This weekend was proclaimed "MAN WEEKEND." We picked up Dalt on Thursday night from NOLA and it was all over from there. Friday evening the "big boys" left to make the trip to Cabela's to buy overpriced green and brown items they would not wear near enough to justify the cost and then off to LaCroix, the hunting lodge that would be their stomping ground for the next few days. It was opening weekend of Duck season in Louisiana!!!!
Lots of guns and dogs, lots of "outside", lots of food with no rules about serving size, lots of football with no women begging to watch reality TV or entertainment news! A man's best friend! LaCroix is a place where great big fat cajun men serve you gumbo in a mixing bowl, card games are plentiful and showers are few and far between(by choice.) It is the only place I know where early mornings are welcome to Ky, but only because they come with the understanding that there will be an early afternoon nap.
Once again I was told that hunting did occur. I even saw a picture of a few dead ducks with the promise that they would be plucked and cleaned and mailed to us for cooking, only to remember that I recieved the same promise a year ago this time. I have yet to see a duck in my freezer, much less tasted duck empanadas or duck gumbo, but I digress. The point of hunting in the 21st century is no longer "necessity", but rather "inevitability." Men love this activity, because their instinct tells them they have to! It is no longer a chance to provide sustinance for their children, but it does seem to provide substance to the relationships with them once they are old enough to join in the festivities! The art of killing something alongside your son is a time honored tradition that, I for one, hope never fades..even if that means I am destined to be alone several weekends a year. It won't be long untill the "little boys" are right there alongside the big ones, learning to play poker and to tell exaggerated stories and I just pray they will miss their momma as much as she misses them, even though she knows they are learning the lessons that will last them a lifetime... whether they know it or not! Did I mention Dalton even killed a goose!!!!-Tori
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Octoberfest!
October is by far my favorite month in Louisiana! I have been obsessed with it since I was a kid. The weather is amazing, as it is one of the few months one can spend more than 20 minutes or so at a time outside. Not sure if it has been an unusually hot October, or if I just sweated alot more this year because I was chasing Beck all month while carrying a "heating element that we call Jett." Either way we only had two October weekends with Ky in the country and we made good use of them. Here are pics of just a few of the wonderful "Family Days" we had. Family Days are forever a "challenge," but ALWAYS worth it. Typicaly there is one breakdown per child/per event and at least one of us parents generally breaksdown too at somepoint. I guess I am just that mom who refuses to let things slow her down, always afraid I am going to miss something! October has brought many fun accomplishments to the Louisiana Mortensens...Jett is now squealing, laughing and recognized his mom and dad and smiles SO big when he sees us. He is more vocal than Beck was, which scares me since Beck has not given us more than 2 minutes of silence in the last 6 months! Jett can not, however, role his fat butt over! No worrys, as I have decided from what I have been told that "chubby babys aren't as willing to throw their weight around." Beck blows us away everyday with new things he has come up with. He runs in our room every morning, big smile in tow, proclaiming "Good Morning." He heard Ky sing Happy Birthday to Tyanya and readily wanted to sing it to his Honey while I was on the phone with her shortly after...it only came out as Hapbuddy, Hapbuudy, but we were verry impressed. I am hoping soon he will be doing Jeslyn's rendition complete with the ChaChaCha. Not too many years ago, Octoberfest had a much different meaning in "Tori Land"(as Ky calls it), but nothing could be more worthy of celebrating than the past few weeks!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
MomMom Look!
