Mom, Dad...WELCOME TO TERRIBLE 2's!
(Terribly Cute, that is)



Tea for 2! Ray Ray & Miss Sophia
Reagan's Bday 3-8-11





Nothing but the finest cake for our Nugget!

  

Eye Candy!
Family Pictures (aka-"Shoot me now day")





There are 2 things wrong with this picture
...care to take a guess?




Mom and dad are thrilled to have Fiona! 
Ava, however, is reserving judgement.



 Howdy Folks! Welcome to
Simpsonwood Campgrounds, I'll be your
tour guide, you can call me Dimples.

 

Divas Foreva!



Artwork entitled: Goose and a goose
Welcome to the World Baby!





Eat your heart out Picasso.



What the what?!!  I am the Queen Baby! 
Why is dolly so loud?

 

Future Babysitters...





Southern Belles 




Alyssie loula-belle Sorensen: dreamboat daughter!



Girl Power! In yo' face BOYZZZ...
2011 Camp Simpsonwood Relay Champs




Um...Sr. Ladd? Sorry for sneaking into your car 
and dumpin' water onto the seat...and eating the chips...
when I should have been cleaning up the campground.



Ava (Muneca) and Reagan (Charmosa)
 getting parenting advice from Grandpa
(Step 1- don't hang the child
upside down in a backpack)




Nugget takin a stroll through our backyard jungle...

  

That my friends...is called Handsome. 
The Dimple proves it.
Camp Simpsonwood "sight seeing"



Wouldn't you like to know what we're plannin?!
Maybe the Smores will still be here tonight, maybe they won't.



Cordially introducing...Miss Fiona Violet Marshall
Dropped from the Peach Tree: April 7, 2011 at 10:55am
The South's Largest Fruit: 9 lbs. 6 oz.
Northeast Ga. Medical Center





Christian, Jackson, Grant, Lincoln, Caleb,
Tyler, and Carter = Lady Killas!
Spring Break-Campout at Simpsonwood
with Cheeks, Ladds,& Hammonds





The "Alien Mobile" went
warp speed
at the Pinewood Derby
and won!
Design-Christian,
Construction-Christian/Dad







Sorry ladies-we're taken...
with OURSELVES!
 Camp Simpsonwood "Axe Men"



MARCH MADNESS!

(with a lil April Awesomeness too)

News:

 Julie (my sis) had her baby! She is beautiful and bodacious. Julie is doing so well-she is gorgeous girl and an awesome Momma, Fiona Violet is a lucky lil Southern Belle.

Spring Break was a blast- we went to the splash park, movies, library, had picnics, and went camping.  Now mommy just needs a massage...

Clint: Clint helped construct the winning Pinewood Derby car.  Pretty safe to say that he could sit the rest of March out, but, to his credit- he kept changing diapers, working, and teachin' the boys the intricacies of the XBOX.

Wendy:  As I am writing this, the sun is shining, birds are singing, and the babe is sleeping.  I don't take enough time to press the "PAUSE" button on life.  But, right now- in this pause, I am grateful to Christ.  When I mess up, He is there to pick me up.  When I am scared, hurt, filled with joy...He is there.  In anything that truly matters, He is there.  This Easter season, I am giving Him the only thing that is truly mine, my will.

Christian: The Glorious champion of the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, amazing student, artist, leader, babysitter, and hugger.  He makes friends easily and is very inclusive of others.  Every morning Christian asks, "I think I hear Ray, can I get her up?".  This sweet boy is such a gift to the world! 

Alyssa: This girl is maturing at the speed of light, I can't keep up!  Alyssa is stylin', sweet, and loveable.  What is amazing about Alyssa is how creative and deep her intellect is at such a young age.  Don't worry, she is still silly and sassy-but she can be found on her knees saying her personal prayers (without reminders) helping her teachers, and talking about history and politics-(she is 8 goin on 38) 

Tyler: Oh my T.D. Pure Joy.  After making a mad face/sound upon seeing him playing in the garage on NOT getting in the car-he scrambles into his seat and says "I forgive you mommy!"  his willingness to forgive, affection, humor and easy going nature are the foundation of his joy...and the family's too!

