Chillarific weekend!

This weekend our lovely dirt patch of land called The City of Rio Rancho had a 30th anniversary party. This is funny because if you could see where we live in conjuction to Albuquerque and where the acutal city center is you would laugh I promise, It's cofusing, but they we did go and have a fun time. They had ice skating in the Star Center which is the building that holds concerts and big events. Like 2 years ago we saw the Dinosaur show here.  And they had a  big buffet of food, which we totally thought would be lame so we ate before, figures the kids weren't hungry around all of that free food, until it was time to leave and go get a spot for the parade of lights. Our local schools and some businesses put in floats and there are about 5 huge buildings that kind of make a circle. Hewlett Packard well Tyler works then the Star Center, The new University of New Mexico hopspital, which will bring a lot of jobs this way is almost done. Then,there is the City Center which is where we went to see santa. Then there in a few annex buildings for the Univerity of New Mexico. Which is nice. Now, all we need is a gas station and a grocery store, that would rock. But right between these building is a sort of dip a valley of sorts where they had about 8 Hot air balloons and they did a glow with some fireworks. It turned out to be pretty fun actually the kids loved it of course. Here are a few pics of our good time.

Ice Skating

This is some Ice hockey teams Mascot?

There are some of the balloons they started putting up, while we waited for the parade to start. I was happy the kids got to see a glow because we didn't make it to the Balloon fiesta this year.

i took so many pics trying to get them glowing all at once, too hard but that is Daddy's work building behing them.

This is the City Center building where they turned on all the lights at once. Here you can see on the ground a lot of glowing orangeish lights on the ground, well it's tradition in Albq. to put on top of the buildings and line the streets with brown paper bags with sand in them and that holds it down, then they put a candle in it to light it up. It looks really cool and they had these all over the place. On the sidewalk between where Nick and Alaria sat there was a bag by him and one by her and I bet you can guess that surprisingly Nick's light went out. I saw it and just laughed. I'm surprised he didn't blow out more than that one candle. Crazy Boy!



A UNM Float



Another cool float passing by us.

We had a lot of fun watching the parade. We cheered really loud when Nick and Alaria's school float came by, and our high school, Cleveleand high won the AAAAA Championship game for the football team! Then we went into the CIty Center and we got to see Santa.

Ah Santa

santa told Nick," Wow, that's a big order" Alaria rolled er eyes at Nick

Naughty or Nice? That is the question



So, srangely enough the funniest part of the night for me came after we left Santa and met up with Sponge Bob and some of his friends. I did not know that Winnie the pooh was sponge Bobs best friends. The funniest [art was outside when one of the PLUSHIES, I think it was Eugene from the Backyardigans had a mishap with the bags of fire all over the ground. He stomped right on one and chaos ensued. I heard elmo yelling get off the bad you're on fire, so he had to run to a little snow pile and put out the fire on his leg, but all the PLUSHIES we're following and running around like crazy it was funny.

That is so funny to me

These paper bags filled with sand and a candle we're everywhere, for decoration up and down the whole city center. And exactly what mr Plushie stepped in creating mass plushie outbreak haha.

4 of many of the Plushies let the kids dance with them until sad little Backyardigan in the back caught on fire. haha I know that sounds horriboe and mean, but it really was a funny sight, and no one was hurt!

We had a great time, it was fun. Good to spend all that time with the kids!

Christmas Time is Definitely here!!!

Well here in Albuquerque we don't usually see the white powder of SNOW. Well we got nailed with quite the winter storm the other day. It hasn't snowed that much here in years and it is freezing. That is the one thing I like about Albq is the weather. Sheesh But it was fun for the kids to get all bundled up as we got their gear out to go play in the snow. It does remind me of home and make me a little homesick as I type here I think of Colorado and Idaho, my 2 homes that I love and it's not a secret I want to go back to either one. But the kids had fun and now on my Birthday the kids are out of school, what a great present to have them here all day being bored, haha. At least they get to play in the snow. As I am another year older I hope to find myself next year a lot more healthy. Very motivated in a serious excercise plan and ready to run that 10k I've always swore I'd run in, don't know why I'd torture my psyche with that goal, but there it is. More spiritual and a better mother than I am today. There we have it, Here we come 35, yes I said it, through tears, but I did. Well let me live this year happy and healthy! Here are some funny pics of the snowfight.

