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

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 27 June 2010

Dear Family,

Grandbuddies - While Maureen and Little Rex attended her brother’s wedding in California, Papa & Nona watched Preston, Jacob and Sophia during the day. We went to the pool once and to the zoo one afternoon with them. One day Papa took them for a bike ride. Good news - there was 100% survival rate of grandbuddies and Papa & Nona.

World Cup Soccer - We all have been watching as many games as we can this week. Dad would text the scores to Michael at work so he could update his Mexican co-workers.  Brazil and the USA both went on the “Knock Out Round” of the top 16 teams. But the USA lost on Saturday ending their bid for the cup. Brazil plays tomorrow (Monday). 

Projects - The work continues on Ryan’s basement with the repair of the nail gun compressor and the installation of more trim and paneling. Holli and Papa took the week off of the chest of drawers - Daniel, Holli and family went on a vacation. Grandpa Corless was happy to report they had visited him for a couple of hours. 

Condo Hunters - Grandma Sparks’ land is scheduled to be sold by July 7th and Mom & Dad are looking, via the internet, at some very nice Condos for her to buy and set up a summer residence in Michigan. 

Stake Youth Conference -  Friday afternoon, Dad taught six 25 minute classes to about 20 of the stake’s youth each time.  The topic was “I Nephi 10:17”- See, Hear, and Know. 

Samantha’s Birthday Party - On Saturday, the now 12 year old Samantha, invited the family to celebrate her birthday  with pizza and swimming.  The weather was just right and everyone had a great time.  She is so excited to go to girl’s camp next week. Go Sam!

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

CORESS CONNECTION - Streling Heights, Michigan 20 June 2010

Dear Family,

Bad news - Good News - The week started with Jim’s Birthday. Unfortunately, Jim got food poisoning and was sick the whole week. On a more positive note Lara, Abby and Sarah arrived on Monday from Denver and the party began with Ryan & Maureen and their tribe. Pizza, canoe rides, campfire and the water fountain provided the food and entertainment. 

Pool Party - Papa actually went swimming with the grandbuddies in the Partridge Creek pool. There was food, fun and sunburns.

Wild Life - Abby & Sarah went on a wildlife observation expedition with Papa in the canoe. They saw seven turtles and two baby ducks.  

Anniversary - Saturday marked Mom & Dad’s 39th wedding anniversary. The celebration included a Tuscan Grill dinner at “Brio” with Jim, Vanessa, Ryan, Maureen, Lara & Michael. Dinner was followed by two games of Bocci (right there at Partridge Creek), boys vs. girls - the girls won both games.  There was a band playing  and we listended and some (Ryan/Maureen, Michael/Vanessa) danced to the music as the sun set.  It was a wonderful evening!

Matter Organised Projects - Holli and Dad worked on the chest of drawers, which is getting close to the staining/finishing phase. Dad helped Ryan install the cabinets and the baseboards in the basement on Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon. Soon it will be time for carpeting.

Church - Our Stake had a Special Stake Conference for no special occasion, (except that there was a training session for bishops in Ann Arbor with Elder Bednar on Saturday, and a member of the quorum of 70’s attended our Sunday meeting) but it was nice - except for the cooling in the building which was not functioning and made it very uncomfortable for everyone.

Happy Father’s Day - Papa was honored after church with a dinner by the family.  The Grandbuddies got another canoe ride to visit the turtles and baby ducks in the pond.

Love ya, Mom & Dad

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 13 June 2010

Dear Family,

Another event filled week.

Pleasant to the Eye - Mom & Dad planted more flowers in the yard and looks nice. Our painter/philosopher “Vic” painted the whole outside of the house and parts of the inside - it looks really nice again. Friday, Mom & Dad went to St. Clair to walk along the river and have dinner witht the Stebar’s.  It was a very beautiful and pleasant time.

Project Progress - Dad helped Holli with the chest of drawers project on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. It is almost ready for finishing with the drawers in and the oak exterior attached - it looks good. Dad helped Ryan install more paneling in the basement on Saturday - it will be ready for carpeting very soon. Dad replaced a rotted board on the deck and stained it and fixed the collapsed bed in Rachel’s room.

Cough Counsel - Dad met with another doctor who indicated what he is doing is the right medical regime to follow, but it may take months to clear up.

Service - Mom has been very involved with Relief Society - Activity Night preparation and execution; listening to the sisters; visiting new mothers; preparing for Father’s Day.   Mom & Dad are still learning to more fully serve in the Temple every Tuesday evening. Mom translated another missionary lesson from English to Spanish for Manuela.

Baptism - Preston is now eight years old and was baptised today by his father. There was a family party afterwards.  It was fun to play games and eat together.  Everyone seems to have had a great time.  Congratulations, Preston!

Love ya, 

Mom & Dad