Our Crazy Little Family

Our Crazy Little Family
December 2009

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Halloween Dress up

So, I've about decided that it's time for a new camera! All my pictures are coming out blurry and I don't know why. Maybe it's been dropped a few too many times. Christmas is coming... :)
Isaac decided a LONG time ago that he was going to be a dog and I told him that would be fine. I didn't know it was THIS costume that he wanted... which was way to small, but he would not be detoured.
The night before Halloween was so cold at our ward trunk or treat that we had to dress Cassie in a warm costume. I'm glad it warmed up so she could be the little ballerina.

Cassie was off to the block party. Didn't matter if anyone else was coming or not. She is giving me a lot of gray hairs!

Here are all my kids right before heading over to the neighborhood block party for hot dogs before trick or treating.

Katie decided that she wanted to be a dice this year. It was a little inconvenient to move in, but she loved the attention she got from it!

I don't have any idea where the obsession with Vampires came from this year, but Bryce and David both decided they needed to dress up like them.

David LOVED it! He wanted to know why I didn't like the "scary" things of Halloween. Rather than explain, I gave in and let him be a vampire.

Seth was determined to be Anakin Skywalker again this year. Thanks Mary for the costume!

Anyway, this year for Halloween we had a great time trick or treating, but came home with WAY too much candy. Even giving it out at the doorstep didn't even touch the amount we had. With 6 kids trick or treating, we definitely come home with more than we give out!

Fall Break Fun

For fall break this year, we decided that it was time to go camping. So, we drove about 45 minutes from our house into the mountains to find a nice place to do it. We went with Clint's sister and her family. It was a good time.
Isaac and Lawana posing for a picture while dad tried to figure out the camera.
It was at least 75+ degrees outside at this point, but Seth was so excited to wear his hoodie that he just had to put it on.

David quickly followed suit and sat right up close to the fire to stay "warm" at 75.

Katie was a huge help in gathering firewood. We can't camp without a fire, right? I mean, what would S'mores be like anyway?

And then it was off to bed. It took a little while to settle them down, but they all just love camping and were happy to be in the outdoors.

Clint and Jeff were our official breakfast makers after enough comments on how our sheep herders stew didn't measure up to "dad's".

Jeanette was the designated dishwashe... or maybe she took the job, knowing how to do it the best.

Cassie and Jenna posing for the camera... Never a dull moment with these two!

Skylar, Katie, Cassie, Jacob, Bryce, Isaac and Seth. About half way thru the hike. It was 80 something degrees so they decided it was too hot to hike.


The hiking group. Sorry it's so blurry. Jeff and Jeanette with Jenna, Logan, Skylar, Katie, Jacob, Cassie, David, Bryce, Seth, and Isaac. Wasn't very long because of the little ones, but it gave us something to do and we even found a dead rattle snake along the trail. Good thing it wasn't alive because then I would have been dead from a heart attack!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Labor Day weekend in Eagar

We started out our fun weekend watching my little brother, Brett's game. This was a major rival game, which, lucky for me, we actually won. I only seem to get to see the losses.
Brett was pretty excited!

All the kids were so excited that they had to rush the field after it was over. They didn't know why we were so excited, but it definitely rubbed off on them! Then they all wanted to wear his helmet and take a picture with it.

David

Bryce

Seth

Isaac

And finally, Katie.
Congratulations Uncle Brett!

Seth's 7th Birthday

Seth's 7th birthday fell on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, so of course we celebrated it while we were up in Eagar.
I can't believe he is 7 already! I hope all the wishes you made on your birthday come true!

The kids all got to play musical chairs while Poppy played the piano in the other room.

He asked for breakfast for his birthday dinner, so we had bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and eggs. He loved it.

Yes, we now are the proud owners of not just one, but 2 gerbils. This was a real stretch for me... rodents in the house... gotta love it!

And then, of course, there was the ceremonial decorating of the cupcakes. This is a tradition that the kids just love! Happy Birthday Seth! Sure love you!





Labor Day fun!

My family has a tradition of hauling wood on Labor Day. Yes, this means that we cut the tree down, saw it into smaller pieces, and then load it into a truck to be chopped into smaller pieces once they get home. This is a busy job, but as you can see, everyone is expected to help out... at least for a little while.Yes, that is the oldest of the kids (Katie), supervising as the 2 youngest (Isaac and Addison) pick up the enormous piece of wood.

