Count Your Blessings

This year was a Thanksgiving first for us--just our little family for Thanksgiving.  That was not as it was planned, but it was a nice treat.

We were supposed to go to the Tri-Cities for Thanksgiving.  With Marsha sick, I was going to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the family so she wouldn't need to worry about it.  We had planned a menu together when we were in the Tri-Cities for Tanner's state XC meet.  I had prepared a lot of the food up front and was just taking it in coolers to then cook there the day before and the day of Thanksgiving.

Marsha was in between her 6th and 7th chemo treatments.  They were taking a lot out of her.  As Thanksgiving approached she just was not getting her strength back enough to have visitors so we opted to stay at home so she could rest up for her next treatment and not worry about me rattling around in her kitchen.  Though I was looking forward to using her Cutco knives...

It was a pretty stress-free day since most of the work was already done.  Carson got his wish - a whole turkey sitting in the middle of the table waiting to be carved like Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving Picture.  Of course all the food wouldn't fit on the table, the rest of the food we had to dish from the buffet before we sat down.

Since I was cooking for two times the number of people we had, I didn't have to cook for the whole week following the holiday.  Everything turned out delicious!  So delicious people didn't mind all the leftovers, which is pretty amazing around our house.  We'll have to take a rain check for Thanksgiving in the Tri-Cities.  Maybe next year when Marsh is feeling better and finished with her chemo treatments.  This Thanksgiving we are especially grateful that she is doing so well and only has two more treatments to go.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tanner's 2011 Cross Country Season

Tanner had another amazing cross country season this fall - the last of his high school career.  He matured as a runner and made everyone work harder to keep up with him.  There were even times where no one could keep up with him.  Tanner really wanted to get a personal record every race this season.  That is easier said than done.  He did set four personal records (each noted by an * below) and improved his time from the end of last season to the end of this season by 25 seconds.  WOW!

2011 Season - 12th Grade
3 Mile
	10		16:16.69	Oct 1	38th Annual Sunfair In...
5,000 Meters
	4		16:26	Sep 9	Run-a-Ree
	1	*	16:21	Sep 20	Union @ Skyview
	4	*	16:20.57	Sep 24	Nike Pre-Nationals
	2		17:17	Sep 27	Evergreen vs Union / C...
	2		16:29	Oct 4	GSHL league Union Heri...
	41	*	16:16	Oct 15	Concordia Puma Classic
	3		16:40	Oct 19	GSHL 4A District Champ...
	11		16:24.2	Oct 29	Westside Classic
	37	*	16:13.0	Nov 5	WIAA 4A State Champion..

Nike Pre-Nationals at Portland Meadows
"Union is taking this race with Tanner Sork in the lead followed by Roman Kirkov"

Tanner entering the finish shoot at the Nike Pre-National Meet

Finalist Finish

Tanner and Roman took turns leading the pack this year.  Tanner gained more confidence in himself and in his ability to run his own race.  Tanner finished the season ahead of Roman placing 37th at state over Roman's 82nd place.  Tanner really wanted to make it into Border Clash, but needed a sub 16:00 at state to qualify - bummer.

Tanner leading the race on the XC course he designed
for his Senior Project and his Eagle Project for Union High School.

Union High Schools XC Men

XC Seniors and Coaches
L to R: Laurene Stepan, Roman Kirkov, Tanner Sork, Zach Lemberg, Miranda Taylor and Scott Eschels

We hosted a team dinner before one of the meets.  I made at least 8 quarts of pasta sauce and boiled 9 pounds of spaghetti noodles.  The team brought side dishes, bread and desserts.  There was not a drop of pasta left.  It was fun to have the team hang out together, visit and play games in our backyard.

Of course that meant everyone knew where to find Jeffie the Jeep for pranks throughout the season.  I think at least one of the girls on the team was sweet on Tanner.

Tanner was appointed team captain again this year and awarded "Most Improved" by the team for all of his personal records.

The Starting Line
Hudson's Bay Run-a-Ree
Tanner's the one with the blue K-tape on his shins

The Finish Line
Hudson's Bay Run-a-Ree

The Awards Stand
11th Place of 132
4A Boys Regional Meet in Tacoma, WA

The Fan Club
(Well, a portion of it anyway)

Veteran's Day

A big THANK YOU to all the veterans out there.  The Sork family appreciates what you have done on our behalf to preserve our freedoms and keep us safe.

Boy Scout Troop 309 Honoring the veterans at the Waterford Retirement Center

The national anthem was played by youth in our ward on their trumpets.

The color guard of BSA Troop #309

Presenting the colors

Carson Becomes a Life Scout

One of the benefits of having older brothers is having someone to help you with all your merit badges.  Carson worked really hard this year and set a goal to get his life scout award by the time he turned 13.  He completed his requirements by his birthday and was awarded his badge at the November court of honor.  With three life scouts in the house, I wonder who is going to get their Eagle first?

Halloween at the Sorks

Halloween at the Sorks - there is no way to describe it.  Ask Eric and you will get a totally different perspective than if you ask Keri.  Maybe we will find a happy medium someday...

House by Eric

Costumes by Keri

Justice League Heroes - Superman and Flash

Vampress

"Velcome to our home."

McKenna is our last trick-or treater.  She was all set to be a little zombie girl, but when I got the make-up and hair all done for that she said it was too scary and ugly so we had to start over after the tears were dry.  Good thing we have an extensive costume box with lots of wigs and jewelry.  We went quickly from zombie to goth all in time enough to scare her brother who couldn't find the Halloween spirit this year and meet up with her friends for trick-or-treating.

L to R:  Sage McKague, Emily Young, Elizabeth and Rachel Zundel, McKenna
Cassidy Dustin, Jennifer Watson and Lauren Kartchner

Hello Kitty, Mardis Gras Queen and Vampress