I went to Richard and Karlene Riding's wedding today. Alana was there too. We have all been friends since high school. It was such a neat wedding and the families were combined to total 13 children!! They are a very beautiful family. If you would like to see pictures of them go to http://picasaweb.google.com/sisjomo

July 14, 2008- Cousins at First Dam with the Mortensens. The older cousins just begin their EFY week at USU.

Ryland's basketball game - November 22, 2008

So today was Ryland's last basketball game. I videoed it again, but with a different camera so I don't have the actually footage right now. But Ryland proved to be HIS normal self again. Today he was a gorilla pounding his chest has he ran up and down the court. Then he decided to be a snake. He was on the ground trying to slither around just like a snake. He got tired of being on the court and asked John to put him on the bench. Well he got bored on the bench and quietly slithered onto the court while the game was going on. Man! was I laughing so hard!!! Then John was putting him back into the game and he wouldn't stand up, so John carried him onto the court. By this time Ryland was sitting more yoga style. He was holding one leg above his head and sitting. John finally got him to stand. The lady next to me commented that usually players are carried OFF the court (if they are hurt) not ON to the court. HEE HEE!! At the very beginning of the season I was very frustrated with Ryland because he would not do what was asked of him, but then I saw how funny everything was and now I just laugh. John is even laughing now. But he was so frustrated because he was the coach and it was his own child that was the hardest to try to coach. Right now he has vowed not to coach Ryland again. But he'll have a bit of a rest period and maybe he'll change his mind.

Ryland's basketball game

Ryland is learning how to play basketball. John signed up to be the coach for his team. It has been very frustrating for John because Ryland does not pay attention. Instead, he acts like a grasshopper or locust out on the court. He would crouch down like he was landing and then when it was time to run down the court he would jump up with his arms held in wing-like position at his hips and he would flap his arms down the court until he stopped again. Then he would crouch back down. Sometimes he would put his hands on top of his head to make it look like antennae (it looked more like antlers to me). Other times on the court he would just dance around. Like in this video. He was dancing with a little girl from the other team. He was oblivious to the game around him!!! ;) Okay, so the video doesn't seem to be working. Link into this (copy and paste) and you should be able to watch the videos. They are so funny!!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/sisjomo/RylandBasketballGameNovember152008#slideshow

Ryland's basketball dance

Ryland is just learning how to play basketball, but he seems to rather do other things. He was so funny, I had tears from laughing so hard!

Tim's graduation from BYU in Chemical Engineering.

Tim's graduation BYU- pictured with all his siblings, two nephews, and
brother-in-law.

Our daughter, Alyssa, and her family- hubby-Victor and sons- Orion and Cyrus. Taken on Cyrus' blessing day.

Our whole family on Cyrus's blessing day- April 27, 2008
John holding Bridger, Jolene with Ryland, Tim, Chandler, Victor holding Orion, Alyssa holding Cyrus, Alex, and Hayden

Memorial Day 2008- Lewiston cemetery- 3rd great grandfather- George Leavitt (Chandler, Hayden, Alex holding Bridger, Mom (Jolene) holding Ryland)
Ryland and Bridger at "Alligator Rock" We had to run by it each day as we walked to school so the alligator/crocodile mouth wouldn't get us. It has been moved as construction on the elementary school and sidewalks happened.
Memorial Day 2008- Grandpa Mortensen's grave at the Logan cemetery. (Hayden, Dad John), Chandler, Alex, Bridger, and Ryland)
Tim's BYU graduation April 2008

March 24, 2004- Grandpa Mortensen with newborn Bridger and Ryland- This was taken about six months before Grandpa passed away!
Spring 2007-Chandler pole vaulting at Logan High
more Chandler pole-vaulting
March 24, 2008- Chandler, Hayden, Alex, Ryland, and Bridger for Bridger's 4th birthday

Our Disneyland vacation July 2007

Ryland, Daddy, and Bridger

Hayden, Tim, Orion, Bridger, and Ryland at Disney Adventureland
Alex holding Orion with Brother Bear

Our Engagement 2001

Hayden, Mom, Bridger, & Ryland at Disneyland

Our family vacation last summer 2007- We had a fun time at Disneyland!!




















Christmas time is Arizona 2007

Our Family Update

So, actually I don't where to begin. Our family is busy. Tim is back home with us and he is searching for a job in his field he graduated in (Chemical Engineering). Alyssa, our daughter is married(hubby Victor) with two little boys- Orion and Cyrus. They live in Pleasant Grove. Alex is going to USU, working, and getting ready to go on a mission. Chandler is a junior in high school- trying to avoid the dating scene. He decided not to play football this year, but he is having fun going to the games. Logan High has a chance to take State again this year! Hayden is in 8th grade. He just finished football and has started on basketball. They won their first game last Saturday. Ryland is in 1st grade, just started piano lessons and is a great musician. He also started basketball and had his first game on Saturday. John is coaching their team. They tied their first game and Ryland was very entertaining to watch. He did not want the ball and would put his hands up to block it every time it came his way. He ran up and down the court making hissing sounds like a snake. John worked with him after the game and he actual would catch the ball and shoot baskets. So we will see how his next game goes on Saturday. I think I'll bring the video camera just in case- I might be able to capture some very funny stuff!!! Bridger is 4 years old. He is contented to be at home with mom. He loves going to preschool/playgroup on Thursday.

John works at USU as the Registrar. He also keeps busy with his church calling and coaching Ryland's basketball team.

I am a stay-at-home mom, but I really am not home too often. I am on the PTA at Ryland's elementary school. I have be doing it for 6 years now. I also love keeping busy with my church callings. I had been in YW's for 7 years (loved every minute of it), but now I am a primary teacher to such a wonderful, fun class! I also two other callings- one of which is Stake YW's Camp Director!!!! I am so excited for camp this summer!!!