Happy Birthday, Rocky!

Rocky turned 6 and we celebrated by having a party at home that the kids helped plan.  He wanted a Pirate Ship for his birthday and of course his beloved Pillow Pet. :)

Random Summer Pics

Our Annual Trip to Grandpa Mortensen's for the 4th of July.

GameWorld, GameWorld, GameWorld.  It finally closed its doors forever.  I wanted to go to the final auction for old time's sake.  It was emotional to be there.  I have so many memories of Lence working in there.  Just looking at the big playland reminded of all the hours we have put into that business.  Michael hadn't been born yet when we owned GameWorld.  I found it only fitting that I bring him and let him experience GameWorld before it closed its door forever. 

Grandpa VanderSloot invited us to fly on his private plane down to Utah for his annual horse sale at the ranch.  This was Michael's very first plane ride ever.  He was thrilled to be flying of course!  Just like his daddy, Lence, who WAS a pilot.  :)

Brian always says, "Kids are the best part of life."  It is true, they are.  Brian is getting lots of lovin' from all of his kids.  :)

This is our back yard before we put our new lawn in.

Taking Bella to the vet.  The kids are hoping she will have puppies soon!

A bird flew into our garage and the kids (Laurie) caught the bird using her unique skills and put the bird in Simon's Crate.  Laurie tried to open it for a moment and the bird escaped. 

Trip to Island Park and West Yellowstone

We took a wonderful and fun trip to Island Park. We rode horses, went canoeing, played in the hot tub and went fishing. So much fun! The kids were delighted to find a little frog too! Then we all took our bikes to Yellowstone Park and rode our bikes around Old Faithful. Such good memories. So much fun!

 

Laurie and Megan's Violin Recital

I am so very proud of Laurie and Megan and their musical talent.  They are doing so well practicing every day and working hard to master the violin.  Joanna Lords is a wonderful and kind teacher.  I am so proud of my girls!

Megan Elizabeth Mortensen is 9!

Megan Elizabeth.  What a sweet girl she is!  She is so responsible and I can count on her to choose the right.  She tries hard in everything she does.  She has a passionate fiery spirit and I know the Lord is going to be able to use her in his kingdom for many amazing things.  She is the best birthday present I've ever had!

A Recess to the Sand Dunes

Near our home is a mini-Sand dunes area.  I took the kids there a few times in the summer with shovels and buckets and their imaginations.  Michael kept asking as we drove by it every day to go to the "Dan Dunes."  So cute!

Our New Home on Canyonwood Circle!

We lived in my Sycamore Home for about a month. We knew we wanted to get a place of our own, though. I don't know how we found time, but somewhere in the midst of getting married, planning a reception, and going to California, we looked for houses and found a wonderful bargain. Just shy of 10,000 square feet, this amazing home was a hidden gem waiting to be found. It has 8 bedrooms and 7 baths. It has two offices, a workout room, a theater room and did I mention it's on five acres? I was a bit overwhelmed with the idea when Brian said (after looking at tons of homes that didn't meet his approval) he thought we should buy this one. To clean and maintain such a mansion, was a bit overwhelming to me. But, I quickly changed my mind when the thought of seven boisterous loud kids in the Sycamore home was a constant reality. We moved in right before our reception--that we had there!--and started enjoying our new adventures in our new home.