Just had to jot this down..Beck has an obsession with the "peep holes" on the front and back doors at his Honey's. He comes and takes your hand and drags you to the door and says "look." He wants you to pick him up to look out the peep hole. Then he says "other one" which means he is board with this hole and wants to look out the back door hole. As we were on our second round of "looks" today...I asked him what he saw outside he said "birds, trees, grass, alot("of", he always omits the word "of")stuff." Now here is the kicker, he grabed the back of my head and shoved/slammed it into the door and said..."MomMom...look!" I was laughing so hard I thought I would drop him and i couldnt tell if the tears were from the laughing or the fact that my nose had just been slammed into a solid wood door by an "eager" 2 year old. I am so afraid if I don't write this stuff down I will forget it all...and that would be so sad.-Tori
Monday, October 6, 2008
"CHINOT."-Beck Mortensen
Well... we are here in Monroe what seems like a world away from Ky. I guess that is because... it is. After months of drooling over the Olympic coverage(on the new flat screen we had to buy especially for the occasion) and books and DVDs and ABC specials on China, he is finally on the plane. We took him to the airport Sunday morning. The boys did much better than I did! In fact I was the only one who cried, I think I would have been ok if he was at least remaining in the Continental US. I even let the dog sleep in bed with me last night, because I was so sad. The drive to Monroe was...a journey? 2 boys, 2 car seats, 2 backpacks, 2 kids rolling suitcases, 2 packages of extra diapers and diaper bag to put them in, my suitcase, a snack bag, the stroller, the computer bag, a 20lb bag of dog food, a "Doggie Bag" full of dog supplies and did I mention a 50+ lb Finn in the front seat all in a VW Passat. It was tight to say the least, but not too bad...this two kids thing is getting easier everyday! I admire those of you who pull this multiple kid thing off with out a hitch! We are going to try to have as much fun as possible while we are here. Yesterday, Beck got to buy an ice cream sandwich from a real ice cream truck! We have never been able to catch an ice cream truck in BR! And it was only $1...what can you get for$1 anymore! We are going to eat tons of Johnny's pizza and watch movies with friends and probably go to the Zoo and a few other special places. I felt a little sad yesterday that Ky missed getting to see beck buy ice cream from the truck and found myself wishing I had the "good camera" to capture it for him, it is just not the same without him here to share things with. That might be because he gets such a kick out of the little things like that. We will certainly miss our best friend, how come you can never totally appreciate someone untill they are across an ocean.
I agree with Beck..."Chi..not"
I agree with Beck..."Chi..not"
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Rock on!
Beck's 2nd Birthday was actually Sunday, so I figured this was a perfect time to post the pics from his "Party Like a Rockstar" party a few weeks ago. We had such a wonderful time seeing his "Aunts and Uncles" and new cousins. He got too many gifts... our friends are so generous! He has particularly enjoyed the "Name" that his Aunt Jackie and Brittany got him. It is a "Magna Doodle" that we write his "NAME" on, so it has now been reassigned the title of "Name." Thanks in part to "name," Beck now has complete letter recognition. He recognizes ALL of his letters when you write them individually(out of order) and ask him "What letter is this?" He is also counting to 10 and can even count 10 items! Can you tell I am proud.
Two years old...isn't it amazing to look at them and know that you grew them yourself. I look at his little ears and think about how wild it is they formed so perfectly. I think about the big red lips that he got from his Dad and the dimples on his cheeks(AND the ones on his butt!) he got from me. As this year of my sons life came to a close, I began to wonder how he will change and what he will believe and hope that he will treat people kindly and walk with confidence. I will ask a lot from these boys, but most of all I hope they are simply seen as... gentlemen...and all that it encompasses.
I can't even keep a fern alive, and my first son is 2. What color thumb does that mean I have? ROCK ON BECK!-Tori
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
8 weeks old and Beck to grow on!
Quick update...Jett is 8 weeks old and is busting out of his 3-6m clothes! Tomorrow is his 2 month check up after which we will post what I am sure will be an astronomical weight! We wonder where these big boys come from. One theory is that it comes form my grandfather on my Dad's side...my grandfather's nickname was "fatty" as a child(he was a huge baby)and it stuck...even thought he probably never weighed more than 150lbs in his life. Jett smiles about as often as he fusses. He still only sleeps a 4-5 hour stretch at night, but then he just wakes up long enough to eat and goes right back to sleep. Beck likes to "hold" him...he says"Gom mim." I think it comes from us asking "you got him?" They are the sweetest brothers a mom could ask for!
