The Mortensen Family

Flashback a few years:

We are on our way to Idaho and just like every summer we stop in Las Vegas to break up the trip. This is the highlight for Todd and me. We stop and spend the night at the world famous (at least among children) Circus Circus! Yes, the buffet is nice. I'm forever counting the small lights that blink on and off to light up the signs. The food which goes on forever is fabulous. And nothing can beat the cold milk out of the big silver container. We never forget to rip out the coupon for 2 for 1 games in the midway that we are given as we leave. The same coupon book you get when you ride the tram from the hotel to the casino that we ride over and over just to collect lots of coupons. Then the real fun begins! We walk up the winding staircase up to the midway with Grandma. Mom stays downstairs playing slots and Grandma sits down on a bench and tells us to come check in with her every 20 minutes or else.... I head straight to the water gun game, the one that blows up the balloon. I have learned that if you get the gun of whoever just won the balloon isn't stretched out and you will most likely win. I put my 50 cents along with my coupon down in the tray and the man clicks on my water gun. I don't know where Todd goes, probably to the arcade. At the end of our alloted 2 hours we end up with 13 stuffed animals between the two of us that we will line up in the back window of the car as we drive to Idaho. It's sad to leave but I know we will be back again next year.


We were just on our way home from Utah and running ahead of schedule (thanks to Todd's driving) so we decided to stop at Circus Circus. What happened to this place?! The buffet not nearly as long as I once rememberred (though the milk met my expectations), and not a coupon to be had. As we rounded the same spiral staircase that I once walked as a child I try to figure out if I have changed or the place has changed, probably both. We walked all the way around the games in search of one that was less than a dollar. We finally found a game that was 50 cents. The one you roll the ball and it goes in a number. You get 6 balls to score under 11 or over 28. Wyatt won the game!! He picked the biggest, ugliest stuffed dog I've ever seen and named him Chow. Though the water gun game is still there it didn't have the same appeal it used to. We then walked over to watch a crazy juggling clown that for some reason the kids loved and stayed to watch another guy from Latvia that could juggle 8 balls at once! After spending 2 hours and $41 at Circus Circus we were ready to go. I must say memories are much better than the real thing.

Last week I went in to wake up Wyatt so we could get Carson to preschool on time and he promptly put his pillow over his head and kept sleeping. If this is happening now, what do I have to look forward to when Seminary comes? Pouring water on his head like we used to have to do to my brother?

Some things I love about Todd (in no particular order):

He is a hard worker. He works hard at his job and works even harder when he comes home.

He can fix anything and build anything. Like the shelves he just put in our closets, the kitchen sink, new interior doors, new baseboards, just to name a few.

He is a great athlete. He could pick up any sport and beat you at it.

He is a good Daddy. He changes diapers, gives horsey rides, wrestles, makes forts, and makes pancakes. What else could you ask for?

He is the spiritual rock of our family. Most people say their wife is the spiritual foundation in their home, but in ours it is Todd. Constantly reminding us to read scriptures, say prayers, taking small moments to teach children about gospel principles.

He takes me out and makes me feel beautiful. 8 years and 3 kids later he is still in love with me.

He is always giving service to others. Though I'm not always happy to have him gone helping other people this is one of the things that made me fall in love with him.

He has beautiful, twinkling blue eyes. Which he hasn't passed down to any of our children yet.

We have had Disneyland passes this year that are about to expire, and seeing as how we'd now have to buy tickets for the twins, we're not renewing them. Sigh! We have been very lucky to live close enough to Disneyland to go at least once a month and Todd and I have even gone on date nights a couple of times. It really is magical. The minute you step through the gate it's "A Whole New World". (cheezy but true) It doesn't matter what we do there whether it be fast rides, slow rides, shows or parades we have a ball!

Here are some of our favorite things:

Carson: seeing Mickey and Pluto, the one that does curves and twisties (Mulhuland Madness), the Handy Helper roller coaster

Wyatt: Buzz Lightyear for shooting Zerg, Star Wars, seeing Mickey and Pluto

Emma: Nemo and Dory, the rollercoasters and going fast, seeing Minnie Mouse

Amy: the parades, churros, and the rockets

Todd: Buzz Lightyear with the kids, the chili cheese dogs, and Craig's face on Tower of Terror

Directions: Mommy stays in the room until game is completed. Upon completion of game, kids show Mommy what they have done and Mommy acts surprised accordingly.

The house is clean, the kids are in pj's, Mommy's pj's are laying out for her, and fresh baked cookies are on the table.

The game ends with all the kids shouting, "We love you, Mommy!"

Winner: Mommy wins every time!



Thanks, Todd for inventing this game. Can we play it every day?!

Yes, this is Emma's hair. She got an unplanned haircut by Wyatt.

I feel pretty lucky--it could have been much worse!

One of the many wonderful things Todd has brought into this marriage is the "pizzaria". We get French rolls and everyone gets to make them into personal pizzas. I know, it's not rocket science but it sure is fun and delicious. The best part is snacking on the ingredients while you're making them!! The kids had friends over on Saturday night and had a great time making our pizzarias.