Currently playing on my computer (tune in: pls, asx)
The Daily Biff
     
 
Wed, 31 Dec 2008

December 2008 Photos
The December 2008 photo galleries are now closed. Snow play and Christmas dominated the photos for December, but that really isn't much of a surprise. It was a fun month; we are looking forward to more in 2009! The December galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 4:51 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Sat, 20 Dec 2008

Remembering My Days as an LDS Missionary in 台灣: 宜蘭
After I was on island for two months, I was moved from 苗栗 (on the western coast of Taiwan) to 宜蘭 (which is on the eastern coast of Taiwan). I spent the next three months there and served with dedicated people who became close friends and whom I still keep in contact with today. My mandarin skills were very (very!) lame at the time, as a result I did not bond very tightly with the local LDS members... but there were some wonderful people in that little town. I can still remember many of their names and even though they (no doubt) would not remember me... I wonder what has become of them.

Keate Despain and I on a beach in 宜蘭
When I was transferred to 宜蘭 in March of 1989, I traveled from 台北 by train for 3 hours with Keate Despain as my traveling companion. We stood the whole way... giving up our seats to a couple of women. During my brief three months in 宜蘭, Keate and I became close friends. Here we are at a long-forgotten location at a time I can also not place... but I believe it was after I left 宜蘭 and had returned for some reason.
A beach near 南澳 in rural 宜蘭 county.
This is a beach in near 南澳 in rural 宜蘭 county. We would bike to this beach on P-day and throw a football around or just hang out and listen to the surf. 宜蘭 was by far the most beautiful part of 台湾 in which I served. This picture is just one of many scenes that captures the dramatic oceanside scenery in rural 宜蘭 county. I'd love to go back and see more of the area by car.

Picture taken in April 1989.

Keate Despain and I at the bottom of the 五峰旗 waterfall.
Keate Despain and I at the bottom of the 五峰旗 waterfall. The waterfall is located in the township of 礁溪 which is just north of the city of 宜蘭. We traveled there (by bike of course) for a P-day activity. 宜蘭 was such a beautiful place... I'm very sad that I only lived there for three short months.

Picture taken in April 1989.

Keate Despain and I were hot and exhausted after a long bike ride.
Keate Despain and I after a long bike ride (and a long day) spent in the heat of the 宜蘭 summer. We had just returned from watching the dragon boat races as part of the on-going dragon boat festival (端午節). We were both in dire need of a "" (Asian shaved ice... a famous Taiwanese dessert made from thinly shaved ice with your choice of toppings -- fruits, taro, green mung beans, red mung beans, and these, uh, pink and white gelatin-like thingies).

Picture taken in June 1989.

Playing basketball was a favorite thing to do on P-days.
During the springtime in 宜蘭, we spent many of our P-days at a nearby outdoor public sports complex playing basketball. This is a shot of the members of 宜蘭 district missionaries in May of 1989.

Standing (from left to right): Keate Despain, Gary Andrew, myself, Andre Turgeon, Richard Lusk, Michael Weaver.

Kneeling (from left to right): Kirsten Call, Fiona McHardy.

Inside the 宜蘭 chapel.
This picture was taken in the building used by the LDS 宜蘭 branch for meetings. The branch president (秦會長) is located on the far left and some of the branch members are also present.

Back row (from left to right): 秦會長, Michael Weaver, Andre Turgeon, myself, Gary Andrew.

Front row (from left to right): Richard Lusk, Fiona McHardy, Kirsten Call, 吳金珠, 林淑芬, 周麗淑, Keate Despain.

Picture taken in May 1989.

On a beach somewhere in 宜蘭 county.
This was taken at some random beach in or around 宜蘭 toward the end of May 1989 or the beginning of June 1989 (the date imprinted on the photo is not accurate). I love my outfit here... and the glasses.

Standing (from left to right): 周麗淑, 林淑芬.

Kneeling (from left to right): unknown person, Keate Despain, 吳金珠, Tod Anderson (my second companion in 宜蘭), and myself.

