Here we are at Salmon Creek Beach in California, August 2010.
Dear Family and Friends--
I hope you'll forgive me for this short-cut method of newsletter-distribution, but I figure if you've gone as far as to get online and read this, you must be one of those folks who genuinely care about our family, thus you won't mind that I have taken such drastic sanity-preserving measures this season, in fact, you'll be glad I did!
So, with no further fanfare, here's a little news about us:
Amber (20) is a junior at SUU in Cedar City, majoring in creative writing and minoring in vocal performance. She's aiming for a study-abroad in London this summer and is still the book-and-movie-trivia buff of the family.
Shannon (18) graduated high school a year early and started BYU this fall. She's aiming to be done with her Sociology degree in record time, hoping all the hard work distracts her a little from missing her missionary boyfriend.
Emma (14) is enduring high school with a 4.0, missing her broken camera, toting a sketchbook everywhere, and picks up after everyone in the house even more than mom does.
Adam (12) is Dad's right-hand man on every project. A typical 12-year-old boy: works on merit badges, tries to avoid homework, eats a lot, sleeps more than ever, and wants a cell phone in his stocking.....
Bridget (11) is Mom's right-hand man, I mean, GIRL! Super responsible and the best helper around, she's gonna be a great mom someday. She is reading the Harry Potter series like mad, hoping to finish volume 7 in time for the midnight movie premier next July. I'm confident she'll make it!
Joey (7) is a sensitive little fellow who wants to be in on all the action no matter what it is! He loves reading, keeps insisting he's "not a little kid anymore," and is so cute that his school teacher compares him to a "little Brad Pitt."
James (5) can't get enough of playing with the posse of little boys around the neighborhood. They are double-, triple-, and quadruple-trouble (but they're so cute, they get away with a lot). Hits the pillow and falls instantly asleep each night.
Julia (2) Those big blue eyes and long brown curls keep us all wrapped around her little finger, even when the terrible-two attitude shines forth loud and strong! She's gotta be a tough cookie to hold her own in this crazy family. So far, so good.
Norman: got released from our ward bishopric and put into the singles' ward bishopric the very next week. It's opening up a whole new social scene for our family; all 5 of our daughters are engaged (I'm kidding!). He's busy with his job, and there's never a dull moment at home, so sneaking away for lunch-hour rock-climbing and early morning runs keep him going strong: he ran 2 marathons this year.
Ingrid: decided to carve out an hour for reading each day, to renew her brain that has been dormant for too long-- it's a joy and a stretch, and it doesn't always happen, but she's not giving up! Keeping up with all of the kids and household stuff takes the other 23 hours of the day. 2010 highlights include lots of hiking this summer (2 new local peaks!), reading "Les Miserables," and a running half-marathon.
Thanks for taking the extra effort to find our newsletter and hear about all our goings-on. We love and cherish each of our family and friends, and hope you enjoy--with us--the season for its real reason: the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sending lots of love,
from The Sorensen Family
P.S. Here's wishing you a Happy New Year, too!
After Shannon's graduation in May
In San Francisco in August
