Little Actress

Ellie has always been a little on the dramatic side and Scott and I always thought that being in a play would be right up her ally. So when we heard that Miracle on 34th Street was going to be the community play here at our local theater (The Ross Ragland) we asked her if she would want to try out.

 

She of course jumped at the idea! Never having tried out for anything before and never having seen the movie or play, she was a little nervous about what she would have to do at try outs.

 

She had to choose a song to memorize and sing for auditions. She ended up picking "Teach Me To Walk" which is a song she has sung in church before.

She practiced and practiced and finally the day came. She sat and watched all of the seasoned actors get up and sing their songs and do a reading from the script.

When it was her turn she walked right up belted out her song. I'll tell ya, I was one proud mama.

Her read through was just as great.When asked which part she would like to have I turned to the woman to say that we were not very familiar with the characters but Ellie quickly said to her

" I want to be the Dutch girl!"

 Later I asked how she knew about the Dutch girl and she said her teacher Mr. Young said she would be so great as the Dutch girl. I knew that because Ellie thinks Mr. Young is comparable to a movie star and is also her idol....she just HAD to play the Dutch girl.

After the try out she got a call back! At the call back she was told she got the part of Hendricka the Dutch girl.

She was pleased as punch. She got her script and we looked at all of her lines and were shocked to find out that she speaks and sings a solo/duet with Santa.... in DUTCH.

 

2 months of rehearsals went by and finally it was opening night.

She did amazing!!

Not nervous at all and played her part to a T.

The play ran for 4 nights and we worked it so that she would have family at every single show.

Even Grandma Jan, Grandpa Allen and GiGi came from California to see her perform.

Here she is with Alex who played the lead, Susan.

And just when she thought the night couldn't get any better...who came to see her but her teacher Mr.Young. He and his daughter brought Ellie flowers and had her autograph their program.

 

We were so proud of our little actress. I think she discovered a new talent and hobby.

Snowflake Festival 2012

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Macie and Connor got to go on the Sheriff Dive Rescue boat this year with Grandma and Grandpa Mortenson for the Snowflake parade.

They loved it.

They smiled and waved the whole way through.

 

 

Oaklen actually got to go this year also because he and Lauren were in town but sadly, he slept through the entire thing.

Fun tradition!

one more post for halloween

Yep, it's January and I am just now finishing up posting about Halloween. A lot going on over in this house.

 

So anyway... Jack the Pumpkin King came to our house again this year and blocked off all our doorways, even the front door.

  We carved pumpkins and ate spooky dinners, like this taco salad that looks at you while you eat it.

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I sure love Holidays at our house and hope that the kids have tonz of memories from all the crazy things we do together as a family.

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The Brie the Bullet and the Black Cat

Murder a la carte.

This is my amazing friend Cassie Stevens (who is preggo with twins but you would never be able to tell). 

 

She and her hubby Scott invited a group of friends over to their home in October for a murder mystery dinner. Everyone came in costume and had SUCH  a good time.

 

 

The theme was set in the 1940's in Casablanca.

My Scott actually wasn't able to go last minute so I Nicole and I got to go solo.

 

I'm telling you, everyone got so into their characters not only with the costumes but with accents and detective work.

There was a Danish art dealer, a crazy Gestapo Officer, a Deputy Mayor of Casablanca and his wife a former dancer, and even an androgynous French cabaret singer with a Husky voice. It was so fun.

 

 

I got to be Countess Bogov who is suppose to be an exiled Russian aristocrat, glamorous and mysterious and a passionate anti-communist.

 

The food was great and the conversation but best of all the company. Everyone had a blast and we are going to have to make that happen again next year.

 

Thank you Stevens!!!
 

Halloween 2012

 

Halloween was fantastic this year.  We made some new decorations and played Halloween music all month. The kids got to go to 2 different ward Halloween parties, 2 school carnivals, class parties in school, trips to the pumpkin patch and some pretty awesome trick or treating.

Sadly, I only have pictures of 2 of the kids in their costumes but they all dressed up. A bunch.

 

Ellie was Frida Kahlo. Ya, don't feel bad, not many people knew who that was either.

 

 

 

She was a famous Mexican painter that looked like this:  Uni brow and all...

 

 

Little Sawyer's Top Gun costume was recycled this year, and I tried so hard to find mini aviator sunglasses but could not find any. He was a super cute pilot even without them.

 

 

Connor was Clark Kent and was a little embarrassed to rip open his suit and shirt to show everyone his superman shield. So I am guessing a lot of people thought he was a muscular business man.

And Macie was a "China girl" this year. She even kept the chopsticks in her bun for about 15 minutes.

 

running

I have vivid memories of my father in law, (well before he was my father in law)  up at 5:30am, every day of the school week, in very short bright pink shorts.....running!
In fact some of Scott's sisters could often be seen running right along side of him, and still do.
 But Scott....never.
Mind you, Scott was always very active in other sports like basketball, and swim team but running was never something he liked.

Out of the blue this last May Scott decided to give running a shot. Minus the super short neon pink running shorts. :)
Still not loving it he kept on going. And going.

His morning runs with his friend have now, over the last 5 months, helped him run a 5 mile race, a 10k, a 15k, and a sprint triathlon at Lake of the Woods.

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I am super proud of him.

And this Saturday he is going to try the biggest race he has been in yet, a half marathon in Lebanon Oregon.
Amazing.

Just amazing. Love you Scotty!

Life Lately....through Instagram

  1. The spirit of Halloween is in full force at our house.

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2. Ellie is running for Activities Director at her school!

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3. Saturdate night with some friends at Lake of the Woods.

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4. Lazy morning in bed watching Cupcake Wars and drinking hot cocoa.

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5. I have gotten to spend so much more time in the kids classes this year, LOVING it!

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6. Ellie's 2nd year of working at The Doughboy at the Tulelake Fair. She loves this more than any ride.

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7. Sawyer and Mama time. Just us at home these days.

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8. The beautiful Oregon Coast

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First day of school 2012

Ellie ~ 4th grade

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Connor ~ 2nd grade

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Macie ~ Kindergarten

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Spa day

We had our annual back to school spa day and invited Brynlie this year.

 Julie and Jeremy's family moved just 5 houses down the street from us (which is pretty much the most awesome thing ever) so it was easy for Bryn to walk up and join us.

We got all squeaky clean and manicured for the first day of school. This year Scott's treat for the kids was fruit smoothies. We had a blast. Crazy how fast these kids are growing up.

back to the beach

Our summer ended the same way it started, at South Beach on the Oregon coast.
Our good friends the Hewlett's invited us down for the weekend.
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The boys decided to go out deep sea fishing for tuna while the girls played on the beach and at the camp ground.

 We had bought a fun pop up tent trailer earlier that month and this was the first time we got to use it.
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The weather was a bit colder this trip but it was so fun. I have a new love for camping. Tent trailers make things so much easier.

Thanks Hewlett's for such great company! Lets do it again.