Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 25 July 2010

Dear Family,

Mom and Dad arrived home safe and weary after a 1300 mile trip drive from Denver. 

Birthday Celebration - The 85th birthday of the Sorenson twins, Nile and Nilace, was a great event for all of us. Thanks to Lisa & Garth, who were the most gracious party hosts. Grandma’s side was represented by Mom, Dad, David, Jana, Mary Amelia, Rachel and Lydia. We all enjoyed the great weather, tasty food, joyful songs, stories of oldtimes, the giving of gifts and the precious time together. The next day after David and tribe left for Utah and before Grandma left for Washington, Uncle Nile and Aunt Charlene took us to lunch at the Olive Garden,

Great Worth - Although the time was short, it was wonderful to get portions of the Sorenson and Corless clans together. Mom & Dad enjoyed seeing and being with sons and daughters and the grandbuddies. Dad thinks he spent more time with Uncle Nile than ever before and counts it a precious gift.

ZOOderful - Oh yes. Papa and Nona went to the Denver Zoo with Ryan, Rachel, Mia and Lydia to see the animals and be awed by a few of God’s wonderous creations. 

Gratitudinous - Mom & Dad are grateful for: Garth & Lisa for hosting the party; David & Jana for coming and meeting us there; Ryan & Rachel for hosting all of us in their home; safe travel; . . . . Once again, Heavenly Father has blessed us all in great abundance.

We love you all,

Curious Mia

Sorenson Twins and Aunt Charlene

Mom & Dad

Corless Connection - Denver, Colorado 18 July 2010

Dear Family,


Safe Arrivals - Mom & Dad arrived Saturday in Denver just in time for lunch at Ryan & Rachel's after 1.5 days of driving the MKX across the miles and miles of Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska corn country. David, Jana & tribe arrived Saturday evening after 12 hours of driving from Ilinois. Today Dad & David picked up Grandma Sparks from the Denver Int'l Airport in the afternoon. We had a delicious dinner of "feijoada" with tossed and fruit salads and a Texan Brownie dessert. The temperature went down just enough to allow a pleasant walk on the paths accross Rachel and Ryan's apartment. It has been fun to see and talk with everyone and squeeze the grandbuddies. What a great blessing it is to be together.

Birthday Celebration - the highly anticipated Nile & Nilace 85th birthday party is scheduled for tomorrow evening.

Freedom - After waiting so long everything now is happening fast. Grandma is so happy to have sold her land and be free to do what she wants. She is planning to come to Michigan next weekend to purchase a condo. Mom & Dad are planning to leave to come back home on Friday.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

11 July 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Celebrate - We hope everyone had a great Independence Day celebration.  After a great hamburguer and fruit salad dinner complete with fireworks and lots of mosquitos on Sunday,  Monday,  Papa made a big pancake, egg, bacon and hash brown breakfast for Tyler Samantha, Olivia, Abby, Sarah, Michael, and Lara.  Michael took Lara to the movies and later Papa & Nona took Samantha & Olivia to see Toy Story 3.    It was a great way to escape the stifling heat.

See ya later - We bid farewell to Lara, Abby and Sarah on Friday afternoon. We enjoyed their stay with us. Papa will miss making porridge for Abby & Sarah and watchng “kid stuff” on TV with them in the morning. We had a delicious farewell dinner for Lara at California Pizza Kitchen with Ryan & Maureen (just back from Tennessee)and Jim & Vanessa and Michael, on Thursday.

Baseball - Papa attended and photographed Tyler in 3 of his baseball tournament games this week. 

Strep and Scarlet Fever - Thanks to medicine and rest Vanessa has mostly recovered from feeling lousy most of the week.

Seafood and Stroll - Papa & Nona went with Stebar’s to Marine City for a relaxing and delightful dinner and walk along the St. Clair river on Saturday evening.

World Cup - Mom is happy that Spain won over Holland in the finals.

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

California Pizza Kitchen Lara farewell Dinner

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 4 July 2010

Lunch Bunch Bench

Zoo Crew at the Bear Fountain

Michael making the catch

Dear Family,

Happy Independence Day! This is the day we celebrate a key step in Heavenly Father’s plan to restore of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. We are grateful for the Constitution of the United States of America and freedoms it establishes for us that we may worship as we see fit. 

EdZOOcation - Papa & Nona hosted an excursion to the Detroit zoo with Lara, Abby, Sarah, Joshua & Olivia. For photos see. http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100301

Just for Kicks - Our TV time was dominated by World Cup soccer, but our favorite team did not dominate and fell short. There is always next time - 2014 in Brazil!  However, the Corless/Kulka/Mills kick ball players dominated and won their game on Friday. Michael actually launched one over the fence for home run - something no one had ever seen done before. See  http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100319 for the stop action photos.

Just too Mulch - Yard was definitely spruced up with the addition of three Ranger loads (3 cu yds.) of red dyed wood chips in all the beds. Dad hauled them and Mom &  specially Michael placed and spread them just right.

Tennesseers - Ryan & Maureen & Tribe took Joshua Kulka to Maureen’s parents home in Knoxville, Tennessee for the holiday weekend and wedding reception for Maureen’s brother, Tony.

Ecliped - Mom & Dad went out for a Mexican dinner at Abuelo’s and later to see the lastest Twilight movie “Eclipse”. 

Biker Buddies - For the last three Saturdays mornings, Dad and Vanessa have enjoyed going on 10 mile bike rides with a mile long cool down walk through the neighborhoods of Clinton Twp.  

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad