GRANDPA n GRANDMA MORTY

horrible, no good, very bad day

2012-01-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

So I was on my way to a job interview this afternoon. I left 45 mins. early because of the snowy roads. I just barely made it out of our subdivision and I slid into an 8 foot deep ditch and the car landed on the drivers side. Luckily I was not hurt. The back window had broke out, so I climbed out the back and had some help from strangers to get out of the ditch. Man - makes me wonder if I was meant to go job hunting!

Pumpkin Party

2011-11-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

This was our 3rd annual family Pumpkin Party. Guess who carved this one? (the dentist in the famiy)

Kara, Carl and Sherstine working hard on their pumpkins.

Kara and her friend Liz trying to get theirs finished before they had to leave to go sing with Nampa Institute Choir.

Kara and Liz' pumpkin

Even Kent was helping out - trying to save a few seeds to roast.

This was Carl's pac-man.

Evie came in her pumpkin costume.

Paul was an astronaut.

Becca was a Dead Bride.

CJ - he was just interested in the toy wish book.

Gage hauling the dogs all over the house.

The kids working on their crafts.

Evie and Gager - such cute kiddos!

We even got a surprise visit from Margo and Ken.

Once the donuts are fried - the party's over! Rebecca and Kent were the donut cookers this time.

Who Will It Be? Another Liv or another Gav or Gage?

2011-10-25T15:48:00.000-07:00

Wayne and Sherstine are expecting again in March. Do you think it will be a girl or boy?

Pine Top

2011-09-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

For Labor Day, we were invited to go to Pine Top with the Spjute Family (Sherstine's family). It is a Church camp up near Idaho City. In over 30 years of living here, I had never been to Pine Top.

As soon as we got there one of Sherstine's cousins was holding a baby kitten. Kara and Liv were very interested and soon they were on a kitty hunt.

It turns out that a stray mother cat was up in the mountains of Idaho City and gave birth to a litter of 11 kitties. Kara wanted so bad to take one home. sorry:(

Liva and Gav waiting for lunch.

Gav climbing rocks.

Cute little Gage - the water was cold.

Liv was brave enough to play in the pool for awhile.

Gav stayed on top of the water. (That is his Uncle Jake close by.)

Livy loved the kitties.

Hot Air Balloons

2011-09-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Boise had hot air balloons in town this week. We ventured out on a cold Saturday morning while it was still dark to see them. Gavin stayed under the blanket the whole time.

It was fun to see them lay the envelopes out flat, then hook them up to the baskets, fill them with hot air and take off.

When the BSU balloon took off the whole crowd cheered - excited for the big game later that night in Georgia. Liv and Gav's favorite balloon was the rocket ship.

This was how Livy liked seeing them the best - on top of Grandpa's shoulders.

We also liked the Red, White and Blue ones.

35 Years and counting........

2011-08-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

On August 19, we celebrated 35 years of being married. We didn't have the $$$ to fly off to some fun city like Seattle, Portland or San Diego, like we have done in the past. We went camping instead. We found a private camp spot 4 miles out of Garden Valley, on the road up to Placerville. We did alot of 4-wheeling.

The first evening there we rode the 4-wheeler into the tiny town of Placerville (not even 100 people). The only people we saw were a few couples in the historic cemetary. It is a very quiet little place.

The next morning we wanted to be adventurous and right across from our camp was a trail to explore. We had only gone a little ways when the trail was covered with branches and logs. We turned back and went further down the dusty road. Headed up another trail -same thing - lots of timber on the trail. So we went down by some construction work, looked like they were enlarging a bridge. Headed up that trail and this time we kept on going. We climbed the mountain and got up on a high ridge. It was very steep and lots of big gulleys that the 4-wheeler hugged the side of the mountain. I was anxious to get down. We finally started to go down the mountain. Before long, we came to some timber on the trail and we thought - hey, this looks familiar! We were on the very first trail that we had started on that morning - we knew it was right across from our camp, so we got off the bike and cleared the trail. It wasn't too far from camp. It ended up being a 6 mile loop. It seemed alot further.

The last day we checked out Grimes Pass, another trail on the way to Placerville. It was a good road this time and pine trees everywhere - just beautiful and the kind of rides I like (not scarry).

Some of the pics above are of our ride up there. The 4th one down is our view on top looking down at Garden Valley below. It was a long ways away.

It was a fun time. We packed light and didn't even get out the Camp chef for cooking. We didn't even make a campfire. No kiddos around to roast hot dogs or marshmallows. Are we getting old or what?

I love you Honey - Happy Anniversary! (Next year let's do the Payette)

Our final Reunion of the Summer

2011-08-08T18:41:00.000-07:00

We started this summer with Kent's family having a reunion up near Featherville Idaho in June. His younger brother, Steve, and his family were in town from Florida. It had been almost 10 years since their family had been back in Idaho. Kent's 3 sisters weren't able to attend the camping part of it, but they were altogether for a 1 day picnic at a park in Meridian. We had a crowd of about 30 people up camping. It was cold for the Floridians, but we still had a good time.

Then last month the Carlson side got together in Alpine Wyoming to join forces with the Nordfelt's for a rafting reunion down the Snake. There were about 35 of us and about 45 of the Nordfelt's. See previous post for pictures. We had a great time!

Then this past weekend, we had the Kent and Wendy Mortensen reunion down at Lagoon. We were all there but Randy. He had recently started a new job, so couldn't get the days off to come and play with us. Sorry i don't have pictures - we forgot the camera. Maybe one of the DIL's will post pics. Carl's family stayed with Robert's in Bountiful. Then Wayne and Sherstine camped with us at the Lagoon Campground. That in itself was an experience! It was very loud and very crowded! It was very convienent though to just walk across the parking lot to get into Lagoon. We rode rides one day and the next we got wet at Laguna Beach. The Bounce Back program made it more affordable to enjoy 2 days of playing. The little ones enjoyed the bumper cars and the older ones enjoyed Wicked and Colossus. Kent and I enjoyed the Ferris Wheel. The favorite was Rattlesnake Rapids where we all got wet - it felt great on such hot days!
One thing we did miss was the gathering of all of us around a campfire just talking and telling stories of younger years, and the roasting of marshmallows.
The first day some of us wore BSU shirts so we could track each other easier while in the park. It was amazing all of the Boise State fans that happened to be there. WE would pass and give them the thumbs up or a "go bronco's" shout. In our campground there was a big group of 17 tents that were BSU fans.
The first day there we ran into a family from our stake and a newly called missionary from our ward. (he wasn't on his mission yet - he goes to Carl's mission - Recife Brazil.)
It seems like wherever you go in this world, you run into someone you know.
Little Gage, our youngest grandchild, just one years old doesn't say words yet. He just has this funny little sound he makes to let you know what he wants. It was the cutest thing to watch him go up and scare Grandpa by making a bear sound. Of course Grandpa would over react to make him laugh, and then he would do it some more. It was the funniest thing. He is Mr. Smiley.
It was good for all the cousins to be together again - it's been almost 8 months since that has happened.
We're already talking of plans for the reunion next summer and the summer after that.
Isn't family great?

