HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter Kaiah Ryan Mortenson. Kaiah is spending her 5th birthday in California with her dad. I called her and sang "happy birthday." Kaiah is very excited to be five, she says "mom I can go to Kindergarten now." We will be celebrating of course this June when we can have her 5 1/2 birthday party. I know it sounds crazy but it has worked out so well for us. I encourage all you moms who have had babies this December to celebrate the half birthdays, its GREAT!

Jacquie

Merry Christmas 2007

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas. We were fortunate to have Christmas in California and Nevada. The kids were loaded with presents from both sides of our families and of course Santa Claus. Looking back on 2007 we have lots to be thankful for and we are looking forward to a wonderful 2008!

Love always,
Jacqueline

We want to wish each and everyone of you a happy and safe holiday!

We are so excited for Christmas. The kids are counting the days until they can open their presents.

Poor Kennedi has her first cold. She has a runny nose and last night she developed a fever. She has been very clingy but she still has a smile on her cute little face.

The rest of us are still healthy and I hope to keep it that way. Can't wait to hear from the rest of you and see what Santa brought you this year!

Love,

Jacquie

Christmas Tree 2007

We had a blast decorating the christmas tree. I can honestly say this is the first year we didn't break any christmas bulbs. Kaden and Kaiah decorated the mid to low sections while mom and Kent decorated up high. As you can see Kennedi was right there to take them off as fast as we got them on.

This year we are going to celebrate Christmas in Nevada. Last Year we spent christmas in California and had so much fun. Santa Claus had so much traveling to do between Huntington Beach and Riverside, we thought we would do him a favor and stay in one location this year. The kids are asking for some great gifts this year. Kaden wants a new pair of Heely's, custome skateboard, and a new helmet. Kaiah wants a new bicycle, Heely's, MAKE-UP, more make-up, and as she puts it "Stylish" clothes. I have a total girlie girl on my hands. As for Kennedi she would be happy with a plain ol' box. I'm still trying to figure what to get Kennedi so if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I hope everyone is enjoying there holdiay shopping as I am mostly doing mine over the internet. Life is great!!!! Happy Holidays.

Jacquie

Thanksgiving, Goble Goble.......

My blogs have been out of order but I have to mention Thanksgiving. We spent Thanksgiving this year at Barbara and Les' house. My mother in law made an excellent dinner. We all ate until we were stuffed. My step son Cameron ate so much he made himself sick. I just want to say thanks to mom and dad for all that you do for us and especially making these holidays extra special for us. We look forward to many more....

Bye, Bye Escalade

I will miss the Escalade but I definetly will not miss the expense to fill up its tank. We have sold our car but it still remains in the family. Grandpa Jack and Nana will be sporting around in a cool looking Escalade. We have recently purchased Nana's Toyota Sequoia and we are loving it.

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Parowan, Utah

The kids and I just returned from a fun filled weekend in Utah. My in-laws have a lovely home nestled in the small town of Parowan. Upon our arrival we were greeted with four inches of snow and the kids couldn't wait to build a snowman. I wasn't prepared for the freezing cold weather. It was 17 degrees when we first arrived but over the weekend it reached a whopping 50 degrees. Thank goodness I do not live in the mid-west or close to anywhere that drops below freezing on most winter days. Think about all the people who have to dig their cars out of the snow just to get to work, or have to put a snow suit on just to go buy a few groceries. Now I know what the term "snow birds" really means, "get me the heck out of here." But the atmosphere of this quaint little town was quite refreshing. None of the traffic jams or starbucks that you find on every corner in Vegas. We had a great weekend. Our next visit will be after the holiday and we are planning a ski trip to Brian Head. Kaden and Kaiah have expressed their interest in learning how to snowboard.

Hawaiian Vacation

We arrived home early Monday morning from our Hawaiian vacation. We spent eight wonderful days in Hawaii. There were sixteen in all and we all managed to survive. We landed on Oahu late Saturday evening and checked in at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa. WOW, it was beautiful. I would recommend this resort to anybody. The first day we spent the day on the resorts privated beaches and swam in there three large lagoons. Yes there were shark nets if you are wondering. Those who know me well know I am paranoid of sharks. However I was still always looking over my shoulder. The second day we drove to the North Shore and hung out on the beach. Kent was so excited to surf and the kids were able to try surfing for the first time too. The third day we visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation and spent the rest of the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The Fourth day the ladies all went shopping while the guys played around of golf. The fifth day we spent the afternoon in Wikik Beach and took a fabulous submarine tour. The sub went as far as 125 feet and we explored through sunken ships, airplanes and misc items found at the bottom of the ocean. Yes we even saw a few sharks. The next few days we drove the remainder of the island. We spent time at Hunauma Bay, North Shore, Wikiki, and Honolulu. To all of you that know how much I love the "Original Pancake House" we accidentally found one in Honolulu. Speaking of food, I can't believe how much food we ate. We had so much fun and we can't wait to do it again. We want to thank you mom and dad (Les & Barbara) for planning and taking the family on this wonderful vacation. We hope you had just as much fun as we did.... Aloha ~

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Happy Halloween

This year we are going to be out of town for halloween. We are packing up and leaving for Hawaii on October 27th and we will be returning on the 4th of Novemeber. That means we will be trick~or~treating in Hawaii this year. Besides packing all of our clothes and toiletries we will have to pack our costumes. I think I've come up with a pretty interesting Christmas card for this year. Did I mention christmas....oooops. I hope everyone has a safe and exciting HALLOWEEN. My kids can't wait to dig into all that candy.
Jacquie

Halloween Festivities!

