Thanksgiving

We have Thanksgiving with the Martin's on the even years and with my family on the odd years. Brian's family has a nice tracition of taking turns being "in charge". Crystal and Mark had it this year and they did SUCH a great job with everything! The food was so yummy and we had so much fun all day long. Everyone that came lives in AZ already, but we still don;t see each other as often as we should!

After we ate, we played some football in the back yard while the kids ran while having a great time in the perfect weather. Then we went to the park just before sunset and tried to play some kickall and then played some basketball-fun games. We finished it off playing Rockband inthe basement until way too late that night! It was a fun day and I'm so glad we had enough of the backyard done in time to be able to play outside-it was SO worth Brian's hard wark (and help of some Brett and Nate) to get that much done in TWO days!

A work in Progress...

The backyard is always a work in progress. We just get a little done here and there when we can. Monday night Brian stayed up late getting the pipes ready for sprinklers...then in two days (with it raining off and on) we got the sidewalks done and some grass in! Let me tell you, then kids are SOSOSO excited!!! 18 months of dirt was a long time...


THANK YOU Nate and Brett for all your help!

Today...

I must admit, I rarely am up before the sun rises, but with it rising later and later everyday, I caught the sunrise today! It was much prettier in real life. Then I went out front and there was a rainbow. About 30 mins later it was POURING rain.

Payton went into my closet and came out like this....she said she thinks it's going to snow. We'll see Payton.....The sun is shinning right this second, but they say more rain is on the way and it should pour all day tomorrow for Thanksgiving. It would have been SO nice for the kids to be able to run around and play outside after we eat tomorrow, but looks like we'll have to keep them entertained indoors. Hey, at least it's not almost 90 degrees like it was a week or two ago!

Blake around the house...

Not the best pic, but he holds his own bottle! He doesn't like to though. The second he sees you in arms reach he lets go on purpose so someone has to hold it for him. I don't blame him-I'd hate holding my arms up for that long too!


I walked into the kitchen the other day and found this....

When I peeked under the blanket, Tanner had a flashlight and said he and Blake we're camping and that was their tent....too cute.

Little cutie with Chompers (Kamryn's school pet) on his back...

Side note....Payton is slowly dropping the "nap". But she is still really good and quiet time if she's not tired that day. When I went to check on her, she was in Tanner's room reading books to her little friends as they took a nap.

Breilyn's visit

We got to return the favor to Rachel and Gavin and watch Breilyn while the went to Mexico! My girls were in heaven. They live on the west side of the Valley, so we don't get to see them that often. When I went to check on them on night, I couldn't find Payton.....Oh-there she is-completely under the bed. Nothing new...she's a nut.

Yummy Food

So, I tried to give Blake some baby food, and he's not too good at it. If I put the spoon in upside down then he could get some of it down, but if not, it was all back out! (almost 3 weeks later, he's finally good enough for me to start doing it on a daily basis -11/24) Have to admit, this is one of my least favorite "mom" jobs....

Can you tell he's at the DROOLING stage??! Plus he's a major puker, so that doesnt help him stay dry either!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2008

Tanner the Knight....wishing he was a Starwars guy of some sort-(mean mom)

Kamryn the Cheerleader

(in sandals-we don't own tennis shoes over here!)

We've never been too sure what this costume really is?! It was called a "Lil' Devilett"

Payton calls it a PINK DEVIL

Blake the Lion

Trick or Treating

Trunk or Treat a few days prior

Our friends brought their PIRATE SHIP for us to ride around the neighborhood in!

Grandma and Grandpa came over that night to see the kids..

Friends

Here is Blakes BFF Trent. He is a couple weeks older than Blake.



Seth is also one of Paytons favorite friends...


Thanks for playing!

SUNS!

Brian and I headed over to the desert to see the OUTDOOR basketball game a few weeks ago! It was the SUNS vs. Denver. We ended up loosing, but it was still pretty neat to watch. And it was actually COLD outside!! It seems like almost a year ago we bought tickets to this game....it was much anticipated and was SO much fun. Being at the tennis gardens back home brought back many memories from high school years as well...It was fun to see lots of old faces and even an old teacher from my freshman year while I was there. Thanks Brooke for letting up stay in your house....I hope we can actually SEE you guys next time we visit!

Emily caught a shirt...and later my Mom did too!!! Some how between my parents and Heidi all fighting to catch that one, Heidi ended up on the ground getting knocked down in the process....