Carlson Reunion

2011-07-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

Robert - these are for you since you don't have Face Book to see all the pics. CJ, Dad, Nate Packer, Kallee and Dunc sitting around the campfire.

Denise, Deb, Doug and Dick sitting around after dinner.

Morty just chillaxing.

Kallee and her s'more.

The Mansfields and the Carlsons eating breakfast.

Dick leading FHE and Blake roasting either hot dogs or marshmallows.

The first group down the river.

This was the "Milk Run" crew on the second day. I loved it - just enough rapids for me and kiddos! Mine and Debbie's grandkids.

Cute little Paul was excited to go down the Snake.

the Milk Run boat

Den was our boat captain. He was so awesome! He was our guide for 6 trips down the Snake. The river was high and fast and not too many Nordfelts wanted to go down. Poor Den was the lucky one to take all the Carlson's down. We love Den and all the Nordfelts! But Den was our hero! thanks so much Den!

On Wednesday night we had a potluck dinner with all the Nordfelts and Carlsons. Then Brother Joseph came to visit and share his story. It was wonderful! and so neat that all the Nordfelts got to see Chris' presentation on the prophet.

Proud Papa Dennis - he shared his experience of hosting at the Conference Center and looking at a statue of Joseph with his arm around his son. He had Chris, the prophet, come up for a very touching tribute of that statue.

This is the crowd gathered for the Wed. evening presentation.

I think the reunion was a great success! Thanks to all who came and participated - we had great food, scarry rides down the river and lots of memory making family time. Love you all - Wendy

Kent's Family Pic

2011-06-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

This was the first time in about 10 years that all his sibs and his mom had been together. Steve's family from flordia came up and then connie came down from Wenatchee. Dave has lost about 100 pounds, so he's looking buff these days. And Janiel has lost 60 pounds. We had a picnic at the park, then in the morning we go camping for a couple days. fun, fun, fun!

PROM

2011-05-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

Kara posing before the date arrives.

the date arrives and she couldn't get him to smile.

This was the best face we could get from him - Matt Rollins. He is a good kid. Reminds us alittle of Carl. He is smart, non-emotional, and has a quirky sense of humor.
The best part of prom was Kara's whole outfit was under $50 - yeah!

Our Blondie

2011-03-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Kara was in the high school play "Steel Magnolias". She played the part of Ouiser, a 66 yr. old woman. Kara really gets into her part - so much though, that she got her hair dyed. She did a great job and got lots of laughs from her part as Ouiser.
Years ago she played the part of a pick-pocket kid in "Oliver" and she had her hair cut short like a boy.
Okay - enough all ready. where is my Brunette daughter???

CARLSON REUNION

2011-01-31T20:06:00.000-08:00

Okay Family - A decision has been made for the Carlson/Nordfelt reunion this summer. We are going to a campsite in IDAHO - yeah! It is 2 miles west of Alpine Wyoming, but yes, it's in Idaho.
Some of us talked that if we didn't combine with the Nordfelts this summer and they did their own, we would have very few, if any of the Nordfelt's attend the Carlson reunion.
Pam was supposed to be in charge of the Nordfelt one, but since her and Shawn are moving to Washington and more than likely won't be around, Marcel and Den will be the ones planning theirs. I got elected to plan the Carlson part.   so here's the scoop:

I talked with Marcel today and the Nordfelts are camping for 5 days.   All the group sites were already reserved for the weekends, so the Carlson's will camp Monday July 18 starting at 2:00pm and we will leave on Thursday, July 21 by noon.

We are in a group site that will hold 50 people. If you want to look it up on the internet, go to Alpine North Loop.   We are site #2. The campsite has vault toilets, water and garbage service, but NO electricity. It has picnic tables and fire rings.

We can have up to 12 vehicles, so please try to carpool as much as possible.

There is Palisades Lake about 2 minutes away and then the Snake River for rafting that is 5 minutes away.

For the cost - I figure it will be about $1 per head, per night.

There are no cabins in the campground, so for those who don't have camping equipment, there are motels in the town of Alpine just 2 miles away.   I know some of the Nordfelts have stayed in town, so ask Julie if you have questions about staying in Alpine.   Jackson Hole is 40 miles away and very expensive to stay. Fun to visit though!

I figure the first night we get there we can roast hot dogs and have smores for FHE.   We will have one other meal with everyone - Nordfelts too, but the other meals will be by campsite.   After I find out how many are coming and staying in the Carlson group site, I will make food assignments accordingly. I think we will plan breakfast and dinner together, but have lunches on our own.

So please pass this on to all the Carlson relatives and I will email the main 12, then make sure your kids and grandkids get this info. Please let me know if you can or cannot attend, so I will know if I do need to find some more campsites.

THANKS!

Christmas - I know, I'm late posting

2011-01-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

This was a page that Rebecca put together of our christmas adam.

this little snowman came as a gift from a friend. I wanted to remember it for next year as neighborhood treats. A box of mints was inside.

Randy used Kara's flat iron to straighten his hair so they could have matching hair do's. They really look like brother and sister now.

Tangled cousins: Liv and Toria

Wayne had as much fun as Gav did with the new toy.

Randy in his new jammies. Anne enjoying Kara's new chair and her new horse.

Kyle and Jessica

Gage getting help from Sherstine on Christmas morning.

Claire had more fun with the new dress-ups for the toy closet.

This is how we spent our MLK day.

2011-01-24T12:44:00.000-08:00

Miss Evie riding in the little car.

Miss Livy

Mr. Gav liked the Pirate ship.

Kara and Gager. He even went down one of the slides.
Refer to Our Own Little Patch of Crazy blog for more pictures.

Any Guesses?

