Mortensen Munchkins

First Day of School 2011!

2011-08-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hugs from Dad!

They Grow Up so fast!

After a long wait to find somewhere to park we finally made it into the school! Christopher's class room was our first stop!

This Year he is in 1st Grade and Has Mrs. J Mack!

Dani was next she is so excited to have Mrs. Lindblom & Ms. Katherine!! Ms. Kathrine was her teachers aide last year!

Alex is super excited about learning how to use a circuit in Mrs. Wyatt's 4th grade class!

Ellie could barely wait for Pre-School to start! Mrs. Mill's otherwise known as Sister Mills & Kiersten's Mom! She just started her preschool and we feel incredible blessed to have her teach Ellie!

Play Day with Dad!

2011-08-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

This morning Rich had the day off & the kids start school in 2 day's so we played!

First thing on the agenda was the ZOO!

We petted the Sting Ray's

... and fed them too!

They swim over your hand and suck the fish or shrimp right out of your fingers!

The kids love to pet them because

they are so velvety soft!

It was Rich's first time to Sting Ray Bay!

The kids all got good & wet.....

SO what if they smelled like FISH!

The Tiger was out and about!

The Rhino's were just laying low!

The kids got up close & Personal

with one of the Baboons

We even got a good look at the Cheetah's

and the African Wild Dog's!

We stopped and let the kids cool off in the Caves....

Before we stopped to look at the

Orangutans, the Birds,

the Gibbon's,

the Pelican's, and.....

The Komodo Dragon's! All before 10 a.m.!

Later in the afternoon, after it started to cool off, we went to see The Smurfs with the kids! I think Rich & I enjoyed it more then the kids did! Best line...

"I kissed a smurf and I liked it!" ~ Smurfette

(voiced by Katy Perry) It made me smile!

Sweet Babies!

2011-08-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

Today we got to play with not one but both of my little nieces! They are both 1 and it was so fun to watch them play together! They discovered my hangers and it didn't take long before the hangers were....

all over the floor!

Callie!

J'Len!

2011-08-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

Today we went and watched Kung Fu Panda 2 at the dollar movies!

When we got home Chris had a package from Grandma Hatch a late birthday gift!

Lego's

Sock's! He was so excited!

Underwear and more LEGO'S!!!

He was a very happy boy!

Halloween Face Paint in July!

2011-07-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight on the way to family dinner we watched a Monsoon Dust Storm roll in!

20 minutes later in came the rain! The kids what a blast playing in it with their cousins.

This is our niece Callie she is so dang adorable! I had to share this cute picture of her!

This Sunday Hailey found some Halloween Face Paint and painted every one's faces! The KIDS LOVED IT!

Chris & Colten

Carter

Ty, Dani, & Ellie

.... and of course Wii

.... and coloring

.....tonight was the last Cousin night of the summer!

Raining!

2011-07-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

We love the sudden rain storms that pop up here in the Valley of the SUN! The kids went out and jumped on the trampoline first and then came out front for a few minutes!

In & Out they went! Even getting our lab Ginger to run with them!

Gotta love the blue sky's and pouring rain!

Cheesecake!

2011-07-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight Rich & I joined Tyre & John with four of their friends for dinner on National Cheese Cake Day at the Cheesecake Factory in Chandler. We had a really nice time. There was good conversation, great food, and
AMAZING CHEESECAKE!

Among the Cheesecake slices we had at the table ~ Turtle, Chocolate Coconut, Lemon Rasberry, Resses, and Red Velvet!

Our first experience at The Cheesecake Factory.... We will be back!

Last Day....

2011-07-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

We all slept in this morning, then went to see Judy Moody and the not so bummer summer at the Picture show. Then back to the resort to play in the pool again and grill some goodness!

In they go...

Underwater Puppet show!

Then BINGO!

and the Disneyland Fireworks from the roof!

After fighting all week about who was going to sleep in the Twin beds they all fell asleep on the pull out! What a nice way to spend the last night in CA.... Together!

Downtown Disney!

2011-07-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

The first matter of business this morning was the search for Rich's cell phone! We cleaned out & organized the truck, and went through the room and still no phone.... We did find it about three hours later... on the side of the FREEWAY! Where it had fallen out of the car when we switched drivers last night! We feel extremely lucky & blessed to have found it, and it was unscathed to boot!

Then we took the kid's to Downtown Disney to look at the shops and have lunch!

Including the LEGO store!

The Disney Store, Build a Bear, and the build your own remote control car shop! Lunch was next on the agenda and the kids picked The Rain Forest Cafe....

We had a nice lunch and the kids LOVED the cups.... but Mom & Dad weren't to happy about the BILL!

OUCH!

Back to the resort for some fun in the pool!

We finished off the evening with delivery pizza!

Tide Pools!

2011-07-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

This morning was a great morning! We got the kids up early, fought the traffic, got lost and finally found the Tide Pools! The kids had a great time walking from rock to rock and searching for "Sea Critters"

Do you see anything?

This was the smallest starfish we found, it was also the most colorful! We saw lots of starfish some were the size of a dinner plate it was really cool!

