Easter time fun!

Easter is always a low key, but fun time of year. I love the spring time around here. Beautiful weather, allergies, and kids who love candy. Life just doesn't get better than this!

David hates his cast, but still managed a smile for the camera.

Seth, Bryce and Katie trying to find the special egg... (the one with the money in it!)

Isaac found the beginning treats from the Easter bunny and is headed out for the eggs. I refuse to be too told I'm too old to hunt for easter eggs! Katie was not to be left out!

Bryce taking a time out to smile for the camera.

It's a little tough to hunt for eggs on crutches but David did not let his broken foot slow him down any!

First we go for quantity, then we'll try to actually find some eggs... Cassie, Isaac and Seth.

Seth's got it all figured out. Go where no one else is.

It's a race to get the egg... Isaac versus Tiny. Guess who won???

Imitating the easter bunny or what? Ok, well, maybe they just were in the Easter spirit for bunny ears. Either way, one more fun holiday with lots of candy down. Time to focus on the true meaning of the holiday...

Happy 9th Birthday David!

Birthday morning brings the best gift of all... getting to choose your birthday breakfast!

David's top choice for this year was crepes... famously made by his dad.

Hooray for the presents! He is so excited to have a tied tie instead of a zip tie. I'm happy he's still willing to wear BYU!

Of course, with the change in age comes the Cub Scout rank advancement to Bears.

But the mother of all gifts for him this year was the Green Machine. This kid just rips up the road on this thing. Happy 9th birthday David!

Happy 9th Birthday Bryce!

It was LDS night with the Suns the night before Bryce's 9th birthday so we thought it would be fun to get him tickets to go with Clint. Besides, for only $15 each, we got way more than we paid for!

After the game they got to go down on the floor and shoot a free throw.

All the boys together... Bryce, David, Jacob, Colton, Skylar and Seth

We decided we'd be brave and ask the coordinator of the event if they could do anything special for Bryce's birthday. I was hoping for the Jumbotron, but we got WAY better. They let all the boys go down into the fan tunnel where all the players run out. Bryce got to hi-5 Steve Nash. He couldn't contain his excitement!

Birthday morning breakfast of champions... pancakes. He was more excited about helping to make them than to eat them.

And we finish off the day with molten lava cake. Compliments of Clint. It's sure lucky they have the dad they do or they might end up with boring birthday cakes and presents. Happy 9th birthday Bryce!

My little Oompah Loompahs!

Bryce and Katie were able to be in the Queen Creek Community Play of Willy Wonka Jr. They were both Oompah Loompahs. They had so many kids that they divided them up into colors. Bryce was a white oompah (front and Center) and Katie was a pink one.

The final night of the show the family went to see it. All the kids loved it and asked if they could be in the next one. We'll see... Good job Katie and Bryce!

Sledding in Eagar

We left up to Eagar to visit my parents Christmas day and Clint took the kids out sledding/tubing on Saturday. They had a great time. Too cold for my valley-ized thinned blood!

We don't have official winter clothing, so we just take whatever we can find at Grammy's to bundle up in. Bryce

Katie... do you think that face made her go any faster? :)

Seth taking the tube back up... my least favorite part.

David looking warm in his overstuffed layers of clothing.

And yes, Isaac a boy after my own heart. Went on a couple runs, but preferred the warmth of the car and some bubble gum for company.

Merry Christmas 2009!

The Children were nestled all snug in their beds...

Oh no they weren't... they were waiting for presents, instead!

Tradition is that they have to come wake mom and dad up and dad goes to see if Santa really came.

Katie with some new clothes.

Bryce with a puzzle...

David with his Zoom-O.

Seth with his R/C motorcycle.

Isaac with his boxing gloves...

And finally... princess Cassie.

Merry Christmas from the Mortensens!

Rome, Italy... Loved it! Still glad to be an American...

I made a pretty monumental goal for myself and when I finished it, I went to Rome. It was an amazing vacation with so much to see I could have never seen it all in the week I was there. Even with all the amazing things to see, I was really glad to come home and grateful for the country that I live in. However, it did expand my world views and words can't express the difference I feel after being there. Thanks Jan!

Proof that I was there... Less anyone wonder! :)

The discus thrower.

Angels and Demons anyone? A trip to Vatican City is absolutely necessary in Rome.

The frescos painted in the Vatican are absolutely stunning. Neither words, nor pictures can do them justice. My appreciation for ancient artists has greatly increased.

Yes, this is one of THOSE pictures... one that you see all the time in books and magazines and here I am seeing it for real! Michaelangelo, DiVinci, and Raphael all pictured here.

The view from the top of the Basilica. You actually have to pay for the opportunity to climb all 551 steps to the top. The view, is totally worth it , though.

One of the buildings behind the Basillica. We didn't know who lived here, but it was sure nice. Can I move in?

In front of St. Peter's Cathedral.

Day trip down to Pompeii. AMAZING ruins. Whole city covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. When you know what went on there, you'll know why it was covered!

However, that aside, the excavation process is amazing and to be able to uncover an entire city with so many amenities... even though they were ancient is absolutely undescribable. Those people were brilliant. Using gravity to create water pressure for fountains... AMAZING!

Daytime view of the Colloseum. Talk about one amazing structure. Even going to a NFL football game cannot come close to the awe inspiring creation the Romans built!

The view under the floor where the gladitors trained and the animals were held for the games.

A view from farther away.

I think these are the steps where Cesear was killed. I mean, we walked right there, on those same stone streets that were built in the BC period! Can't get over it!

This guy, I think his name is Marcus Arrelius, who no one really remembers anymore, thought so much of himself that he built a monument to himself. His mustache is 5 ft long! His horse is over 42 ft long. I guess he really wanted to be remembered. What was his name again?

Went to the Borghese Art Gallery where there were some amazing paintings. We were only allowed to be there 2 hours. That's all you get. Wanna see more? Have to come back, but have to purchase your tickets early because these guys don't sell tickets at the door. They sell out too fast.

One of the excavation areas in the Jewish ghetto. Jews had to live outside the city for hundreds of years in this ghetto area, forced to see Christian churches as they would leave for work and come home each day... hoping they would convert. Got to eat a shwarma there. YUM!

And now, the weary travelers head home. Thanks for all the memories Jan! It was truly an amazing experience. It was tough to choose my favorite pictures from this trip, and I didn't want to bore anyone, so here's some highlights!