2011-01-24T12:39:00.000-08:00

The Young Women had to make cakes/cupcakes for a camp fund raiser. Kara made these. Any guesses as to who they are?

SNOW DAY

2010-12-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

We got about 8 inches of snow a couple weeks ago and had a SNOW DAY. Kara and I went outside and built a snowman. Two days later - this is what he looked like.

Our trip to Utah for Thanksgiving

2010-12-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

This was just 1/2 the tables set up for the Carlson Thanksgiving. We had it at Rob's church. Almost 80 of us.

The Lang & Carlson tribe.

Great eyes Nat!

Maddie and Liv

The Savages 2x

Does Gage look like Grandpa?

Gavin at Gardner Village

Kent in the big red chair at Cabela's

Kara and Kent at the JSMB. Love the tree.

Lights at Temple Square

Photo shoot for Christmas pics

2010-11-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

Here is just a sampling of what we did yesterday. Our 11 grandkids.

Family Swim Party

2010-08-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Evie liked the water most of the time.

Liv and Anne underwater.

Claire and Dad.

Kyle

Hey Dad - catch this! (Gav)

silly Kara

Little Paul

We had so much fun to Uncle Dan's pool. What a great backyard for little ones. thanks Dan and Pam for letting us come.

4th of July Kent and Wendy Reunion

2010-07-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

Over the 4th of July we had our own little family reunion. We had all our kids and grandkids, plus Kent's mom with us. Here Jessica is reading. Below - Claire and Paul playing in the water.

Becca, Evie, Liv, Gav and CJ in the hammock.

At camp.

Grandma Mortensen-Shaw

Gav and Paul playing soccer.

Kara had a huge bite on her forehead.

playing Rook and Go Fish

G& G getting breakfast going.

The kids had alot of fun just sitting on the 4 wheelers pretending they were riding.

Waiting for the 4 wheelers to come down off the trailer.

Grandpa, Toria and Claire

Rebecca and Carl

Jessica and Robert

Wayne trying to keep warm

Kara

Randy and Kyle

Kyle and his dad, Robert

Carl

Anne

Victoria

Wayne is cleaning his knee that got banged up.

Becca AND LIV

Carl and Evalee having a knap

Paul

Gone Fishin'

Liv, Gav and CJ

Sherstine-baby due in a few weeks, this will be our 11th grandchild.

Randy showing us his crooked finger

Watched the fireworks in Crouch

Gavin looked so funny with the licorce bucket on his head.

We had a Mortensen family band made up of grandkids. It was so cute! Anne got the little ones to sit and play - they sang Christmas songs - too funny!
Since the guys went on their 4 wheeler adventure, the girls went and saw Wizard of Oz at Starlight Mountain Theater. We didn't take pics there - but it was a good time.
The guys had fun too, but came back to camp pretty somber, because Carl rolled his 4 wheeler, which landed on top of CJ. CJ was scratched and bruised, but Carl broke his wrist. That was the only downer.

TREK

2010-06-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

This was Kent - the Potty Guy, before they headed out.And Kara - what a cute pioneer!Still at the church loading up.This was Kara's family on Trek.Kara in a contest - she fell.The Pony Express came and delivered letters from home.

They experienced snow, wind, and sun. Kent said it was hard work, setting up tents every night and taking them down the next morning. Kara said she walked alot and her feet hurt. But overall, it was a great experience for the kids and adults alike.

Memorial Weekend Part 2

2010-06-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Okay - scroll to the bottom and work up.Kyle got buried. So did Kara - partly.Big Morty and his SAND beard.We all made it to the top of the ridge.A plus for Mt. Home - it's close to the DUNES!

We moved Big Morty's family to Idaho!!! yes, they are living in Mt. Home - only 1 hr. away. We are so excited!!! Now we have all the grandkids living within an hour's time. And we have all the kids close, but Randy. He better move back soon!

Memorial Weekend Part 1

2010-05-30T16:06:00.001-07:00

FHE/BarBQ

2010-04-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

Okay - I always seem to do this backwards. Here is Livy in the tree - she loves to climb it, just like her older cousin, Kyle. They have to climb the tree before they head for home. Last week with the weather in the 80's, we had a request for Kent to bar-b-que up some meat. So we decided to combine FHE with the BAR-B-Q.Gavin with dessert all over his face.Robert is the lesson giver.Here are the kiddies listening to the lesson.Here they are acting out the story of the Fall. Kyle was the Tree of Good and Evil. Anne was HF, Gav was Adam, Liv was Eve, Toria was the serpent. I don't remember what Claire was.

Gav and Kyle always have to wrestle.

Grandpa took pictures

2010-04-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Kyle - 9 Toria - 5Claire - 3 Anne is 7

Robert and Jessica wanted Grandpa to take family pictures, so with this beautiful weather we've been having, we headed to the Boise Depot.

Easter Sunday with the Family

2010-04-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

After dinner we played the game CURSES - it was a hoot!Grandma Shaw and Keith joined us for dinner.Kyle and Liv - there aren't any eggs in the trees!The girls: Jessica, Kara and Sherstine.the grandkids Jessica made me an Easter basket.She also made these cute little decorations.

Sorry for so many pictures. Kara and Kent are both gone and I don't know how to do the slideshow.

What Grandkids can get Grandpa to do.......

2010-04-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

A little back ground on these pics: During the holidays, Kent grows out his beard or goatee. Little Gavin, 2 yrs. old didn't like Grandpa's whiskers. So when he shaved off the goatee and left the mustach, Gavin still didn't like it. It got so that Gavin was afraid of Grandpa and didn't like to see him. So as a gift to Gavin, he went in and shaved off the mustach. Gavin was so happy! But when Livy finally realized that Grandpa had shaved off his mustach, she was taken by complete surprise and it scared her! So funny!

April Fools

2010-04-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so did any of you have tricks played on you for April Fool's Day?
Kent and I tried to get Kara by turning on the smoke alarm and shouting "FIRE". It didn't phase her in the least. (If there was a real fire, she would've burned.)

