Summer Daze Come to a Cloze

It's always great having time with my kids! They wear me out, and I am exhausted every night I put them to bed, but I go to bed with my heart full, knowing that I have spent the day loving them.

MARINA

Below: Marina is showing off her treasures from a good day garage "sailing"

Marina's big summer event has been doing her gymnastics...practicing, competing... she spends most of her life upside down. Yes, in my living room, her bedroom, the hallway, downstairs, outside...UPSIDE DOWN! We hit her top requests for her summer to do list, when we saw the musical Footloose performed by the Fox Theater outside at a Stapleton park, when Danny took the kids to Skate City for an evening of roller skating, and weekly swimming parties. We even got a Family Home Evening of swimming with Dad.

ISAAC

(Isaac's garage sale finds-We scored!)

Isaac's highlights consist of the annual watching of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Bear Lake with his friend Ryan, Harry Potter movie night, a trip to the public library, an annual swim party at the Glass House downtown, and his 11 year old scout camp with his dad.

ESAIAS

Esaias' top summer favorites definitely involve weekly swimming trips. He just plays for hours, in and out of the water. He won't nap while we are out to save his life, but he sure has been all over town and played!


For Me:
I think taking Esaias to the zoo has been one of my highlights. He gets so excited to see the animals. To see pure enjoyment of new experiences is one of the best parts of life.

Another highlight is watching Marina grow and mature, and become more confident and positive in her attitude towards life. I love hearing her talk about herself and her experiences in positive and empowering ways. "Mom, I've done a good job because I've worked hard. And I've already won, because I've had fun."

Seeing Isaac be a good big brother, as he learns to be aware and nurturing is at the top of my list as well. The other night we were gone, and the babysitter reported that Isaac helped Esaias all night. She said, "He's so good with him." What a great thing to hear!

Count Down or Count Up?

Are we counting down or up?

The Count Down for the end of school left me wanting to do a couple of things before the 2 big kids would be home. Taking my niece Erica to the zoo, was on the list. She is way into animals and the Animal Planet channel and being 3 years old all this makes her a good companion for the zoo. I happen to love the zoo, and will still take my kids this summer, but I thought it would be fun to capitalize on not having all the kids and take her, and Esaias, and I invited my sister and my nephew Lafai to come too. It was kind of reminiscent of when my sister and I only had Isaac and Lilli. It was a great hot and busy day to go. Aside from the mile walk to and from the front entrance (not exaggerating-it was the farthest away I have ever had to park) we had a blast. Actually, they even handled the walking like troopers. Esaias seemed to enjoy his first trip to the zoo also, but it sure was awfully hot.


Count Up for Esaias he just keeps getting older. At six eeks old, he had his blessing on Sunday, June 6, 2010. We were hoping for a big turn out from family and friends, but it quickly dwindle in numbers when Danny's sister couldn't make it from Utah, his old missionary companion was called out of town on business, and Melissa went into labor on Friday and had her baby. I guess we could say count them out. But then we quickly added back in Tiffany and Mable who were here visiting from Texas. So, all in all it worked out nicely. Danny gave the blessing while Marcus and Grandpa Mortensen were there to stand in with him. It spoke a lot about serving others, and having faith, hope and charity. And after all, we did have a good turn out for hamburgers and hot dogs after church. Thanks Luke and kids, Chris, Joe & Ben, Cory, Tiffany & Mabel, Jeannie, Marisa, Marcus & Kids, and Grandma & Grandpa Mortensen for coming. We appreciate your love and support.

Count Down to the end of the school year included going back to work informally, to pack up my classroom and helping my students get ready for and doing their 5th grade Continuation. It was a little stressful, but it all went off without a hitch. It was nice to see them and say goodbye. My 5th graders

Whether it be up or down, it has been busy.
We're glad to have summer here!

Great Plains Adventures!

My sister is busy this week coaching and preparing for Regionals Gymnastics, so that freed up the chance to take her kids for the day yesterday. Thanks to my mom for bringing them out. We had a picnic, played, and got some sun. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Marina has missed the monkey bars from not being at school.

Leilani can't wait to own a little dog of her own, that she can dress up, put in a fancy bag, and carry all around. I guess Ouray will have to do for now.

Lilli spunky and sassy as ever! Spent most of her time playing baseball, (well if that's what you call it when the kids are using a flip-flop as the bat) and trying to break the rules in order to steal a base while grandma was pitching.

Below: This is Isaac and Lafai's game. My mom suggested they bring small balls to the waterpark for the water. Quickly they started trying to get the ball into the top of the fountain. Many of the other boys at the park couldn't resist the challenge and fun.

Thanks for a great day kiddos! And thanks to Grandma Layne for the special ice cream treat that summed it all up!

Summer has begun!

I don't have any great pictures of the kids, but I thought I would blog in regards to the beginnings of our summer. I feel like we got a much later start on summer than everyone else. Between not finishing school until June 10, and then heading straight into the final details of my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary surprise party, summer did not officially begin until this week.
1. So, it was so nice to wake up on Monday and know I didn't have anywhere to go. Tuesday I spent sometime with my friends from work(with no kids), doing NON-WORK things. We went to lunch and shopping at Plato's Closet, which I had never been to. I spent under $100 and have been wearing new clothes everyday this week, and sporting a new purse. Isaac started it off with basketball camp. He had lots of fun. Although, I was hoping it would wear him out more. Marina spent the day with Grandma Chris.



2. Thursday and Friday were spent hitting the garage sales. I have been waiting for this since last summer. I always have so much fun with my sister on these days. It's sort of a tribute to my hispanic grandmothers, who were the bargaining queens. Besides coming by the bargain shopping genetically, we were trained from birth. I can only say that at least Marisa (my sister) and I don't fight as much over good deals as my grandma and my aunt Pat. I think that's part of the fun for them. Whatever, we had a great time and found a few good deals!

