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!

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!

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!

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

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.

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...

Flag football in February

David, Bryce, and Jacob all started out on the same flag football team, but with Bryce's broken arm, he only got 2 games in...

That left Jacob and David to hold down the fort!

Enjoying the beautiful weather while watching the game and remembering why we live in Arizona... That memory has to last me thru the summer!

I don't know that this was David's sport, but at least he finished the season and I'm proud of him for that! Good job buddy! Undefeated! Way to go!

Man! It was sure a busy February!

Bryce's surgery on his arm was definitely painful... 2/09

But he took the pictures like a champ!

Smiling, even when he didn't feel like it... Of course, with how many drugs they had him on, he may have felt like smiling... at least right then, just not later!

Let's see how it all turned out...

Ever Wonder what pins in your arm would look like? Here it is in real life!

Pinewood Derby

OK, we all know that the Pinewood derby is just a chance for dads to build cars and then compete against each other right?

Well, Clint did a pretty good job of letting the boys be involved in the process along the way. However, it took way too much time, if you ask me... and since I'm doing the post, you are asking me and it was WAY too much time!

Bryce's finished car.

David's finished car.

Of course, the first race just had to be brother against brother and NO ONE wants to lose that one. It was too bad, but a lesson in life. The boys handled it well and had a fun night. We had about 30 boys competing in the races, so they each got to race plenty of times. Good job everyone!

David's 8th birthday

Happy 8th Birthday David! 2/24/09

This was the family party before the friend party...

Let the games begin! Steal the bacon with Seth B versus Katie... It's a matter of bragging rites!

And then there was tug of war, water balloon toss and too much more fun to even begin to explain! We're sure lucky to have a dad willing to tackle this many 8 year old boys! They had a great time eating pizza, cupcakes, soda, and just running around. Hope it was memorable, David! Sure love ya!

It's our Baptism day!

Bryce and David finally turned 8 and were able to be baptized. It was a great day. 2/28/09

We were excited to finally have it be today!

Dad baptized us. We had a great time with so many people there to support us. We put a couple trash bags over Bryce's cast used duct tape to secure it, and went ahead with the ceremony. It was truly a great day!