Ellie touched one!

Dani

The Tide was starting to come back in.....

Sweet Christopher!

Hermit Crab on the loose!

What a great view!

On the way back we bumped in Carter & Michelle.

Rich helped Carter touch a starfish too!

Can you find the two crabs?

There is one on the left and one on the right!

Carter lost his shoe... but Alex saved it before it got washed out to sea!

The harbor was full of boats!

The best picture of a crab all day!

Grandpa & the "Triplet's" ~ Dani, Bridget, & Lindsey

Family Service Project!

The Christensen Clan planted four trees for Dana State beach!

Campsite fun!

The Lifeguard got his Jeep High Centered in the sand..... Rich to the rescue!

The on lookers!

Andrew & Two of the Hege Triplets!

We went to the Pier.... I tried and failed at boogie boarding! After about two hours the kids were all tired and ready to leave. The boy's were cold and decided to take naps on a pile of huge rocks! I of course forgot my camera in the car! That night we celebrated Char's birthday! We ended up having three cakes! Rich & I got one, Gloria got another, and Kevin & Mel picked up the third! I guess we should have coordinated a little better! But it all got eaten!

Happy Birthday Char!

Dani & Bridget played slap jack!

I won Settlers of Catan for the FIRST time ever!

We finished the night with a few minutes down at the beach watching the tide come in.... What a great end to the Christensen Reunion!

Adventures with Grandma

2010-08-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today Mom and I took the kids to the Zoo..... our first stop the potty! What were you expecting? LOL With four kids there is always someone who needs a bathroom!

Then we went to the new Komodo Dragon exhibit called "Land of the Dragons". It was really neat, they have two and they are HUGE! There was a lot of information to.... like did you know that they can run up to 12 miles an hour! Or that they don't have to have both sexes to procreate! It's called parthenogenesis!

Then we saw the Elephant.

The orangutan's.

Baby Kasih is getting so big!

The Rhinoceros Hornbill's The last time we saw them the had a baby in the tree who was almost ready to come out. This trip was no exception! They had another baby in the tree! You can only see the beak of the baby because they have it encased in the tree until it gets big enough to come out. The baby we saw last year was in a separate cage near the parents.

Alex taking a break from walking and enjoying the view, we watched

the Gibbon Monkey's.

While we were in The monkey village we watched a Squirrel Monkey catch a cricket and eat it, the other monkeys were not happy that he didn't share!

There were a lot of flowers

in bloom around the zoo.

Parrots

Hopping good time at the Zoo!

Insert Monkey noises!

Petty talented there Chris!

The Wallaby's

My Sweet Girls!

My Handsome boy's

Water Lilly

I felt like this Peacock!!! I just wanted some where cool to rest! He had dug himself a little hole to lay in the moist dirt.

They were "pretending" to be scared of the giant spider on the roof! Haa haa I think they might need acting lesson's!

Cool Chris!

As we were leaving Alex says hey remember this old tree stump! Let's take our picture on it again!

I have always loved these two paintings on one of the buildings so this trip I took pictures of them!

After we left the Zoo we stopped at McDonald's on the way home and after they had finished their lunch (They thought I was the meanest mom ever!) They got to play on the play place for a while. This is the "I went down the green slide dance" Ellie was doing! So stinking cute that one!

Today Mom wanted to take the kids for Cupcakes! So we went in search of a bakery that sells cupcakes! We found one in Mesa it's called Sugar Lips, and their cupcakes were super Yummy! I borrowed this first picture from their website!

http://www.sugarlipscakery.com/

These were the cupcakes they

had for sale today!

Our selection's! The boy's got the one's w/ the sprinkles, Dani got a Strawberry & Chocolate swirl cupcake w/ a chocolate moose frosting, Ellie went all vanilla, Mom got a chocolate cupcake w/ the vanilla buttercream, and I had to go w/ the chocolate cake with the fudge frosting.

Dani tasted hers one finger full first!

Ellie went strait for the icing!

Chris took his nice and slow

and enjoyed every nibble!

Alex ate his in such a hurry that

he got frosting on his hat!

Near the end of her cupcake Dani couldn't take it anymore & shoved the rest in her mouth! Look at the happy face!

Ellie ate all the frosting, and was slowly eating the cake, we finally decided to let her take it in the car! But But then she wouldn't let me take her picture! She was to occupied with the cupcake!

So Alex gave me a helping hand!

I love my kids! I Love that they love to dance! Even if it is in public places! Like today at lunch when Ellie and Chris couldn't help but groove with the music at Long John Silvers! They are always surprising me and I wouldn't want it any other way! Ellie and Chris getting down!

She just realized I was taking her picture!

Hope you had a great day today kiddo's!!!! I love you!

In AWE!!!!!!

2010-08-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

TYREL IS THE FIRST FEATURED MONSTER ON THE LADY GAGA / VIRGIN MOBIL WEBSITE!!!!!!! FOR THE PHOENIX CONCERT!!!!!!!!!

WOW WOW WOW!