Awww such cute footsteps

that should be illegal here

Ouch Alaria 1 - Nick 0 right in the face too

Snow angels maybe, that's as far as i'll go with the angels thing

They are getting to the Rocks of our beautiful yard

She should play baseball

Add caption

Still friends

I finally got the Christmas stuff up. We don't have a ton yet, but we're growing. Here is some of the stuff we had fun decorating all together!

This is a set my Mom bought me for my Birthday right after I got married

The day we got the Christmas stuff up I had a baby shower for a really good friend of mine, Melanie Lindell. This was on Saturday and she went in yesterday and had her beautiful baby girl Raegan. Beautiful little baby with huge eyes. So excited for them. Although I have to say i was hoping she'd have it a few hours later so, we could share a Birthday, but wouldn't want Mel to be in more pain than she needs to be.

I made a dorky little cupcake tower, it pales to what the professionals do, but i didn't have much time or maybe I could've gone crazy on the decorating end of things

Madison and her mom Melanie Lindell, so cute

Well, I'm not sure how much more will happen before we go to Idaho for christmas, hopefully things are pretty chill. Alaria is supposed to be tested for the gifted program sometime in the next few weeks, we finally got a notice from the school. She also has her first Basketball game this Saturday, so that will definitely be on here:)

Rewind

Well, I have to rewind here a bit back to my Niece Courtney's wedding. We just got a few pics in that I want to put in here to remember they were so cute. Love my Courtney and Ryker;)

Nick, Court, Alaria

Court and Ryker and my kids, they are so adorable those newlyweds

Alaria was VERY drawn into the whole day she loves her Courtney and Ryker too!

Easily the best moment of her life so far, she said

Keep that smile always

Of course the only family picture we have from the wedding and Nick is messing around

I'm so happy for them and now they are busy newlyweds that are working and going to school. We get to see them at christmas. I'm so excited for that!

Sweet Hubby

Well this day week was so great. Yesterday was my 12th anniversary and it was so fun. Tyler made me stay in our room for an hour or so. I just got ready and was reading. The kids and I we're playing with the dogs. When I say the dogs we go to watch some friends of ours dog, Jazmine. She is a mix between a yorkie and a poodle, so I guess a yorkie-poo, I don't know. But they were so funny. We had her a week so she got used to us and by this day she was playing a lot with Axel. They look a lot alike anyways so all week I kept getting them confused. But here they are, Axel always kills me when he plays becuase when he plays he rolls onto his back and he scoots like a worm around on his back. It's so funny.

Axel and Alaria, He loves to ay on his back

jazzy, she looks so much like Axel

He was just straight up on his back for awhile, but turned when the camera went off, so cute!

So some friends of the kids volunteered for Tyler to watch the kids, thanks, Natalie, anywho they went over there while I hid in the room until Tyler was ready. I was so excited. He brought me out to a candlelight dinner in our kitchen. He had set out the good China set that used to be my Mom's. I love candlelight dinners they are so fun I think. Tyler was so cute because he made me some delicious Hungarian Food that I beg him to make all the time. This is called Chicken Paprika. I couldn't spell how they say it for real, but they even make their own home made noodles, which we apparantly hit our quota this month for that.haha He had sparkling cider and a lot of delicious food, the best part was making me homeade crepes! mmmmmm I got sick eating so many. It was a lot of fun.

I made him take a pic so I can remember, don't know why all the chair are moved, but he movd them so we could sit together on the end. It was so good. I loved it.

