Recapping Weeks 15-19

We have a little mango baby!

We just hit 19 weeks today. Its crazy and awesome and I am getting really excited. Next week we get to find out if you are a boy or a girl in there. I CAN'T wait! I think it might really start to make it real... It still hasn't really hit me.. I'm not sure if it really will until I have to go push baby out of me and then get to take you him/her home! AH

I can't wait to be a mom though. I have wanted to be a mom my whole life and it is finally becoming real. Thank you baby, it is all because of you.

We have had a pretty good week, a little more lax for me which has been nice but a little rough for Andrew getting back into the swing of things in school. Last week on Wednesday I got off work at 2pm and then headed straight to St. George. I had never driven that far by myself and I was actually pretty nervous about it. The length of it, the boringness of it and the being pregnant part. But it turned out okay. Definitely long, my butt and legs were sore and achy by the time I got there but I found things to listen to and people to talk on the phone so that helped!

I went down because Lisa and I signed up for a serging conference for the weekend. The conference was awesome!! I was expecting to get a little sleepy and have a hard time being in class all day but it really was great. I loved learning old and new things and working on AMAZING sergers! They were to die for. It was also really fun hanging out and bonding with Lisa for the weekend. We had a lot of fun talking sewing, crafting, and fabrics!

The week before (aka the first week of September) Andrew and I went to California for the week. It was the BEST! Such a good trip, full of relaxation but also adventure and seeing new things. We were there during our anniversary so we got a chance to spend the day together exploring LA.

We first headed to the California Science Center to mainly see the space shuttle Endeavour, that was just put there and they are building a million dollar facility for. It is HUGE! and awesome. You can't even comprehend the fact that it has been to space and back multiple times! We got to learn all about it and then walk around it and see it in all its hugeness.

We then headed to the Santa Monica Pier. I absolutely love that place. and it holds so many good memories for us. I have always loved ferris wheels and this one is just perfection. You have the beach, the ocean, the sunset, the city, and not to mention the amazing man that was sitting next to me! The day before our wedding we took wedding pictures all day long. One spot that I had to have pictures done at was the pier, on the ferris wheel. So on our anniversary I thought it would be fun to go ride the ferris wheel again, since we had not ridden it since our wedding. Oh my what four years has brought us to!

Then we headed to our favorite restaurant, Gladstones.  I am not a fish loving person but I LOVE clam chowder and they have the BEST clam chowder you will ever eat. and you get this delicious bread to dip in it so I was a pretty happy girl. Not to mention the view of the ocean that is absolutely stunning. Andrew likes to get a yummy fish and I am pretty sure he leaves drooling still because of how good it is.

Of course we then had to go get some dessert so we headed to BJ's where they have the yummiest pazookies (pizza cookies). We were stuffed and exhausted by the time we were done and heading home. It was a perfect day together.

On the other days we were in California we did a little shopping both clothing and fabric, we went to the beach and did a little body boarding, we went to a Dodger's baseball game and saw some amazing fireworks, and just relaxed and hung out with family. What better way to spend a week!

Since being back I am just working working working. and Andrew is back into the grind of things at school. I think it is going to be a crazy semester for him. He has also been working at the straw maze and helping get things ready before they opened and now helping at night. He is SO excited to start haunting next weekend! He got his new mask in yesterday and I am not sure he is going to be able to wait a week to scare with it. The mask is pretty awesome.. it is VERY real looking which makes it really creepy. He is going to do an awesome job. He made a video for the haunted forest and it turned out really good! He is just so talented in so many things. I am so proud of him and all the hard work he does.

The MASK! 

Ryder didn't know what to think..
our poor children. haha

I just love that guy. even in a creepy mask.

I have been feeling great. Still just tired and more sciatic nerve and lower back pain. I am pretty sure that is going to last forever. I feel that the sciatic nerve pain is just getting worse. Now just standing I can feel it hurting. and then bending and moving a lot just makes it worse. I'm finding ways to make it better, so far it is just lots and lots of stretching. But I feel really lucky with how easy pregnancy has been.

I am definitely popping more, however now I feel that it just looks like I have gained weight in the belly, not that there is a baby in there. I am enjoying the smaller belly while I can because I know soon enough I will be huge. Keep growing healthy and strong in there little one! We love you so so so much.

Hopefully I can start updating more and keep a good record of this amazing, beautiful process we get to go through. Stay tuned for more!

love,alex&andrew

P.S- We met Youtube stars, icons, and role models Shay Carl and Colette. We have watched them for five years and he is the one who inspired me to start my own channel! We were shocked we ran into them and a little star struck.

Beach Cruising

On March 7th we headed to California. It was a glorious trip. I am in love with California. It is gorgeous and don't even get me started on the weather, let's just say I think it's not too shabby. Anna, Jordan, Ryder, and Aaron also traveled with us. It was the perfect break from colder weather, even though I can't complain much about our weather because it has been pretty great considering the fact that it is winter.

