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2014

Life 2014 | Beth’s 9th Birthday

We celebrated Beth’s Birthday a week before her actual birthday. She wanted a RAINBOW PARTY so that is what she got! We decorated with rainbow streamers, rainbow tablecloth, rainbow plates and cups, and rainbow balloons! We had a family party this year with Dad, Mom, JJ, (of course Beth), Uncle Aaron, Uncle Cody, Aunt Becki, and Cousin Mallory. For dinner we had Rainbow Pasta with Alfredo Sauce, Rainbow Bread, and of course Rainbow Cake (with rainbow butterflies). She loved her gifts – she got: an Anna Costume, Horses and Girls from Horseland, a Black Sketch Notebook, Frozen Blu-Ray, and an awesome stuffed horse (Buttercup) that whinnies and responds to touch. Beth was so excited and it was really fun to spend the evening with family. We can’t believe she is really 9 – she’s just getting to be such a beautiful young lady and we love her!
– April 6, 2014 –

 

Here’s the layout I did:
beths9thbday_webI used my You Are My Sunshine and Fill ‘er Up Templates by Britt-ish Designs

Life 2014 | Back to the Books

A new school year is upon us and I can’t believe its time to go back to school already.  I feel so unprepared, but I am looking forward to getting back to a regular routine and the new adventures that this school year brings to us!

 

J.J. has the amazing opportunity to go to a new school this year. Spectrum Academy has a brand new campus in Pleasant Grove and its all for kids on the Autism Spectrum.  I was so nervous about sending J.J. off to middle school (7th grade), but after he got accepted into SA, I was relieved. It is still a little nerve racking and I think it’s going to be a hard year, but much better now that I know he will be getting what he needs with the right teachers and programs. It’s all new for him with having a locker and going to different classes during the day. I hope he progresses this year. His new advisory teacher is Mr. Phelps and he seems like a great guy.

Beth is off to Spring Creek Elementary again as a 4th grader. She has Ms. Rossiter as her teacher and when she heard that her teacher is all about reading, art, and music – she was so excited!  All three of the things she really enjoys! I think its going to be a really fun year for her. 

– August 19, 2014 –

Here’s the layout I did:
back2school2014_web
 I used my School YearZ and a freebie template from Britt-ish Designs 

Life 2014 | Melanie

My cousin, Melanie Baker suffered for many years with cancer and passed away on January 18, 2014. I was able to go to her funeral on January 23rd with my parents and brother, Cody. It was a celebration of her good life, but of course, we are all sad that she isn’t here on earth with us anymore.

Melanie was so kind and loved everyone. She loved all things Disney and it was a big part of who she was.  I will never forget being with her and the whole Baker Family in 2009, when we went to Disneyland. Melanie planned it for us and it was such a great trip. Even though, she was several years older than me and we actually didn’t get to see that side of the family that often, I still felt a little close to her and I’m so grateful she was my cousin. I’m so happy that she is out of pain and I’m sure she has a great mission in store for her on the other side.Until we meet again, Melanie!

Here’s the layout I did:
melanie_web
I used my Believe in the Magic and a template from Simple Scrapper

Life 2014 | First Temple Trip

In my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), we have sacred ordinances that we do in temples. When a young man or woman reaches the age of 12, they have the opportunity (if they live worthily), to attend the temple and do an ordinance that we call, Baptisms for the Dead. This ordinance gives people who have died the opportunity to be baptized and receive the gospel on the other side. This is the only ordinance in the temple that the youth can participate in. Once they are older (usually after the age of 18), they are able to go through the temple for other ordinances.

My son turned 12 in January and received the Aaronic Priesthood in February.  This gave him the opportunity to go on his first temple trip with the Young Men in March. With JJ being on the Autism Spectrum, we are always concerned with his ability to understand and to mentally be prepared for things. I am probably too protective of him, but I was really nervous about him receiving the priesthood. So far though, it has been a good experience for him. He is passing the sacrament at church and the other boys are helping him (especially a young man named Aaron Mellor – who we are so grateful for). JJ is high function, but communication is an issue a lot and sometimes, I just wish I could see inside his head so I could understand where he is coming from.  We didn’t talk much about the temple trip, but from what he said, I felt like it was a good experience for him and that he felt the spirit. It can be overwhelming, I remember it was for me, my first time. But I hope he will remember it and treasure these experiences.
Here’s my Layout:

jjtemple_webI used my Scripture HeroeZ and a template from Simple Scrapper

Life 2014 | Summer Camp with the Princesses

Summer Camp with the Princesses | June 23, 25-26, 2014

Beth had the opportunity to participate in a Princess Summer Camp. She’s getting older and this Princess stage is not going to last forever, so it was really nice to see her still enjoying dress-up and play with the Disney Princesses! She got to spend three days with various princesses and got to do SO many fun activities! She had a blast and it will definitely be something she will always remember!      

Beth’s first session was a Frozen party and she got to be with her favorite princess, Anna and her sister, Elsa. She was so excited to wear her Anna dress. She got to make a wand, had ice cream, had a snowball fight with cotton balls, and was crowned a princess!

Next session was the Adventure camp with Merida and Rapunzel. She got to paint a lizard, shoot a target with arrows, stuff a bear, make a wish with balloons and danced with ribbons!

Then came a Luau with Jasmine and Ariel. She got to paint a treasure box, taught Jasmine to hula,made sand necklaces,  and made headbands to go with the hula skirt and lei!

The last session was a Spa Day with Belle (her 2nd favorite) and Aurora. Belle did Beth’s hair and nails and Aurora did her makeup. They got a butterfly treasure box with beauty supplies.

Here’s the layout I did:
summerprincesscamp_webI used Fill’er Up Templates 3 by Britt-ish Designs and my Happily Ever AfterZ & Color Sketch SilhouetteZ
 

Life 2014 | Exploring Indian Ruins

Beth is fascinated with different cultures and history, especially with the American Indians. It actually runs in the family, coming from Grandpa Sorensen. Growing up, Grandpa always took his kids to Indian ruins and special historic places. So, for Beth’s Birthday trip, she really wanted to go see Indian Ruins and Drawings.  Grandpa obliged her and took us on two days of adventures near Orderville. We hiked and saw lots of Indian Drawings on cliff walls, we hunted arrowheads and pottery, and we even hiked down to see awesome Indian ruins! Beth’s cousin Whitnee joined us for one day and we had a lot of fun hiking and playing in the dirt. We also roasted hot dogs and just enjoyed being together. Beth will remember this forever!

Here’s the layout I did:
bethindianruins2014
I used “Fill’er Up Templates 3” by Britt-ish Designs, “Tribal Neutrals” by Grepic, “Shadow Spirits” by Zais Digital Scrapbook, “Wood Tribal Papers” by Baer Design Studio, and “American Indian” by Roxanne Buchholz