I would bet that each piece of wood weighs anywhere from 25-50 lbs. each. Some of the ones we did on the 2nd day were upwards of 150! Needless to say, my youngest brother with all the muscles got to load those! Katie, Bryce, Adam, and Makenli

Clint, of course, got the majority of time on the saw since this one was too big for any of the little kids to operate.


Yes, even I got into the act. I did what was called "limbing" which is where you cut the limbs of the trees to be cut. That way they are easier to load into the truck... they stack better.

This is Poppy giving each of the kids an opportunity to operate the chain saw by themselves. This is Seth... don't worry, it's a really little saw and doesn't do much damage to anything.

This was David's chance.

Then there was Bryce...

And finally there was Katie, but she really had to hurry because the hail was coming in quickly.

This was the tree that Poppy had to cut down. None of the saws that we had could handle how big it was so we ended up having to leave it for later... when the big guns could come get it. Isaac

We stopped at the look out point on our way down from the mountain. Anyway you "cut" it, that is a lot of wood for these little kids to haul!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

1st Day of School

Hooray, hooray, hooray! Summer is over and it's time for school again. I don't know who's happier, but believe it or not, it's probably the kids. Seth seemed to be the most ready.

All the kids getting ready to head to the bus stop.


Katie ready for Middle school... 6th grade here I come!

Always the comedian... Bryce is headed for 3rd grade.

David is just happy to be free of the house... 3rd grade


And the happiest of all... Seth is headed for 1st grade!




Friday, July 24, 2009

Triple G Week... Grammy's Gathering of Grandkids... AKA Grammy's boot camp

Most of you all know that my parents take all their grandkids for a week during the summer, so in an attempt to make you all even more jealous, I thought I would document all the things our kids get to do while they are there. My parents are pretty tired by the end of the week, but we all think it's a great opportunity.
I know that all this is totally backwards in how it happened during the week, but you all get the idea. Seth and David, (Trae and RJ) waiting for the water balloon fight after the parade.

Katie knowing she's in dangerous territory... Boys side of the yard. Bryce in the middle at the bucket.

Just because there aren't any more balloons, doesn't mean there's an end to the waterfight... especially for a Mortensen! David and Adam after the balloons were out.

Can this kid get any skinnier? Seth getting ready for the water fight.


Katie and Addi. The bigger the bucket, the harder they fall, right? :)


Don't even try to take dad on! This is what will happen if you do. You may get him a little wet, but in the end, he will always win. We try to tell the kids that, but they always need to try.

My mom always makes homemade bread and chili beans for the 4th of July, after the parade. I think she made 19 loaves this year, and yes, they were all eaten that day!

This was only the 1st wave of people who came to eat the beans and bread. Family, friends, and whoever else is hungry can come.

Our family on the 4th of July. Getting ready to see the parade. Back row: Bryce, Katie, and David, Center: Clint and Lawana, Front: Seth, Isaac and Cassie

All the grandkids from triple G week. Waiting for the parade to start.

No matter how many times we tried to bring them back from getting too close to the floats, the candy always brought them back.

Horse back riding is a must! Cassie is getting ready to go. Seth and RJ on the horse held by Aunt Alicia. Pictures are courtesy of her. 2nd year that she's been so great to help out my parents.
Katie and Cassie on the horse led by my brother Brett.


Of course, we can't forget the loving on the puppies who were at my brothers house next door. Isaac couldn't leave them alone and even slept with them. Guess we'll be getting a dog soon!

Movies in the little house on my parents property during nap time. The girls would sleep in here while the boys slept in the tent on the back yard and then the next day they would swap.


Riding quads is a DEFINITE must! The kids can't wait for this day.

Katie taking Cassie for a ride

Bryce is bigger than the motorcycle itself, but that doesn't stop him.

David taking his turn.

This is one of my favorite things they got to do. They headed up to the cemetary where most of my ancestors are buried and they talked about reverance at the cemetary and then went and found where my grand parents are buried.

This is my grandparents headstone

This is my nephew Braxton's grave. Stillborn. I love that the kids can take the time to know about him as well.

Happy 11th birthday Katie! Triple G week started out with a birthday party for Katie and my niece Addi who share the same birthday.
They decorated their own cupcakes.