I can't stop looking at it! What more can a proud sister do then post it on her blog! Love you Ty!!!! You are so amazingly talented!

http://ladyvirgin.com/gallery.php?id=4c57697e0c127

This is John, Tyrel's significant other, he looked great too so I had to share his picture with you as well!

Brains & Braun!

2010-07-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

For the last few day's I have been working hard on the cakes for the boy's birthday party today!

This is the cake half done!

Looks like a brain to me!

25 Marshmallow guns ready to go!

Christopher's cake completely dirty iced!

It's getting closer to being done!

The done brain cake, eyeball cupcakes, and brain cupcakes! They were a

huge hit at the party!

The Tank is ready for battle!

Starting to look like a party!

Rich starting to paint the guns! We let the kids pick 2 or 3 colors out of the five we bought and Rich painted them in a camo pattern! The kids all LOVED it!!!!!!

Two of the guns drying!

They look awesome!

Look at all the "battle gear"!!!!

Great Job Rich!

We did several science experiments one

of which was the volcano!

We also did the Mento's & Dt. Coke fountain, and dancing raisin's!

The Party Crew! Ready to go inside

and open the presents.

Aimee brought some "boogers"...... Eeeewwwwwwe! The kids loved it!

Chris is so happy and can't

wait to eat his cake!!!!

I love the way the brain came out!

It looked awesome!

Good Job Alex!!

After the cake & Ice cream they were off to the races on the obstacle course! Rich was trying to get the kids around on the tire swing all by himself but couldn't keep up so Grandpa Hatch stepped in and helped make some of the trips around!

Go Lindsay & Dani!!

Hang on Sid!

Look at that line!

Run Rich!

Alex got really high this time around!

So did Micah!

Hang on Sid and James!!

Look at Grandpa in the background!

He fell and got pulled & spun across the grass a little ways! Hang on Grandpa!!!

Then we started the Marshmallow gun battle! Here are the "girls"

Clockwise: Bridget, Dani, & Lindsay

This ended up being the best spot to shoot the Adults from! LOL Rich and Matt (Micah's Dad) we battling with them!

Books

2010-07-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

Today Ellie fell asleep on the couch reading a book! I love how much

my kids are into books!

Cub scouts & Rain

2010-07-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

Alex is his cub scout uniform! He looks so handsome! Today they went to peter piper pizza and got to make their own pizza's. He had a good time! When he a home he bought home a box with his "leftovers" in it..... all crust! It made me giggle.

Tonight it POURED rain! the kids had a blast running in it and were not happy when we made them come it... to much lightening to be playing in the rain!

Peaka tried to eat the rain as it came off the house! Silly dog! The bunnies spent the night in the shower! The kids were afraid they would get to wet outside and be cold!

Kids playing in the rain!

Movies & Lizards

2010-07-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to see "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" on Monday morning. They were so excited to get to go to the movie with Mom & Dad! Ellie Did her own hair! She had 11 bobby pins in it!

We were a little early for the movie so we walked around the mall and the kids wanted to have a picture with this bunny for Grandpa Hatch to see!!

Some of the movie posters.....

I finally took the time to find out what kind of Lizard Alex caught on July 5th in ShowLow. She is a

MADREAN ALLIGATOR LIZARD

She can get up 5.5" from snout to vent, the original tail is usually more than twice the length of the body. She eats a variety of insects including grasshoppers, caterpillars, and moths. It also feeds on scorpions.This species has lived to over 15 years of age in captivity.

So we may be in for a long haul!

You have to admit........ she is a

pretty cool looking lizard!

Alex's Lesson

2010-07-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

Today Alex had his first real experience with the Holy Ghost. His cousin had lost her $3.00 and had looked all over the cabin for it. She was really upset about losing it and was in tears. She asked Alex if he knew where it was, and Alex said "No" But then a few minutes later I found him sitting in the car crying. He said to me " I can't take it anymore!"......... "I found her money, but didn't know who's it was, I put it in my pants pocket and now they are packed and I can't get the money out!" we talked about what he was feeling, why he was feeling that way, why he hadn't told her the truth, and what he should do about it. He was still crying after we borrowed $3.00 from his Daddy to give back to Hailey. It was so touching to watch him give the money back to her, tell her what happened, what he was feeling, and apologize! I have never been prouder of him then I was this morning! It's hard to make things right when you know that you have done something wrong. I LOVE YOU ALEX!

Bed Nabbers

2010-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

This is what if found when I went to

go to bed last night! The kids

took over my bed!!!!!

They started like this and....

Ended up like this! They were all

laying the same way this morning!

I thought it was cute!

It's a good thing that we have a comfy guest bed! I did steal my pillow from Ellie! She's little, so it didn't bother her! LOL

Fourth of July Weekend

2010-07-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

We attempted to take the kids to the firing of the anvil on Sat. morning...... but we were a little slow and missed it! So they settled for breakfast at Trapper's instead!

Biscuits and Gravy!

Ellie marching to the music at the patriotic program! Go Ellie Go!

Dani & Grandpa Hatch

L to R : Grandpa, Chris, Alex, Rich, Grandma, Dani, Rana, & Ellie

Uncle Lynn & Aunt Sarita were put into the Town of Taylor Hall of fame for all of the service they have given over the years.