Just a cute pic of Beck so he doesn't have issues later in life. Here was his game day attire New Orleans Saints jersey and Denver Bronco hat. Saints vs. Broncos was a big deal at our casa! We were a house divided to say the least. Wonder where his loyalties will lie when he can actually choose his own clothes!- Tori
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Beck's International Beauty
Beck met Beautiful Brianna Phelps(her Mom is a Mexican hottie) in our playgroup in BR. Since then...it looks like they have hit it off. This casual Chuck E. Cheese Bday Party (for another girl!) turned into what looks like Beck's first date. Apparently, he picked Brianna up in his fancy truck and they went for a drive. I guess her Mother approved as she was the one taking pics, but I know the Mortensen Boys well enough that I think this is a little early to be riding around in cars with girls! They are notorious Heartbreakers, although always perfect gentlemen.
Will this be my life...looking at pics of my sweet boys with beautiful exotic girls... at dances and dinner dates and dare I say it, a wedding day! Be still my heart...I better go kiss them and squeeze them now before I become the other woman in their lives!-Tori
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Great White Hunters
Ahh..the Annual Dove Hunt in Monroe. An opportunity for men age 6 weeks to 60+ years to escape the women that bug them and pretend to be literaly "bringin' home the bacon." The field of choice is the "yard" of a childhood friend of mine's big brother. Now mind you he and his wife and their 3 boys live on about 20 acres just outside of town, with a stocked pond and horses and a beautiful custom designed home complete with outdoor plasma screen tvs and of course indoor plumbing...you are truly set up. The "HUNTERS" arrive to a feast of duck and sausage and chicken, bread, roasted corn, cookies and an incredible chocolate sheet cake brought over by the "neighbor" who delivered it by 4-wheeler. When Ky mentioned to Brent Wilkes that he didn't bring any boots or pants to hunt in...Brent assured Ky that flip flops and shorts would be the dress code and that the hunting would be taking place on freshly cut grass especialy prepared for the day.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that they invite us (the wives and moms I mean,) even though I am pretty sure that it is just to cook, watch the kids who are too little to hold their own weapon, bring ice water out upon request and of course...take tons of pictures of them with their guns and their sons in the Louisiana September sunset!
I can say, I never saw any evidence of a dove on the ground and can't be too sure any actual hunting occured...some thing was "shot" alright and I am pretty sure it is a four letter word not polite enough for a southern lady to put on her blog!-Tori
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Boys are Back in Town
Jett got a chance to meet his buds for a playdate during "Evacuation 08." Can you believe all of these boys...from the left Rachel and Bishop(4 weeks), Holly and Boyd(5 months), Amanda and Max(4 months), Jett and Mom(5 weeks.) The girls still talk about all of the same things... boys(only smaller and balder), drinks(bottles vs. formula and various applicable quantities,) the coolest new jeans (size 3-6 months,) weight and diets(but now bigger is actualy better and eating alot is a good thing.) Good Times!-Tori
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Wow. So it took me about 30 minutes to figure out how to log back into this thing to actually post a blog. So now that I'm finally here, let me waste no time in bringing everyone up to speed. We have been seeking refuge from GUSTAV for the past several days in Monroe at Victoria's mother's home. From what I hear the storm has absolutely blasted Baton Rouge and most of the city is without electricity and probably will be for a couple of weeks. LSU closed for the whole week thus far. (We should seriously get Labor Day over!) Our house is okay though, no shingles missing from what I'm told and the fact that I have been too lazy to build a fence or plant any trees has served me well. Pretty hard to blow away what you didn't have to begin with! There's a lesson for the three little pigs! Anyway, it has given me a chance to get close to the family and the in-laws. Really close. You know that whole thing about 'after 4 days you've worn out your welcome'. Well, if you stick around long enough, you wear it back in and you just basically live together and that's the way it is. The great thing is that it has given me a chance to attend a few high school football games. Northern Louisiana is like West Texas in terms of high school football and I have to admit the game is seriously elevated in these parts. To be honest, the players aren't really any bigger than your typical Sanford football team, but they move and execute plays like a BCS bowl team. Seriously, its a big deal here. Hopefully the rain will let up so they won't cancel the upcoming showdown this weekend..Rustin vs Neville. I'm already getting excited. We have Bastrop (#6 team in the nation) right down the road, and I already watched the West Monroe Rebels (ESPN highlighted them in their mini series last year) this past Saturday night. Anyway, my little boys enjoyed it immensely. Beck is a big fan of the concession stand and loves to run, throw the ball and give the mascots high fives. Anyway, I figured I needed to bring everyone up to date since I noticed I was 'ranked' number one in the listing of family on Mom's new blog...