Monday, December 13, 2010

adam and becky frus





Hello Family and Friends,

We got home yesterday afternoon from the hospital. We have enjoyed our
beautiful little girl. She is strong, healthy and a good eater. We love her so
much and are so blessed to have her home.


She was born Dec 2, 2010 at 12:09pm. She was 9.3 lbs and 20.25 inches long.

Thanks to everyone for the best wishes and prayers. The birth was a long drawn
out experience but all that matters is she is here and we are all doing good.

Love to all of you
Becky, Adam and Elizabeth Jane

Saturday, December 4, 2010

marlies mathews and adam and becky frus

pictures of elizabeth jane frus...


Day three: sleeping on Aunt Marlies...

last one for today, Janey girl needs a nap...

that is not a boob

I know I'm so cute...

Monday, November 29, 2010

an extra post from grumpy sorensen

Yesterday I was reminded of the fact that singing is not one of my talents. This could have been a blow to my almost nonexistent fragile ego, but fortunately I already knew where I stood when it came to my singing skills. The truly comical part of this was the fact that the reminder came from my 2 year old granddaughter.

The reminder came from a conversation with my granddaughter on our grandfather/granddaughter date and it went something like the following:

Matt: Claire, do you want to go with grumpy and get a hamburger?
Claire: Yesssssss
Matt: Ok, let’s go do a little shopping and then we will get a drink and hamburger
Claire: Ok, I love hamburger
Matt: ( singing an old Partridge Family song to Claire ) “ I think I love you ( repeated 3 or 4 times )
Claire: Silence
Matt: Claire, do you want to sing with me?
Matt: I think I love, I think I love you, I think I love you
Matt: Claire, sing with grumpy
Matt: I think I love you, I think I love you, I think I love you
Claire: NO SINGING!
Matt: What?
Claire: NO SINGING?
Matt: ( ignoring my granddaughter’s command ) I think I love you, I think I love you, I think I love you
Claire: Shhhhhhhh!
Matt: ( ignoring my granddaughter’s command ) I think I love you, I think I love you, I think I love you
Claire: STOP!
Matt: ( ignoring my granddaughter’s command ) I think I love you, I think I love you, I think I love you
Claire:(slowly shaking her head back and forth and in an almost disgusted tone she blurted out) BAD!
Matt: At that point all I could do was burst out laughing. In her own little way, my granddaughter got the best of me and had found a way to shut off my lousy singing

thanksgiving weekend...nick and deb sorensen

Matthew:

Matthew had his appointment last Tuesday. Conclusion: They stuck a scope down his nose and looked at his throat... he was diagnosed with laryngeal malasia (sp?). Which basically means that his epiglottis (a piece of cartilage) hasn't fully hardened and when he inhales, it closes down over the top of his larynx, which causes his problems breathing. Treatment for now---He is on reflux medications to reduce swelling and then we have a standing prescription for steroids if he has an attack so we don't have to go to the ER. They think he will grow out of it, but this is just a first diagnosis. If this doesn't get better, then there could be other things going on and we'll have to wait for those tests because they are more invasive.

He rolled over today! Hurray Matthew! Can't believe how chubby he is. He loves the bath. Claire loves to help him "swim".

Claire:

She has had a blast being at Grammie and Grumpy Sorensen's house. She is singing up a storm. Today she sang, "da tooth about my ajk; impossible, he turn a-way fom me" (the truth about my past, impossible, she'll turn away from me... from The Lion King). I knew she loved the movie, but I didn't know she learned the words. This last week we've been working on "hope they call me on a mission." Her favorite is still Follow the Prophet. For FHE here at the Sorensen home, Grumpy, Savvy, Mom and Mandee got up and did the actions with her so she could sing it. She was such a show off.

She is the bossiest little miss on the planet! I have to keep telling her that it's not polite, or something similar. We work on changing, "Mom, go way! Shut da door." to "Mom, I need some space, please." And while I can understand her desperation for me to leave (she is usually going potty when she tells me this phrase), I have to work hard not to laugh so I don't encourage it. She really is a riot. She went on a 'date' with Grumpy on Saturday night and he was singing in the car with her. "No singing!" she said to him. She lets me this all the time as well. Nick believes that she got her personality from me. Whether it's nurture or nature is the question...

Nick:

We came to Denver for Thanksgiving for a few reasons, but one of the biggest was that Nick had work over here today through Wednesday. And then he flies to DC for the weekend for some more business. Things are really keeping him busy. I'm a little anxious to drive home with two kids, but we'll manage. We went to Nick's birthday dinner at the Red Lobster here in Fort Collins because he will be in DC on his actual birthday. He's getting so old. He is feeling more comfortable in his job---which is AWESOME!

Deb:

I'm still me. I travel home on Wednesday so that I can teach on Thursday and Saturday. Nick just walked in and told me that Logan just got dumped on with a full foot of snow last night and more is scheduled to dump on Wednesday. I may not be able to make it back. AGRH!

Family:

We're here in Colorado. Matt (Grumpy) went with two of his sons out to Salina, Utah area and went elk hunting. He took down a few elk (his second tag for the year---first was in Colorado) and then headed back our way. Our Thanksgiving consisted of...Driving, really. We had to leave later than planned because of weather and work and only got as far as Grand Junction before Matthew had had enough! He had screamed for the last 2 hours and we were drained. We stopped at a Super 8 for the night and continued on the next morning (thanksgiving day). We arrived and put kids to bed, then we went to a movie (Tangled---super cute, big improvement over Princess and the Frog) for Claire and then Nick and I watched Harry Potter 7a (best one yet, FYI). We kinda ruined the Sorensen Tradition of going to HomeTown Buffet for Thanksgiving Dinner because of our late arrival.