My cute Kids!

It was a little windy!

But I still like this picture!

Mom & Dad

Mom, Rich, & I were playing Yahtzee and mom had one of the blue tootsie pops! I told her she looked very patriotic!

Red, White & Blue!

Aries was enjoying her snuggle with mom.

We took the kids to the Rodeo and Fireworks that night. We were super lucky that Lyndee had extra seats! Otherwise we would have been standing for the entire thing!!!!!

Thanks again Lyndee!!!!

During the fireworks they had music playing and at one point "God Bless The USA" started playing and the entire crowd started singing! Let me say that there is nothing like being in a small town surrounded by a THOUSAND PLUS people singing "I'm proud to be an American!" It gave me chills and still does every time I think about it! I LOVE BEING AN AMERICAN AND I LOVE THIS LAND!!!!!!

Alex's tooth was so loose it was hanging lower then the others! I told him he looked like a Hillbilly!

Sunday Morning Rich & I took a walk, before the kids got up, we only got as far as Aunt Sarita's but we had a nice visit with her and got to hear her baby chicks pecking and cheaping inside their eggs! He flowers were beautiful as usual and I had to take a few pictures!

Later after Mom and Dad left for church we were just about to go to ShowLow to spend the day with Rich's family. While I was in search of mom's broom I found Lizzy, mom's Corgi, chewing on Rich's fishing line! I guess she thought the nasty dried up worm looked tasty! Only problem was that now she had the hook stuck in her tongue! So I was off to get mom from church! After several phone calls we ended up giving her a "Puppy Valium" waiting 45 mins and then Rich & Dad used several tools to cut the hook and then pull it out! Dang dog! So instead of being in ShowLow by 10 it was closer to 4! LOL

Gavin & Mike While we were playing cards Sunday Night.

Fun morning... great afternoon... rough evening!

2010-07-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

I went to ShowLow with April to get her nails done and decided to get my nails done as well! This was the first time I have had my nails done in over 8 years! I stopped having them done when I was pregnant with Alex, but now that my "baby" is three I think it is time to start treating myself a little!

April gets hers started!

This is what my nails used to look like! BUT NOT ANYMORE!! But I forgot to take a picture of the new look!

Then I had April drop me off at Wal-Mart so I could wander with Jessica. Then Mom came up and met us for lunch! We went to a new place that just opened. They had pretty good food, we ordered three things and split them all! Jess wanted Carrot cake so we ordered that too! She is over due and we know that if baby J'Len doesn't come today she will be coming in the morning Via C-section!

Jess had the first bite!

She didn't want me to take her picture so she was trying to hide!

After I picked up the kids from the cabin and saw rich off, he had to go home, we went to Aunt Sarita's to see her new baby chicken's! They were just one day old! The kids thought that they were so CUTE!! We took Beckie & Lindsay with us. Theses pictures are from when they were a few day's old but just as cute!

After the kids got to see the chicken's we went back to mom's house and the kids we all playing outside when Ellie fell right into a fire ant pile! She had between 15 -18 bites all over her chest, neck, and arms. As soon as she walked into the house I had the thought come to me"give her a benadryl. So I gave her a half. For the next 45 mins she screamed non stop! We tried everything we could think of to

make her feel better!

Then I made a few phone calls to friend's, the husband is an EMT, and he recommended that I take her to the hospital, he was out of town and couldn't look at her, but they all so said that they had a friend who was on call at the

local fire department and he said I

could bring her by.

The EMT said that he thought she would be fine but that she was allergic to the ant's and that if I hadn't given her the medicine then we would have been at the hospital. He said to watch her breathing and make sure that she didn't show any signs of distress. And that if she did then we needed to take her to the ER as

quickly as possible or call 911!

Yeah I didn't sleep much that night!

July 2, 2010 Ellie's 3rd Birthday!

2010-07-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

What a day Ellie had!

It started with a bath with all her new ducks and her new duck towel!

A special treat from her primary teacher!

Super cute hair for my super cute girl!

She got to pick where we met Daddy for Lunch.... there was not a moment of hesitation Taco Bell!

Ellie LOVES her Daddy!

Worn out from a day full of fun!

I love you my sweet girl You are a bright ray of sunshine! I can't wait to see what you are going to bring to this world!!!

July is here!

2010-07-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Ty brought by theses super cute shoes!!!! I get to use them, wear them, etc.... He just needs them for Halloween 2011!!! LOL Look close they have teeth, fangs, blood, hair, and eye's!!!!! LOVE THEM!!!

Chris and I got to run errands just him and I this afternoon! It was nice to have some one on one time with him! He was "STARVING" his words when we got to sam's club so I got him a hot dog and he inhaled it!

Such a sweet boy! I think this is the "I'm getting all the goodies!" look. He had already gotten a soda and gummy worms! So he got a little spoiled!

Nothing like an Arizona Sunset!

Sunday

2010-06-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

I got the camera out today to take a few pictures of my kiddo's all dressed for Church. Somehow Dani evaded the camera!

CHEESE!

I love this little girl!

What a handsome young man!

