Flying to Mexico!!!!

Today is Elder Sorensen's last day in the MTC. He will be flying to Dallas, Mexico City and then on to Culiacan, Mexico tomorrow. It will take him all day because he has 2-3 hour layovers at each airport, but he is very excited to get out into the mission field serving the Lord. He will be calling us from the Dallas airport in the morning.Here is his new address if you want to send him a letter
through the "pouch" (letters only) service.

Elder Matthew Sorensen
Mexico Culiacan Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT. 84130-0150
USA

Another weekend project???

Yes!!!
We have been building new shelves for our pantry.
(I say "we" because I am supervising Wayne's work) Our previous wire shelves fell a couple of week ago.
This isn't the first time that we have had to rebuild shelves in our house.
My closet shelves have fallen twice and Wayne has put them back up both times!!!

So we are putting up "amazing" wooden shelves that we hope will stand the test of time,
or at least until we move!!!
Besides supervising, I will be painting the entire pantry.

I know we do a great job, but we are not for hire.
The rest of the year we plan on being on weekend vacation :) !!!

What's for dinner??

Do you ever have trouble deciding what to make for dinner?
I tried something new last night and it turned out great!!!
It takes a little time but it is well worth the effort.Artichoke Chicken

12 Chicken Breast halves(skinned and boned)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. Fresh mushrooms
9 oz. can Artichoke hearts ( not the marinated variety)
1/2 cup Olive oil
1/2 cup Butter
Flour
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup Orange juice
Pasta or rice as a side dish

Cut the chicken in bite-sized pieces and coat with flour, salt and pepper. Melt butter in a skillet and add oil and garlic. add coated chicken pieces a few at a time and fry until golden brown. Place the chicken in a roasting pan. Saute whole mushrooms in the same skillet and layer them over the chicken. Cut artichokes in bite sized pieces and layer them over the mushrooms. Pour orange juice over all. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Serve with buttered pasta or rice on the side.

Pure Texans!

Aren't we cute?
Why is my horse pink and have handles!??
Stick'm Up!

My trip to California!!!

I have many reasons to go to California lately. One of which (but not the most important) is to go see San Fransisco. This trip Jen, Berkleigh and Merrick took me to China town so we could buy a bunch of cool (cheap) stuff for the kids to get a kick out of.The most important reason to visit California was to see Berkleigh and Merrick on their one year birthday!! We had a little family party with cake and presents on Valentine's day. We decided that Valentine's day would never be the same for any of us every again. So after the party, I watched the babies while Jen and Tyson went out to dinner by themselves!!! It wasn't a first but they can count how many times they have been out by themselves on one hand!!
Jen made Berkleigh and Merrick cute little shirts for their birthday. Berkleigh's also included a tu-tu and tights!!! Tu-Tu cute!!!
I spent most of my time visiting my Dad who lives in Aptos, which is where I grew up. It is only about a two hour drive from where Jen and Tyson live in Walnut Creek. We had a good time, but it rained most of the time I was there so my trips to the beach were limited. My Dad likes to watch old westerns, Walker Texas Ranger and Law and Order. So I got all caught up on all of his favorite shows. We also played cards and worked around the house.

My newest creation!!!

I finally finished Chris and Jen's quilt that I made for their wedding present. It is only a year and a half late!! I didn't have a spot in the house large enough to set up a quilt so I paid someone to machine quilt it for me. It is hard to see in the picture but it is a really beautiful stitch and I am very happy with it. Chris and Jen have already seen it but they don't know that it is finished so I am going to surprise them with it for Valentines Day!!! It will really look great in their new apartment in Lake Charles!!

Taking Matthew to the MTC

Our Uncle Matthew is going into the MTC. (That is short for Missionary Training Center). He will stay for two months, learning Spanish and how to be a great missionary!!! Then he will fly to Mexico for two years!!! We will miss him but we know that he is doing the Lord's work.
But first we went to visit our Great Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen in Manti, Utah. Their house is over 80 years old and Great Grandpa was born in the back bedroom!!! It has lots of great places to discover!!
We hadn't seen snow before. It was really cold!!! Uncle Matthew threw snowballs at us, but believe me we got him back!!!

It was so cold that some days we just played inside!!!