Myself, Fiona McHardy, and Keate Despain.
This picture was taken on or around Sister Fiona McHardy's birthday which we celebrated in the LDS 松山 chapel. It was a bit of an 宜蘭 reunion... I think only myself was serving in 松山 at the time whereas Keate and Fiona were serving in adjacent areas. Also (if I recall correctly) Keate brought both bouquets of flowers and gave me one to give to Fiona. Keate never missed a beat... a true gentleman.

Also, as you can tell... we were careful to never touch Sister McHardy directly. Such contact was expressly forbidden; LDS male missionaries would melt on contact should they ever touch any part of their female missionary counterparts. It's true.

Picture taken in March 1990.

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:57 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/taiwan


 
Thu, 11 Dec 2008

Remembering My Days as an LDS Missionary in 台灣: 淡水
As I've been receiving Christmas cards from old friends, I've been trying to look up each in turn on facebook to see if they are registered. Some are... most aren't. Some Christmas cards I received today caused me to think about the LDS mission I served in 台灣 (Taiwan) for two years and more specifically in a small little college town up in the Northwest part of 台灣 called 淡水. Those were good times filled with choice experiences that I shared with great people who became my friends. I spent 6 months in 淡水, or ¼ of my time on my mission. I decided to scan in some pics for the benefit of facebook and am also including them here on my blog. Enjoy.

Preparing the outdoor Christmas decorations for our 3rd floor 淡水 apartment balcony.
Taken while Shawn McLeod and I are repairing the outdoor Christmas decorations for our 3rd floor 淡水 apartment balcony. The decorations consisted of a makeshift sign made of cardboard. On the sign was pasted the Chinese characters for "Merry Christmas" (聖誕節愉快); the sign was bordered with multi-colored Christmas lights.

As you might expect, because Christmas is not widely celebrated in the predominantly Buddhist Taiwan, our Christmas decorations were the only ones visible on the street we lived on.

Picture taken in December 1989.

Deluxe dinner feast we prepared for Christmas Day 1989.
This was the deluxe dinner feast we prepared for Christmas Day 1989. This picture was taken in the 淡水 branch building. The branch ping pong table doubled as our buffet table.

From left to right: Shawn McLeod, myself, Eric Hunter, Christiaan Baird.

My companion Chris Baird standing in a typical street alley in 淡水.
My companion Chris Baird standing in a typical street alley in 淡水.

Picture taken January 1990.

Richard the 淡水 apartment dog.
This is the apartment dog we adopted. Chris Baird found him on some street alley not to far from the 淡水 apartment. He was injured and yelping. We took him in and nursed him back to health.... and then we ate him. No, I kid. We didn't.

Picture taken December 1989.

Eating dog meat (狗肉) at the local high class dog eatery.
I only ate dog meat (狗肉) a couple of times while in Taiwan. This was one of those times. Dog meat doesn't taste like chicken... and it's a bit bony. You can tell from the environment in which we are sitting that only high-class establishments serve dog meat.

From left to right: Christiaan Baird, Shawn McLeod, myself.

Picture taken in November 1989.

Our 'Chinese smiles'.
Practicing the "Chinese smiles" we used for most posed photography taken in 淡水. We are standing in the dining and food prep area of our apartment.

From left to right: Shawn McLeod, myself, Christiaan Baird.

Picture taken in November 1989.

Hand preparing 餃子 (dumplings) for a Lunar New Year's feast (過年).
Hand preparing 餃子 (dumplings) for a Lunar New Year's feast (過年).

Picture taken January 1990.

淡水 district members at the Christmas Party hosted in the mission home by President and Sister Price.
Photo of 淡水 district members at the Christmas Party hosted in the mission home by President and Sister Price. McLeod's "Chinese smile" was by far the best, rivaled only by my own... notice how much expression is conveyed in just McLeod's eyes alone. He was a master.

From left to right: Eric Hunter, Deborah Quinn, Shawn McLeod, Christiaan Baird, Joni Higgins, myself.

Picture taken December 1989.

