Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 15 August 2010

Dear Family,

Inspiration & Perspiration - Inspired by kids and grandkids around us and working in the Temple.  Perspired by the very warm and very humid weather week.  We are all very grateful for family and air conditioning.

Cranbrooked - Papa & Nona hosted a lunch trip to the Cranbrook Institute of Science to take some photos and muse the special dinosaur skeleton collection and educational displays. Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100497

Mentor’s Memorial Morning - Mom & Dad attended the Memorial Service for Earl Mabery. It was a great tribute to an experienced engineer that Dad worked with and learned from at Ford for many years; as an excellent racquetball player, he taught Dad much in the court, too.  Dad will missed their weekly breakfast sprinkled with political and religion discussions.  Also, the service and following lucheon, was a wonderful opportunity to visit with several ex-coworkers that Dad has known for a few decades.

Dinner Disco Date - Mom & Dad had a tasty Mexican dinner at Abuelo’s and bowled in a Disco/Bowling alley with Jim, Vanesssa, Ryan, Maureen, Ryan, Rachel and Michael & Melanie. It was a challenge to bowl with flashing colored lights and music videos in the eyes and pulsating beat of the music in the ears. Jim had the guy’s high score and Mom was the lady’s high scorer.

Sports ‘R’ Us - Hockey and kick ball topped the family sport’s week.  Preston, Joshua and Jacob coached by Jim did better this week in their two team “under 8” roller hockey league. Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100480  The family kick ballers of Vanessa, Ryan & Michael won both games of a tournament doubleheader on Friday and will be in the championship game next week. Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100487 

Old Scouter - Ryan invited Dad to bring his scout memorabilia and tell a few stories about his scouting experience to North Shores troop of scouts as part of the 100th anniversary of Scouting in the USA.

Love y’all,

Action shot of the week - Michael dives for one!

Mom & Dad 

Hreinsons with the "Flying Turtle"

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 8 August 2010

Dear Family,

Safe Arrivers - Ryan, Rachel, Mia and Lydia arrived on Wednesday afternoon and it has been a party ever since. There was a pulled-pork dinner with Wii games at Ryan & Maureen’s on Friday evening; a surprise, early birthday, pizza party for Rachel with games at Jim & Vanessa’s on Saturday;  and on Sunday afternoon, we had a chicken and pasta dinner and games at Papa & Nona’s.

Zoopedition II - The hot & humid weather gave way to a beautiful day to visit the zoo, which, included a great show put on by the unusualy activate Polar Bears. Dad got a photo of a Kangaroo in mid hop with Ryan & Mia in the background.  http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100472

Roller Hockey - Dad photographed Joshua, Preston & Jacob playing hockey together on Saturday morning. Jim was the coach assited by Tyler with Ryan & Vanessa adding positive parental support from the bleachers.

Temple Tuesday - It is never a dull moment for Mom & Dad, who were trained to be able work in the Baptistry.

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Mother & Daughter

Rachel & Ryan

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 1 August 2010

Dear Family,

Mover - Grandma Sparks came for a quick visit to find and buy a condo, which she is now in the process of purchasing. It is a beautiful home with two bedrooms, a den/library, two car garage, and a full basement. It is at the SW corner of Ryan & 19 Mile roads. We are anticipating her move to Michigan as soon as she is able to get her matter and matters organized enough to move - probably in early September. Photos of the condo are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100375

Itchy - Michael has almost fully recovered from his two-week-long vicious skirmish with Poison Ivy. He still gets itchy with the heat and perspiration, but is much better now. He has thoroughly enjoyed the return of his close friend Ryan Drake from his mission. It has been a great and joyful reunion for them.

Home Again - Mom watched Preston, Jacob and Sophia on Monday while Maureen safely returned from her short trip to California. Dad helped Ryan get the new and slightly too big sofa in the basement and add a few more finishing touches to the basement project. It is a really nice place to be.

Zoo-pedition - Friday morning, Papa & Nona took Samantha, Joshua, Preston, Jacob and Olivia to the Detroit Zoo to visit our favorite animal exhibits including the butterflies, river otters, birds, Reptile House, Arctic Circle of Life - polar bears, treeroos, penguins and Amphibianville. We all survived and even enjoyed the stroll in the zoo thanks, in part, to the great, sunny and not too hot weather. Photos of our expedition are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100445

That's the Ball Game - Along with a few of the grandbuddies, Mom and Dad watched the kick ball game featuring: Ryan, Vanessa, Maureen and Michael as the "star" players. The most exciting part of the game was Michael's game-tying home run, which was due to his speedy base running and a few defensive errors. Season photos with several stop action shots are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100283

Hockey - Saturday morning, Papa, after his 10 mile bike with Vanessa, took Joshua to the roller hockey game where they met up with Ryan, Preston and Jacob  It was fun to watch the little guys play hockey with oversized jerseys, all the pads and helmets firmly in place and, somewhat randomly, whacking at the puck with their sticks. Photos are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100438

Seafood & Friends - Saturday evening, Mom & Dad relaxed for a couple of hours in the company of the Stebar's while enjoying a  delicious seafood dinner at Big Fish.  It was a wonderful evening mixed with a dab of commiserating and a lot of laughing and sharing - good for the soul! Thanks to Heavenly Father for friends and family.

 

Love y'all,

Mom & Dad

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