When we got there we headed straight to the beach were we road bikes along the shore... OH MY GOSH, it is my new favorite thing. ever. I love the beach. and I love bikes. put them together and you get one amazing calming, soothing, tranquil, enjoyable afternoon. I decided Andrew and I need to move to Santa Monica (ha.ha.) so I can ride this trail everyday. It's just magical.
Okay am I talking it up too much? But really.... it's the best.

After riding we headed to a fabric store that I could have spent hours rummaging through and spending a TON of money. I love fabric. have I mentioned that before?? By the time we were done there it was time for a relaxing dinner at our favorite spot, Gladstone's.

Every time we travel to California we have to stop here. It is right on the beach so you watch the sunset as you eat and they have the BEST clam chowder ever. and I am obssesed with clam chowder. Our left overs then got wrapped into a swan and a ninja penguin.

On Saturday Lisa threw a baby shower for Anna and Ryder! It was fun to see all of the cute stuff she got for the little guy, eat some really yummy food, and catch up with everyone in Cali!

That afternoon family came over to hang out and eat more yummy food. It was so much fun to catch up and just chat. We hadn't seen Nicole and Dave for a long time and we hadn't even met baby Zen. I loved meeting her! She is just the cutest! And lucky for us Lynette was visiting them so we got to catch up with her as well. I love family time.

Sunday we had Church and then just hung out at home. I got lots of snuggles from baby Ryder and enjoyed just relaxing, talking, and watching funny clips on YouTube. We also saw Frozen for the second time. It's adorable, if you didn't already know.

Unfortunately, on Monday we had to go home. After staying up late it was difficult to get up and get ready to go but luckily our flight was delayed a few hours so we didn't have to wake too soon and we got to relax a little longer.

It was a wonderful weekend and we are already trying to find a time that we can go back. I think we are both dreaming of a day when we could potentially live there.

Until next time California.
love, alex&andrew

A Graduate & An Eagle!

You guys. Life has been busy. the awesome kind. and it is just getting started. It's just going to get better this week. I have been wanting to blog but I did something silly.. or at least maybe one day it will be silly. I may or may not have washed my camera SD card. or it is sitting on the floor in st.george just waiting for someone to find it. I am hoping for the latter because it has some pictures of an awesome weekend.

I guess I can just post some of the few photos I took on my phone. This is probably why I tend to always take pictures with my phone these days. It takes a lot more for me to loose that thing.

We went to California at the beginning of the month. It was a wonderful getaway. Can I just tell you how amazing the weather there is? I was actually cold at times! These days I am lucky to not be sweating.

We went to California for Aaron's High School graduation and Eagle Court of Honor. It was so fun to spend time with family and really celebrate the accomplishments that Aaron has made. We were running all over the place all weekend.

Guys, I made that dress!

We got there Thursday afternoon and were headed to Aaron's graduation shortly after. It was the first graduation I had ever attended! I never attended my own because I graduated early and was at BYU-Idaho already. It actually wasn't as long as I thought it would be but I think sitting with the right people and having lots of snacks really helped ;)

Graduation was outside. how AWESOME is that?!

Friday we spent the day getting ready for Kiana's bridal shower, picking up Aaron at a volleyball tournament, picking up Anna at the airport, and getting a lot of Tito's Tacos. It was a busy day full of good people and funny conversations in the car.

Lisa & the bride to be! 

Saturday was Kiana's bridal shower. This was a great day celebrating this beautiful bride to be. As she was opening her presents, I saw a ton of things I need to go buy...ha. The party turned out b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. Laurie and Lisa did an amazing job. It was a tea party theme with gorgeous flowers and delicious food. I would love to have parties like that all of the time, but man did I realize how much work that takes! It was wonderful to celebrate love and marriage with such wonderful people.

Sunday was church and Aaron's Eagle Court of Honor. I have only gone to one other court of honor so that was exciting to see how things were done and really celebrate the amazing accomplishment these boys have made. Andrew even got to give a little speech about what you go through to receive your eagle. It is amazing to me how much hard work these young men put in to receive this award. It really is such an important accomplishment. I feel that it really says something about a man, knowing that he worked that hard.

Growing up I was always so jealous of what the boys got to do and learn in boy scouts. I really wanted to have those experiences and learn all that they were learning. Yes I had girls camp, which I actually only went to twice, but really, that is SO different. I cannot wait to have boys of my own so that I can help them through the scouting program and really get a chance to experience it with them.

I love polaroids, just like this one. 

Like I said, buuuusy weekend. But it was fun. bundles of fun. I love little trips like that. You leave wanting more because you aren't sick of it yet. Although I don't know if I could ever get sick of it. There is a lot of that coming up this month. I can't wait for it all to begin but at the same time I know that it is just going to FLY by and I will be left wondering where all of the time went and wishing to have it back.