How was everyone else's Thanksgiving? I miss you all so much.

Talked to Becky and Adam. Elizabeth Jane has not budged a bit! and she was due last week! We are all waiting to here if they are going through with the induction tomorrow or not (they cancelled the Sunday induction).

Saturday, November 27, 2010

nick and deb sorensen

Nov 15th

Matthew: drugged up and delirious. Starts to giggle when prompted. So adorable. Claire loves to get right in his face and he'll just smile at her. Then Claire tells me, "look momma, he's smilin'!" which prompts him to talk to her. Then Claire tells me, "look momma, he's tellin stories!"

Claire: got to spend time with Emma, Quincey and Amy today. They had a sleepover. Claire would not go to the bathroom on the big girl potty for Amy and she cried for her momma a few times before she would settle down and go to sleep. She's such a good girl, but she's super stubborn. Can't imagine where she got that...

Nick: Crazy with work as usual. Went to work every day this week at 6:30 and came home 12 hours later. Got some free tickets to the USU vs Weber game this last saturday. The student fans were INSANE! About 4 thousand of them and they have whole routines worked out for fouls, air balls, free throws, fouling out, to end the game. They never shut up. Claire was an Aggie Enthusiast. Matthew was hungry and tired, but did really well. Nick even said a few of the chants along with the students. Nick plans to start classes again this spring. Sigh. Nick does not like school much so this will not be very much fun for him...or anyone else around him.

Deb: So glad the semester is almost over! 2 more weeks of lessons, 2 recitals and one masterclass. oh, my!

Family time: Aggie Game, Springville dinner with Mom and Dad, Luke and Amy, Daniel and Sarah Sorensen and Greg Sorensen. You'll have to get Greg (if you see him) to tell the story of trying to find Mom and Dad's house.

Thanksgiving is next week! We are going to Colorado.

Love you all.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

bill and rosi mathews

Hello Family!!!

So happy that the Ben and Tim Mathews' families got together last week. It sounds like you had a great time and we were so happy that you got familiar with New York. I didn't visit New York until I was almost 60 years old. I love the place to visit. Tamme and Ben, how did you like "Wicked"?

So this has been another busy week. I get up about 5:15 each morning, get a little early devotional by listening to KBYU while I get ready for school, cook a little hot cereal and make sandwiches for Dad and I then make my way to school while it is still dark outside. Traffic on I 15 is busy even at 6:20 and I kinda creep on to the freeway amidst all of the construction. Of course, I also get my basketball and football devotional as I listen to our sports radio station on my way to school. How about those Jazz. (at least their road trip. We are pumped!!)
My classes are going well. I am in the middle of selecting music for our Andrew Lloyd Webber fundraising concert. I hope to have a group of boys on rollerskates, a huge organ, cats all over the stage, Joseph and brothers walking around in sandals, and more. It is so awesome to have my creative juices flowing.

Dad is okay. He gets really frustrated about some things and I feel badly for him. But he is still my Big Bill and I love him. We are basically very good companions.

We are so excited for Becky and Adam. She sounds so good. Can't wait to see them over Thanksgiving. Hope that you will all have a wonderful holiday. I am sad that I won't get to see you!!!! Take care of yourselves.

Luke and Family and the Nick Sorensens ate dinner with us on Sunday. Their children are all growing and are so beautiful. We measured them on our Growth Wall (that Marlies decorated) and added Matthew to the bunch. Fun.

Good luck to Roderick this week in his second state game. He scored 4 touchdowns and had two interceptions in their first win. WOW what a guy.

Love you all,

Mom

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

adam and becky frus

Not much to report here in Phoenix. No contractions, no dilation, no baby. getting through the list of to do's and just waiting, waiting waiting

love you all
becky and adam

tim and jill mathews

Hello Family...

We have had such a fun filled last couple of days. Ben, Tamme, and little Sadee came to New York where we met up with them. Tim, Elle, and I watched little Sadee while they attended a Broadway show. The following day we went sight seeing in New York with them. New York was AMAZING!!! Tim and I could totally live there! We loved traveling through the city on the Subway even though we managed to have to take stinky urine smell elevators where people would smash themselves into you just so they could fit too. We visited the Statue of Liberty and Times Square! We loved them both. Times Square is just spectacular. The lights, the people, the shops, CBS studios, the sights...AMAZING. We also saw Ground Zero and that was really humbling. By the end of our day we were exhausted. Ben and Tamme were a blast to hang out with! Afterwards they followed us to Rhode Island and stayed with us. That was so nice getting to share our home and spending just relaxing time with them. Saturday we went out for seafood in downtown Newport and got to show them some of the mansions in the area. We really liked having them and miss them tons already. The cutest thing was that Elle really took to Ben this time and would just sit on his lap and give him loves. Elle loves Sadee and says she wants a sister just like her! I wish we all lived closer, Elle and Liam would have so many playmates!

We are off to a late start to the week. Tim took Friday and Monday off...so back to the schedule tomorrow! I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week...Happy Turkey Day everyone. I'm excited my Mom is coming to see us and Tim surprised us with tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show (The Rockettes). I am so, so, so EXCITED!

Love n' hugs to you all!

Jill

nick and deb sorensen

Nov 15th

Matthew: drugged up and delirious. Starts to giggle when prompted. So adorable. Claire loves to get right in his face and he'll just smile at her. Then Claire tells me, "look momma, he's smilin'!" which prompts him to talk to her. Then Claire tells me, "look momma, he's tellin stories!"

