Summer 2017 (Shilohs 3rd birthday) (Roy k grad) (12th anniversary) (football) (jacksons/grandpa/gradnma visit

We had a wonderful crazy summer. In April we rented out our house in Provo and went into contract on a new house in Washington, Ut. We bought a 1970s camper trailer and moved into it for 3 weeks while we were working on buying the house. We also stayed in San Clemente for 2 weeks. It was so much fun to live so freely we had very little household responsibilities and spent everyday outside enjoying the world around us. We just got to play, play. play. James, of course, had to work so every day we needed to make sure he had access to the internet. After 5 weeks we were ready for some stability again and we moved into our home in Washington. Shortly after we found out our renter in Pleasant Grove was moving out. After much prayer and deliberation, we made the decision to move again back to our home in PG and we rented our house in Washington. We see the Lords hand in all that has happened and are so grateful for our children and each other as well as the extended family that makes our lives so full joyful. Pictures below are from April to Aug 2017. No particular order

Shiloh celebrated her 3rd birthday on April 3rd. Bella made her a mermaid fruit platter in lieu of a cake. We are nutritarians!

 these pics are from Sand hallow where we stayed for a week in our camper. A truly beautiful place.

We picked up cousin Jackson from Las Vegas and he got to spend the night with us.

Im the most popular person in the family most days

Jonah like getting himself in little crevices

Forth of July weekend with Grandma Cherie  and Grandpa George

 Im taking a break from long hair. I cut it shoulder length

Aunt Michelle and Charlotte came for a visist. We went to temple square.

Jesse is the funniest kid in the house right now. He is starting preschool this year

Royce lost his bottom teeth

1st-grade tackle football for Roy and 5th for Luke

This was late Aug we went to the Manilla pond in Pleasant Grove. We bought a kayak paddle board and took an air mattress. So much fun!

Some people let our kids use their blow up Swan

Meet pepper our sweet bull dog

we went to Chick fil A in AF for a stake charity event

We went to lots of fun parks this summer

Car show with Grandpa Marc in Hurricane. Still living in the camper.

Living in the camper

Bell dressed as Bell

Family San Clemente

Roy k graduation

When we were in San Clemente we went up to visit Grandpa and Grandma Lindorg and Uncle Bruces graves.

Beautiful Roy

In our new house in Washington Roys Lego creation

San Clemente for 2 weeks

anniversary pics

the ship church

super buff James Lol. Dont tell him I posted this

Roy graduated from kindergarten at the end of May from Coral Canyon Elementary. He only went there 3 days

James and I had a really fun 12th-anniversary trip here we are hiking. My mom came down and watched the kids for the weekend 

This is my favorite one

Jonah's first prayer

Last night I was putting Jonah to sleep. I was saying prayers with him and I noticed that he was repeating my words. I guess he has noticed that's what the other little kids do. So we went with it. It was a very sweet moment for me as a mother hearing his gentle little voice thank our Father in Heaven for all his brothers and sisters, Mama and Dada, puppy and kitty's them hearing him say amen. It was Jonah's first prayer.

It's hard to share

There having a hard time sharing my breakfast smoothie.

My Bella

Practicing the piano

Bellas giant icecicle

Its a winter wonderland right now

Happy Valentine's Day

I was helping Royce with his Valentine's day cards yesterday and Jesse felt left out. I wasnt paying attention but I finally realized after about an hour Jesse was making his own Valentines with Thomas the train on them. Pretty good for a 4 year old. He made like 20. Lol

Mortensens on parade

San Clemente. Linda lane park Feb 1 2017

Provo Farm Kids picture

One Sunday morning before church I took some pictures of the kids around the farm. Now if someone could just tell me the trick to getting all my kids to look at me at the same time that would be great!

This one  is my favorite of all the kids together. 

This was my favorite picture of the day. Shiloh is a sweet little thing

Jonah 8 months

Jonah is 8 months old and has learned some new tricks. He has learned to pick himself up in a plank position and then lung himself forward that is how he is getting all around the house. He talks a lot saying mama, dada, nunun (food) mmm(milk) lella(Bella). He does not like it when you say UH Oh to him and loud noises make him cry. He is a sensative little guy and very loving, When I pick him up  he alwayswraps his little arms around my neck and rests his face on me in an embrace and sometime gives me a nice open mouth kiss. He is a Mamas boy and show strong preference for me. He still is waking up at least once at night to nurse and has 6 teeth. He is very strong and its hard to get something he wants out of his grasp. I walked into get him up from a nap the other day and this is how I found him. We love Jonie!

Luke's first football game

Luke had tons of fun at his first tackle football game. James is loving being involved in football, it is really a way for these boys to bond. 

Royce, first day of school

Its such a strange feeling dropping your child off for the first day of school. You and they have been looking forward to it, but as I dropped Royce of this morning I had a strange urge to just sit there and watch him play. I didn't want to leave and then the tears came and I was a little stunned (this is my third child going to school shouldn't I be used to it). Shouldn't I rush home and enjoy the few extra minutes I have have to myself today? And here I am sitting at my computer pondering. I have had this sweet little boy all to myself for the past five years, the starting of school represents a the end of infancy and the beginning young boyhood. He has always been so independent and adventurous and I know he has never really been mine, he belongs to Heavenly Father but James and I have had the honor to love and care for him almost totally now I get to share him with his teachers and school. What a blessing he has been and will be to all those he comes in contact with. I love you tenderly Royce Benson.

Heavenly Father

You know when God talks about tormenting and aflicting man.... I am feeling that today....
A mattress covered in spaghetti Os in my living room
A bedroom that smells like cat pee that I have spent hours and days trying to rectify
A husband sick in bed with the stomach flu
A out of control garden that has crazy weeds
A sick calf
and a dead cow in the back of my truck

I can barely take care of my kids and keep the bedlam at bay let a lone get anything else done. I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry...