Happy Halloween

This year Laurie was Pocahontas, Megan was a Fairy Princess, Hannah was a fairy princess one day and a unicorn the next, Rachel was an Irish girl one day and a pink poodle the next, and Michael was the cutest little monkey ever.  We had what seemed like a weekend of Halloween.  Earlier this month we were able to go to Utah and enjoy Grandpa Mortensen's Harvest Party.  On Friday Brian invited us to go to the Meleleuka Trick or Treat so I took Rachel, Hannah and Michael.  Laurie and Megan enjoyed their class Halloween Parties.  Then, Friday night we went to the White Pine School Carnival all dressed up.  The kids got to go through the Spook Alley (which was Laurie's favorite), a cake walk, fishing game, costume contest, Plinko, and more.  We all watched Harry Potter together.  Saturday we went trick-or-treating.  Laurie and Megan got to go with their friend, Aleah, and I took the little kids around the block.  Every year I buy back candy from the kids.  I let them pick a few pieces and I give them one dollar for every 10 pieces.  This year I think I paid out about $20.  Not bad considering the alternative.  We end up giving most of the remaining away and then I throw away the rest.  The kids had a wonderful time.  Michael was adorable going trick-or-treating.  It's one of those times when you just wish you could freeze time and not let them grow up any more.

Zero to Ten in a Few Moments

Michael is just displaying the very rapid succession of emotions of a soon to be two year old.  He is hilarious!!!

Autumn Time with the Little Ones

Because the older two girls are in school I have been able to spend a lot more time with the little kids.  We have gone on bike rides, played outside, played trucks and barbies and have just enjoyed more time.  They grow so fast!

Rah Rah BYU!!!

Brian was so kind to take us all down to Provo, Utah for a BYU Football game.  We had excellent box seats which turned out to be good because it was rainy.  We even saw Elder Wirthlin in the box next to us!  On the way home we saw the most amazingly bright rainbow.  Good times!

Hannah Turns 4!

October is a birthday month for the Mortensens!  Hannah was fortunate this year to have a friend birthday party.  Shiloh, our nanny, and Scott, her husband and family friend, helped put the Ariel Party on.  We played birthday bingo, duck pond, pin the horn on the unicorn, and a cake walk game.  My little girl is growing up so fast!

Laurie is 10 years old!!!

For Laurie's birthday she wanted to go to Chuck-a-rama for dinner and then Leo's Place to play.  We opened presents and she got tons of dog stuff for her beloved Simon.  Her big present this year was a new mountain bike.  I CANNOT believe my baby is 10 years old!!!  She is growing into such a sweet young woman.  She is doing wonderfully in school and is a HUGE help to me.  She is a great babysitter.  I love my little Laurie.

Viva Las Vegas!

Brian and I took an amazing, exciting trip to Las Vegas.  We couldn't have managed to fit more in.  Some of the things we did include walking the strip, seeing the spectacular fountains at the Bellagio, touring the mind-blowing Bodies Exhibit in the Lexor, seeing the Komodo Dragon in the Shark Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay, volleyball in the MGM pool, enjoying the phenomenal Phantom of the Opera, riding to the top of The Eiffel Towel in the Paris, eating at The House of Blues, The Rain Forest Café, and a Brazillian restaurant, riding the roller coaster at New York, New York, seeing death-defying "Ka", riding to the top of the Stratosphere, enjoying a luxorious massage at the Canyon Ranch Spa in the Venetian, and me disappearing IN the David Copperfield show.  So many memories made.  So much fun!!!

School Projects with Megan and Laurie

The girls had special projects to do at school this fall.  Megan was assigned the task of picking an endangered animal to make a poster and a sculpture of.  She chose the giant panda.  I helped her create her poster.  It was lots of fun! 

Laurie was assigned the task of building a castle with a number of specifications for the Medeival Fair.  She had full creative license to build it out of whatever materials she wanted.  She wanted to build it out of cake.  So, my cake decorator friend, Emily, was recruited to help us in our all day project.  It was a success and Laurie got an A.  (And a yummy birthday cake!)