We would NEVER let her sit on the table at our house... :) I don't know where she got that!

Happy Birthday Katie and Addi! Roasting marshmallows and having tinfoil dinners.


Those kids were so hungry. Cassie ate her whole dinner. This is Cassie, Seth, David and my niece Kyia.
Do you think she enjoyed it?

Smores afterward are a given. Isaac loves them!

Poppy watching the fire and the food. The kids had a great time. They always remember how much fun they had for the next year and I think it gets easier on my parents as the kids get older. Anyway, I'm sure glad my parents are willing to do this. We love them for it!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Girls Camp... Royal Princess Academy

Girls Camp was a lot of fun and these were my YCL's... don't look at me. It was a lot of days without showers.

The flags/devotional area... Princess Court

Bippity Boppity Poo room

Our class area




WICKED


Ok, I don't have any pictures of this, but I want to give my 2 cents worth on this new musical. I LOVE IT! That's all I listen to these days. Clint and I went last week and I can't get enough of it. I would highly recommend it to everyone. LOVE it!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Haws Reunion in June

We camped in New Mexico and then went hiking at a place called the Catwalk. Here are a couple shots from the hike. You hike to the top and there's a waterfall and river to play in. It was a beautiful hike and a fun refreshing experience at the top. This picture is before we started the hike with Katie, Cassie, Seth, My cousin Hunter, and Isaac.

Aunt Alicia and Seth

Seth and Isaac and my niece Brenli

Aunt Shamane helping Cassie on the rocks trying to get around Isaac

My kids are definitely camera shy! Isaac and Cassie and my niece Ryli


Seth ready to hike

Cassie wanted to walk, but I preferred carrying her in the backpack. We might never have made it to the top! It was a fun time. Glad we went. Bryce and David had Cub Scout Day Camp, so Clint stayed home with them.







May trip up to Utah

Uncle Ryan graduated from U of U, so I took the oldest 3 kids (Katie, Bryce, and David) up to Utah to watch. The ceremony was pretty long and boring for kids this age, but it's never to early to integrate them with the importance of education and of course, (BYU, BYU, BYU!)

Aunt Dorie is always the greatest! She took a day out of her very busy life to help me take the kids on tour of BYU. This was at the Dinosaur museum right across from the stadium.

Even though the stadium wasn't open, they let us in to show the kids the amazing stadium and really feel the spirit of BYU football! Go Cougs!

Then of course, we had to take photo op every chance we could... I intend to get these printed to put in their rooms. (BYU! BYU!)


We also visited the Provo temple and drove by the MTC, since it was on our way. (Mission, Mission)
I know you can't tell all the subliminal messages I'm sending my kids, but all in all it was a great trip. Made me see how fun it can be as your kids get older and can appreciate some of the finer things in life!





Thursday, May 14, 2009

Why I love 8 a.m. church...

Katie and Seth figuring out how to put dehydrated onions into a smaller container.

Yes, we're potty training Cassie and washing all the clothes all the time, just isn't worth it!

My master chefs at work! I've officially turned Sunday cooking over to Clint and haven't regretted it since! Bryce, Cassie, and Clint

Everyone wanted to be a part of the crepe making process, except Isaac who was still asleep. Katie, Seth and David


This was our family making crepes Sunday afternoon after naps. THIS is worth getting up early and having so much chaos trying to get out the door... because the afternoons are marvelous!

Bryce's Famous Americans of the 20th Century Play

video

I know you can't understand all the words, but I thought this was awfully cute. Bryce's 2nd grade class put on a play about Famous Americans of the 20th Century. He was Orville Wright (in the white shirt). He did great and I have to say that I was definitely impressed with this 2nd grade class.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Oh, Yeah! It's softball time again!

Take me out to the ball game... Take me out to the crowd...
Opening Day for Queen Creek Heat Softball

Katie's playing in the minor division again this year and loving it more than last year... much to the pure enjoyment of her mother!

It's going to get hot, but right now the weather is perfect! Good luck this season, Katie!



It's Princess time!

Katie is such a fun big sister for Cassie!

Cassie loves to dress up and Katie is willing to do it for her.

Just because I want the kids to know that we did have some fun times... for when they only remember the fighting...