Grandpa Seely's Trip to WA '07

My dad recently came out for a visit to Washington and we had a blast! He spent his first week with my sister in Yakima and spent his last week with us. Ashley and her family drove my dad out to Seattle from Yakima on Saturday so we decided to hit the beach. We recently stumbled upon Juanita Beach in Kirkland, just 20 minutes south of our place. There's lots of sand, a childrens playground, volleyball court and more. The girls had so much fun playing together. It was a real treat for us all. I got to meet my new niece, Tailee who was born just a few weeks before Grant. She is so beautiful! My dad looks so happy with all his grandkids in arms!

Unfortunately the weather turned out pretty crummy the whole time my dad was here so we spent most of our time indoors. We had one nice day and so we headed down to the Pikes Place Public Market, one of my Dad's favorite Seattle spots.

Kinsley loved having another person around to play with. Don’t the two of them look great in those stainless steal bowl hats?

Trip to Utah 4th of July 07'

It’s about time I wrote about our trip to Utah over the 4th of July. The next few postings I’ll be playing catch-up. We were fortunate enough to go to Utah and celebrate Independence Day this year. Shawn was only able to come out for a few days and so I decided to stay another week with just the kids and me. Our first day there we attended the Hardy Reunion/Grandma and Grandpa’s anniversary. It’s always fun to see all of the family, and of course the food is nice too! The remaining few days we spent visiting with our families while we enjoyed some much needed rest and relaxation! Kinsley especially liked our trip to her Grandma Debbie’s house to swim and see her Aunt Maddie. She also had a blast at the Thanksgiving Point Children’s Garden with Jullian and Cohen. They have a giant Noah’s Ark fountain where they let the children play in the water. At one point she stole my flip-flops and wore them in the water, great Kodak moment! The Sunday before Shawn left we had the opportunity to bless Grant in his parents ward. It was so nice to have all the family there for this occasion. Unfortunately Kinsley got sick the last few days of the trip so we ended up indoors the rest of the time. The flight home was definitely tricky with a sick toddler and a two and a half month old. I spent most of the time in the security line praying that Kinsley wouldn’t throw-up on me. That prayer was answered, but I should have prayed for a few more things… Just shortly after we buckled in and were waiting for the take-off Grants diaper leaked and he peed all over me! I brought an extra outfit for him but not myself. He later had a blow-out and I had already used his last spare, yikes! Let’s just say it was a super ride home! Anyway the trip was great! It was sad to say goodbye to family again. One day there won’t be so many goodbyes.

Catch-up

After an exhilirating and exhausting vacation in Utah, we are finally home. We enjoyed all the time that we spent with family and friends. The two pictures in this post are just random pics that we put on for today's blog. The first one was taken this afternoon just before both kids had meltdowns followed by naps (like clockwork). The second picture is one from a birthday party two weeks ago. Kinsley is having fun with her pal, Zachary at the park.

Happy 4th of July!

It's the Sunday before the fourth of July and my cheezy self decided it was time for the family to be festive. Okay, I skipped out on the festivities--I had nothing to wear (typical excuse I know). The kids looked so cute I just had to have pictures. I tried taking the pictures just before church but Kinsley was so thrilled to be close to her brother that she refused to look at the camera. We decided to give it another shot after church but our attempts were obviously in vane. Grant wouldn't stop crying and Kinsley just kept pouting. Oh well regardless of their facial expressions they still look so darn cute!

We're now preparing for our visit to Utah and can't wait to finally see our family and friends. I told Kinsley a few weeks back that we'd be heading out to the "Beehive State" in July and she's been talking about it ever since. At least once a day she say's "we're going to see them in July." Needless to say we're all super excited. As usual things are busy at the Sorensen home. Shawn is working hard in school, as he attends straight through the summer. Kinsley, Grant and I are still adjusting to our new schedule -- managing life with two kids. Just when I think I'm getting the hang of it one of the two throws in a curve ball and the routine is all off. Oh well, what can you do? Seriously I'm enjoying every minute of it (okay maybe not the poopy minutes)! Kinsley is at such a fun age right now and is always saying silly things. For example while Marie (Grandma Sorensen) was visiting after Grant's birth she taught Kinsley a song about a little old man who saves a rabbit from becoming a hunters prize. Kinsley's favorite part goes as follows (the rabbit is speaking): "help me, help me, help me he said or the hunter will shoot me dead." As I was getting ready (which yes, somehow I manage to fit in a little hair and make-up on occasion) Kinsley was going through my drawers and pulling out anything she could get her hands on. She started singing Grandma Sorensens song and I chimed in with my own version like "clean up all of the clothes on the floor" to which she replied "or the mommy will shoot me dead!" My first thought was yikes, followed by bouts of hysterical laughter. Ahh...... I love being a mom!

Happy Father's Day

With Kinsley's arrival in 2005 I joined the ranks of those who had the title of Father. This picture, taken shortly after her birth captures the happiness of my newfound title. There is a difference between those who 'get' the title and those who 'earn' the title. I hope that I can 'earn' that title, but I won't know if I have until my kids start having kids- that's when you can start to tell if you earned the title of father -- or so it seems. These pictures highlight my favorite times as a father... They are simple moments that have fostered not so simple meanings.

Grant in a Photo Booth (actually a swing)

We could not let these pictures just stay in the online archive, hoping that someone might look through all of the folders to see if we have added anything new. These pictures just scream: "Look at me I am a cute kid!"
Grant is developing quite the personality (and appetite). He really is becoming more aware of the world and people around him. He is also making more baby sounds and as these pictures show...he is learning to smile and interact.

Smile!