Claire: got to spend time with Emma, Quincey and Amy today. They had a sleepover. Claire would not go to the bathroom on the big girl potty for Amy and she cried for her momma a few times before she would settle down and go to sleep. She's such a good girl, but she's super stubborn. Can't imagine where she got that...

Nick: Crazy with work as usual. Went to work every day this week at 6:30 and came home 12 hours later. Got some free tickets to the USU vs Weber game this last saturday. The student fans were INSANE! About 4 thousand of them and they have whole routines worked out for fouls, air balls, free throws, fouling out, to end the game. They never shut up. Claire was an Aggie Enthusiast. Matthew was hungry and tired, but did really well. Nick even said a few of the chants along with the students. Nick plans to start classes again this spring. Sigh. Nick does not like school much so this will not be very much fun for him...or anyone else around him.

Deb: So glad the semester is almost over! 2 more weeks of lessons, 2 recitals and one masterclass. oh, my!

Family time: Aggie Game, Springville dinner with Mom and Dad, Luke and Amy, Daniel and Sarah Sorensen and Greg Sorensen. You'll have to get Greg (if you see him) to tell the story of trying to find Mom and Dad's house.

Thanksgiving is next week! We are going to Colorado.

Love you all.

Monday, November 8, 2010

adam and becky frus

Wow, deb that sounds like a full week. We will hope that the babies get healthy and stay healthy and that you and Nick get some sleep.

We here in Phoenix are doing good. Adam had a slower week and was able to get a lot stuff done around the house. I think it hit him that we are having a baby in the next couple of weeks, and there is some tasks that won't get done if they don't get done now. He has worked hard all week and I really appreciate all that he has done.

School and teaching (both ASU and Desert Botanical Gardens) is almost over. My last day is this Wednesday and I am really excited to be able to take a little bit of a break. I plan on concentrating on getting the house ready. I have worked every weekend trying to complete my curriculum and continue my thesis research, and so will be glad to put that on the back burner for the next 2 months and just focus on this new baby.

I am feeling good and pregnant, but overall still getting around pretty well.

We will keep you informed on the developments of the baby. Love you all
becky

nick and deb sorensen

Hello Family,

This week has been a long and hard one for me, and probably for Nick, too.

My schedule is this:

Mondays---kid day only! until 5:30. then I go to work as soon as Nick gets home
Tuesdays---I teach voice lessons from 2pm (kids down for naps) until 6:30, then Nick goes to YM
Wednesdays---I teach from 1030 (claire goes to play group with a mom in my ward) to 1200 and then from 4 to 730
Thursdays---I teach on campus from 330-700 (claire goes to a babysitter in our ward and matthew is pawned off to who ever I feel like I can ask that week)
Friday---kids only all day until 5:30, then I go to work
Saturday---Nick works yard jobs till dark
Sunday---church and attempts at relaxing ;)

This Friday (the 5th?) I headed down to Mom's house and went to a very....hmmmm...a play with Mom. charter school production of Cats. Hmmmm is all I can say. Dad watched the kids.

Friday night I put the kids to bed and finally go to bed myself at about 1100ish. I wake up to Matthew having a croup attack. Mom helped me a ton bringing him in and out of the shower and cold. I get back into bed at about 2:30ish. I'm not asleep yet, but Claire and I are sharing a bed. She rolls over and barfs right into my hair! I then rotated between caring for one child or the other all night. Mom came down and helped hold my girl and then Matthew.

Didn't really know what to do, but Mom looked after the kids while I took a nap before driving home.

I get to Bountiful and Matthew has another attack. I call Nick, who calls the doctor, and we decide we need to take matthew in asap. I stop at an Instacare in Bountiful and they totally freak me out and make Matthew ride to Primary Children's in an ambulance. Apparently when babies have such a hard time breaking for such a long time, the second they feel like they can relax, they will just stop breathing altogether. I have the only car, so Nick is trying to find a ride down from Logan to help out. I can't get a hold of Mom (Dad offered to come with before I even left their house. but what did Little Miss Independent say to her dotting father? "No, but thanks dad. I'll be alright"---I digress). Anyway, it was a hellacious day. Test results showed that Matthew has croup with broncialitis and possible tracheal miajia (you better believe that I don't know how to spell this). which means he has croup with RSV with a possible genetic tightening of the trachea that will require surgery to fix.

Sunday, I went to church and nick stayed home with kids because I was in charge of singing time in primary. Nick had to leave his yard job on Sat in a rush and didn't finish. He went back after church to finish. stayed till 2 hours after dark and still wasn't done.

Needless to say...I'm exhausted, the kids are exhausted, nick is exhausted and sore...but we are so blessed! I have a great Mom that helps me with my kids all night long, a dad that would drive with me up to Logan just to make sure everything goes okay. He'd probably even stay if I asked him to, I have health insurance for my kids, great health care providers with exhausting resources, a reliable car, and a husband that would do anything to get to his kids.

Well, we love you all so much. Thanks for keeping this up. It means so much to me.

-deb

tim and jill mathews

Alright...I've finally found a second to write our little Family update! Sorry for the delay...but I have surely enjoyed reading about how everybody else is doing! Thanks Deb for this great idea!

We are doing well out here in Rhode Island. The weather is getting colder and the leaves just keep falling. It literally rains leaves daily! The fall colors are just amazing. Everyday, Elle has said to me how happy she is that we live in Rhode Island and how she loves our beautiful home. It makes me smile! Then today, she was complaing how cold she was and said she missed our other new house. She said she misses the carpet...our house is ALL hard wood floor!