Well - she got us back big time. While we were upstairs watching a movie with the grandkids, she proceeded to play tricks on us. She did the following:
1- she got all of our toiletries and put them in our bed so when we pulled down the covers - surprise!
2- she put blue and yellow food coloring in our hand soaps
3- she cleaned out my white underwear drawer and hid them upstairs in her window seat, so the next moring when I went to get dressed - my drawer was empty!
4 - she put cotton balls in my shoes that I wear everyday, so when I went to put them on, my toe snagged on something and I thought my sock was wrinkled, so straightened it out 2x, before I looked down in my shoe and found the cottonballs.
5 - she hid the soap and shaving gel from our shower
6 - she changed all the cereal boxes by swapping the Life cereal into the Honey Bunches of Oats box.
7 - and lastly - she printed out a picture of Michael Jackson and taped it onto the picture of me on my Driver's License.

That girl - she got us good! and next year if school is in session on April 1 - she better watch out!

(I wish I had pictures to post! sorry)

Grandpa's Goatee

2010-03-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

I had not grown a beard since my 20's when I was outside in the cold framing homes. I thought I would grow a Goatee this past winter since it seems to be a popular thing to have now days. I was going to shave it off on New Years day but Wendy said she kind of liked it so I kept it for another two months. I had Kara take a picture of me the last Sunday of February because we did not have any pictures of it. So any way here it is. Just enough grey to make me look Distinguished, Old or Both.

Government Flow Chart

2010-03-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

This is how I feel with the current leadership.

A funny story

2010-02-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

This morning Kent wanted to make some hot chocolate before he headed to McCall. So he goes to the pantry and pulls out a #10 can that we got from the cannery. (They make the best hot cocoa mix!) He mixes it up and says it is really thick for some reason. He got out another mug for me so he could share. I looked at what he was mixing up and he had pulled the Chocolate Pudding can out instead of the hot cocoa mix - ha, ha, ha. So this morning - he had Hot Pudding to drink instead of hot cocoa! Pretty funny!

Yet another photo challenge

2010-01-18T18:11:00.000-08:00

Any guesses where Kent took this photo?

Thunder Mountain Train Ride

2009-12-31T17:23:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, Wayne and Sherstine gave us 2 tickets to ride the Thunder Mountain Train from Horseshoe Bend to Banks. We went early to get some more pics of Rainbow Bridge. We made a day of it. The train ride itself is 2 and 1/2hrs. long. It was a fun day. Thanks Wayne and family! Here are some of the sights of the day.

Christmas Adam, Eve and morning

2009-12-27T13:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas stockings hanging in a row.Christmas breakfast - 14 of us.Christmas morning - cousinsChristmas Eve out to Robert and Jessica's. Playing games New jammies.Claire was not happy, but she was helping.Christmas Adam Christmas Adam, Dec. 23, just the adults went out to dinner.

Christmas beards.....then and now

2009-12-26T20:50:00.000-08:00

THEN - the year 2000 Carl, Kent and Robert

NOW - 2009 Robert and Kent (no Carl :( )

Guess who's having a birthday today?

2009-12-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T15:55:00.001-08:00

These are the prettiest turkeys I've ever seen. Kent took this while we were in Boca Raton a few years ago.

We just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving and that family and friends mean alot to us. We had dinner at the church with Kent's family at noon - there was 38 of us. A small crowd, but more than what I wanted at my house! We miss everyone and wish everyone the best for this season of THANKS! Love you, Kent and Wendy

Another photo challenge

2009-11-20T16:49:00.001-08:00

This should be an easy guess for all you Idahoans!

I looked out the window and what did I see.........

2009-11-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Can you believe this? Blooming on Nov. 2 - wow - it reminds me of MOM. She loved purple iris.

another photo challenge

2009-10-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

Can you guess where this photo was taken?

Happy Birthday Livia - 4 yrs. old!

2009-10-16T12:18:00.001-07:00

Fall Family Fun

2009-10-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Chicago Trip

2009-10-07T14:58:00.001-07:00

At one of their parks they had this weird looking bean scuplture. It was actually kinda fun. I love the buildings in the reflection.

Us in front of the bean.

Navy Pier

A weird building - I got to take the architecture cruise down the river while Kent was in meetings.

this was 2 blocks from our hotel.

I thought this building was a church - actually, it is the Tribune building. Can you imagine? A newspaper company in a building like that?

this was looking out our hotel window. You can see the river below and the glass building in the center is - Trump Tower of course!

Again - looking out our window. It was a fun trip - we hadn't been there before. We were on the 16th floor, but felt dwarfed with all the huge buildings around us.

A birthday celebration - here and in Chicago

2009-10-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

We splurged and took a limo with 7 other people and went to the 95th floor of the John Hancock bldg. to eat. what a view we had from way up there! Our friends are from Montana, Maine, Kansas and Mississippi. (Kent had National Builders meetings)

He got sang to twice that night. After we ate on top of the world, then we went downstairs and next door and had dessert at the Cheesecake Factory.

the staff at Cheesecake Factory

Celebration at home

After eating, we went back to the house to open presents. He got a new hammock!

Anne and Kyle trying to see what Grandpa was getting.

Kara taught Robert's family a fun, new game - Ninja Destruction. They had alot of fun.

Even little Claire got into the action (even though she wasn't feeling at all well.)

Here we are at Tucano's to celebrate Kent's birthday. You can see the free meal gift card in his pocket. We love that place!

Someone's having a birthday this week.......

2009-09-28T09:38:00.001-07:00

Since we will be in Chicago this week for Kents birthday, I wanted to be sure and post before we left and wish him a great 55! He is a great husband, a very good father, and a wonderful Grandpa! He is a loved man! Happy Birthday Honey - I love you!

We celebrate 2 birthdays today

2009-09-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

This is from a few years back - but we want to wish Kara and Grandma Shaw a very Happy Birthday today!

another photo challenge

2009-09-15T14:19:00.001-07:00

Can anyone guess where this was taken? It should bring back many memories.

If on the last photo challenge you guessed Bridal Veil Falls - you are so right.

A year ago today.......

2009-09-10T07:13:00.001-07:00

Yes, it was a year ago that we lost our Mother. Although she is in a better place, I still miss her and miss seeing my sibs. Thinking of her today and all of you. Love ya, Wendy

Photo Challenge

2009-09-02T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is a photo that Kent took a few years back. Any guesses as to where this photo was taken?

Cascade trip

2009-08-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

Since school starts this next week and Kara was done with band camp, we went to Cascade to get one more weekend of camping in. It was a quiet weekend, we only saw 2 boats on the lake, and most of the camp sites were empty, excepting our neighbors who happened to be friends from long ago, the Corders. What is funny is that last year over Labor Day weekend we were up to Silver Creek Plunge and guess who was there? The Corders! Crazy! Two of their kids are the same age as Randy and Robert. and now we all have grandkids. Ernie is a bishop in Nampa now and Shirlane was the stake YW president while I was the stake RS president.

