Sorensen Missionaries!!!

So handsome....

We are very proud of both of you!!!!

Our trip to Hogle Zoo...

While we were in Utah a couple of weeks ago
we took a trip to Hogle Zoo.
It was late in the day, a little cold, and not
many people there...

A perfect combination!!!

This little monkey really liked us!!
He stayed right up close to the glass
and played with us for quite a while.
He was really cute....
I just wanted to take him home with us!!

The elephants are always one of my favorites
and they have a new baby!!!
How cute is that!!!

We weighted ourselves and the three of us
together weigh as much as the
newborn elephant.

It was a great day for pictures and you just
have to love a Zoo that will let you get up
close and personal with the giraffes!!!

They were incredible!!!

This snow leopard had been hiding until
we walked up to the glass. Suddenly both he and his
mom came out to pose for us just so we could
get another upclose and personal shot!!!

Do you just love the snow on the ground!!

Unfortunately, we couldn't get up close
with all of the animals...
so we just had to make do....

Have you ever seen a turkey as amazing as this one?
I have never seen one with his tail
feathers up.

Very cool!!!

Another fun Sorensen Family outing!!!

Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Matthew

Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Matthew came to visit
Berkleigh and I at our house in California!!!
We had a really great time!!!

We took them to the beach...

Matthew helped me build an airplane
out of my Tinkertoys that I
got for Christmas....

So I gave him a big hug...

...and took them to In and Out Burgers.
(Grandma shared her milkshake with me!!!)

Mom planned a big birthday party for Berkleigh and I...
(I think Grandma helped a little bit too)



Mom made us get dressed up and take our
pictures together.
Mom asked me to hold Berkleigh's hand so she
wouldn't keep running around. :)

Then mom and Dad got dressed up too!!!
They looked really funny...

Mom made us a birthday cake and these really
cool cupcakes that looked like
popcorn....!!!

Then our friends gave us these really fun presents...
I wear mine all the time.

Berkleigh got some dolls with a bunch of clothes!!
She really likes them.

We also took Grandma and Matthew to Disneyland!!!
Grandma let us play with this big, huge, wet ball
while Mom and Matthew went on
Space Mountain.
When we get bigger we will get to go on it too!!

Berkleigh and I tried to get the sword out of the stone but
it was really hard.
Berkleigh tried so hard that she was shaking!!!
I guess we will have to wait until we are bigger
for that too.

Then we went on the Merry-Go-Round...

And the teacups...

And "It's a Small World"...

We had a great time.
We can't wait until Grandma and Grandpa
bring Matthew back again!!!

Love you!!!
Merrick and Berkleigh

Valentines Day Traditions.....

This year for the twins birthday,
(which is also Valentine's Day)
Jennifer is planning a circus birthday party.

I have been busy making another
pettiskirt for Berkleigh.
(I made a purple one for her last year which she loves)

But this year it is going to be red
and they are always so much fun to make....

After the fabric is cut out into many little 2 inch stripes,
I always wonder if I really need 4 yards of fabric
for a three year olds "skirt"!!!

Here is a picture in progress...
And this isn't even all the pieces....

Well... I don't want to hold you in suspense....
.......the answer is yes!!!
Can you believe this little skirt used
4 yards of fabric???
(If you look closely you will notice it is standing up by itself!!)

And we don't want to leave Merrick out of the fun...
He is getting a bow tie for his special day...

Watch for further posts to see the twins in their outfits.
The party isn't until next Saturday...
but we are traveling to California tomorrow!!!
We are very excited to see them all again.

Hope You Have A Very Happy Valentine's Day
full of your own family traditions!!!

He's back!!!!

Hurray!!! Our missionary is home!!!
We are so excited to finally have Matthew
home from Mexico after his two years of service!!!

It was a very long wait.
He was expected to come into the Lake Charles
airport at 7:05 pm on Monday,
but his plane from Mexico City was late taking off.
He didn't leave Mexico City until about 3:00
in the afternoon. So he didn't get to the Dallas airport
until about 7:00.

He missed his connecting flight to the LC so
the best he could do was fly to Houston.
So when he called we jumped (literally) into
the car and drove to the Houston airport.

Do you just love the hat!!!

He had to wait for a few minutes for us to arrive but
not too long.

His Dallas flight was a little late too!!!

We were just glad to finally see him
and hug him again!!!

He was released from his mission the next night at
President Newton's house. It was all very nice.
Matthew bore his testimony in Spanish and then again in English.

We all had tears in our eyes.

We are now acclimating him back to life in
America. Chris supplied us with flags for our
American style breakfast with all of the fixings!!


And then they got creative......

We are so happy to have you home Matthew.
We are so proud of you for all that you accomplished in the
two years that you were in service to the Lord.

Congratulations!!!! We love you!!!!

Countdown.....

We received a call from Matthew's Mission President's
wife last night. She was calling from Mexico to tell
us that Matthew (Elder Sorensen) would be coming
home from his mission on.....

Monday, February 1st at 7:05 pm!!!!

We were soooo excited to hear from her!!!!
She wanted to know if we had any questions.
I was glad to know that he wasn't traveling alone.
He would be traveling with 18 other elders until he
reached Dallas. Then he would continue on to
Lake Charles.

Sister Johnstun also told us that Matthew was
a really great missionary and she was sending him home
skinny, tanned and handsome!!!
(But we already knew all of that!!!)

We can't wait to see you, Matthew!!!

Waiting for Christmas.............

The countdown blocks say only
one more day....

The house is decorated and the presents are
wrapped.....

The traditional pumpkin pie and
pecan carmels are ready....

and the gumbo is cooking on the stove....

The nativity is out in its usual spot....

And the newest holiday decoration is
also ready.......

(We just couldn't pass up this cute
nativity from our Alaskan trip this year)

Wayne is in his usual holiday spot....
waiting on Christmas.....

And do kids ever change?
This one just couldn't wait any longer!!!
(Yes, he is really asleep)

Hope your waiting is filled with hope and anticipation
this holiday season!!!!

Merry Christmas and happiest of New Years!!!
Love the Sorensen Clan!!!