade







***






[Let's get going already....]

[Can you tell that Lorelai is really into owls right now?]

[So glad there weren't any broken bones this time around; remember last year?]

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Back-to-School 2011

Let the
learning
begin!



My girls recently had the opportunity to model for a clothing line by Sweet Lizzi. The photograph above was taken by Charlene Hardy Photography and Alexandra is wearing the Sweet Lizzi Emmaline Apron Dress (isn't is just to die for?). More info coming soon. I promise.


{Happy Birthday to my brother, David!!}

Monday, August 29, 2011

Caramel Apples

It was time for our annual

Back-to-School

caramel apple party....



Apples, crates.



Toppings, caramel.




Step 1: Dip



Step 2: Rotate (for even coverage)



Step 3: Apply topping



Step 4: Put in small crate



Step 5: Deliver to neighbors

[Lorelai, Alexandra, and best friend Avery. Lorelai recently had the opportunity to do a little modeling - and now I can't get her to smile for the camera....she just gives me her 'modeling look'. Love it!]

Tomorrow's the big day!!

Friday, August 26, 2011

The Scrambled States of America

Last Spring I happened upon a game in the toy section of a local store that I just couldn't pass up. I mean...it's a game about maps - and you know how I feel about maps, globes, and things of that sort. {love}

When summer vacation started I surprised the children with it and we have been playing ever since. And let me tell you: it's completely genius. My girls have learned all about the different states that make up America - capitals, motto's, and geography - and had fun all along the way.

The perfect way to add some educational value to [sometimes] lazy summer days.

Us Sorenson's give it two thumbs up.









p.s. School starts on Tuesday!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

No Biggie

A visit to Spokane for medical appointments doesn't mean there's no fun involved.


I hereby present you with
Spokane: in between appointments.


*Swimming*




All wet:





Elisabeth eyes the pool...





...hmmm...that looks fun...should I make a run for it?



*Goofing off*

(Pillow fights, jumping from bed to bed, etc. All activities of which I promptly put an end to a) because I can be a stick in the mud and b) because I didn't want to have an extra appointment at the hospital...to get a cast put on someones arm.)







*Sliding*







*Exploring*


[Jennifer says, 'hmmmm, which way to go...']









As for me....

The neurosurgeon (who happens to be Elisabeth's neurosurgeon - the same one who placed her shunt at one day old) took one look at my MRI and was like 'yikers!' Well, he didn't say that exactly (he is a dignified brain surgeon after all)...but I can guarantee you that is what he was thinking.

We discussed my options and carefully ruled out a disc replacement and a discectomy. Which left me with one last option: an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery.

Here's how it will all go down:

A general surgeon will enter through my stomach and carefully push everything aside to get down to my spine (I am so glad that I will be out cold during all of this). Once reaching my spine, the neurosurgeon will take over, removing most of the damaged disc and replacing it with something that looks like this:



Then they will put me back together and I'll spend a few days enjoying some R&R at the hospital; napping frequently and hopefully reading a book or two.

I am so thrilled that there is a plan in place. Pleased as punch I tell you.

But unfortunately it might not happen right away like I had hoped. Because there are two surgeons involved we need to work around both of their schedules...and the general surgeon is booking 4-6 weeks out. They will call in a few days to give me my actual surgery date, but it seems as though it will be sometime around the beginning of October.

But it's no biggie. I've made it this long - what's another 4-6 weeks? Right?

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Greetings from Spokane!

Photobucket

I'll be back tomorrow. And hopefully I'll have good news to share...like a surgery date on the calendar!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Off to Spokane...


[Jennifer bought me and Donald some cupcakes from our favorite bakery in honor of our 11th anniversary.]

We're hitting the road today - just us girls: Me, Jennifer, Lex, Lor, and Lizzie.

Today Elisabeth has a few appointments at the hospital in Spokane to see about re-doing the fundoplication surgery that she had done in May of last year. It seems to have come undone (as she has stuff coming up and out all day long.)

Tomorrow will be my day at the hospital. I have an appointment with the neurosurgeon in regards to getting my back fixed; I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it! It may seem like a funny thing to be all giddy about, but I've been living in pain for quite some time and the idea of being pain-free puts a huge grin on my face.

Tootles!


(Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law, Heidi!!!!!)

Monday, August 22, 2011

Summer, I love you.

A BBQ with friends and family.


[Awww, shucks.]




[Owen catches some air.]


Dinner is ready:


[Watermelon, freshly-picked corn, home-grown cucumber, roasted potatoes, barbequed chicken, and lemonade. A summer meal at its finest.]


[Best friend and neighbor, Avery. My big girls - you will notice - are absent from these pictures; they were off working on a top-secret project for their grandmother (which will be revealed soon enough, don't worry!) ]


[Elisabeth, enjoying the smells and sounds that come with a good ol' fashioned BBQ.]


And then....
it was time for the roasting of marshmallows.




[Antique marshmallow roasting sticks. The colors remind me of a jockey uniform - Hello, Kentucky Derby.]




[Avery and el Donaldo. Avery - as you can see - takes this roasting business seriously.]


[Jennifer creates a 'smores masterpiece.]


[We got a good laugh out of this marshmallow - which seemed to resemble a turkey roasting on Thanksgiving day.]

Alexandra and Lorelai returned home after everyone had left. They quickly took showers and got on their pajamas. Then we stayed outside looking up at the stars and enjoying the warm glow of the fire.

"We should do this more often," said Alexandra.

I concur.
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