I hate pictures of me, but I had to include the scenery pictures that Kent took one morning. The lake was like glass - just beautiful. We will definitely go there again.

The Birthday Boys

2009-08-14T21:20:00.000-07:00

Part 2 and 3

2009-08-08T16:52:00.001-07:00

For part 2 of our Saturday date, we went to Texas Road House because Robert and Jessica had given Wendy a gift card for her birthday. Then we stopped by Cabela's and got Kent a storage bag for his camp griddle using his Cabela bucks. The best part of our whole date was that the only money we spent was gas money, and a $5 tip at TRH.

Now for part 3 - oh yeah, we can't post pics of that. (ha-ha)

Our Saturday Date - part 1

2009-08-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

We started our date out by going to the Boise Train Depot. They were allowing people to go up to the bell tower for free today, so we took advantage of it. Kent got a picture of the city of Boise. On the lily pad picture, zoom in and you can see the bee in the center of the flower. also is a reflection of the flag in the pond.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY

2009-07-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Mortensen Reunion '09

2009-07-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

CLICK ON "VIEW ALL IMAGES" the slide show did not work.

Happy Birthday Victoria!

2009-07-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

TWO BIRTHDAYS

2009-07-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHERSTINE and ANNE

4th of July Weekend

2009-07-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

A BBQ after Church on Sunday with the family.

and just a little fun in the mountians on the 4 wheeler on Saturday with Kent's Brother and Sister and others.

Fathers Day

2009-06-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

This was Kent's favorite gift on Father's Day. Jessica had asked each family to send pictures with each child holding their letter for Grandpa, and she put it all together. That is all 10 of our little grandkiddos - so special! He loves it!

Builders Family Picnic

2009-06-15T15:57:00.001-07:00

Kent and Robert participated in the corn on the cob eating contest. They both ate 3 cobs, but got beaten by 2 other guys that ate 4 1/2 cobs. Kent also got drafted to do the hula-hoop contest. The guy with it on his neck was the winner. The picnic was held at Settler's park here in Meridian. It is an awesome park! There is water activities, horsehoes, playground, soccer fields. We will definitely be back. AND we didn't get rained on - yeah!

Blond Boy's Birthday - 3 Years Old

2009-06-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

our visits to OK and KY

2009-05-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

sorry about no pics on this blog. Kent's nice camera got dropped and is in for repairs and Kara had to have the small camera for her class at school. so for pics you'll have to look at Mrs. Morty's blog and the Kentucky Mortensen's - but - that will soon change - because they are graduated and moving back to Idaho - yeah!
Yes - we left on May 2 to go down for baby Morty girl's blessing. she is such a doll! We played with them for a few days. We walked down by the river in Bricktown and went to the Science museum and got to celebrate Morty Jr.'s birthday as well.
Then Wednesday we headed to Kentucky for Wayne's graduation from dental school. they made many close friends there and hated to say good-bye. but they are on their way home now to Idaho, by the way of Nauvoo. Sherstine's folks are helping them drive home with the big moving truck and 2 cars. It will be fun to have 2 more grandkids close by! when they get home, hopefully Sherstine will post pics of the Waynie in his graduation robes! We now have a Dr. in the family - way to go Wayne!

Happy Birthday Morty Jr.- 7 years old!

2009-05-04T13:47:00.001-07:00

Kara in the dance festival

2009-04-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

This was the Regional Dance Festival that was held in the Taco Bell Arena in Boise yesterday. Kent and I got to chaperone the whole day. It was almost a 12 hr. day. The video is at the dress rehearsal held earlier in the day, so the arena isn't full. The video clip is just of our stake kids. There were 1300 kids that actually participated. It was awesome to see the entry and the finale with the entire floor covered in kids in their colorful costumes. They did a great job!

Once the kids are lined up with the camera on the two center columns, Kara is the 4th couple in the right hand column. They exchange partners 3 different times. At the last part of the dance Kara is the second girl from the left in the front row.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Morty!

2009-04-20T05:17:00.001-07:00

Randy - Happy Birthday!

2009-03-28T20:56:00.001-07:00

LAST WEEK

2009-03-18T15:47:00.001-07:00

This is what I got to do last week - play with the Oklahoma grandkiddos.

This is what Grandpa Morty did last week - Kara's room was purple and yellow.

Wayner - Happy birthday!

2009-03-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!!!! 2 YEARS OLD!!!

2009-02-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

Sweetheart Dance - Kara

2009-02-23T13:37:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Jessica!

2009-02-17T14:49:00.000-08:00

Our 1st Grandchild - 8 Years Old Today

2009-02-13T09:24:00.001-08:00

Wilson Creek in the Owyhee Mountains

2009-02-07T20:13:00.000-08:00

My Brother Dave

Today I took a ride with my brother Dave and a couple other friends on our 4 wheelers up into the Owyhee Mountains south of the valley in which we live. We saw quite a few mule deer but they were to far away for to get a good photo of them. We also came across some wild mustangs and they did not run, just stood looking at us. I was able to get some good photos of them.

Starting the day out I was doing some cookies in the parking lot and just about rolled the 4 wheeler. Just as I came to a stop I rolled off and landed wrong on my left hand. My hand was hurting so I pulled my glove off and my two middle fingers were bent the wrong direction. I just walked over to my brother and had him yank on each finger and pop it back into joint. It kind of grossed him out. It only felt tender for most of the day but now they are swollen and black and blue. The joy have having fun.

Little Women - Aunt March (Kara)

2009-02-07T10:29:00.001-08:00

Aunt March walks in on Meg and Mr. Brooke.

Aunt March thinks there's mischief going on.

Jo tries to convince Aunt March to let Amy stay with her.

Happy Birthday Gavin - 1 yr. old

2009-02-04T05:21:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas trip

2009-02-02T13:21:00.001-08:00

This was taken at the International Builder's Show in Vegas. This was at the Wells Fargo Exhibit. We stayed at Planet Hollywood and got to see all the Miss America contestants wandering about with their crowns and sashes. We even road the elevator with the 2006 Miss America from Oklahoma. We spent one evening with Randy and his girlfriend. I feel bad we didn't have our camera with us to get a picture of them. She is cute and full of smiles and is skinny as a rail.