Reagan: Reagan turned 2 in March.  Case closed.  We are finished.  When we went camping over Spring Break, Ray and cousin Ava snuck into my friend Kelly Ladd's car.  (Well it had the bulk supply of chips...) Then, they dumped out a bottle of water and proceed to behave like Racoons.  Good thing Kelly is a Christian. 

Here's a lil' quote sendoff for ya:

"There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it. You need to be as mad as a hatter.  Which luckily, I am."

                       I think that about sums it up, don't you?

Near Death Experience: The Blizzard of 2011



Unable to go to work or do errands, we resort to spending time together-Don't we look bummed?




Daddy's Girl Forevaaaa! (Alyssa's catch phrase) 



"Quick! Take the pic, the Village People are singing my SONG!"

Leave babies alone for 2 minutes...



Tyler celebrated his "100th day of school" in full regalia.



Reagan...comin off of another bender  

Another nickname for this wild monstrosity:
"The Abominable Snowman".

Best Cousins Foreva! Ava, Reagan and Auntie aaRON!

"Hi, I'm Tyler-I love long walks on the beach, puppies,
 and nature...Call me!"

   Howdy from the So-Sos! 

 Welcome to our "Month in Review!" 

          HELP! We are suffering from Jugglers Disease!

Juggler's Disease: A degenerative condition in which an
                   individual attempts to juggle more balls than
                   humanly possible.

Common side effects: Gasping for breath, random twitches, 
                     incoherent mumbling.

                          NO KNOWN CURE...   


Clint: He has walking pneumonia (its a miracle if I
spelled that correctly).  Poor guy has been working,
working, working!  (and when he is not working, he is
changing diapers, grocery shopping, building rockets with
the kiddos or looking pretty).  I am sorry, its the
truth.  He is a pretty handsome devil.  Scratch that,
angel. He's an angel.

Wendy: I have completed almost 200 hrs. of group fitness training
in the past few months.  To offset outside craziness, the
"SO So's" have monthly goal themes- Febuary: "Charity-Pure
love of Christ"...We spent time making cards, having late
night talks, family movie nights, praying for others,
kickball at the park, and scriptures over breakfast.  Love
is tough, but its what keeps us going.

Christian: Christian blows our minds with HIS mind.  Yesterday he was given the choice to watch a movie or a special on "Jimmy Carter"...he chose the latter!  Then he asked in depth questions like, "What was the Soviet Republic?"  At such a young age, he has developed a desire for knowledge and righteousness that we are so proud of.  He is one of a kind.

Alyssa: Alyssa went on her first official date...with Dad.  She got her nails done, hair did (that's how you say it in the south!), new dress, and roses.  Her hair was done by Teresa Hammond, her faith in God leader that happens to be a professional stylist that styled hair for the RED CARPET!...sassy huh.  Daddy picked up Alyssa for their date with a rose in his mouth and wowed her with his slick moves.  Alyssa is known for soft hugs on hard days and the cutest giggle known to man.

Tyler: Oh my Tank!  Forever breaking glasses and melting Mommy's heart.  He is really maturing...becoming a great reader and helper!  We just had to take him to the ER last week for double ear infection that he barely complained about (but any complaints is a big deal from Tyler).  By that evening, he was sneaking into the backyard, playing with a neighbor boy, and the hose!  Saying this boy is tough just scratches the surface.

Reagan: aka WILD MONSTROSITY!  Yesterday she:

Wrote on the bathtub, floor, sills, & furniture with lipstick.
Dumped out oil on carpet
Dumped out the humidifier
Stole the nursery snack
Tackled a kid in nursery
Screamed during the service (had to be taken out 3 times)
Dumped out all of alyssas shelves
Terrorized the boys room

Need we say more?  She'll be 2 in about a week, giddy up.       

