Christmas and New Year's Eve

On Bachelor....they lasted all day long!!

Daddy and Boys...getting ready

Getting ready for their first ski trip...

New Year's Eve

Austin....cute, cute, cute!

You know, I always thought girls were more fun to dress (even though I don't have a daughter)

But my lil' men were absolutely adorable--in their Christmas Garb!

Cole and his new Football


The beginning of Crazy Christmas trips...between all the families!

Martin Family Tree 2009

We visited the best place on Earth! DISNEYLAND

The Fam....on the pier, Hermosa Beach, Ca.

Just after Turkey Day we hopped on a plane to Cali....the boys were better on the plane than I was! We arrived in Orange County with our handy GPS and found our way right to the hotel....with the help of my iphone. We visited Uncle Jason in Hermosa Beach, Disneyland and California Adventure for two days, and Universal Studios. Our food bill cost more than the planes tickets.....but we had a blast! The boys exhausted us...well, at least me every day! Lance ran everywhere with them! I have never been so amazed by anything.....seeing things through the eyes of our children was a remarkable thing. Seeing this trip through their eyes will forever be in my memories!

Cole and Mommy riding through "It's a small world" boat ride.

Austin, Cole and Mommy with Curious George!

"I don't believe it....." Austin repeated over and over with the brightest smile as he ran dead ahead of whatever was in front of us. Our last night in Disneyland we watched the most amazing fireworks...after all, we were in the best place on Earth....Cole was on my shoulders....snowed started spraying out over our heads onto the crowd as Cole threw open his arms and said, "I love Disneyland....this place is so special!" As he was thrilled, I had to hold back tears...being a mother is one of the best things in my life!

Cole and Austin with Santa's elves....the boys had to get their photo taken with them....Cole ran up to them and they got their picture and when one girl helped him down the stairs with her hand....Cole came running over to us to tell us "she has the softest hands ever...."

Almost six, and already they are into the girls!! Watch out world!!

Austin and Shrek....a little timid!

Lance, Austin, Cole, and Uncle Jason at Hermosa Beach....I was relaxing in the sand.

I could have stayed at the beach the whole week we were gone....it was gorgeous.

Happy Halloween!

Four costumes in one hour.....

Austin and Cole started as Spiderman and a pirate and then Daddy brought home new costumes as a surprise....Mommy is home with the flu so, we re-dressed the boys in their new fireman costumes and off went all my boys ....into the darkness. Happy Halloween to you and yours!

CELTIC DANCING

Kim and Darcy...prefunking before the Celtic dance lessons....
The whole group of "beginning" Celtic dancers!!

Dancing in action.....

Laughter between dances!!!

Odds and Ends.....

Over 25 years of friendship....cheers to the "spice"....... girls!!

Have you ever seen something so beautiful...
my photography class from a year ago is paying off....

I can't imagine one without the other...these two are the perfect pair...

they even like the same little girl at school!

Now, this is some brotherly-love!

Cole and Austin getting a ride.....they were so amazed at how big this trator was....

frankly, mommy was too!!

A few photos of our activities....

A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village....Cole, Austin, and Hadleigh

putting on a performance for the rest of the family.

Cole has found his calling in acting!

Austin....

Grandpa and Cole taking a break from beach fun!

Cole taking a rest alone...

Austin was so busy on the beach, he never stopped. Grandma and Grandpa Martin took them for the day to visit the ocean. We are all going back in November.

Rain or Shine?!?!

Cole admiring the view....he was a little upset because he got blisters from his new shoes. A rest, a snack, and no shoes.....the Willamette Valley....and the hike down.

Cole still talks about the "mountain" he climbed!!

Hiking with Grandma....Cole and Austin exploring the outdoors!

Mommy and Austin.....all dressed up for a date!

A Family Soccer game........then, the game turned into tackling Daddy!

This fall has started off very busy for us. Lance is so busy at the hazelnut processing plant and working for Wilbur, I am at my busiest time at work, and our two little kindergarten's never seize to amaze me. They run the show, this house, and I couldn't love being a mom more!

Fun at the Wacky Bouncy House!!

Having the best fun.... mommy's and kids!

Darcy, Austin, Hadleigh,Cole, Ashtyn, and Auntie Jennifer

Obviously, I was having just as much fun as the kids! Sometimes, it is the best medicine

to act just kid a child :)

Grandpa, Cole, Ashtyn, Hadleigh, and Austin.....
the favorite slide!

Auntie Darcy and Hadleigh...isn't she adorable!

Sisters....I tried to help Jennifer to the top of the slide and she pulled me down

the wrong side! Laughter with my sister....is unmeasurable!

Ode to Uncle Jason

Cole and Austin love it when Uncle Jason comes to visit...we all spent the night outside, listening to the boys saying ..."Uncle Jason...Uncle Jason...Uncle Jason..."! The fall breeze and the sunset made for good conversation and a few incredible pictures with an uncle with his nephews!!

Austin wanted his "own" picture with Uncle Jason...

Laughing more......

The last photo of the night!! Thanks for the visit! Next time we are coming to the beach :)

First day of kindergarten at Henry Hill!!!

All dressed up and ready to go.....Cole was so excited and Austin was not so much!
I can't believe they are old enough for school....I remember rocking them to sleep like it was yesterday. I'm so excited for both Cole and Austin, happy they are in the same classroom, but sad my babies are no longer babies....

Ashtyn, Cole, Hadleigh, and Austin

September 5, 2009

Cousins are the best thing! Every time the girls come to the farm, we take many rides in the mule which G'pa outfitted with an old Jeep seat in the back. I could not resist snapping some photos with them all laughing!! There is always a lot of noise when they visit but the kids and Jennifer and I get our much needed fellowship!

Cuddling Austin, Cole, and Ashtyn...waiting for Hadleigh to climb in....for a ride around the farm.

Sullivan visited Friday night for a BBQ and he loved the corn we picked from the field next to our house.....fresh corn is the best!!

Hadleigh tried so hard to peddle Austin's tricycle and give him a ride but her short little legs just wouldn't do the work!!

Part of our weekend adventures on the farm was picking corn...and then we had to teach the kids how to clean the corn.....which they quickly learned picking it was the easy job!!

Adorable Hadleigh after a purple Popsicle!!

Cousins are the best!!!

Ashtyn, Cole and Austin - 5 1/2 years

Hadleigh - 3 1/2 years