Our DL ('domp' leader)... Shawn McLeod.
Our DL ("domp" leader)... Shawn McLeod.

Picture taken January 1990.

The core 淡水 district members.
The core 淡水 district members. McLeod (bottom left), Baird (top right), and myself were together for three months. Hunter (top left) was there for two of those.

Picture taken in January 1990 not long before I moved from 淡水 to 松山.

淡水 reunion at the mission office (plus 楊秀美)
Picture taken at the mission office not long before McLeod returned home to the States... my guess is August 1990.

From left to right: Christiaan Baird, myself, Shawn McLeod, and 楊秀美 (who at the time was serving with me in 板橋).

Outside of 葉媽媽's restaurant.
Group photo of the 淡水 district members taken outside of 葉媽媽's restaurant.

From left to right: myself, Christiaan Baird, Paul "Hong Kong Boy" Feng, Eric Hunter, Tiffany Copinga, Deborah Quinn, Shawn McLeod, 葉媽媽, Unknown.

Picture taken in January 1990.

Wresting in 淡水 apartment with Shawn McLeod.
Wresting in 淡水 apartment with Shawn McLeod (1 of 2).

I was speaking with Shawn on the phone the other day and he was reminiscing how he used to kick my arse when we engaged in friendly missionary wrestling back in the 淡水 apartment.... or at least, that's how he remembered it.

In this first photo (of two), Elder McLeod seems to have the upper hand.

Wresting in 淡水 apartment with Shawn McLeod.
Wresting in 淡水 apartment with Shawn McLeod (2 of 2).

I was speaking with Shawn on the phone the other day and he was reminiscing how he used to kick my arse when we engaged in friendly missionary wrestling back in the 淡水 apartment.... or at least, that's how he remembered it.

In this second photo (of two), it is pretty easy to see that I am using some of my 氣 to gain the upper hand. Not long after this, Elder McLeod declared "uncle".

(Update Fri Dec 26 08:27:58 PST 2008 // fixed some html problems)
(Update Sun Dec 28 22:14:18 PST 2008 // added some wiki links)

:: Posted by rus on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:20 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/taiwan


 
Sun, 30 Nov 2008

November 2008 Photos
The November 2008 photo galleries are now closed. We shot quite a bit of material in November, beginning in California at the party for Nana's 100th birthday and continuing until our recent trip to Utah for Thanksgiving. The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:59 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Thu, 27 Nov 2008

Thanksgiving 2008 Berrett Family Pictures
All of my family is at my Mom and Dad's house for Thanksgiving this year. We took advantage of the occasion to snap some family pictures:

Bryan, Rus, Maryanne, Robert, Mark, Brent
Since 1976, the Robert and Maryanne Berrett family has been composed of the following persons (from left to right): Bryon!, RJ, Mom, Dad, Mark Gerald, Brent Robert

Dad really isn't that short, we are standing on a slight incline. I only have 2 inches on him (he's 5'11" and I'm 6'1"). I do have about 40 lbs on him in weight though. (Note to self: need to work on that.)

Rus, Mark, Brent, Bryan
My brothers... from left to right: myself, Mark, Brent, Bryan.

{Group family photo pending}

:: Posted by rus on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:21 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008


 
Mon, 03 Nov 2008

Disneyland 2008
When we planned out trip down to Chula Vista, we purchased our airfare with the express intent of allowing ourselves time to visit Disneyland. We had a lot of fun and the kids (of course) had a blast. We hit Astro Blasters first which, I think, was Livy's favorite ride of the day. Olivia and I went on Astro Blasters a few times by ourselves (there were no lines to speak of) while Kristy took Eliana and Berkeley on Space Mountain. Eliana was crying by the end of the Space Mountain ride and Berkeley said he didn't like it. They did like The Matterhorn though. We hit most of the kiddie rides and all of the bread-and-butter rides (Pirates of the Carribean, The Haunted House, etc). We spent about two hours in Toon Town... here is a picture with Mickey Mouse.

Olivia is absolutely fascinated by Mickey Mouse. Upon seeing Mickey Mouse, she exclaimed "It's Mickey Mouses!" and would not take her eyes off of him the entire time.