Sledding at Horseshoe Bend hill

2009-01-31T13:36:00.000-08:00

These were taken during the Christmas holidays when Wayne and Sherstine were in town.

Bird walk at Avimor

2009-01-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

Robert conducts Bird walks at Avimore, so we decided to go with him. The highlight was the big horned ow. We also saw this nest.

Christmas Day

2008-12-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

Kyle on the guitar that Anne and Toria got - they all loved it and fought to take turns.

Little Claire looking so cute on Christmas morning.

Anne, Toria and Claire - their other favorite gift was this fur real cat. It moves and meows - kinda crazy.

Sherstine sporting Kara's new hat.

Livia and her new jammies and other clothes.

Wayne sporting his new Christmas clothes - all he needs is a pocket protector and big, black, horned rim glasses and he'd be the perfect geek!.

Kent's new toy that he bought for himself. He bought it for the Blue-Ray player.

Kara out shoveling the walks while waiting for Wayne's family on christmas morning.

Kara got an IPOD. (And she didn't even ask for one - what a surprise!)

Randy and his gifts of cold cash and a wallett.

All Gavin cared about on Christmas morning was eating the apple out of his stocking. Forget the toys and clothes - give me food!

Mortensen Christmas party

2008-12-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

Gavin and Kyle liked wrestling.

Lisa and Rae, Dave, Joan and her son, Alan

Major update from the Holidays

2008-12-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

Do Grandpa and Gavin look alike?

Wayne's family playing around on Grandma's exercise ball.

Grandpa and some of the grandkiddies.

Hip Update

2008-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

Wendy has been doing well. I brought her home just after lunch time today and she is able to get around pretty well. She still has to stay off of her leg most of the time but has to do exercises and get up and move around some to keep the hip joint working and rebuild the muscles.

Hip Replacement

2008-11-08T10:18:00.001-08:00

Many of you have heard the Wendy is having hip surgery this Tuesday. I take her in at 6:30 am for surgery that takes place at 9:30am. She is getting what is called Hip Resurfacing. Check out this website if you would like to see what she is having done.

www.birminghamhipresurfacing.com

When she is all recuperated she will be able to finally walk without pain and a limp that she has had for the past 20 years. Technology has come along way in helping out joints. Just 5 years ago this surgery was not available

Kent

Halloween?

2008-11-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

Kent went on a 4 wheeler ride into the Owyee Mountains on South Mountain with our Ward Bishop, Dean Duckett and saw some beautiful country that he use to run cattle on back in the 80's.

Wendy made Sugar Cookies for the Grandkids and Kara had a party here with her friends that evening all made up with costumes.

Kara was made up as Peter Pan and her Friends Liz, Heather, and Cherilyn as something or other, I will let you guess what they are.

It seems that Halloween gets more interesting when teenagers are around. I think they are a little touched. I wonder what her Uncle Fred would call it.

Notice to Employees

2008-10-31T07:39:00.000-07:00

Notice to All Employees
When President Obama is officially elected into office, our company will instill a few new policies which are in keeping with his new, inspiring issues of change and fairness:
1. All salespeople will be pooling their sales and bonuses into a common pool that will be divided equally between all of you. This will serve to give those of you who are underachieving a 'fair shake.'
2. All low level workers will be pooling their wages, including overtime, into a common pool, dividing it equally amongst yourselves.This will help those who are 'too busy for overtime' to reap the rewards from those who have more spare time and can work extra hours.
3. All top management will now be referred to as 'the government.'We will not participate in this 'pooling' experience because the law doesn't apply to us.
4. The 'government' will give eloquent speeches to all employees every week, encouraging it's workers to continue to work hard 'for the good of all.'
5. The employees will be thrilled with these new policies because it's 'good to spread the wealth.' Those of you who have under achieved will finally get an opportunity; those of you who have worked hard and had success will feel more 'patriotic.'
6. The last few people who were hired should clean out their desks. Don't feel bad, though, because President Obama will give you free healthcare, free handouts, free oil for heating your home, free food stamps, and he'll let you stay in your home for as long as you want even if you can't pay your mortgage. If you appeal directly to our democratic congress, you might even get a free flat screen TV and a coupon for free haircuts (shouldn't all Americans be entitled to nice looking hair?) !!!
If for any reason you are not happy with the new policies, you may want to rethink your vote on November 4th.

54th Birthday

2008-10-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

I recieved a T Shirt and Hat that said #1 Grandpa
Robert & Jessica and Fam & my Mom and Connie came over. Connie was in town for a week staying with her daughter in Nampa.

San Diego Trip

2008-10-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Monday the 22nd we made a trip to San Diego for Kent's National Association of Home Builders Meetings. We had a great view from our room looking down at the pool (darn, I forgot my binoculars) and out accross the bay to Coronodo Island. Wendy went on a tour while I was in meetings Tuesday. She had a good pic with the City Skyline behind her. You can see our Hotel just over her right shoulder.
We have made some good friends with other builders from all over the country and had a chance to go out to dinner with a few of them
We have some friends that live in San Diego, John & Paula-Jo Cahoon. We spent the day with them at an aquarium and driving along the beach. We stopped at a small resturant along the beach to have lunch.
On Thursday we went out to Coronado Beach to get a little sun and play in the ocean. It was cold but no colder than the lakes we swim in around here. Wendy & I were wading out in the water and Wendy got stung on her foot. We figure that it must have been a Stingray because we saw one in the water a little latter. It hurt for about an hour.

Nila Carlson

2008-09-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the Funeral for Wendy's Mom, Nila Carlson. She was 92 and lived a long full life raising 12 kids. Here are a few pictures of many that we took. There were a lot of cameras around so I suspect that I will see a lot of pictures on other family blogs.

The Twelve Siblings plus Lili, Nila's care giver

She had lots of Great Grand kids at the funeral

TIME OUT

2008-09-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

Last weekend in Boise was the "Time Out for Couples" on Friday evening and on Saturday they had "Time out for Women and Girls" Robert & Jessica as well as some friends, the Olsons went with us Friday evening, then Saturday Wendy took my mom, Kara and Gay Olson and her daughter Sharalyn. It was a great spiritual uplift and a great reminder on how we should treat each other. I had Saturday all to myself, so I mowed the lawn and did some extra triming to make the yard look good and had a great nap.