I can't wait to enjoy every moment and just let it all sink in and hit that happy spot right on top of the head.

how is your summer going???
I hope it is as great as ours.
love,alex&andrew

Christmas 2012

If you are a stocker or maybe you are just our bestest friends you know that for Christmas this year we had the incredible opportunity to go to Hawaii.
Instead of presents on Christmas morning we were all waking up and getting ready to head to the airport. Was that a little weird you ask? Yes.. Andrew and I realized that was the first time either of us had left "the house" (wherever we were staying that year) on Christmas day.. Crazy. But honestly, we were headed to Hawaii so there wasn't much complaining on our part ;)

Andrew and I still spent a little money on each other for Christmas and we still had family come over on Christmas Eve and do a little celebrating. Julie and Val came over and we had a wonderful clam chowder dinner and lots of yummy munchies and then we exchanged presents.

This year Andrew got me a vinyl record player. I had talked about it a couple times and he picked up on it and got me one. Because it was not something we wanted to have to bring on the plane I got it at the beginning of December which I loved because then I was able to listen to some beautiful christmas music. Needles to say it is a beauty. And of course the music is timeless. I love listening to Frank sing :)

Like I said in this post I wasn't really sure until 4 days before Christmas what I was getting Andrew. But after some wonderful shopping I found some awesome things. Like two pairs of vans. two Neff shirts. Some quirky socks and a tie. I even got him a 99 cent mountain dew chap-stick! ha

and he got this beauty.

And he loved his gifts, or at least he says he does and he has worn pretty much everything at least once already so I am pretty pleased with my findings!

Ready to go to Bethlehem 

While we were in California we were able to attend Andrew's home wards Christmas party. It was incredible. They had it in a members, aka the Sorensen's best friends, back yard. It was a sight to see let me tell you. It was made to look like Bethlehem. They had crafts for the kids to do and animals to pet and food to eat and even a manger with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. What a fun night. Everyone.. well most everyone even dressed up like they were from that time.

My little friend in Bethlehem
They had Neff beanies back then right? ;) 

Oh and I almost forgot to tell you that at the beginning of December we went to The Forgotten Carols with Marilee. It was beautiful. I had never heard the story so I did not know what to expect but it was perfect. It was sentimental but still had plenty of humor and really shared the true meaning of Christmas.

I feel that overall we had some really good experiences in basking in the Christmas Spirit. What a wonderful, beautiful, magical time of the year. It is sad to see it go but I know we can keep it around all year and look forward to its magic next year as well.

Merry Christmas from the Sorensen's 

We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season :)
love,alex&andrew

ps- can I have him pleeeease

A different kind of Library

While we were in California Andrew and I decided to do a few things that I had never done and he hadn't done in a long time. So on one rainy day we went to the Ronald Reagan Library. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. I mean a library is filled with books.. not stuff you walk around and just look at. I did know it was a museum and I was excited to learn about the life of President Reagan.
And Andrew would always talk about seeing Air Force One there so I was pretty stoked to see that!

The library sits at the top of the hill and over looks the whole valley. It is breathtakingly beautiful! Although it was rainy and cloudy it was still an amazing view.

Andrew Sorensen for President! 

A piece of the Berlin Wall 

The breathtaking view 

An EXACT replica of the Oval office when Reagan was president 

Oh hey Mr. Pres 

Just hanging out under air force one. 

Yeaaaa we took a lot of pictures. There was a lot of cool stuff! We saw a replica of the oval office. Read lots of facts on Reagan. Saw the outfit he was shot in. And a x-ray of the bullet in him! We saw the dictators he had to deal with. His love for horse back riding. Air force one of course, we even got to go through it! And they had two rooms of Christmas trees decorated for each decade. They were pretty amazing. One had a large train in it, another had life size guns or a violin, some had different animals, pictures, books, then when you got closer to our day and age you saw lots of stuffed animals like big bird, then their was facebook and youtube. It was crazy detailed and pretty intense. We also saw some of Nancy Reagan's clothes and learned a little about her. We even learned some etiquette for presidential dinners! 

Then they had this special section that is only there for a little while of disney artifacts. They had the original snow white and the seven dwarfs, cinderella and sleeping beauty in beautiful large intricate books. Then they had a bust of every president that looked reallllly realistic. And there was the original mickey and just so much!! In the last room was probably the best thing ever! It was a bunch of original artifacts from disney movies or the attire from broadway show of a disney movie. They had cinderellas dress and beautiful outfits! Then we saw everything pictured below as well. The ships are the original they used to film. so you know how it looks huge in the movie well really that is the true size of it. HOW CRAZY IS THAT! And we saw Iron Mans suit which Andrew was mesmerized by... I must say it was pretty awesome. It was such an amazing sight to see. So many cool things! I could share so many more pictures but I will spare you ;) 

The beautiful books

Original Tron Bike..not really sure why andrew is red..

Original Iron Man Suit 

Original Caption America's Bike 

These are the ships they used to film Pirates of the Caribbean 

The Black Pearl 

If you are ever in Southern California this is a good place to spend a little time learning about the History of America and the Life of President Reagan and Nancy Reagan. 

love, alex&andrew