Here are some random pics taken throughout the day:

Berkeley in front of Toon Town. Berkeley and Eliana on Goofy's ship. Berkeley piloting Goofy's ship. Livy playing at Goofy's piano. Eliana sitting in Goofy's chair. Kristy outside of Goofy's house. The Disneyland Castle.

And there are a few more here.

(Updated Sun Nov 23 12:02:30 PST 2008 // added lightbox slideshow)

:: Posted by rus on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:59 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008, /vacations/2008/chula_vista


 
Sat, 01 Nov 2008

Nana's 100th Birthday Party
In the afternoon today we all assembled at the local LDS Church in the gymnasium (one of the few venues around that can hold the Sorenson clan). We had a buffet-style dinner (ham and cheesy potatoes) and enjoyed each other's company. Here are some pictures of various members of the Sorenson family seated at tables and enjoying the meal.

After the meal, there was a musical program which predominantly consisted of Nana's great grandchildren singing and playing various instruments.

Following that, Dan and Stacy presented a wonderful video that celebrated Nana's life. Some stills of the video are available.

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:37 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008


Candid Photos
While everyone was milling about waiting for their respective turns to be photographed, I walked around and snapped some candid photos of a few people:

It's Scott, my favorite brother-in-law! Dan and his oldest boy Tyler. Karen and Jessica... BFF! Emma holding Hinckley. Stacy and her eldest daughter Ashley. Brandon seeks comfort from his Dad (Tom). Dick and Bertha laugh it up. Miss Kathryn Thurmond Tyler is very excited to see everyone.

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:28 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008


Sorenson Sibling Family Portraits
As part of Nana's birthday activities today, everyone dressed up for some pictures that document Nana's prodigious posterity. While the photographer was here, we took advantage of the rare opportunity to snap pictures of all of Kristy's siblings and their families. Here is a picture of Kristy with her 5 brothers and 5 sisters (they are standing ordered by birth with the oldest on the left and youngest on the right).

From left to right: Tamra, Rick, Dan, Tonya, Kristy, Laura, Scott, Kathryn, Tom, Robert, and Karen.


Each of the sibling's family portraits (with the exception of Karen... who deferred iirc) are included below. My kids have 36 cousins on Kristy's side and most of them are present here today. The oldest cousin is 23 (David) and the youngest is Jacob (2 months). I have included the ages of each of the cousins:

Tamra's family
    Kristy's sister Tamra and her husband Windsor and their family.

From left to right: Aaron (age 18), Andrew (age 11), Tamra, Kate (age 10), Windsor, Annie (Tim's wife), Tim (age 21), and Ben (age 13).

Not pictured: David (age 23), Shellie (David's wife), Richard (age 20 and currently serving an LDS mission in Boston), and "little Tamra" (who died at age 8 of leukemia but would be 17 this year).

Rick's family
    Kristy's brother Rick Jr and his wife Jill and their family.

From left to right: Andrea (age 20), Korey (age 15), Ally (age 11), Rick, Jill, Darian (age 13), Jonathan (Sarah's husband), Sarah (age 22), Richard III (or "R3", age 18).

Dan's family
    Kristy's brother Dan and his wife Stacy and their family.

From left to right: Tyler (age 16), Lauren (age 7), Stacy, Spencer (age 9), Dan, Ashley (age 12).

Tonya's family
    Kristy's sister Tonya and her husband Jim and their family.

From left to right: Ben (age 10), Hyrum (age 2), Rachel (age 9), Tonya, Ammon (age 7), Michael (age 4), Jim, Emma (age 11), Jeremiah (age 12), Rebekah (age 6).

Laura's family
    Kristy's sister Laura and her daughter Jenna (age 8).

Not pictured: Laura's husband... Spencer the slacker.

Scott's family
    Kristy's brother Scott and his wife Angela and their family.

From left to right: Isabella (age 4), Angela, Andrew (age 1), Nathan (age 3), and Scott.

Tom's family
    Kristy's brother Tom and his wife Amber and their family.