Elle and Liam are doing really well. Elle is attending story time twice a week between the Library and Barnes and Noble, she is taking a Musical Movement/Ballet Class once a week, and has a scheduled play date weekly with a couple of little girls from church. Each day I plan activities to do with Elle and Liam and do "my" version of pre-school with both of them twice per week. Elle can recite the Pledge of Allegiance and is learning the sounds of the alphabet, her favorite thing to ask is, "Mom when is recess and Snack time?". She loves Fancy Nancy books and Pinkalicious. She has made quite a few little friends at church and loves her nursery class. Liam is just the most happiest baby ever! He Smiles and laughs at anything he finds silly, has begun headbutting his mommy and daddy... and now the floor. You really have to watch out or you'll get a fat lip! I've thought about getting a mouth guard for myself and a helmet for him! He still is not quite crawling yet. He tries but one leg always gets stuck underneath. He makes his way around by scooting and turning wherever he wants to go. He definately doesn't like being left alone and will cry incessently until he is rescued. The dog (Brooks) is his new best friend! It is really sweet... Liam also is cutting another tooth...that will be number 7!

Tim is loving his job and helping his couples learn how to teach to their youth. He is implementing the Boys Town Way in everyway and has felt a bit of resistence amongst his couples... but his hard work is paying off. He is truely amazing at his job! I have got to attend some guest nights at the homes and have had such a hard time not teaching to the youth! I can see though how much Tim has already helped the site. My favortie thing is that Tim gets to come home at lunch time or if I'm lucky and get the car I pick him up. The kids get so excited to see their Daddy! We look forward to when he comes home and we can spend time with him! It definately is different not having Tim around so much. Absence does make the heart grow fonder!

I am adjusting well. I am super busy and am loving being a stay-at-home mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have recently been called to be 2nd Counselor in Young Womens and LOVE IT! I am teaching the whole month of December and coordinating the activities. I feel blessed to be in this calling...as I feel it's easy for me to connect with the girls and establish relationships. Oh...Tim and I were also just asked to give a talk in church in two weeks. That will the first time I will officially give a talk in church. Yeiks! I'm already preparing (LOL)...Tim on the other hand will probably not prepare until the morning of. I wish I had his talent! I am excited that I have met so many wonderful people here! Tim and I have also made friends with our neighbors! I have also found a job. I have "my own business" working in the home. I am an Independent Agent and am contracted through LiveOps. I make my own schedule and work whatever hours I am available 24/7. I am just finishing up my training and will begin taking calls this week. I am so excited as it allows me to still be a stay-at-home mom, work after the kids are in bed, and am able to contribute to our income.

I miss everyone so much and hope we can see eachother soon. We are experiencing the East Coast for what it is...but always will be West Coast in our hearts! I don't think we are tawking like we are from Bawston quite yet. Can't wait to see Ben, Tamme and Sadee...they will be here this week!

Love,

Jill

bill and rosi mathews

Hello Family,



Another week has raced by. Do you feel that way? Monday morning and then suddenly it is Wednesday night. I love Wednesday nights. The work week is ½ over. Yea!!



Before I forget, I want to make sure you all know that we would like very much to have you come home this next summer over the July 24th weekend. It is my Mother, Alyce’s, 100 birthday on July 24, 2011. Dixie and I have been talking about what our families might do to celebrate. I recognize that it may not work for all of you, but if it is possible for you to be here, we would love it. I have mentioned it to some of you, but wasn’t sure just who. We’d like to find a lodge somewhere and stay as a family. Would you let me know any feedback that you might have? Yes, no, maybe, don’t want to, etc.



Dad and I are doing fine. Dad is back to working out three morning a week. He left for the pool @ 5:30 a.m. a few days back. It wasn’t even open. I try to leave for work about 6:20 a.m. The freeway construction is miserable and now the weather is getting cold and icy I need a few extra minutes to get there.



We have had a wonderful fall. Nov. 6 the temperature was in the mid to high 60’s. Except for a couple of days the whole fall has been like that. The sunsets are gorgeous.



We were so happy that Deb and kids came to see us this past weekend. (I know she really wanted to be in Vegas at Marlies’s with Luke and family.) She came to our house with a half hear but we will take you guys anyway that we can get you. She warned us that her kids were a little sick. Well, we didn’t realize how sick until about 1 a.m. Mathew had the croup and boy was he sick. It was hard for him to breathe. We about took him to the emergency room but instead alternated between taking him out side in the cold and putting him in a steamy bathroom. Claire woke about 1:30 and basically threw up from then until almost noon the next day… lots of dry heaves. Both children were so miserable but they were so good. Deb is a beautiful Mom. She holds and loves them and helps them in every way possible. All of you moms do such a wonderful job with your children. (Marlies… your son is a bit big to hold and cuddle when he is sick but I guess you could try.) Dad and I feel so blessed to have you as children.



Hello to Tim and Jill back there in Rhode Island. Ben and Tamme (not the offensive player for the Colts) in Texas, Adam and Becky in Mesa, and all of you other kids. We love you all. We look forward to spending Thanksgiving in Mesa and hope to meet Lil Liza Jane. Marlies, we may want to spend the night with you on our way there. Not sure at this point just when it will be as we are trying to work around the birth of the Becky’s baby.



Keep in touch. Love you special.



Mom and Dad

Thursday, November 4, 2010

ben and tamme mathews

The Texas winter is beginning which means outdoor activities become downright miserable. The clay ground does not absorb the water quickly enough so the rain stands in large puddles across the yard—our own little lake. The clay does soften so that stepping in it is like stepping in warm chocolate. You would think the idea of a chocolate yard would make Tamme very happy—think Hansel and Gretel—except that the mud doesn't taste or smell anything like chocolate and sticks like molasses. If I remember correctly, Tamme mentioned renting a jack hammer last time she cleaned mud off Kael's shoes.