(yes girls, thats an actual ranking depending on alot of different factors but primarily it comes down to how cool you are and whether or not you still look good in a bathing suit...have fun competing for the number two spot, they don't call it the biggest loser for nothing!) Anyway try to keep up and thanks for all of the positive encouragement about keeping my blog up to date and up to speed. Speaking of speed, here is the 'bring you up to date since Jett was born blast'...Jett is now like 5 1/2 weeks and weighs about 13 pounds, he's starting to get colicky and isn't very fun from about 5 until midnight. Beck is a superstar and had a big birthday party on Sunday even though his real birthday is about three more weeks away, Victoria is losing her mind nursing a baby and putting up with me and Beck and living here at her moms for the week and I am pretty much coasting this week and trying to stay out of everyones way and last week I did that lemonade diet, only I only did it for like 5 days instead of ten because the "hurrican messed me up" but I actually lost like 8 pounds during that time and even though I look about the same, I feel alot better and I slept like an absolute baby the whole time I was doing it even though it was really irritating to just drink lemonade everyday and I think Dad should do it for 10 days and see how well it makes him sleep at night. And I think that's pretty much it and I'll try and get some pics posted soon. I've gotten alot better looking in the past month and am really anxious to prove it. I'll be right back!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Jett Has Landed
At around 8 am yesterday we left the house, and after making a short stop off at the beauty salon where Victoria had her hair freshly styled, we proceeded to Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge. See, you can't have a baby in the south without looking your 'beauty pageant' best. I mean, there are friends that will be visiting from out of town and there will be photo ops; lots of photo ops. Forget the other person in the photo who just came wriggling forth from the depths of the womb to confront this cold, dry and very bright world; he can worry about his scrunched face in all of the pictures later. Actually we did comb his hair a little; slicked it down good. I mean the whole thing was very text book. Very scheduled and everything we did all day was quite with purpose and deliberation. I wore my hazmat suit and took lots of pictures. I went in the surgery suite and sat at my chair near Victoria's head and held her hand. I wasn't allowed to watch much of the cesarean though; not because the doctors wouldn't let me, but because Victoria said "you're not supposed to see your wife's guts". I still watched Jett pop his head out though. I like that little sight. I saw it with Beck too. Babies coming into the world is not something you see that often. I don't like to miss much of it even if I do see some guts in the process. It was awesome. He even had a knot in his chord. Not a tight knot, but it was a real knot where he had created a loop in the chord at some stage in the pregnancy and then swam through it. Pretty wild. It looked like a big baked pretzel. He has lots of dark hair and bright pink skin. Eight pounds eleven ounces. Long feet, a skinny butt and HUGE....hands! Big barrel chest just like Becks only Jett looks more like Victoria than Beck does and he seems to be much more subdued, but that might just have been the day. Getting born is a big day no matter what car you drive to the show. Its just alot of getting pulled and yanked and rubbed and weighed. They give you a shot and stick things in your mouth and nose. They put jelly in your eyes and paint your belly button black and you get your feet stamped and then they wrap you up really tight and pass you around alot to alot of different people. It takes a couple of days to figure out who your real folks are. He seems happy to be here though. He likes to eat and he sleeps alot as long as the sun is out. Beck came with grandparents yesterday in the afternoon to meet his little man. He kissed his head when we said "kiss" and rubbed his hair when we said "rub rub" and then when we said "pat, pat" he gave him a pretty whack on the top of the head. Brothers.