From left to right: Brandon (age 3), Tom, Madison (age 6), Amber, Jacob (2 months).

Kathryn's family
    Kristy's sister Kathryn and her daughter Hinckley (age 6 months).

Not pictured: Matt (slacker numero dos), Elizabeth (age 6), Emily (age 3).

Robert's family
    Kristy's youngest brother Robert and his wife Jessica.

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:16 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008


Nana's Posterity
Nana (Kristy's paternal grandmother) turned 100 years old today. Here is a picture of her and three generations of her posterity: 1 son (and 1 daughter-in-law), 11 grandkids (10 of which are married), 39 great grandchildren (of which 1 is deceased and 3 are married). And there are 2 great great grandchildren on the way.

Not pictured: Spencer, Matt, Tamra (deceased), Elizabeth, Emily, David, Shellie, and Richard (currently serving an LDS mission in Boston).


Nana's Grandchildren

Standing (from left to right): Tami, Rick, Dan, Tonya, Kristy, Laura, Scott, Kathryn, Tom, Robert, and Karen. Sitting (from left to right): Richard, Ardella (Nana), and Bertha.

Note: the grandkids are standing in birth order... from oldest to youngest.


Nana's Great Grandchildren
Nana has 38 living great grandchildren; 39 including Tamra (who died at age 8 of leukemia). Three of Nana's greats are married (David, Tim, and Sarah); David's wife (Shellie) is expecting and so is Sarah... these two babies will be the first two of probably 100 or more of Nana's great great grandchildren.

Not pictured: Tamra (deceased), Elizabeth, Emily, David, Shellie, and Richard (currently serving an LDS mission in Boston).

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:59 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008


 
Fri, 31 Oct 2008

Ocotober 2008 Photos
The October 2008 photo galleries are now closed. Not a whole lot to look at, even if you consider the pictures taken today in Chula Vista. The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:59 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


Halloween in Chula Vista
We flew down to the Sorenson ancestral home of Chula Vista last night. (We flew on JetBlue airlines... and loved it! Goodbye Alaska Airlines; we will not miss you!) The primary purpose of our travel is to attend Kristy's grandmother's 100th birthday party tomorrow. Every one of her 10 other siblings will also be here, which is a rare treat. In fact, pretty much everyone is here with the exception of Matt, Spencer, Kathy's two oldest kids (Ebey and Emily) and my oldest nephew David (attending to his pregnant bedridden wife).

Today we spent the morning and early afternoon at La Jolla on the beach, then we returned to Grandma/Grandpa Sorenson's house for some dinner and playtime.

Grandma Sorenson and Livy Kristy and Tom Madison and Berkeley

After dinner we went trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Eliana Amidala Princess Livy Leia The young padowan Berkeley. Obi Wan, Amidala, Leia, and Anakin Livy trick or treating in Chula Vista.

Many more pictures that I took today are available here.

:: Posted by rus on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:38 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008, /vacations/2008/chula_vista


 
Tue, 30 Sep 2008

September 2008 Photos
The September 2008 photo galleries are now closed. We were fairly busy last month with activities and took quite a few pictures. The end result is that the galleries are abundant with beautiful pictures of the kids. I love looking back at the latest chapters in their lives and think about the fun we had. The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:59 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


2008 Home Preschool Class Pictures
Kristy, Kathy, and Ang have started up preschool for the younger cousins around here. The class this year includes four outstanding pupils: Emily, Olivia, Nathan, and Isabella.

Emily Olivia Nathan Isabella

And here are the four of them together for a class picture:

From left to right: Isabella, Olivia, Nathan, and Emily.

Class pictures for "cousin preschool" is a yearly tradition, albeit one that was partially interrupted last year because of our attic renovation project. Check out the previous years of "cousin preschool" class pictures here.