Canning Season

2008-09-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

Canning season is here and Wendy has been working hard for us. I just love her canned peaches. Kara was getting creative taking pictures of Wendy's hard work stacking the jars for the just right picture. Of course Wendy was worried that a jar might fall over and break.

Labor Day Campout

2008-09-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

We decided that since we did not have anything that required our presence this weekend, we would go camping with our 4 day weekend. We went up to Sliver Creek Plunge and enjoyed some R&R and a good long soak in the hotsprings.

Wendy doing a crossword and Sudoku. Thats how she relaxes, and Kara enjoying the hammock and eating some kind of candy.

Enjoying a nice soak

We took the 4 wheeler with us and had some good rides. Wendy & I rode up to a Fire Lookout that is still in use and has been in use since 1933.

Vasity Scout High Adventure

2008-08-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Kent has been working with the Teachers/Varsity Scouts for the last 9 months since being released from the Bishopric. He just returned from a trip to the Sawtooth Mountians in Central Idaho near Stanley. Redfish Lake boarders the Sawtooth Wilderness area. Thursday we played in the water and Friday hiked 14 miles round trip into the wilderness area. The Bishop and I stayed in camp since we are out of shape while the younger leaders took the boys on the hike.

I did manage to get in a mile hike up to Lilly Lake and Lilly Falls. It just proved to the other guys that I was not going to do the 7 mile hike up into the wilderness area and 7 miles back.

Quebec City Trip

2008-08-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Kent Represents the State of Idaho on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Association of Home Builders which has given us an opportunity to do some travel that we would probably not do other wise.
This most recent trip we went to Quebec City in Canada.

We walked everywhere since it was so compact. Our first evening we ventured out to find something to eat. The streets are very narrow and has a very European feel to the area. Every one greets you with BonJour. We ended up at an Italian resteraunt and ran into the another the State Rep from Utah. He is from Provo and was there with his wife and son. They took the picture of us. His name is Wayne Knight.

We did a lot of walking around. It was pretty hard on Wendy's bad hip joint, so instead of walking up and down the hill between Lower Quebec and the upper part we would ride a lift that went up the hill to our hotel. You can see the lift in the background of one of the above pictures. We could not belive all the people that come and vist here. They call it a mini Europe or a Poor man's Europe because this is were people travel if they can't afford to go over seas.

If you ever saw the move "Catch me if you can" this small square in Lower Quebec is were they shot the part of the film were they catch him in Europe. I took the picture before were learned that movie was shot here. You can just see part of the pedastal for the statue the the cars drove around in the scene. Also the church that was in the scene that Wendy is standing in front of.

We went on a Country tour that took us to the surrounding area and onto an island that is 95% Farming. We saw some large falls. The picture of Kent on a bridge is also shown in the picture on following to give you some perspective as to the size of the falls. 180 foot drop. We also stopped at a little store that still cooks thier bread in an outdoor wood fired oven. They had the best Maple Spread to put on the bread. The Maple industry is big in that area. We also stopped at a Chocalate Factory on the island and had some Icecream.

This is the hotel that we stayed at that looks like a castle. They say its the most photographed hotel on this continent. You can see Lower Quebec with the hotel up above it. Just outside our room window we had street artisans performing.

One evening after an association dinner funtion there were several of us that went on a "Ghosts of Quebec" tour. It started out in lower Quebec and we walked some of the back ally ways, hills, old Churches, and other areas while they told us stories of murders and strange events. The tour ended up back up near our hotel of which we were glad because we were wore out walking for an hour and a half up and down hills.

July Family Bday Swim Party

2008-08-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the Family swim party that we had at Robert & Jessica's nieghborhood pool in Star Idaho. We had all 9 of our grandkids. Carl & Randy were the only ones not there from our family.

Homer Reunion

2008-07-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Homer Reunion up the American Fork Canyon at Mutual Dell.
Three of the 12 Homer siblings made it to the reunion. My mom Eva, Aunt Clea, and Uncle Bryce.

Kent & Wendy heading out for a little hike (more like a leisurely stroll)

Robert & Jessica's family enjoying an evening around the campfire with Uncle Dave. I got conned into playing a game and missed the smores at the campfire.

The favorite past time at the reunion was making jewelery provided by my Aunt Clea on the left.

Jessica, working on Jewelery, Brother Dave, Sister Kristie, and Uncle Tom.

All the families were supposed to provide a talent. Ours was the only family that provided any. Above Anne sharing a poem. Kara & Robert playing their Clarinets together.

My Brother Dave took most of the pictures at the reunion

Watching Anne, Kara, & Robert provide entertainment.

The Forest service provided some instruction about Bats which are found in the nearby Timpanogos Cave. Kyle (sitting on the front row) knew a lot of the answers about bats.

Mortensen Reunion

2008-07-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

I am finally finding some time to update our blog. Its been a busy summer so far. We got back into town July 2nd from two different reunions down in Utah. We had a Mortensen reunion in the park in Harriman, Utah and had a large turnout. Then we went to a Homer reunion (Kent's mom's side of the family) at Mutual Dell church campground up the American Fork Canyon. We only had about 30 people at that reunion. A little short from what we usually have.

Our turn to tell about what everyone is doing in our family.

My Brother Steve's oldest son Andrew & his wife Svetlana and their daughter.

Keith & Eva's family. All our crew less Andrew's family.
From left back Me, my sister Connie, brother Dave, son Robert. 2nd row My mom Eva, sister Kristie, Robert's wife Jessica holding Claire. Front Row, Robert's daugther Victoria, our daughter Kara, Robert's daughter Anne, and son Kyle.

These cabins are being restored in a park next to the cemetery in Harriman. They happen to be cabins in which my ancestors built and lived in. They were some of the first settlers of Harriman.

Don & Lois's Family

Dee & Beths family. They had the most attend the reunion.

Kaye & Paul's family.

This is an old picture. From Left, Don, my dad Keith, Beth, Grandma Mortensen, Dee, & Kaye.
From this Photo only Beth, Dee, & Kaye are still alive.

None of Beth and Boyd's family made it this year.

THOUGHTS ON KENTS DAD ON FATHERS DAY

2008-06-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a BBQ with some friends and we talked about what we remembered about our fathers.

A quick history about my Dad, Keith K Mortensen. He was born in Rubert Idaho. Joined the Navy at 17 during WWII, came home and served a mission in Texas. Dad, in is mid 20's married my mom who was 18, Moved to Quincy Washington where his brother Don was starting to farm. He started out working at a Service station and later went to work for the city of Quincy as the Dog Catcher.

