Fourth of July 2009

We got to spend the 4th of July with our good friends Jen and Jason Packer from Sacramento, CA. We knew them and have been through a lot with them over the past 10 years, and miss them dearly now that we are in Utah. Thank goodness Jason still has family out here and they come to visit about once or twice a year. It was good to see them. We did the whole fireworks thing, let the kids stay up a bit, then stayed up ourselves to play games 'til late. It was just like old times.

Tessa and Daddy enjoying the fireworks.

Our little pile of fireworks, man does it cost alot!!!

Taya, Kylie, Tessa and Dawson, too cute to be real!!!

Jen and Jason, smoking the firework lighting stick, "probably doesn't taste that good Jason"

Kylies Kindergarten Graduation

Congratulations Kylie, you made it through your first year of school, and you did AWESOME!!! Kylie finished her last day of school on July 2nd (we are in year round, so it ends late), and had a cute little program they put together. She was right behind the piano, so I didn't get a good shot of her though. She is a really good reader and got all good marks on everything. She also took the bus to school everyday, which she was scared of, but she did it!!! Good Job Kylie we are SOOOO proud of you!!!!

Butler Family Visits

Squish!!! Adam, Marelle and Kelvin all in the back seat with only 2 seat belts! (Sshh, don't tell!)

Kylie wasn't thrilled to be in this picture, she wanted to get out and start hiking the Crystal Springs in American Fork Canyon.

Aaron, Kylie, Lisa, my Mom and Dad all on the Crystal Springs hike.

American Fork Canyon is beautiful, we took the scenic route down to Provo on the Alpine Loop.

In July, my parents came down from Seattle, WA to visit family here in Utah. While they were here we took a trip out to American Fork Canyon to hike the Crystal Springs and have a picnic lunch. It brought me back to the good old days when we did that growing up. We don't do that now, I don't know why. It was fun, and the drive was beautiful. We also attended my dad's family reunion there as well, it was good to see aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents..... It was a good trip!

Mortensen Family Visits

In June and July, two of Aarons sisters and their families came out to visit. Kylie and Tessa loved having cousins come, they don't get to see them very often. With both families we were able to spend some time in Park City, and it was a blast. We shopped the outlet malls, went swimming and hung out. I was really sick when his first sister came (I think it was the swine flu and a sinus infection, ugh...) and wasn't very fun to be around, but I was a trooper and hung out with them as best I could. Aaron was able to golf Wasatch Mountain (in Park City) with his brother-in-law Kraig, and loved it. I guess its Michael Jordans favorite course. It's very beautiful.

Kylie and Tessa wish they could live closer to cousins, but we enjoy them when we can. Thanks for the great summer guys!

Tessa's First Year of Preschool Graduation

Tessa had a great year in preschool at our neighbors preschool. There were three other girls in her class, and her teacher, Ms. Emily got pregnant with twins and had another teacher come in in November and finish out the year. During her year she had lots of fun, she had a great dress-up Halloween party that I was able to help with, a great Christmas program where they sang cute songs, and a fun Valentines day party. On Mothers and Fathers day they had a cute little program where they sang an adorable song which made me bawl my eyes out. Tessa looked so concerned for me during the song that she forgot to sing most of it. In March she got to go to the Salt Lake Aquarium on a field trip and I was also able to help with that as well. I am so proud of her and look forward to a new year of preschool next year. Thanks Ms. Emily and Ms. Carol.


Tessa's Halloween party (lots of princesses). Ella, Skyler, and Taylor all the friends in her class.


Tessa Christmas program (too cute!)


Tessa's program, they are so adorable when they sang their songs and did their sign language, too.


Congrats Tessa, we are so proud of you!!!!!!

2nd Annual Lake Mead Trip - May 2009

Our good friends J.D. and Alisa Dunns new "MONSTER" boat out for the first time on Lake Mead.

Aaron and I on the boat during our much anticipated three days straight on the boat, Lake Mead trip, May 20th - 24th.

Aaron was such a stud on the surf board, (yes you can actually surf behind the boat).

We had a great trip to Lake Mead, NV in May with just us adults (no kids). We went last year and it was a blast, wasn't sure if you could top the previous year, however, we managed to. It was great being on the boat all day for three days straight. We all had an opportunity to wake board, ski, knee board, or surf. I really wanted to try and surf, but I am goofy-footed and so it didn't work out. We left Wednesday night and got in at 3am and was out on the water by 8am. Not much sleep, but it was a blast. I faced planted twice where I actually saw stars, but it was well worth it. I hope we get to go again next year...we'll see!!!

Just a little "in the life of" Mortensens!

Kylie got to take home "kinderbear" from her kindergarten class. She was a beary careful caretaker. Good job Kylie.


The great and wonderful things you can do with Spaghetti Noodles when you just don't want to eat them. Tessa did this all by herself with out any help or idea from anyone. Very creative.


Kylies wonderful talent as well. She had to get in on the action as well.

My New Hair Cut

A before picture of me.


Another before picture of me


An After picture of me with my new hair cut.
Eight inches cut off! Wow!


Another after picture. I'm still working with it to
get it to poof a little more in the back.
I officially have the Utah Mom Hair. AAAHHHH!!!