3. This is the yet to come...hiking, walking and playing with Gandalf (my Great Dane), traveling to see friends and family, swimming, working on lots of yard and house projects, knowing that all the laundry is being done right (I take the job back from Danny...whew), more time with my sister and my nieces and nephews, reading with the kids, and lots of fun!

Las Vegas

New York New York, Las Vegas

So, I've returned from my girls' trip to Vegas this last week. I don't have a lot of pictures to show for it, because when it's just two of you, what do you take a picture of? That one person the whole time? Danny said we should've traded cameras so that we would have a picture of myself, but I really don't mind not having that either. We stayed at New York, New York and had all the makings of a terrific slumber party...Ben and Jerry's ice cream, chick flicks, long hours of talking, in conjunction with...dinners without kids, shopping, and a fabulous Cirque de Soliel Show. It was relaxing and fun with one of my greatest friends. Thanks Brooke for a great time, and thanks to our husbands for allowing us to celebrate our August birthdays and friendship this way!!!

What I do have a picture of is the enormous steak that we shared for dinner about 3-4 inches thick and larger than my hand in length and width. No exaggeration here! The collosal bake potato was a large as my hand. Together we ate about half of everything. The waitor cut it in half for us, but we put it back together to take a picture. The restraunt staff had a good laugh at our expense. :)

Brooke and our incredible steak dinner:)

Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn

Okay so I jumped on the bandwagon with this one! Tiffany was so kind and let me borrow her books. In the last three weeks I have read all four, oh yes, that's including the most recent to hit the bookstores on Saturday! Reading this series has been amazing from the start. What an amazing author! What an amazing story! What an amazing way to spend the last few relaxing days at home before returning to work! Thanks to you all for sharing. You've made my summer. Oh yeah, did I say AMAZING!(V)

HOT Saturday!

Colorado Cares Day was today for our stake. All of us Vycci, Danny, Isaac and Marina went and helped build a trail 3" deep be 3' wide. We all had a shovel. It was so incredibly hot that at 9:00am when we were walking down the trail and passing others saying, "Good morning," I replied, "Are you sure it's still morning?" It felt like mid-afternoon. Anyway it was good hardwork for a Saturday morning. When we were finished we were beyond sweaty, hot, thirsty, hungry, and DIRTY!!! We decide to pick-up some food and Glaciers to help cool us down. All we wanted to do was put our faces in front of the air conditioner blowing full blast in the car. So, being tempted by all the garage sale signs, and I(vycci) was driving decided to stop at a few. On our last garage sale stop we found something we had been wanting for a very long time. Thanks to Mark and Tiffany for helping us move it into our home.
We topped the day off by showering, listening to Danny play, and going to a movie and dinner in a very cool theater.

Finally Home!

I had a chance to take the kids to another free movie today, but last night I just couldn't stand the thought of one more thing. I don't even remember the last day I was at home. I know I have a mound of laundy, and many other unfinished chores (although there could be more-my sweet husband did some housework the other night while I was at school completing assignments-Thanks BABE). But I needed to just be home today. My kids have been playing non-stop everyday;Lakeside, swimming, swimming, and more swimming, and don't forget the Butterfly Pavillion and the Zoo. Yikes!!! I think my kids needed to be home even more than me. Marina got up at six this morning and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Where are we going today?" When I told her "NOWHERE!" She was a little disappointed, but it quickly subsided as she curled up next to me and watched cartoons while I dosed back to sleep. I hate to admit when I know that I am on the downhill slide of summer. But I am there. Only a few short weeks and I will be back to work in full swing. So, while I am glad we've had so much fun. I need a few days of quiet and not doing anything before I will be ready to face those days ahead. Here's to the safety, and tranquility of our own homes. Even when it's dirty-it's still ours!!!(Vycci)

Here's a few of the pictures from the zoo yesterday.
As members we got to go in early at 8 am before it got really HOT!

Isaac, Leilani, Marina(center), Lafai, Riyann(front)
Not present in the picture but in attendance: Lilli, Jocelyn, Amry,

Leilani making friends. Look closely to find the cute little monkey.

Have you ever seen Peacock chicks? I've been to the zoo a lot. I've seen baby ducks, geese, rabbits, lions, zebras, water buffaloes, hippos...but never this till yesterday.

Wet KIDS!

Isaac, Leilani, Lafai's bum, Marina, Tristan

Tristan, Marina, Leilani, Lafai, Lilli, Isaac

My sister actually beat me to posting these pictures from yesterdays afternoon of trampoline excitement. Marisa and I got to have our nephew Tristan this week. We love any time we can get him. Before the backyard fun, we all went to the free movie in Arvada and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. The kids of course had seen it at least 20 times, but loved seeing it again. It was my first time watching it, and I have to admit it was very cute. There is something about sitting in a movie "vader" (as Marina would call it) with more children than adults. They quote the movie and sing the songs throughout the entire show. And while on other occassions it would normally make you want to run out screaming. It is actually kind of endearing, hearing and watching the kids have such a good time. One of my favorite's was from a previous summer and the free movie was Madagascar. The entire movie theater of kids all stood up at the end, danced, and sang "We like to move it, move it. We like to...." and they all in unison shouted, "MOVE IT!" I have to admit that my summer's off are really about spending time with my kids, and my nieces and nephews. Sometimes I get worn out and tired of what seems like constant sibling fighting and arguing, cleaning up messes, and feeding children. But when all is said and done,I take a moment to reflect; I wouldn't want to loose one minute of my time with the kids. Someday they won't be kids, and I know how precious each moment will be when it's gone.