Aquarium

Kylah and I picked Shelby up from Shriner's hospital to go on an adventure. The girls had no idea where I was taking them and it was fun to listen to all of their guesses, including "crazyland". We had a scary moment on the freeway with some hard braking to avoid an accident. We took the next exit and went to lunch at McDonald's. The girls both got chicken nugget kids meals. The toy was suppose to be Spiderman. Kylah got Spiderman and Shelby got an old toy, a plastic Furby. I traded it for a Spiderman toy for her and she was so happy.

When we got to our destination Shelby could see the letters but didn't know how to say the word "aquarium". On our way to the entrance they spotted some stuffed penguins in the gift shop window and guessed where we were. They were so excited.

We went exploring. It is the new location and not all of the exhibits have been transferred, but there was plenty to see. The tunnel encased in a tank full of sharks, fish, stingrays and a turtle was really cool to stand in. It was a bit crowded though and hard to take pictures in. We saw River Otters who were very playful and penguins swimming and on the shore. We also saw many varieties of sea creatures. The dessert sand turtle was very active and walked about his habitat the whole time we were watching which I guess is very unusual (luck us).

We got to touch the stingrays in the "touch pool". They are very soft on the top when you touch them.

We stopped in the gift shop to browse and the girls helped me pick out a small gift to bring back to the hospital for Kadence. Shelby picked the mood necklace with 2 dolphins for her. I secretly picked up a gift for Shelby and Kylah as well. Kylah got pink dolphin earings and Shelby got crabs. HaHa Leanne kept saying you gave my daughter crabs. The earings were sea crabs not an STD as implied. Leanne cracks me up sometimes.

Surgery day for Kadence

Today is the day for Kadence to get her rods in her back. I went to Shriner's to get Shelby to take her for the day and also to distract her. We are all pretty nervous about this surgery.

I brought Shelby back to my house where Kylah was anxiously awaiting her arrival. The girls played for a bit and then we went to Walmart for picnic supplies. They each picked out a lunchable and of course they requested puffy Cheetos again. We brought along Caprisuns to drink. They requested to go to a new park instead of the "train park" in Clinton where we went last time. I chose Layton park since it had swings a play area and ducks we could feed.

We got to the park just as it started to sprinkle. The girls of course said it would be ok to get wet. We ate under the pavilion. We got to feed a couple of ducks that came close. We decided to brave the park. It was raining but they are kids and think that makes it more exciting. They started with the merry-go-round. The park started to clear out due to the rain. It stopped a short time later and we had the playground to ourselves. We spent most of our time on the merry-go-round (I got to push faster and faster). They did venture to the other things but didn't stay there long. We then decided to go for a walk to feed the ducks. We were surprised at how many ducks were napping. We had the opportunity to feed some ducks and then were being chased by geese. I had to take off my flip flop and wave it at a couple of the geese to get them to back off.

On the way back to the car we found an overabundance of dandelions ripe for the pickin'. The girls loved blowing on them and making wishes.

We went back to our house and got dinner started (white cheddar shells Past Roni). We then made cupcakes as promised to Shelby the last time she was here. We used Kalli's mini cupcake maker.

Kadence's surgery went well and we are all hoping for a speedy recovery for her.

Blue and Gold Banquet

ARGG!!!

Bye Bye Extra tooth

 Parker had an extra tooth so needed surgery to have 2 teeth pulled.

Getting ready for surgery at Mountain View Pediatric Dentist. Grandma came to help mom and keep her company since Dad was at a fire training. Dad came later before I woke up

Watchin' TV on the ceiling while waiting for them to come knock him out. They then carried him to the surgical room after he was asleep.  

Parker was so funny as he was coming out of his anesthesia. He would sit up like he was trying to get out of the chair. We had to keep lying him back down. Then when he saw Aaron he said, "I can't tell if my dad is real or not."

Firefighter of the Year

Aaron receives Firefighter of the year. 

Scouts

Parker getting his Bobcat award. 

Kalli's artwork

Fun in the snow

Parker and Kylah playing in the snow with Parker's snow kit he got for Christmas. Very colorful snowman.

Halloween

cutest little witch - Kylah

Princess Kylah

Shaylee - Kendra - Kalli

 Kylah wore her witch costume to preschool on Wednesday and to daycare on Halloween. She decided at the last minute she wanted to be a princess for Halloween.










Katyln curled Kylah's hair like a princess for trick-or-treating. Kylah started out running from house to house. She was so excited and then after about 20 houses she was "done".













Kalli convinced us to let her go trick-or-treating "one last time" with her friends.

Vampire Kalli

Vampire Parker

Parker wanted to scare the trick-or-treaters when they came to the  door.

Katlyn went to a party at her friend Tobin's house. (picture N/A)

Halloween party at Grandma Mortensen's

The Jones family - Monsters Inc

Costumes

Our family - The Incredibles

The Porter family

Chris (from Florida) - Kailee Gifford

 Pumpking carving/painting

We had traditional stew in a pumpkin and cat poop along with many other yummy things. Katlyn was not present due to she chose to go with a friend. Alan and his family were there as well as CJ and Tiffany and Tammy and baby Kamden.

Scouts - Cake decorating

 Parker got to decorate a cake for scouts. It was fun to watch/help him put all the Reese's Pieces on the cake to make it look like a basketball. He got an award for best sportsmanship.

Memorial Day run

Katlyn ran a 5k in 38:39 and came in 6th in her age bracket. I am so proud of her. She did great for not having done any training yet.


Parker ran the kids mile. He has been wanting to run in a race since the run/walk we did for Boston. He was so excited. He did great and was so proud of his medal. It now has a prominent place on his bedroom wall. I am proud of him for running.


Uncle David ran the 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles). He took 3rd place in his age bracket. Kadence and Shelby also ran the kids mile and completed it together.

Proud of all of you for running.

Ballroom Dance

Kalli had a ballroom dance performance. She has been taking ballroom dance since the beginning of school and has quite enjoyed it. It has been fun as parents to watch her talent and enthusiasm for ballroom blossom.