The first thing Grant will have to learn as the newest member of the Sorensen family is when a camera is out, you need to paint a ridiculously large smile on your face in the event that someone takes a picture. He's young, he will learn, especially if his big sister, Kinsley has anything to say about it.
This week has been a busy one for the us in Washington. We have been looking at houses in the area. You would think with a three bedroom condo it would be easy to fit 4 people, 2 oversized couches, a piano the size of Texas and a lot of kids toys. We will see if it is possible.
Here is a picture of Kinsley when she is really, really, really upset. It is written all over her face. You need to be wary when you see her looking like this, she could strike at any moment, when you least expect.... (attacked by Kinsley and killed by tickles). In all fairness, Kinsley is such a happy girl and we are so blessed to have her in our family. She brightens everyone's life that she comes into contact with. She says 'hi' to everyone in the street, grocery store, chuch, bank, etc.
Kinsley enjoyed our trip to the Edmonds Beach a week or two ago. She loved playing in the sand, walking in the water, seeing two giant starfish and being with her family. We loved getting out (away from homework, housework and work in general) for a few hours of wonderful sunshine and relaxation.

2007 Sock Olympics

Welcome to all those folks around the globe tuning in to see the results of this year's 2007 Sock Olympics. I want to draw your attention to the favorite for this year's competition, Kinsley Kristine Sorensen, weighing in at 27.325lb and at a towering height of 33.5 inches. Kinsley has proved herself a formidable competitor. In an exhibition match last month in grease (scheduled in Greece, but because of passport limitations, she only traveled as far as the kitchen), she really got her hands dirty and showed what she was capable of. Check out her profile below:
Kinsley's warm up routine this year has brought her considerable strength. Last year at this same time she wouldn't have been able to do this, but you can tell her practice has paid off.
Kinsley is known for her fierce competitiveness. Note the opponent that she has subdued (he is underneath her foot). Poor Mr. Potato Head never had a chance. He didn't see it coming (he didn't have eyes in at the time).







When it comes to putting on an intimidating game face, Kinsley has perfected this strategy. One look at her snarling glare makes teddy bears, dolls and ducks in the park tremble (all ferocious competitors).








The best part of Kinsley's performance is her form. Look at how simple she makes throwing socks look. Such grace, such fluidity, such....I think we need to change her diaper.

Fun at the beach

Today it reached 79 degrees and oh was it glorious! Not only did we have the opportunity to soak in some much needed rays, but we got to have Shawn there with us. Once I got done with my dentist apt. (the one downer for the day) we packed the kids up and headed off to Picnic Point, one of our favorite beach spots here. Picnic Point is only 6-7 minutes from our condo and is such a beautiful place. Kinsley was so excited that I finally let her wear the cute Dora the Explorer water shoes I bought a few months back, but elated when she found out why I put them on her. Kinsley was timid at first about wading in the water. But once she got her feet wet, we had to hold onto her hand to make sure she didn't keep on walking. The water here is cold...enough to make your feet numb if you stay in too long. Kinsley could not get enough of the water, beach, rocks and anything else she found. She found a white rock and part of a sea shell that she would not let out of her hands. Kinsley was able to correctly identify a crab, but she kept saying that a piece of drift wood was a hippopotamus.
Grant just chilled (slept mostly) in his car seat with a blanket giving him shade. We enjoyed ourselves and we were pleased with our dosage of vitamin K (comes from sunlight).

The Many Faces of Grant

At 3 weeks old Grant already has a huge personality! He's just too cute and we're loving every minute of it. Typical to the first month of life he spends most of his time sleeping, which we're also enjoying as we try to figure out how to juggle life's demands, and two children. Grant arrived just as Shawn was finishing up his classes and preparing for his finals, and oh boy was it crazy! I'm amazed at all the responsibilities Shawn was able to handle. Just a day before his first final, Shawn developed two bulging zits that looked more like goose eggs on his forehead. I've never seen anything like it, I suppose that's what the stress of a full-time job, law school, a bubbly two year old, hormonal wife, and new baby will do to you. Aside from all that he fared pretty well :) Shawn finished his last final on Thursday evening and has the next two weeks off before he begins his summer semester. I’m thrilled to have him home, even if it is only for two weeks!

Today we're just enjoying a relaxing Sunday, which also happens to be mothers day. I must say I feel truly privileged to be a mother. Having a family is the greatest joy in my life. Shawn gave a great talk in church today about honoring motherhood and it totally made me cry. I shouldn't be too embarrassed however, as Shawn cried far more than I did. When his emotions caught the best of him, he jokingly told the congregation that he was grateful for the things his mother had taught him, even how to cry.

Anyway we're surviving and enjoying (except at 3:00am) this exciting time in our lives.

Happy Birthday Kinsley!

Kinsley Kristine turned 2 on May 10th. We celebrated her birthday late on Friday May 11th. We had a simple party, as we didn't want too many people in the house while Grant is still so little. We enjoyed cake and ice cream and opened a few presents. Her favorite gift was her Mr. Potato head. She's been playing with it ever since. Kinsley had a great time and gloried in all the attention she was getting. Kinsley loves the spotlight and after she finished opening her presents she began performing for all her party guests. Fortunately we were able to catch it all on video. In the past whenever Kinsley decided to bust out in the song the second we would bring out the camera she'd stop. Anyway it was fun to be able to capture the moment. Kinsley has a way of keeping us on our toes and I have a feeling she'll be doing things that way for a really long time!

Happy Birthday Kinsley!

To see more pictures of her party visit our web album http://picasaweb.google.com/thesorensenfam/KinsleyS2ndBirthday