The other crazy thing about Texas winters is that they are cold. I figured they would stay somewhat warmer than Utah winters. By direct temperature comparison, Texas winters are generally much warmer than Utah winters. This direct comparison, however, ignores several key factors. For one, most homes are heated by heat pumps instead of pilot lit furnaces (which don’t warm nearly as well). Another key metric is the wind which constantly blows the humid cold through your clothes.



This year I am going to work harder to stay effective on the miserable days. Last year I feel I let the weather outside get me down and I became unproductive.

I am on a stake young men’s committee responsible for planning a stake-wide high adventure activity for next summer. It is looking like it will be a great activity including: canoeing, camping, hiking, rappelling, shooting, archery, orienteering, horseback riding and several other activities. One of the families in the branch owns several properties that are within a few hours. I scouted out some of these properties and believe I have identified two properties where we can host these events. The properties are 3 miles from each other and total 1000 acres of private land. One of the properties has 3 miles of shoreline to a recreational lake in the area.

When I initially presented these properties to the committee, the major drawback identified by the committee was how small the property was—yes, I said how small. At one point, one of the men who had just moved from Utah mentioned that they had done several activities (like the one we were planning) in Utah on 50 or fewer acres and felt that was plenty. I am taking the Stake YM President and committee chair to the property this weekend for show-and-tell. I guess things really are bigger in Texas.

Tamme continues to make our home run like a fine-tuned instrument or at least like a well managed goat rodeo. Dentist appointments, orthodontic appointments, doctors appointments, grocery store runs, meals, cleaning, kids “doing” chores and that doesn’t even start on the stuff she has to do to keep me out of trouble.

We have been feeding the missionaries three and four times a month lately because no one else seems to want to sign up. It is a great blessing to have them in our home. Unfortunately for Tamme, I think I am just too cute and funny when they are here because I am constantly telling them about all the boys Tamme kissed before our marriage. Well about that and about her drug and alcohol problems—all in good fun. It has gotten to the point where the missionaries are pitching in. Don’t worry about Tamme though; she knows how to send zingers across my bow to put me back in my place.

Kloey is getting glasses—she has had a hard time reading the board in school. I think she is excited. Dad can’t express how excited he is to see her pretty pink glasses. It’s a good thing she has some taste because Dad obviously doesn’t. She is a book worm. She won an award at school for reading—she gets her own personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.

Kael got the best haircut in the world! He looks just like his Dad—shaved bald. He was excited when we started. Dad cut the top off first which made him look like an old balding man—i.e., me. That made him change his mind—he wanted to stop! We tried to snap a photo but he wouldn’t have it. I made him come up and finish. When we were all done he looked really good—and he really likes it now.

I am still dropping them at school most days. I love dropping them and seeing them every day. I am so thankful the fact that my job allows me to do this. Kloey always wants me to walk them in and hold her hand. Kael always wants me to drop them in the drop-off lane. I think he would additionally appreciate it if I would sit low in my seat so that no one could see me when I drop them. If I walk them in, not only does he avoid holding my hand, he also generally tries to ditch us. Tamme asked him the other day why he tries to ditch us and he explained, “Dad always walks Kloey to class first which is a BIG waste of my time!” I love that kid. I do have to point out that he is committing social suicide. I am the coolest guy in his class since I took them on the field trip. All of the kids know my name and stop me to ensure I see them to say hello. Kael doesn’t realize that in his attempt to be cool he is running from the in-crowd. I have several young women waiting in the wings if Tamme ever decides she is done with me!

Galilee. . . what a crazy little girl. I am still her remote control. I don’ like tat’—I like tat’. When she brings me the remote I generally just turn the TV off—which she doesn’t like. Tamme and I were talking about how Gali (and the rest of the kids) won’t ask Dad for anything. Mom this and Mom that. The other day, Gali was sitting on my lap when she decided she needed a drink. Instead of asking me to help her, she slid down walked outside into the driveway where Mom was busy with something and asked Mom to come in and get her a drink. All I can say is our goat rodeo has just one effective hired hand and one clown—I am obviously the clown.

Sadee has Mom whooped! Mom has to have the baby monitor next to her ear every moment Sadee isn’t physically there. Tamme seems to have gone back to the first child worry stage. I am learning to send Tamme to bed and sit with Sadee. Once Tamme is out of ear shot I put Sadee to bed and let her cry for 5 minutes until she goes to sleep. Generally, Sadee just sits and laughs and smiles. She likes her Dad—I love that!

Well, I have gone on and on this week. We love you all and hope all is well!

Monday, November 1, 2010

nick and deb sorensen

Happy Halloween!

Claire keeps saying, "Oh, man!" when she drops something or when something happens she doesn't want to. I couldn't figure out where she got it from. I hear her say "dang it!" occasionally because I say it (oops) and she comes home from the babysitter's saying "shut up!" ARGH! but I knew I don't say "oh man" and I knew nick doesn't, but I knew I've heard it before. today we were watching "Dora the Explorer", her most favorite show and I heard one of the characters say "Oh, man!" and she repeated it. Had to laugh. She's so funny and of all the things she could be saying, I do like that one. She's sitting on my lap right now giving me kisses and singing, "Book of Mor-non Stories". It sounds mostly like "book a mor-non stories, teacherrr, tells me, lamonnnn ites in an-chant hissss-story."