I love this picture of Alex! It speaks volumes about him and his personality! He loves this vest! He wants to wear it every week! Even when it is 110 outside!!!!! He has a classic sense of taste.

PEACE!

My Topher!

Look at that mischievous grin!

Ellie's Birthday Party!

2010-06-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

I Can't believe my baby is almost three! We had her party a week early since her birthday falls on the 4th weekend, and will do so every year! This year I had strict instructions that she wanted a "DUCK" party! Soooooo Duck's is what we did! Including Duck cupcakes made by Uncle Ty & John, and painted yellow ducks all over the windows!

She was so happy to have all her friends and cousins over to swim, have cake and snow cone's, and she loved the presents! There will be more pictures....... these are the ones from my phone!

All smiles!

Swimming cousins! Arela, Kegan, and Xander. Jessica's Kid's.

Dani & Bridget

Jessica's kiddo's drying off!

Ellie & Carter

My Newest Niece Callie

The sunburn's!!!!! The kid's played in the pool for so long that I was afraid we were going to have a lot of tears! But we were lucky this time & they didn't get burned to bad! The boy's tan's got a little darker!

The girls got the worst of it!

June is ending!

2010-06-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

The summer seems to be passing so quickly! How is it that June is nearly over and July is just around the corner! Today we went to the Library and I played with my new I-Phone! I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the kids!

My personal FAVORITE!!!

Of course I have two pictures that I wish I could merge into one! Ellie was picking at her teeth in this one and everyone else wasn't smiling in the next one! This is the life of a mother! There is always at least one who isn't paying attention..... but more then likely it will be two or three who aren't! Ha ha ha ha

I love the expression on Ellie's face!

Later Alex's friend Micha came over to sleep over. The kids had a great time swimming in the pool.

I had a great time too... until suddenly my eye's hurt and they started to sting, it wasn't until I rubbed one that I realized that my make-up was running! So when Rich came outside I had him take a picture for me so I could see how bad it was... Little did I know it was this bad! :) Thankfully he loves me and he got me a clean wet washcloth to clean them.

Looking a little scary!

Off for a visit!

2010-02-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

Grandpa & Grandma Hatch came down on Tursday night and Friday afternoon after Grandpa had run to Phx. for some parts, with Alex, they took Ellie home with them! She was so excited! The day before when she had gotten in trouble she told Rich "I going to the mountains with Pa" With all the attitude a 2 1/2 year old can muster! It was so cute!

When Grandpa left Friday morning to go get his parts Ellie thought that he was leaving her and was very upset until I told her that Grandma was upstairs asleep and that she could go cuddle with her........... then it was ok.

Alex was so excited to go with Grandpa. But before they left he came back to the front door and said "I changed my mind!" and almost in tears he said "I'll miss you to much mom!" It nearly broke my heart! I told him "Everything is going to be fine, you'll be home in just a few hours and I will be here! Go have some fun with grandpa!" It took him a few minutes but he decided that he didn't want to miss out on the one on one time with Grandpa! They had a good time and Alex only missed the first two hours of school.

As soon as Ellie's bag was packed she was ready to go!!! She had already picked her car seat up off the grass and carried it to Pa's truck! So she grabed the handle of her suitcase and was off!

She didn't even want to wait for me to take her picture, good thing I had my phone so I could get a couple of pictures!

She was soooo HAPPY!

Dani was Jumping to that she could see Ellie and say goodbye!

Missing Buggy!

2010-01-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

Our sweet Lady Bug got out of a friends yard while we were in Tucson, Christmas Day. After the kids were asleep and in bed we left them in Grandma & Grandpa's care and drove back to Gilbert to see if we could find her. After searching in the dark for an hour we returned home at 1:00 am and I made signs and posted on craigslist that she was missing. At 5:30 the next morning we got up and plastered signs all over the neighborhood before heading back to Tucson. At 2:30 that afternoon we got the call that she had been found and she wasn't moving. She had been clipped by a car and was gone. Rich's brother went and got her and buried her for us. She is truly missed and we think of her every day! We love you Bug and we miss you! Here are a few pictures of our sweet girl!

Christmas Eve!

2009-12-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve we headed out for Tucson with my parents. We stayed at the Resort in Oro Valley. After we got to the resort and unloaded the grocieries we headed out to dinner. Just as we left the resort Dani yells "Mom looked I wrapped my eyes!" LOL Silly girl! Alex wanted to share in the fun!

We had dinner at Macyo's. Alex enjoyed playing thumb wrestining with Grandpa Hatch.

After a great dinner we gave the kids each a quarter for a gumball..... Danin was a WINNER!!! So she got a free Cheese crips voucher. All I hear is Alex yealling "DON"T EAT IT!" and then Dani Crying! She didn't understand that it was a winner! LOL After they gave her the voucher she got to eat it then she was happy!! As we were leaving I hadf an elderly couple stop us and compliment us on how good our kids were. That was so nice to hear!

When we got back it was time for showers and then the kids got to open thier Christmas PJ's, a family tradition. Rich and the kids ready to open the presents!

Presnts ready to go! We went from youngest to oldest.