Well that's what the "SO SO'S" are up to! 
We love you, until next time-

Be good and Have FUN!

Alrighty, its time to join the masses and blog. Wow. My goal is to give a monthly shout out to friends and family and keep a journal of what happens with the "So So's" (Sorensens). Enjoy!

                                                    January...BABY STEPS

We have a dry erase board in our kitchen that changes themes/goals each month. When we start a new month, we have a family night to discuss the new theme, tell stories/scriptures that relate to that theme. We write on it in the morning and discuss how we did at dinner. This month is "Resolutions". Our scripture is from Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27 "I give unto men weakness, that they may be humble; for my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then I will make weak things become strong unto them". Each week we try to come up with a goal that will help us overcome our weaknesses with the Lord...Building Strength in "Baby Steps

2011 Resolutions

Clint: Be more physically fit.

Wendy: Become a better Teacher to children, students, and nursery kiddos.

Christian: Treat siblings more kindly.

Alyssa: Be more grateful, do not pout.

Tyler: Think before I act.

Reagan: Poop less.

So sad. This month is almost up and Reagan has put no effort into her goals. The rest of us are doing quite well (shocker!). I tell you what, baby steps are the key for the So Sos.

                                                  Say What?

Clint is amazing. When he teaches the kids, it is with such power, wisdom, and love. When he encounters a difficult issue with a work project-he tackles it with confidence and perserverence....and in his new new calling in Nursery- he is fantastic! The cuties love to climb into his lap and play puzzles when they get lonely for Mom and Dad. He also knows all the primary songs and is quick to help out with the lyrics if Wendy starts getting too creative.

Wendy: I am teaching Zumba, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. It is so challenging but a dream fulfilled. The absolute best part is realizing I can't do it alone but I CAN do it with the Lord, a husband that changes diapers and children that do their chores. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the help I have been given and despite the huge workload increase, I feel happier and more at peace than ever...yeah for gratitude!

Christian will be forever plagued by the word "Accountant". He was #4 speller out of 1,000 kids at Taylor elementary. He also just got another straight A report card. We are so proud of him, go Christian!

Alyssa just went to her first dance! She got a new dress and her hair/nails done. Daddy picked her up with a red rose between his teeth. They "double dated" with the Bolsters and the Daddies were dressed exactly the same (both 6'6"+). Daddy actually had a blast dancing. Seriously, he did.

Tyler loves to play "Teddy Blue Eyes" where he imitates the cartoon character that loves to give hugs. Reagan is growing more tolerant of this character. Tyler is working really hard to improve his writing skills after he broke his arm.

Ray Ray just learned how to say "Sheep" and considers herself the "Alpha" Shepard of the Nursery Crew. She will direct the instrumentalists during music time, politely yoink toys away from any daring to play with something she likes, and sit on top of any child foolish enough to cozy up to her parents.

                                         Blizzard of 2011: The Snowball Effect

Day 1:
Snow? What? This is better than Christmas!  We build an exact replica of Justin Timberlake's frosty cuz Justin Snowflake came by, sledding, hot cocoa, movies, snow angels, snowball fights.

Day 2:
Sledding, cocoa, ds mania, pjs all day...much needed relaxation, so much fun!

Day 3:
Mom likes watchin a movie with Daddy while kids sled down driveway. Hot Cocoa supplies running low. Daddy drives us to go swimming at indoor pool and manhandles 2 cars into submission on the way home, in flip flops...so hot!

Day 4:
Mom is starting to twitch, when is the snow gonna melt and life get back to normal? Dad is loving life at the helm of his XBOX. Christian, Tyler, Alyssa enjoy the dinner time switch ups at the neighbors

Day 5:
Hot Cocoa has run out. Mom is about to have an out of body experience. Kids have become snow snobs. Daddy goes back to work. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?....