:: Posted by rus on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:03 pm
:: Filed under /daily_journal/2008, /media/galleries/2008, /traditions/cousin_preschool/class_pictures


 
Sun, 31 Aug 2008

August 2008 Photos
The August 2008 photo galleries feature pictures of Berkeley, Eliana, and Olivia taken in bunches... like as Remlinger Farm, the Woodland Park Zoo, or during our recent inaugural rocket launch. As a result, the gallery pages themselves (see links below) seem a little bare. But if you drill down, you'll find some great August pictures. The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:10 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Sat, 09 Aug 2008

Tim/Annie Wedding
Kristy took a one-day trip down to Phoenix today to attend the wedding of my nephew Tim (Kristy's oldest sister's second oldest son). Here are the pictures she snapped:

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:57 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Sat, 02 Aug 2008

August 2008 Remlinger Farms Photos
Kristy took the kids to Remlinger Farms today and snapped quite a few pictures. Enjoy!

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:23 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Thu, 31 Jul 2008

July 2008 Photos
The July 2008 photo galleries for Berkeley, Eliana, and Olivia are now closed. The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:41 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Tue, 29 Jul 2008

July 2008 Berkeley Birthday Party Photos
Berkeley had his friends over today for a birthday party in the morning and afternoon (11am-1pm). The theme for the party was baseball. We (well Kristy) had the great idea of making the activities for the party function as various aspects of a fictional baseball training camp.

Berkeley's Birthday Bash: Baseball Training Camp

The first activity ("Uniforms") consisted of the kids painting the first letter of their names on hats. The second activity ("Catching Practice") was a water balloon toss. The third activity ("Hitting Practice") was simply whacking at a piñata. And finally, the fourth activity ("Running Practice") involved the two teams - the red team and the blue team - competing in a relay race between some bases.

Here are the two teams... the blue team is pictured on the left and the red team is pictured on the right:

The
The
From left to right on the blue team: Becky (friend from Church), Nathan (cousin), Eliana, Jake (friend from school), Fox (friend from both school and Church), and Nandi (friend from Church). Not pictured: Ebey and Emily (cousins). From left to right on the red team: Mitchell (friend from school), Samuel (friend from school), Berkeley (the birthday boy), Isabella (neighbor), Tucker (friend from Church), Isabella (cousin), and Olivia. Note pictured: Kate (neighbor).

Here are a couple of pictures of two of the group activities... painting hats and hitting the piñata.

Painting hats. Batting practice on the piñata.

After the games we hosted a lunch (of hot dogs), ate some cake, and opened presents:

Enjoying the birthday cake. Opening the presents.  There were plenty!

:: Posted by rus on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:43 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Thu, 24 Jul 2008

July 2008 Olivia Birthday Party
We sent out Olivia's Party Invitations to a birthday luau a few weeks ago. If you didn't get a card - don't fret - we only invited local family (and the grandparents too of course). We made the best of the semi-finished backyard with some luau-themed decorations (e.g. tiki torches and the like). The kids were all provided with grass skirts, a flower (or a shell) lei, and the opportunity to get a tattoo on their forearm or calf. Olivia welcome her birthday guests in a new pink dress (with matching silk flower hair clip) and her new "pretty" shoes. Here are some pictures of the principal party guests:

Eliana posing with her sea shells. Berkeley showing off his moves (and tattoo). Scott Jr. (otherwise known as Nathan). Island girl Isabella. Emily was happy for most of the party. New cousin Hinckley kept busy sleeping. The birthday girl Olivia.

From left to right: Eliana (age 4), Berkeley (age 5 yrs and 360 days), Nathan (age 2), Isabella (age 4), Emily (age 3), Hinckley (age 1 month), and the birthday girl Olivia (age 2). Not shown: Jenna, Ebey, and Andrew (oops).

We invited the wife of our home teacher, Kamaile, to teach the kids a simple Hawaiian song. I can't remember much of the song now, and the kids can't either... except for the part that went "poo poo". Heh. Here is Kamaile teaching the kids the song and the accompanying hand movements:

Song Time Song Time

After the song we served a luau feast headlined with Kalua Pork and Teriyaki Beef. There was also plenty of fresh fruit to munch on. I wish I had taken a picture of the spread now. Suffice it to say, the food was deluxe and there was plenty to go around.