Ellie

Dani

Topher

Alex

All dressed! They love thier new PJ's

Family Picture before bed!

Rich opens his gift from Mom & Dad........... PJ's of course!

Decorating the tree! Dani & Uncle Ty

Ellie's Turn to help!

Alex working on the paper chains!

The Stockings were hung!

Look at those cute kids! Off to bed!

Santa's Treat! Fritos & Bean Dip, and a Coke! Santa need's variety!

The kids all snug in thier beds!

HO HO HO!!!! A Santa shave!

I got caught peeking around the corner!

New Things......

2009-10-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Dani finally wore her new outfit to school! She got it for her birthday but hadn't worn it yet! It was so cute on her I had to take a picture! She is getting so big! She has on her Halloween earrings too! Super Cute Girl!

Rich finally got his C-Pac Machine for his sleep apnea, he says it seems to be helping and he is getting more sleep with it on. The Dr. told him that he has a sever case of sleep apnea and that his breathing was interrupted nearly every minute. No wonder he was so tired! Doesn't he look so cute! Ellie has started getting in bed with us around midnight, she is not a happy camper when I make her go back to her bed!

Halloween Haunting

2009-10-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight for family home evening we took Halloween treats to four families in the area, put them by the door, knocked, and ran away. We let the kids take turns helping Rich. I think I had a better time watching them do it then they had doing it! Well maybe not!!! They thought that it was pretty neat!

All set to go!

More Soccer!

2009-10-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

We had a majority of the Mortensen clan at the soccer game this weekend Grandma & Grandpa Mortensen came to see the Grandkids play! Carter and Michelle came to watch too. With two games going on it can be a little hard to keep track of everyone! But it was fun too! There is never a dull moment! The little ones seem to huddle around the ball! It is really funny to watch!

Ellie & Carter Hanging out!

Carter was really good at kicking the ball! To bad he is to little to play!
Chris, Dani, & Linds!

Beckie # 15 & Alex # 21Water Break!

Dani's Ready!

Alex after the game was done! Happy to be resting and having a drink! It was so blasted hot today!!!!! What happened to our 80 degree weather!

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

2009-10-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to the Drive-In to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on Tues. (Its the cheap night!) The Gaddie's joined us and a great time was had by all!

All dressed in PJ's ready for the movie!

We took Rich's truck and let the kids all hang out in there, with mountains of blankets pillows and camping pads! They had Pizza, popcorn, and Ice cream..........

Ellie really enjoyed her Ice Cream!

Then she passed out about 40 minutes into the movie!

Not sure when Dani gave up............. but this is how we found her when we started to pack everything up!

It was a cute show and the kids enjoyed watching it with their friends! I enjoyed watching it with my friend too! She made brownies! Yummy! Thanks for coming Staci!

Soccer! Go Dragons!

2009-10-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

The kids just started soccer and they are having a BALL! Ha ha! This was their first game!

You got it Chris!

Go DANI! #6

Alex is # 21!

Chris is #14

First Game..... First injury! OUCH! It wasn't broken!

A cake kind of weekend!

2009-10-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

We had two birthdays this weekend! One for a dear friends daughter Sidney Rose and another for Our niece Bridget!

Sidney with her Mom and Dad! She turned 5!

Bridget and Alex. Bridget turned 4!

I think the girls liked their cakes! Which makes me very happy!

Pumpkin Patch!

2009-10-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

After the Saturday afternoon Conference session we took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch in Snowflake at the Willis farm. We had a really nice time picking out pumpkins!

Off to the races!

So many to choose from!

Alex found a huge gourd!
My sweet girls!

The SUN is in our EYES!

This is a huge pumpkin! I love it! ~ Dani

Chris helping Ellie find the perfect pumpkin!

Rich & I

Grandpa showing the kids how to look at the Indian corn they picked!

I love my MAN!

Peek~A~Boo

All of my Boy's!

The perfect Scene!

Grandpa tickling Dani!

Alex's UNO face! Hee Hee!

Ellie with Sadie and Lady in Grandpa's lap!

Random Pictures & Grandpa's Tractor!

2009-10-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

ME! I need a new picture for my Facebook profile!

Playing with the camera!

BRAT!!!

I love this picture of Rich!

This one is good too!

Mom's kitty Frankie!

Grandpa Hatch teaching Alex how to work it!

Alex playing all by himself!

This is just before he dug up.......THIS!

A four foot blow snake!

Christopher's Turn!

They love it when Grandpa teaches them how to use a new toy! This is the first one that they got to do all by themselves!

Silly Bug!

2009-10-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

Our silly dog thinks that she has to be as close to my face as possible! This is where she decided to sit while I was trying to read my book!

Dani's Birthday!

2009-09-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is 4! I can't believe it! Her favorite color is purple and her favorite thing right now is My Little Ponies. So as requested we had a Purple Pony Party!

Her presents from us in the morning.

She loved her new dress!

All the kiddo's!

Birthday Girl at Pre-school!

Pony Cake! Dani Loved it!

Ellie helping Grandma blow up the balloons!

My Purple Girl!

