What happen a year from this day?

Last year, Christian legally became a part of our family. We feel so bless to have him part of our family. He makes our life meaningful. Here are some pictures from the pasted year:

We legally became a family

Christian at 9 months old

10 months old

Christian's first Christmas

Our first professional family picture.

14 months old

15 months old

16 months old

17 months old

18 months old
Christian eating cereal by himself for the first time.

How Christian Eats His Cereal?

Christian wanted to eat cereal while sitting on Chris' lap. They tried it for awhile but it was not working to well. Christian kept getting cereal all over Chris. He was so upset that he couldn't eat cereal any more that I decided to put him in his high chair.

Christian's Way: The best way to eat is not bothering with the spoon, just dive in head first and you can get as much as you want.

Maybe he isn't quite ready for less guidance while eating.

More independence in a child's eating doesn't translate to less clean up for parents afterward.

Christian Uses The Potty

On July 22, 2009, Christian used the toilet for the first time. For the last month, he has somehow gotten the idea to pee in the bath. This is really annoying, so I decided that every time he stood up to pee, I would put him on the step stool and see if he would go in the toilet. I was very shocked when he went pee on Wednesday. Below are pictures of Christian clowning around in our bathroom.

Future Potty Training Champion

Christian giving himself a pat on the head instead of a pat on the back.

Christian's proud of himself, no longer a baby!

49 Things About Me

49 Things About ME...

1. Do you like blue cheese? No
2. Your Favorite Shoes? flip flops
3. Do you own a gun? No
4. Your favorite song? I don't have one!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes, I don't know why. My blood pressure is always high because I'm so nervous.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them but I don't have them very often.
7. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water
9. Can you do push ups? I think so!
10. Are you afraid of flying? No, I love to fly. I can't wait to fly again.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring
12. Favorite hobby? Reading, Sleeping, and sowing.
13. Animals: I love monkeys. If I could have one, I would.
14. Do you have ADD? I don't know.
15. What do you hate about yourself? I wish I had the will power to loose weight.
16. What is your middle name? Don’t have one.
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: How much I miss Chris and wish I could talk to him! I wish that I could have had time to read today. I'm so tired!
18. What's your favorite number? 3, I don't know why.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, juice, and powerade.
20. Current worry right now? That I wish that I could loose weight
21. Current hate right now? That Chris is gone for a couple of days.
22. Favorite place to be? Any where, as long as I am with Chris and Christian.
23. How did you bring in the New Year? Hanging out with family!
24. Where would you like to go? I would love to go Switzerland again. I also would like to go to England.
25. Name three people who will complete this? ????? not sure I hope anyone who reads it because I would love to read theirs.
26. Do you own slippers? No
27. What shirt are you wearing? a black under shirt with a purple shirt on top.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, I like cotton and flannel.
29. Can you whistle? Yes, but I'm not very good.
30. Favorite color? Yellow
31. Would you be a pirate? No
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? No, I just try to get out as soon as I can.
33. Favorite girl's name? Suzette, Emma, Madline, and Heidi
34. Favorite boy's name? Christian, Joshua, Caleb
35. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
36. Last thing that made you laugh? Can't remember
37. Best bed sheets as a child? My Little Pony
38. Worst injury you've ever had? When I had a needle and had to have surgery to remove it.
39. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two
40. Who is your loudest friend? Chris
41. How many dogs do you have? None and I don't know if we ever will.
42. Does someone have a crush on you? Yes, Chris
43. Favorite Book? Anything by Clair Poulson and Besty Brannon Green
44. Partying hard or Laying low? Laying Low
45. What is your favorite candy? Anything chocolate
46. Favorite Sports team? Don't have one
47.What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping…
48. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I wonder if Christian's awake?
49. If you are married, where did you meet your WIFE/HUSBAND. It was a blind date

Farmer Christian

Yesterday, Christian wanted to go outside. I decided that I would take him out but I would water our garden, while I watch Christian. My idea didn't work so well. I gave up and just went and played with Christian. Tonight Chris and I took Christian outside to see how our garden is growing. Christian walked over to the hose and then to the faucet. I decided I would turn it on and let him play with it while it watered our grass. This is how Christian waters the grass and the garden.

Watering the garden

Our little gardner

Christian loves balloon!

Christian really loves balloons. Every time we go to the grocery store, Christian will point at the balloon that the store uses for decoration. I can tell that he was one really bad. I had not ever bought him any balloons before. I got thinking to myself, why haven't I. Really cheap entertainment, why not. I bought a who package so when ever I need something to keep Christian entertained, all I need to do is blow up a balloon. Here are a couple of things that Christian loves to do with his balloons:

Christian loves to play with his dad, when he comes home.

This weekend we traveled to Southern Utah to visit family and participate in the Utah Summer Games. I was also going to take a test at Dixie to finish my MCSE, but due to a scheduling error, I was unable to do so, and spent a relaxing hour on the phone at a gas station enjoying Prometric's stellar 5-star customer service. Actually, the individual I worked with was fairly helpful, but dealing with Prometric during my Microsoft certification has been one hassle after another. We'll get to happier part of the weekend in a few minutes, but while I am on the subject, my conscience requires me to say a few things about this organization. A few weeks ago, I was taking an exam using Prometric as a provider. With about 20 min left in the exam, my computer froze and I couldn't finish. After the testing center did everything they could to get back up and running, but to no avail. I had to make multiple phone calls to prometric to get my scores which didn't occur for a few days. Normally you get your score right after you test and so you know what areas you need to improve if you don't happen to pass the exam. Finally after a rather fun little chat with one of their reps, I got my score report in about five minutes and I didn't even have to swear.....amazing. I asked Andre, the rep I was speaking with why the previous individual do what he did, and his reply: "I don't know." More incentive for me to provide better customer service while I am at work.

So finally, with my exam safely rescheduled, we arrived in Southern Utah in enough time to eat a nice steak dinner. Heather was nice enough to let me go fishing. We tested out my Grandpa's old boat that my Dad has been working on. Jon came up from Las Vegas this weekend and so Dad, Jon and I went to the local reservoir. I had a lot of fun. We were only on the water for about an hour and a half, and caught seven fish combined, if I remember right....this is a fish story after all. As with all Mortensen sponsored fishing trips, we arrived home well after dark.

Because of fishing, I didn't go to bed until quite late, so I arrived in Cedar City later than desired. I had to wait a while to warm up because all of the table tennis tables were full. After a short warm up, I played a few preliminary matches to determine skill level. I went 1-1 in the preliminaries. So I ended up in the B division, with there being Open, A, B, C, and D divisions played. Like last year, I finished third earning a bronze medal. The funny thing is, I defeated the guy who placed second, but he defeated the first place finisher, so really there was a three way tie in records. In table tennis pool play, you keep track of everything down to the amount of points you score in each game, because your score combined with your record determines how you finish in the event of a tie. Because I was so tired after playing, I was glad that I didn't have a play-off for placing. I didn't really go to the games to win, I just went to play and continue my progress in the sport. Lately, I haven't been feeling well enough to play on a regular basis, so going to the summer games was a good opportunity to test my skills. I wish there was another in state table tennis tournament in August, but to my knowledge the next one is the Utah Open in November. I will just keep practicing till then.

Christian finally gave up the fight and took a nap!

Christian loves his cousin Jayden

Megan, Jayden and Christian- having fun with his cousin!

Ruben and Christian giving each other a hug.