I made him take a pic too:)

We dragged the kids' bean bag chair, or love sack out and out it in front of the TV. It's funny because my parents had one when I was daing Tyler before he left on his mission and we used to watch movies downstairs at my house cuddling as teenagers do. Then when I got home from my mission he was at the airport to see me and after a few days of being home he traveled from his sisters in utah, he was visiting her so he could see me at the airport, he is from Colorado. Anyways, luckily he was there because I left my missionary luggage at the Salt Lake City Airport, which is funny because I always forget something and still to this day he is looking after me.haha Well the bean bag chair was famous down in my parents basement because I was only home a few days from my mission and we were watching a movie and he had the guts to kiss me then. It didn't even freak me out, so needless to say there was a wedding shortly thereafter, although we tried to plan it a year later it got moved 3 times all the way up to 4 months from that kiss on the bag. haha Poor parents of mine whom I promised getting married was not in my plans for a long time so they could come get me from Italy and we Could plan a trip around Europe and yes, bring my sister she HAS to see this place. They never knew what they got into with me, oh well. I will take good care of them when they need it. But that won't ever happen cuz they promised to stay young forever! So, we had a great time and it was a lot of fun to cuddle up on the love sac and watch a movie. It was a great 12th. One I will remember. What I'm not looking forward too is my Birthday which is coming up next week, not cool. 35 is not believabe. Let's not talk about  it! thanks Tyler, Loves

12 YEARS ALREADY!!!

A few of our engagement pics that my sister took in front of the Idaho Falls temple

Idaho Falls Temple 12 years ago

So happy today that it is my 12th year Anniversary to my marriage to Tyler. It's hard to believe it's been that long and yet it seems short as well because I don't remember life without him in it really. If I've ever counted any of my blessngs, he is always at the top of my list. I feel so blessed that he loves me so much. I know that because through all we've gone through he loves me all the more. We've had our share of trials that have been scary at times, but I love him so much and am blessed that he has been here every step of the way or I wouldn't know what I would've done without him. Being ill for so long and the struggles that come with that can be crazy, but I lucked out with a man who has stood by my side and held me while I cried and couldn't figure out what would happen next he would assure me it would be ok. And now we have a plan to go forward that makes me feel happy and safe. I have been feeling a little bit better lately and we both hope it stays this way and only gets better with our plans that we have moving forward with my health. Anyways I think he deserves a medal for putting up with the ups and downs of having a spouse who has an illness. He's been more than I could ever ask for. I love him so much. 12 years and many many more to come!!!!

November 26 1999, I DO

Bit of a windy day, haha

This was the reception we had in colorado Springs, co at Tyler's house. IT was a bit before christmas

Here is my line

haha I think I'm funny

Oh llittle did he know, poor foofy, or Dad as most peeps know him

Just a few pics to remember an awesome day. Getting married in the temple was the best blessing in the world. I will never forget that and how it made me feel. I Love my honey and know we have grown closer in the past 12 years and know it will only get better. Thanks to all the family who have helped us on our road. We love our kids Alaria and Nick and all of our family soooo much it hurts sometimes. Tyler, shooter , I love you forever!

Our first Thanksgiving on our own

So this year was the first year that both Tyler and I , and of course the kids had no plans for Thanksgiving. Luckily, our friends, the Lindells called and invited us to spend it with them as they are too stuck in Albuqurque with no family coming or not being able to go anywhere. We we're both not quite ready to do it all alone with just our own family, a little too quiet. So, we combined for a super fun time. I'm so greatful for good friends. My kids love their kids and had so much fun playing with their kids. We had great food and I'm so thankful for their kindness to include us. We missed our families still and tried skyping with them, but I think we had too much pie and we're too tired to hold still enough for them to understand a word we we're saying. It was good to see their faces and yay for technology. I kept begging Ty to get on the horn so we could skype with Gma and Gpa sorensen, but they we're in Iowa visiting Tyler's younger Brother brett and his wife Lydia and their  little ones, and one on the way, he thought it was too late. Whatev. Anywho it was a great time and once again I'd love to thank them for the great time we had. I just love their family so much. Thanks Guys for not making us be lonely!!!!

Happy Gobble Gobble

Thanksgivig 2011

Madison, Alaria, Jackson, Boston, Nick, Aidan

Love the kids

Jac and Melanie Lindell, Baby girl due Dec 12

Kids trying to fit legs under the kids table

It was a lot of fun and the food was great. We have to havve a game night to finish our game night playing catch phrase. Loved it.