We had so many wonderful friends come to the party! Thank You Everyone!

Staci & Her girls!

Happy birthday girl!

Proud parents!

Mama and the girls! Cake Time!

Lighting the candles!

Happy Birthday Dani!

Presents!

Jashelle & The boy's

Aimee & her two oldest!

Dani with Grandma & Grandpa Hatch

Michelle & Carter

Mike, Autumn & The kids!

Pin the tail on the Donkey! Oh wait it was a "PONY"!!!

Tyrel and my Dear friend Leah!

Russ, Char & The kids!

Dani with Grandpa & Grandma Mortensen

Ty playing with Ellie!

Ty & The Girls!

Sam, Aimee & The kids!

Happy Girl ready for bed in her new purple PJ's!

5 minutes later she was fast asleep!

A birthday success!

Wiggle Time!

2009-09-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

We are loving Wiggle Time at the Library!

The kids waiting for wiggle time to start. Playing with puzzles and reading books.

Dani loves the big puppy in the library.

Aimee with her youngest.

The girls listening to the song.......

Ellie had bubbles landing on her head and not popping! It was so cute!

Me with my girls! Mason is there too! We love having friends come to the Library with us!

Party Prep. and .50 Friday

2009-09-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

We got Dani's Ponies for her birthday cake! She was so excited!

Thanks Grandma Hatch!

I was hoping for a great picture.................... but everyone kept moving! LOL Oh well!

The last pool play of the summer!

Wiped after a long day of playing!

Sweet Sisters!

Playing at the Park!

2009-09-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

Ellie got to play with Aimee's kids today............ They had a great time! Everyone else was school.

Xander's Birthday Party! 09~07~2009

2009-09-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

Xander is now FOUR, with all the goodies he racked in!

Arela & Dani

Grandpa reading to Ellie.....

I love this picture! The looks on all of the kid's face's when Jessica dumped out the candy for the candy game!

Alex watching to see if he got a 7!

Just after Dani Rolled the dice!

Ellie's Turn!

The wild bunch!

We left mom's super early so that the kids would be back in time for school, they all slept most of the way home. We got home gave them showers, breakfast and were only a few minutes late!

Sweet Corn Festival over Labor Day weekend.

2009-09-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

Alex took this picture! I love it!

Alex thought this was the best invention ever! He is so funny!Breakfast at the playhouse at Grandma and Grandpa's House

The whole crew!

My dad with My Uncle Danny and Ellie.

Mom and I saw this puppy when we went to get soda's before the parade! So funny!

Only in the Sweet Corn parade!

The boy's favorite float!

Grandma & Grandpa Hatch after the parade.

Hanging with Grandpa and dad at the craft fair.

My cute Dani!

The big kids had fun on the bounce house, but Ellie hated it! It was sprinkling while were were wandering the booths.

The baby goat decided to eat Ellie's hair! LOL It was so cute!

Ellie petted every animal! There were chickens, goats, rabbits, ducks, and even a baby pig.

Then it started to pour!!!!
Waiting for Rich to get the van........... the kids were wet and NOT happy! Dani was mad that she didn't get a chance to go in the Petting Zoo.

So Handsome!

Wet but Happy!

Grandma reading the kids a silly Halloween book at Eva's

Taking a nap after all the fun was done.....

Grandpas CRAZY face

Dani thought that tickling Grandpa was so FUNNY!

Sunday morning we took a walk to the lake and did a little fishing. Well Rich and I did some fishing, the kids had a blast throwing rock into the water and eating the gummy bears that they were supposed to us to catch crayfish!

Carter and Ellie being "SAFE"

On Monday morning, Labor Day, we took a "Hike" behind the cabin... the kids loved collecting the rock along the path....... I love this look from Dani!!! It a one more picture and you die!
Finding animal tracks!
Grandma with Carter and Ellie....
What a bunch!

Carter playing it COOL!

Hanging at the Cabin!

Poor Ellie Baby!

2009-09-02T23:14:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago when Ellie and I were running errands she insisted on two things! One that she take two naked babies with us! & Two that she push the cart around Sam's club! We had the time so I let her do it......... it took twice as long to get everything and we didn't need much!

Tonight the kids were at Grandma Mortensen's while we went to teachers night. Just before we got there Ellie was pushing a stroller, it slipped, and she didn't let go of the handles! Down she went! Her chin hit the floor and then the "fun" started! This is her waiting in the lobby. She was reading her book to the puppy.

Just after the stitches were complete! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!!!!! Let me just say that she is one strong little girl! It took me and two nurses to hold her "still" while the Dr. put in the stitches!

She fell asleep on the short drive home. With the sucker in her mouth and an empty juice box in her hand! Both thanks to the Urgent Care!

Well we went 5 whole days with out having to see a Dr.! Grrrrrrrrrrrr! Such is the life that we live!

Pacemaker!