That's me sitting on the the "Dog Wagon" with the funny looking hat. The other two are my brothers Dave & Steve.

This is where I start to remember things that happened. He worked his way up through the ranks of the city ended up as the City Superintendent.

Since it was a small community he ran everything, the water, street, sewer, and other various departments. He never made much money but he was the most frugal person I know. "Make do or do without". "Use it up and wear it out" was his practice. We spent many times as a family gleaning the orchards of fruit, especially apples. We had lots of home made apple juice and apple sauce. We even gleaned from behind the potato harvester and collected a years supply of which we buried in a hole that we covered with straw and plywood so we could get access to it. Later he buried an old deep frezzer in the ground and poured a conc slab around it, than build his shed with the buried frezzer under the tool bench. We stored a lot of potatos and apples in the old chest. I hated having to be the one to clean it out in the summer after things began to rot.

Dad would also take on side jobs to help the family budget. We spent several Saturdays doing percilation tests for septic systems for a development next to the Columbia River. He also took on servicing a rural water district reading and installing or repairing water meters. This just happened to be enough income every month to support me on my mission.

He even took up sign painting. I was able to help him on a few buildings that he painted signs on. I probably played around more than helped.

I remember going camping a lot as a family. Dad loved to fish but never got to do it a much as he would like.

Dad was also known as Uncle Mort by my cousins and uncles. Dad would always have a few magic tricks (disapearing coins, etc) to tease all the kids that were around. Dad had a short thumb (he cut it off on a table saw when I was a young kid) that he would show to small kids that he would see sucking their thumbs and tell them to watch out because they might suck it off like he did.

Dad loved photography as well. He had a darkroom in the basement which we did a lot of black and white photos. (color photos were just starting to come around then). I took advantage of the darkroom and got an A in a high school photography class. I still enjoy photography to this day. Dad made me read about photography and understand how the features on the camera worked. He did not want to just give me the camera and point and shoot.

Dad died early in his life at the age of 50 with Luekemia. This picture is one of the last good pictures of him at Wendy & I's wedding before he became ill 3 months later.

I think the part I miss most is not having had the opportunity to have had an adult relationship with him, like I am now enjoying very much with my own sons.

Thanks dad for teaching me to work hard and appreciate what I have and serve others even when I did not want to. It has benifited me through out my life.

FROM GRANDMA CARLSON'S BACK YARD

2008-05-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

Grandma Carlsons back yard has gone through some major changes during the last year. Below are some pictures that Carl & I took two years ago this May. I was told the sheds are now gone.

THE OLD CHICKEN COOP. Were the eggs brown or white, or white with brown stuff that needed to be cleaned off?

THE MILKING SHED. The first year Wendy and I were married, there was a week were I got to come out and milk the cow while everyone else was gone somewhere. It had been awhile since I had actually milked a cow and did not get much out of her the first night.

I like this picture. The bailing twine still hanging over the fence post from when there was a steer or a milk cow to be feed and the snow sled leaning up on the shed left over from when the Carlson kids played in the snow. The weeds growing up around, from a time gone by.

I liked the two above pictures because of the light shinning through the boards of the old shed. It created some unigue angles of light.

Lilacs always in bloom for Mothers day.

I am not sure what this flowering bush is called but I thought it looked cool at the time.

An old work horse of a rotatiller when grandpa Carlson would work the garden and keep the kids busy keeping it weeded and enjoying the fruits the garden produced.

A view up into the old tree in the back yard. I also have a picture showing a cable wrapped around the trunk partially buried with bark, from when grandpa Carlson had lights strung on the cable to have light for several wedding receptions that took place over the years in the back yard.

A view through an old fruit tree of the sheds. I am not sure if the tree still produces fruit or not.

I thought this picture looked cool with the three trunks coming up out of the ground. I'll bet that was fun to mow around.

Old stepping stones mostly covered with grass from non use. It must have been a very busy path in past years for grandpa Carlson to put them there.

A well used clothes line that has more than 30 plus years of drying clothes.

The old swing set. I think Wendy told me that it was new when Margo and Tonja lived at home.

A great view of Mount Timpanogus sp? from the back yard. Don't you all wish we had a view like that from our own back yard.

Feel free to add your memories of the Carlson back yard.

NOTE: if you left click on the pictures they will expand to full size, than right click on the picture and you can select the option to save the picture if you want to have your own copy of the picture.

Wendy was down this weekend taking care of her mom and mentioned that Jet was playing in the front ditch that was full of water. I remember our boys and thier cousins having a great time playing in the water. I will have to try and get a picture of that ditch before it gets buried, or find some old pictures that we took when the boys were young playing in the ditch.

Boise Foothills Heritage Fesitval

2008-04-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we spent the day with Robert and Jessica and kids at the Development, Avimor, that the company that Robert works for (SunCor) was hosting a new festival called the "Foothills Heritage Festival. They were doing it to bring people out to see their new development. They have some great model homes. We spent time watching Ballons getting ready to launch, getting a ride in a teathered ballon, watching some trained sheep hearding dogs, heard sheep around. The property that the development in being built on, has had a history of sheep raising. We toured the model homes, had free food at a BBQ, listened to some live music and watched some Basque dancers perform. I skipped the Bouncy house. The grandkids enjoyed it though.

Wendy says we don't get enough pictures of me since I take all the pictures. She caught me coming back from the porta potty.

Waiting in Line for the ballon ride.

Wendy, Kara and Kyle riding the ballon together

They also had some Nature walks, and there was a Mountain Bike company (Trek) letting people try out their mountain bikes. Kara tried one out. It has a composite frame with disk breaks, air adjusted shock obsorbers, etc. We asked how much a new bike like that would cost. It was merely $6,000 bucks, something that could fit anybodys budget. (yea right) This picture of Kara caught to much sun so its a bit washed out, but you can see the bike she tried out.

Fun in the Snow in Jan

2008-04-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

Some winters we make a trip to McCall Idaho for their winter carnaval. We went a few days before to miss the crowd. We tubbed on a hill than afterward went to a hot spring to have a good soak before going home. When we left the hotspring the temp was a -20 degrees. It did not take the moisture long to frezze on you when you got out of the pool. The bridge shown is called the Rainbow bridge. The State just refurbishied it and made it look new.