Football Season

It's football season, baby, and even the non-football-loving Sorensons are getting in on the act. Last night, Ellie and her friends went to the very first football game of Independence High School (Jack's school). Jack couldn't attend, because he and Jared were busy leaving the high life in a suite at the Redskins game (thanks, Uncle Ben!). Kicking off the season right!


Jack and his cousins Michael and Spencer at the Redskins Game

Football at Independence High School

First Day of School!

Not gonna lie - it was the 9th circle of hell this first day of school at the Sorenson house. There were tears and tantrums and zits and styes and chaos. And don't even get me started on the kids' problems! ;-) But they are off to 7th and 9th grades and the school year is upon us! Happy first day of school, you awesome kids!


I always say - there's no better way to kick off high school than an eye stye

7th Grade, here we come!

And what is that I see? A handsome high schooler!

Jack and his buddy Jacob, heading off to High School Infamy

Oliver just wasn't impressed by first-day-chaos

Everything's Better At the Lake

Let me share a universal truth with you - everything is better at the lake.

Long car rides with complaining kids is just a little less torturous when you know you're heading to the lake.

Tween drama (oh, the drama) is just a little more tolerable when you're at the lake.

And a gaggle of siblings, nieces, and nephews is just a little less chaotic when you're at the lake.

So keep that in mind next time you take your kids, some siblings, some nieces and nephews, and a friend or two for a last hurrah before the start of school - it's all just a little bit better at the lake.



The four-hour car drive to Smith Mountain Lake of course required a snack/potty/sanity break.

Isn't that pretty?

Our man Jack. Shortly after this photo was taken, he was run over by a kayak. No worries, he's all good - it's all good at the lake, after all.

I'm not going to mention who ran him over. I'll just share this photo with you, because, well, just for fun. Ahem.

Ellie and her bestie Lauren loved the kayaks - they are more my speed as well, and Jared even managed to get me out the last morning for a 7am kayak ride.

They had a cool swing that all the kids used with minimal injury.

Go, Jack, go!

Our first big boat ride was with a bunch of the girls - in this photo you're seeing Kim and her daughters Kate and Allie, as well as Peter & Robyn's daughter Paige.

Go, girls, go!

Then it was Ellie and Lauren's turn. I can't tell you how many photos I had to take of those girls. Other than a LOT.

There they go!

Even Jared took a break from his captain duties to take a ride.

Then it was time for the boys - you're seeing Jack, John & Remi's sons Craig and Robert, and Ben & Kim's sons Michael and Spencer. Peter & Robyn's son Ryan was somewhere around there.

See what I mean about all the tween photos?

And there they go!

Jared in his element.

Craig and Jack did great.

Now they're just showing off.

We also took a ride over to the state park, where they have a little beach. The girls loved it.

They even had an ice cream boat there! How awesome is that!

Ellie was all about the tricks - just how does she do that?

Giddy-up!

And she's up!

Lauren did great, too.

And her share of tricks.

Ah, the lake.


Now it's time to get ready for school. Oh, the drama! But don't worry, everything is better at the .... oh wait, we're not at the lake anymore. Dang.

When Selfies Attack

When your daughter gets a hold of your phone, this is what happens...

Don't worry, I deleted the videos, which included a rather raunchy version of Carpool Karaoke.