The Mortensen Family

Our school does a Poetry Night periodically throughout the year and this time Carson wanted to participate. He memorized the poem "The Spider Web".

The Spider Web

The spider spun a silver web
Above the gate last night
It was round with little spokes
And such a pretty sight

This morning there were drops of dew
Hung on it, one by one;
They changed to diamonds, rubies red.
When they were lit with sun.

A spiders nice to have around
To weave a web so fine
On which to string the drops of dew
That catch the bright sunshine.

Our city celebrated it's 100 year birthday this past month and Emma's ballet class got to perform at the festival. They looked so cute on the stage dancing with their dollies. She even got to stand by her best friend Lizzy.

I know it's a bit early, but what else was there to do being home sick! I tried to point out that some of these things are too expensive and Carson said, "Good thing it's for Christmas. We don't have to buy them."

Carson:
Beyblade
Ninjago's (Sensai Wuu and Kai)
Ninjago Skull Truck
Ninjago Fire Dragon
Nerf Disc Blaster
Remote Control Helicopter
Lego Star Wars people (Darth Maul and Anakin)
Kinex Mario Kart Race Track
Ninjago the Board Game
Battle Machines Remote Control Laser combat Air vs. Land
Samurai Castle
Nerf sword and shield
F 22 Raptor and F14 Tomcan (jets)

Emma:
Rememberall
Happy Napper (unicorn)
Ninjago (Nia)
American Girl Doll (Julie)
American Girl Dog (Honey)
Holiday Barbie and Ken
Rapunzel Barbie
Aurora Doll
Scooter
Big plastic Unicorn
Horse set
Leappad Learnnig Tablet
Slippers (size 1)

Wyatt:
Beyblade
Kinex MarioKart
Star Wars B Wing
Ninja Palace
Big Trampoline
XBox
DS3D
F 22 jet
Aircraft carrier
Dinosaur set
Nerf sword and shield
Air Hog
Pet Parrot

Owen:
Cosy Coupe
Little Tykes Basketball
Shake N Go Cars
Vacuum
Guitar
Trains
microphone
Little People race track or spiral speedway
shape sorter
Puffy chair

Amy:
cupcake pan
steam mop
sheets
pillows
exercise clothes
brown shoes
boots
jewelry
size my rings
books
can opener
area rug

Todd:
apple tv
suit
Camelbak either HAWG or Fourteener
Bike Mount for a Garmin GPS Map 60
SLR Camera Bag
Adobe Acrobat Software
Adobe Premier Elements Software
New Tuque (beanie) w/ wind stopper
Running Shoes size 11
Money towards a new A/V Receiver (Best Buy?)
16 GB thumb drive

We got bit by the flu bug. And it was a doosey! I must say it was quite an experience having all four of my kids throwing up throughout the same night (sometimes within minutes of each other). We had just left the kids with a babysitter. A new Young Woman in our ward and it was the first time she had ever babysat. We weren't gone 30 minutes and she called saying Owen had thrown up. Poor girl. We turned around and came home to a very long night. For lunch the kids ate 2 boxes of mac and cheese and 7 quesadillas! Needless to say there was a lot to come back up throughout the night. It all started at 6:00 pm but was over by 6:00 the next morning. Throughout those 12 hours we had about 20 throw ups (the last ones being just dry heaves).

Side Note: Do not give the kids red Kool-Aid when news of a bug going around! We have lots of red stains to prove it.

This year I decided not to buy any costumes (I actually made a deal at the Circus Birthday party that we'd use the costumes for Halloween, but no one wanted to be a clown or strong man) so...


Our Halloween season started out with a trip to our school carnival, where we waited in line for 45 minutes to get our faces painted, did some dancing to the DJ, and ate Cold Stone Ice Cream.

Next up was the Kindergarten Parade. Wyatt and Emma were the cutest ones there by far!!

Then we had some friends over to carve pumpkins with us. The kids drew and cut out their own pumpkins this year, except for Owen who just liked to taste the pumpkins.
Emma made hers a cat with whiskers, Wyatt made a scary mouth and Carson made fiery eyes. Todd got out the Dremmel once again to assist him with the boy scared in bed, and I made Jack Skellington.

Our ward Trunk or Treat party was a big success. The kids had tons of fun playing games and doing the cake walk, and getting wrapped up in toilet paper for a mummy race. They scored on the candy front. Even Owen got the hang of it until his bucket was too heavy for him to hold up. Carson enjoyed passing the candy out (and making sure everyone only got one piece) just as much as trunk or treating.
And finally our Halloween season ended with chili, cornbread, pumpkin pie and trick or treating. Mom and Grandma came out to celebrate with us and we had a yummy dinner. Then we were off. The first house we went to was a bit scary, so the kids walked with trepidation to the next house where a witch dropped out of the tree to scare them. That really did them in and they walked behind us for the rest of the block. At the end of the block there was a haunted maze that Wyatt wanted to go in. Emma and Daddy decided to go with him while I stayed out with the chickens. After hearing the chain saw there was no chance Carson was going. When they came out Wyatt looked petrified and said he never wanted to come to that house again. Several houses later Emma said she just couldn't stop thinking about it!! By the time we got home the kids had full buckets of candy and Owen learned how to say "trick or treat"! It was a Halloween to remember.