Matthew is so smiley. Nick has made him laugh this great big belly laugh lately. He tickles his collar bones and the kid goes nuts. He's still chubby as ever.

Claire interrupted this letter with a "Mine turn, Momma?" so here is her contribution:
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Halloween we lucky enough to have Gramma Rosi and Grampa Bill come to visit. They came to the ward Trunk-or-Treat with us. Grampa sat and handed out all the candy for our party while Gramma took Claire around in her cute costume (white leopard). Matthew was still an otter because i couldn't track down a Batman costume (long story). I bought a couple of cute costumes on line for SUPER cheap and the otter was way big on Matthew. I duct taped him in and it worked just fine. He feel asleep in it a couple of times because he was so warm.

I have been having voice lessons with Grandma Rosi lately. I forget how much singing means to me. I'm working on an Mozart aria and hope to be able to sing it in a recital sooner or later.
Grandma Rosi is my musical 'soul mate' and I hate to live so far from her.

Nick is still stressed at work. He finished this big week just recently and just has to keep go go going. He needs a vacation. ;)

We love you all,

-deb

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

ben and tamme mathews

I guess I will take a stab at the weekly family update. This last week was full of snot and coughs that have continued into this week. I am to blame, I started all the hacking and nose blowing. The only two not affected yet are Sadee and Kloey. Can I tell you how grateful I am for the health of my children. We truly are blessed.

The end of last week was the highlight of the week. One, I turned 32. I didn't feel old until I realized that with my birthday I would be turning a year older. I don't feel old enough to have 4 kids and a husband. (unless I talk to the kids in seminary, they are quick to remind me how old I am). My birthday was a low key day. Ben went with Kael on his Kindergarten field trip. They went to a pumpkin patch and Ben was in charge of 5 kids, plus being Mrs Doerr's strong helper. He really looked forward to it and had a lot of fun, but was tired when they got home. One of Kael's classmates told Ben that if he didn't like his wife she was available. Ben never ceases to amaze me, he can play with and interact with all ages groups. From the young to the old.

As a birthday surprise my parents came for the weekend. It was so fun to have them and just them. Our kids just love visitors and when its grandma and grandpa its extra special. While they were here we watched Kael's last football game, craved pumpkins, decorated a haunted house and played with stickers. My mom and I got to spend time at Super Saturday. She helped me do my projects and took care of Sadee. Ben and I even went to a movie. We saw Hereafter and I will just say...snoozer.

The biggest surprise of all was my birthday gift. Ben is taking me to NEW YORK! He has a business trip in New Jersey, so we will go a few days early and go sight seeing in New York with Tim and Jill. I am super excited.

Today is our 9th anniversary. It sure has blown by. Looking back on where we started and where we are now, I am amazed at all we have been blessed to do, see and been given. I am so grateful that I have been able to do it all with Ben and can't wait to see what the next 9 years bring. BRING IT ON!

We love and miss you all. Just in case you have forgotten, Hotel Mathews in Princeton, TX is always open.

Love to you all
-Tamme

PS new pictures coming to the blog klododidlio.blogspot.com soon

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

bill and rosi mathews

Hello Family,

It seems like we are all so busy. It is wonderful to hear what is going on in the Frus and Sorensen families. It sounds like Adam and Nick O have had great weeks. We are so proud of you both. Congratulations. So glad that Becky is doing well with little Liza Jane and that Claire-Bear and Matfew are as great as ever.

I miss you all so much. It would be wonderful to just be able to drop in and see you all.

I have also had quite the week and will share a bit of it with you. My first concert of the year was last Thursday. It went so well. There was a great spirit there. Many commented on it. Our 320 kids are singing well and most of the kinks were disguised and went smoothly. Saturday was a practice for our Primary Sacrament Meeting program. The program went well on Sunday and after doing sharing time for regular Primary I baked and delivering 4 loaves of bread. Dad and I headed over to Dixie's house to celebrate Kathy's birthday. John was there along with Linc, Jen and family. It was very fun.

Now i am back at school with 7 Halloween Concerts this week, pulling together Christmas and fundraising concerts. (These concerts will be called "An Evening With Andrew Lloyd Webber". We will be doing medleys from his great shows. Feb. 11, 12, 2011. You are all invited.)

We are doing okay. Dad's legs don't always work great but he keeps on keepin on. He picked up Luke and family at the airport today. They have been gone for 5 weeks. Ask us if we have been counting. We are very glad that they are home. We plan to go out to their house tomorrow so that I can give them a body slam.

I am excited to see the Jazz season start tomorrow. Our A Cappella will be singing the star spangled banner at the Delta center on Jan. 3rd. We sang at the Pepsi center in Phoenix last year (maybe you remember) and we were so popular the Jazz called us this year. It is an amazing task to get 130 students on to the court in 20 seconds. Colby, the man who asked us, is going to come to Mountain View to practice with us a few days before the game.

Dad and I have also enjoyed football a lot this fall. MVHS lost their first 5 games. They then turned things around and won their next 4 by (in most cases) sizeable margins. They beat Orem High last week 33 to zip. Their first State game is this Friday. I have two of their star players in my choirs. They are great young men. We also enjoy hearing about Rick down there in L.V. We made a trip down a couple of weeks ago. We went on Friday and returned on Saturday. it was great to see him play. He is a special young man. We have also been enjoying following the Utah Utes, been scared for the Cougars and cheered for the Utah State Aggies. Dad and I spend time on Sundays watching the pros on TV. We are pretty much indoctrinated. I also listen to the Utah radio sports station. I am an insider.