Forty-Seven Years Young.....

Kent celebrated his 47th birthday yesterday yeeeeeeeeeehhhhaaaaaaaaaaa.... We all had a great time celbrating his birthday. DK, Ashley, Cameron, mom, dad, Jacquie and Kent went to dinner. We all met up over at "On the Border", great mexican restaurant and then sat around so we could visit for awhile. It was a nice relaxing time. It's amazing how our birthdays just keep creeping up on us. I remember this time last year and I swear it feels like yesterday. Well I have a little over six months to go until I hit 34 so I hope the remaining part of the year slows way down. There are so many people between friends and family I can not keep up with birthdays this year. I've missed some pretty important ones and I feel so bad, but I will try really hard next year to remember. That will probably be one of my many New Year's resolutions. I hope I said that right. Well to all of you who are having a birthday soon or have had a birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

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WHERE DOES ALL OF OUR TIME GO!

It always seems like there is never enough time in my day. Its now 8:30pm and I have just settled the kids into bed and I'm wondering what to do next. Should I fold the laundry that has been piling up for the past few days or should I read a few emails and update my blog. Well here I am updating my blog.
Just to give you an update Kent loves his new job. What a world of difference betweem the two companies. There are wonderful opportunities for him along with some azaming perks for us all. So if any of you are interested in traveling his can get great rates at any of the Wyndham, Ritz-Carlton, and Four Season Resorts.
Our family will be traveling to Hawaii at the end of October. We are all so excited, the kids can't wait to fly in the airplane. I hope Kennedi does ok on the flight.
Halloween is around the corner. I hope you all have a wonderful time trick ~ or ~ treating with your little ones. Watch out CAVATIES here we come. Schedule your next dental appointments soon.
I am still working on my photography. Kent recently switched all of my folders and files over to his lap top so I can be more mobile. I will be traveling to San Diego this weekend for Brooke's wedding and I will have a lot of alone time. So what a better time to work on my prints. I am loving every minute of it.
I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy. Its that time of year again "flu season." Well I am not big on the flu shot, however everyone has there own theory so I won't give you mine. Just remember the flu shot is only against one type of strain and there are more than one type of strain floating out there. Remember good handwashing and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. I guess its time to go and fold that wonderful laundry. Goodnight........

Kennedi

Kennedi is 7 months old. She is growing so fast I want everything to slow down a bit. She has two teeth and no hair. Got to love all those bald babies. Maybe its a sign that when her hair finally does decide to grow in it will get long and thick unlike my own. She has amazing blue eyes and a smile that goes on for days. Kent and I are so blessed to have such a happy beautiful little girl. Kennedi just loves all her brothers and sisters. For all of you who don't know this important information Kent has four older children too. For all you lucky moms' whose children sleep through the night, that is not me. I don't know where I went wrong but my daughter still wakes up at least one time but lately it has been two or three times. I keep telling myself this will not last forever. My love for her is endless and that is what keeps me going on with all these sleepless nights.

Kaiah

Kaiah is 4 1/2 years old going on twenty!!! She is such a joy and loves all the attention. Kaiah started pre-Kindergarten this year at Mrs. Robin's School. What a lovely lady Mrs. Robin is. Kaiah is having a ball. Kaiah also learned how to ride a two wheeler yesterday and she did it on her first try. Enough though we all know how dangerous the "Razor" scooters are, I have to give them credit because that is how both of my two older children learned how to ride a bike so fast. Its the balance coordination they learn from the scooters at an early age. Just a food for thought. Kaiah has been enrolled in gym class for the past year and half. I don't see a big future in gym for her but look out American Idol you might see this girl soon. Kaiah loves to sing and dance. She can carry a tune and also has a bit of rhythm too. She loves being a big sister!

Kaden

Kaden is now 8 years old and started the second grade. Kaden recently enrolled with the Cub Scouts and is playing flag football for his third season. Even though he is out numbered by two sisters Kaden is able to hold his own. He is a loving brother and most of the time allows his sister Kaiah to participate with him and his friends but she does get pushed aside at times. I'm sure we all can remember those days. He is a big help around the house of course with a little prompting, but he sure does love his allowance.

KENT

My wonderful husband recently started with a new company "Wyndham" Vacation Resorts. We are all very excited because we will be seeing more of him. Kent has put in some long hours over at his last resort and he based this recent move knowing he would have more time with his family. He still enjoys riding his chopper and of course loves playing golf. I'm sure he doesn't get out as often as he would like to. Ladies I have to admit he is a wonderful father too. Wow am I lucky. How many men out there wake up in the middle of the night with a newborn and then turns around gets up in the morning with the baby too. I can't tell you how many mornings I get to sleep in, I could get used to this.

JACQUIE

I'm usually one of the last people to figure things out but I'm going to get this blogging down. I recently read my niece Melissa and my friend Trisha's blog and thought it was pretty amazing. I recently picked up a new hobby "photography" and I thought this would be a great way for me to share my progress with all my family and friends. Now don't be afraid to give me any feedback postive or negative, it will be greatly appreciated.