After dinner, we sang to the birthday girl and served the cake:

Cookies and cake?! Watching the candles carefully. A smile emerged when we started singing. Blowing out the candles.

We served the cake with three luau-themed flavors of homemade ice cream... Coconut Macadamia Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunks, Pineapple Ice Cream, and Mango Ice Cream. The coconut ice cream was a big hit and I must say that it was exceptional, one of the best flavors Kristy and I have created. The pineapple was also very good. However, the mango flopped (and it was the hardest to make!). I don't think my mangoes were ripe enough as the flavor was very weak. Ah well.

Immediately following the cake and ice cream, Olivia opened up her birthday presents:

Olivia opening presents with the help of Eliana. Olivia opening presents with the help of Emily.

Pictured below are two of her gifts... a new umbrella and a new "sofa" (her word) for the attic playhouse.

Olivia loves umbrellas... this gift was a big hit. Olivia's new red chair... for the attic playhouse.

But, by far, her favorite gift was a sing along cassette recorder that the Thurmonds bought for her. Just take a look at the pictures:

Wow!  A sing along cassette recorder! Getting ready to sing. Belting one out there. The rock star hula girl.

It was a great party! I wish some of my own family was there to enjoy it (maybe next year *wink wink*).

:: Posted by rus on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:56 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Mon, 30 Jun 2008

June 2008 Photos
The June 2008 photo galleries for Berkeley, Eliana, and Olivia are now closed. We went picture happy in June as there were plenty of special events to document and record. The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:51 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Sat, 31 May 2008

May 2008 Photos
The May 2008 photo galleries for Berkeley, Eliana, and Olivia are now closed. We took quite a few pictures this past month (compared to April). The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Sat, 31 May 2008 9:54 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Wed, 07 May 2008

Hinckley Birth
I had the day off today while Kristy is at work. After I sent Berkeley and Eliana off to school, Olivia and Ebey and Emily traveled over to Overlake hospital to see Sorenson grandchild #38... Hinckley Kate Thurmond. Yes, you read that right; there are now 45 persons on this earth (35 on Kristy's side) that have legitimate claim to calling me "Uncle Rus". Here are the pictures of the new youngster:

Ebey holding Hinckley New baby Hinckley Kathy and daughter #3 The Thurmond family Another shot of Hinckley Asleep.

:: Posted by rus on Wed, 07 May 2008 11:34 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Sun, 04 May 2008

Sarah/Jonathan Kemp Wedding Pics
Kristy traveled to Ohio yesterday to attend the wedding of her oldest niece, Sarah. Sarah is the eldest daughter of Rick and Jill Sorenson. Rick is Kristy's oldest brother. Sarah and Jonathan (Kemp) met at BYU about 2 years ago and have been dating for about that long (as far as I understand). Sarah is majoring in Chemical Engineering and Jonathan is majoring in Journalism. I think they both graduate this summer.

Here are a few pictures Kristy took yesterday. The first group is a set that she took in and around the temple grounds of the LDS Columbus Ohio Temple (mouse over each picture for a brief description of the picture subject matter).

Tami, Rick, Bertha waiting for wedding to start. Sarah's wedding dress My niece Korey, age 15 My niece Ally, age 10 Kristy's oldest brother Rick and his family.

And here are a few of the newly married couple, Jonathan and Sarah Kemp.

Sarah and Jonathan Sarah and Jonathan Sarah and Jonathan Sarah and Jonathan The wedding cake(s).

And one of Kristy's Mom and Dad... Dick and Bertha:

Dick and Bertha enjoying the reception.

:: Posted by rus on Sun, 04 May 2008 11:50 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008


 
Wed, 30 Apr 2008

April 2008 Photos
The April 2008 photo galleries for Berkeley, Eliana, and Olivia are now closed. The galleries can be reviewed at Berkeley's web site, Eliana's web site, and Olivia's web site. Or just access the galleries directly using the following links:

:: Posted by rus on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:59 pm
:: Filed under /media/galleries/2008



         

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