We hear that things are going well in Rhode Island for Tim, Jill and family. They text us pictures quite often through the week. Elle and Liam are growing like weeds and are beautiful to look at. Ben, Tamme and family have been celebrating a birthday and anniversary...this very day. Linc spent time with Ben while the Cougars were in Texas playing TCU. Linc told us that he really enjoyed seeing Ben.

Well... it's going on 9 pm and time for me to go to bed. Yep... I hit the wall about then. I continue to get up pretty early in the morning.

We love you so much. Please take of yourselves, each other and your children. We are very excited to see the next 22 days evolve so that we can become personally acquainted with our new Frus baby.

Mom and Dad

Monday, October 25, 2010

adam and becky frus

sounds like Nick has done a fantastic job! We are so happy for his success!

We here in Phoenix are also having some crazy busy times, especially for Adam. He has been working from 7am to 11pm every day trying to get ready for the holiday rush. His business the Highway Hotshop, the mobile glassblowing studio has been very busy. Last weekend was a big show at the Heard museum where they demonstrated, taught classes and sold product for 3 days.

This weekend is another Highway Hotshop demonstration and sales weekend. The Tempe Center for the Arts museum is having its 3year anniversary celebration where they are featuring local glass artists. Adam had two of his pieces selected to be featured in the show, including having one of his pieces on the cover of the catalog and on the two banners that will be placed at the doors entrance. That is a REALLY big deal. On top of that he and Josh (his business/glass blowing partner) will be demonstrating all weekend.

Next week is the due date for his new line of art to be completed and photographed. He has been featured in the Paul Scott Gallery in Scottsdale for the last 6 months, just on a temporary basis. But as of this December, the gallery has asked him to be a permanent artist for their patrons. They are including his work in the catalog and requested he get 5-10 pictures of his work for the catalog. Another huge step in the right direction for his glass career. We hope that with this gallery catalog we will get some exposure and possibly get picked up by other galleries in the southwest (Santa Fe and Park City are the two cities we would like to focus on next).

After next week, he still have two more shows with the Highway Hotshop before Christmas as well as doing two art shows and teaching classes 2-3 times a week. He is very busy and working so hard. I can tell that he is trying to put in the hours now so that when the baby comes he can sit for a couple of days and help, but then he is back up. The baby is due on Nov 20 and his biggest art show of the year is on Dec 3,4,5. but of course we are so ambitious that while I man the art show booth that weekend, he is going to be doing glassblowing demonstrations at another location. We will see how that all works out...hopefully the baby will either come before or after this weekend, it will be very hard to have it come on that weekend. Luckily we have Uncle Rick and Cheryl who will be willing to help man the booth at the art show, so that I won't have to be there for the full 10 hours each day. We could use everyone's prayers during that weekend.

I am doing really great! It is amazing that we are not 25 days away from the due date. I have started to retain water in the feet, legs and hands, but still feel really good. Both Adam and I agree that I am showing very little for the 9th month. We are in a centering pregnancy group with 15 other couple who are expecting and I am due the earliest and still show less than everyone else. It is kind of sad because I want to shout out that I am pregnant, but it is good because it lets me be so mobile.

I am still teaching on ASU campus and at the Desert Botanical Gardens. I have two more classes at the gardens before the baby is born. It has been really fun to come up with the curriculum for these classes. I have had to do a lot of reading and understanding of the topics that I choose to teach about. Volocanology of Arizona and Paleontology of Arizona....it has been fun to further my understanding on these topics.

anyway, we are excited to hear about everyone else. love you all
becky

nick and deb sorensen

Hello Family!

My kids are doing well. I seem to loose patience with Claire a lot lately, but I'm trying to just give her more attention. When I'm ready to tear my hair out, I try and give myself a "time out". It seems to really help. Sigh. My life revolves around feeding/sleeping schedules for Matthew, attention/potty training with Claire, trying to survive with very limited time with Nick. We're doing just fine though.

Nick's adventures this last while have revolved around Homecoming. He did a bang up job with the sponsors. He was the go to guy on the Merlin Olson (NFL pro player who was raised in Logan and went on to USU) Statue and Field Dedication. He brought in a TON of sponsors for that, too. He met the family, was invited so several of their events, planned quite a few of them, too. His week looked something like this:

Monday-Thursday: started most days at 5am, finishing sponsor packets, meet and greets, putting together alumni events/packets, and too many other things for me to list. Then he'd come home and be in charge of the kids until I finished teaching at 7:30 or 8pm. with paperwork until 11 or 12 most nights.

Friday had several events and the actual installation of the statue for Merlin Olson with a dinner/reception that evening. He hung posters, worked check in tables, bought flowers, tried his hand at decorating a few things. With pumpkins. Made it home about 10pm

Saturday started at 6 with a breakfast to introduce all the honorees, including the football team from '61-62 and others. then the parade, then the statue unveiling and dedication, then clean up and the football game (we were slaughtered by Hawaii 45-7; it poured rain the whole time). Then a family party for Merlin Olson.

We tried to go to as many of the events as possible. Matthew was a trooper and fussed VERY LITTLE! Claire was a handful. She has decided that she doesn't like naps, even though her body is so tired it's WIRED! (any suggestions, moms, I'd love them!) We went to the parade, the statue dedication, the tailgate party, the game (well most of it) and then I went with Nick to the party.

Nick was mentioned so many times with a vote of thanks for all that he did. Usually it was listed liked this: We'd like to thank Vice President Ross Peterson and Nick Sorensen, ..........blah blah blah. Really neat for him to be listed with his boss' name so often. A great honor. Nick is exhausted and I really need to take him on a vacation, but he really is so amazing. I knew my family would be okay if I bragged about him a bit.

check out nick's events of Homecoming here.