2009-08-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon Rich started having some chest pain, so when Sunday night rolled around and he was feeling even worse he went to the Emergency Room.............. 5 hours later they said he had an irregular heart rhythm and the pain was from a pulled muscle. He got home about 4:30 in the morning. He saw our regular Dr. on Monday who also said his rhythm was not right and refereed him to a Cardiologist. Monday night the pain was even worse with a tingling in his left arm. He didn't want to go back to the hospital and decided to just go to bed, At 3:30 the next morning, Tuesday, he is in to much pain and wants to go back to the hospital. So I called my father in law and he came to sit with the kids so I could take Rich in. Long story ~ Short his heart was only beating at 35 ~ 45 beats a minute, which is really slow. So the Dr. asked Rich if he wanted to be admitted or did he want to go home with some medication. "There's something wrong and I want to figure it out!" was his reply. So into the hospital he went. Wednesday morning they did a Cardiogram. His heart was in great condition as far as his arteries were considered. Which was great news, bad news was he needed a pacemaker to stabilize his heart rate and keep it high enough so that he gets enough oxygen. So on Thursday afternoon the put in his new "equipment" and on Friday afternoon they sent him home! So here are a few pictures from our week in the hospital......... Dani & Daddy..

Gotta love the smile!

This the diagram that the Dr. drew for Rich and I so that we had a better understanding of the trouble! The heartbeat on the left is what a normal beat looks like. The one on the right is what Rich's heart beat looked like!

The boys were excited that they got to see the city from higher and that they could see the Carmax building!

Hug's with Daddy!

Ellie hadn't see Rich in a few days, she was over the moon and the stars to see him!!

They colored with each other!
The kids all helped me wash my van on Saturday, we also did Rich's truck. Then of course it RAINED!!!!! Just my luck!

Ellie was having way to much fun with the hose! What am I going to do when they are bigger! Never stay dry???!!!

School Day's

2009-08-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

The new school year is here! The kids were so excited! Grandma Hatch took them all to get new backpacks! Ellie found Dani's backpack from last year and had to wear it so she could be just like her big brothers and sister! She wore it all day! Wouldn't take it off to even buckle up in the car!

My big kids! All ready to go to school! They are now Scorpions! They sting with pride!
The boys couldn't wait! Chris wouldn't even turn around for the picture!
Dani was over the moon about Preschool!
The girls waiting for the doors to open!

After school Christopher whispered to me.... "Mom I have a new friend!" "What's his name?" "I don't know! But when I find out I'll tell you!" Later Alex was talking about his homework when Chris yelled "I DON'T HAVE HOME WORK!" And started doing a "No Homework" dance! Dani joined him because she didn't have homework, while Alex whined about the one page letter he had to write to his teacher! Silly kids! I guess they have to learn that life isn't always "fair" sooner or later!

Ward Swim Party!

2009-08-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

The ward had an end of summer pool party and the kids had a blast! I love this picture!

Chris had a little to much fun with the waster cannon!

Ellie had so much fun! I love this little robe! I will be so sad when she out grows it!

Somehow we didn't get any pictures of Rich or Dani! OOOPS!

Busy weekend!

2009-08-02T23:14:00.000-07:00

Chris and Dani were at Grandpa & Grandma Hatch's house so Rich & I took Alex to see G-Force! We enjoyed it a lot! We are going to have to buy it when it comes out on DVD! July 31st, 2009

Farmer Market Yumminess! Alex had fun helping Rich & I pick out all the fresh goodies! He was most excited about the Raspberries! Aug. 1st

Ty gave me a trim and cut Rich's hair on Saterday morning. Ellie kept saying "My Turn!" It was so cute! I washed her hair while Rich was getting his hair cut it made her so HAPPY!

After we got our hair cut we went to the movies and watched "The Proposal!" Ellie was so good! Alex was with Uncle Russ & Aunt Char at the pool. He had so much fun! I wish I had some pictures!

Summer Fun!

2009-07-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

The kids had a blast playing in the water this summer! This was July 22nd. They played outside in the Spiderman sprinkler the blows bubbles too! (Thanks Aunt Char!) Kenedy filled up the water balloons and played with the kids. She was here for three days after my surgery to help with the kids and it was so nice to have her here!

Ellie Showing me he swimming suit!

I love this picture of Dani! She was having so much fun! The boys on the other hand had a good time standing around the sprinkler! LOL

Cheese!

YUM! Watermelon!

Poor Kali (Kenedy's dog) got haled around a lot! Taken in the sprinkler a few times too!

On your Mark............ get set....... GO!

1.... 2..... 3..... THROW!

Kenedy was making a quick retreat from the water fight she was having with Alex and slipped just as I took her picture!

More of the water fight!

Ellie trying to get on the water fight! She never got anyone wet with her water bottle! But she tried!

The next morning we took the kids to the Park before I got to hot and let the kids play for about an hour. Of course the second we got everyone out of the car and locked the door Topher was telling me he had to pee! Never fails!

Topher

Ellie

Alex

Dani

Kenedy was sure she was going to hit the little kids at the bottom of the slide so she was trying to stop with out much luck! To funny!

Kenedy
Topher tackled Dani! If the picture had taken two seconds earlier then they both would have been smiling! I like this one anyway! Topher is totally unaware that she is upset at this point!
Ellie getting in my purse and stealing my Fry's receipt! Sweet girl!