Claire is starting to say her prayers without help. "Fader, grateful, day, fam-ly, monies in da bank, married in da temple, go on mission! grammie, grumpy, Christ, Amen!

Matthew is still really congested, but he's doing better. We're grateful for good docs and medicine.

We love you all so much,

-deb

Monday, October 18, 2010

bill and rosi mathews

I HAVE THE SAME ONE!! WE LOVED SEEING YOUR FAMILY ON Friday. WE WENT TO L.V. ON Friday AND WERE HOME Saturday ABOUT 8:00 PM qUICK BUT GOOD TRIP.

love you

Mom

ben and tamme mathews

Our Family is good as well.

Kloey is in 2nd grade and reading so well. She loves the fairy princess books--will sit and read as many as she can get her hands on. She is a great oldest sister, loves her brother and sisters and helps her mom out a lot. The other day she told her mom that she doesn't want to be SO STRONG--she wants to be petite and beautiful like the other girls but she is too strong.

Kael is still our only boy--just in case you were wondering. He loves to wrestle, play with action heros, and tease. Galilee loves to wrestle with him. Kael will push just a little harder with each blow to see what he can get away with. Gali will cry and then get back into the fray and it all cycles through again. I met with Kael's teacher for parent teach conference and she told me that she wishes she could have a classroom full of Kaels. He is also playing football and made 3 of the 5 tackles (flags) his team made on Saturday.

Galilee is our crazy two year old. When they are two it doesn't matter what they do they are just too cute. She loves to crawl in bed with us in the middle of the night right now but dad has been throwing her out and that is so hard with her cute little cry. She loves TV and will tell us when we are watching something one of two things--

I don like that OR I like that --

This makes mom and dad her remote control.

Sadee is becoming so alert. She has the most beautiful smile and big blue eyes. She loves to sit up like a big girl but refuses to put any weight on her legs. She only cat naps all day long which makes it hard for Tamme to get things done but she is a joy to sit and hold.

Tamme is wonderful. She is a seminary teacher, an owie fixer, a "gourmet" chef, a branch organizer, a neighbor servant, a taxi cab driver, and most of all my best friend. She runs our home with speed and agility and does it with very little complaint. She is running a branch craft night which will be a huge success.

I am enjoying work--keeps me very busy. Was in Omaha this past week and had a chance to visit Winter Quarters. The Pioneers are truly amazing and I am thankful for their legacy.

Love you all,
-Ben

part b

AH! That was Claire pushing buttons when it wasn't her turn. Now, she's in time out again! Just when I was telling you how wonderful she is!

Matthew has been sick. He had croup a while ago, but when I took him into the doc for his 2 month check up, the doc was concerned because his croupy-ness was still around. We had to take him to get xrays and the doc determined that he has a bronchial infection and he is still concerned because his larynx is still tight. So, his back on lots of meds and hopefully that will end soon. His 2 month check up said that he is growing like a weed! He can already hold his head up and he's a chub!

weight: 13 lbs 13 oz
height: 22 3/4 inches
head: normal (I never pay attention to this one)

Claire weighed 10 lbs at her 2 month check up! Matthew is mellow and wonderful. He smiles and cuddles and we love him.

Claire is back from time out and wanted to share a message:
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Nick is super busy this week. It's Homecoming and he has had A LOT of responsibility this week for the event. He's worked on the Merlin Olson Statue for about a year, he's had sponsors come out of his ears from all the hard work he does, he is still working closely with an esteemed boss and is always willing and able to help others out.

Well, we love you all.

-deb

nick and deb sorensen

Claire has started to say 'No!' Drives her mother up a wall. No more cute little Miss Claire that will do whatever you tell her...now comes the moments that I'll remember forever. The Terrible Twos! It's been coming on for a while now, but it's been these last couple of days that she will outright tell me no. I'm ready to ring her neck somedays and praise her for changing her mind so quickly. I hear the Thunderous Threes are worse, but I'm hoping to get that out before that can start. She spends a lot of time in Time Out for these temper tantrums. But honestly, I couldn't ask for a better kid. She is still VERY obedient and tries to listen to what her mother

adam and becky frus

Hello Family
well, we here in arizona are doing great! we have been really busy with school and glass and trying to get ready for the baby.

I was up at the grand canyon all week for the grand opening of the Trail of Time. The project that I have been working on for my masters thesis. the media people at nps have put together a flicka page, so if you want to see some of the pics go to the link below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grand_canyon_nps/sets/72157624999234563/

it was a great opening with a 4 day workshop that included some very prestigous people from the national park service, researcher professors, educators and myself... ;-) I was able to network and meet some people that I would love to later get a job, once I graduate, and so am glad to have participated. Everyone was concerned that I would have the baby in at the Canyon, but I knew all would be okay.

John and Sondie Frus (my inlaws) came to the last day of the opening and were able to walk the 2mile trail with me and it was very fun to have them here.

We then flew down the mountain and back to the valley to attend a glass blowing demonstration that Adam was giving at the Heard Museum with his mobile glass blowing studio. Here again a very prestigious event with a world renown glass blower and the director of the museum impressed with Adam's work and ablility to teach and talk to the crowd. it was a great experience to have Adam working with the Master of glass and especially because it was out of his own studio.

The baby is getting bigger and bigger and I am finally getting ready to have her. My belly is getting really big and I am always tired, but everyone is healthy and just awaiting the arrival.

anyway, love each of you and can't wait to hear from all of you
becky