Me and Brian

(I should have gotten a shot with the sky in it! But you can tell it was pretty windy...)

Looks like he's lovin the game....

Dave and Heidi

My Dad sporting his PONCHO

AMAZING!!

Kamryn actually TRIED on a pair of JEANS today and said she LIKED them?!?!?!!!!! (it's been years since this happened.....let's hope she doesnt change her mind before family pictures next month....)

And I had to share her "drama" side.....she has always been professional at changing moods at the drop of a hat. These four pictures are IN order and were all taken within 3-5 mins of each other while trying on clothes to see what to keep and what to take back... I don't even remember what sparked the attitude change...it was probably something like a tag itching her neck.... notice, happy-sad-happy-sad.....story of her life! Thank goodness her "happy" side is SO much fun to be around!!!

3 years Old

Happy Birthday PAYTON!

Payton was counting down for this day. All she wanted for her birthday was to go to Chick-fil-a. How easy is that?! Especially during fall break when mom needs out anyway?!? She was also super excited when we told her she could have donuts for breakfast, and loved her donut cake Dad set up for her. She did eat two donuts, or I guess just 1/4 of each one(she only eats the tops off of them and then chucks the bread part in the trash and asks for more) Anyway, we had a fun day mostly just hanging out at home while it was 100 degrees outside....and yes, she got her wish and got to play at chick-fil-a for lunch!



One funny thing I thought of today was; the girl can tell you her birthday ("otober eight") But for the life her of she could/would NOT answer the simple question, "How old are you?" Each time she was asked today she basically ignored the question and changed the subject. We'll have to work on this one....

Payton @ 3 yrs...weight: 32 pounds 66%
Height: 39.6 inches 96%

SOCCER ANYONE??

Okay, for reals, WE need more players!! My sister and I are trying to put together a soccer team. It's a Women's league, and it's indoor soccer played on turf (so normal soccer cleats) We need FIVE more people!! If not you, then anyone you know???

Comment or email me at klmartin22@hotmail.com

4 Months

Blake had his 4 month check up last week. I just love taking my kids to their well checks for some reason?!? The shots are no fun, but I still look so forward to these visits.

STATS:
14.1 lbs 33%
26 inches 86%
16.5 head 40%

Ok, so 33% isn't too low....but there was a little concern. When the Doctor came in and looked at the chart, her eyes got big and she had that, "oh crap" look on her face. After we talked about it while, she didn't seem AS concerned, but I guess we won't know until we go back in 2 weeks.

Three weeks ago he was in the office and he weighed 14.13, and this time he was 14.1. So, at two months he was 65%, then 55% three weeks ago, and now 33% with 0 ounces gained in 3 weeks time.

We're not sure why?? I think it was about the same time that he dropped his last bottle, and was eating 6:30 pm, then again at 6:30 am. But I did move him from 5 oz to 6 oz at the same time, so the math shows him only getting ONE less ounce for the last month than he was before. So that's probably not the reason....

He goes back in two weeks for a weight check. Per doctors orders, I am trying SO hard to feed him every 3 1/2 hours instead of 4, and trying to squeeze in one extra bottle at bedtime (like 2 hours after the previous one!). This has not been easy. He is usually asleep up until the 4 hour mark, and I am NOT good at waking sleeping babies! He's just been on such a set schedule since day one pretty much, and he's so happy and content, so I assume it's just random and he's fine. We'll see...

I just noticed that I hadn't taken pictures of him in days/weeks, so I just grabbed a shot of him sleeping earlier today. He LOVES his blankies....like all my kids have. No favorite, just give him any blanket and he'll snuggle when tired, and chew it while awake.

Fall Break...

We had a fun first week of fall break. It was just normal life for me though.....Kamryn still had preschool, and Tanner was at a friends house pretty much all day everyday. Next week will be differnet I'm sure. No school for Kam and Tanner's BFF down the street will be out of town. Really the only thing "fun" I did for the kids this week was take them swimming at the new pool down here. It is 50CENTS for the kids to get in, and there's diving boards, 2 water slides, a lazy river, and a huge kid play structure in water! We will be going back next week for sure. The only problem is it doesnt open until noon, so it takes place of Payton's nap. I tried SO hard to keep her awake that evening, and while I was getting ready to pick up the sitter last night, she zonked....on my bathroom tub step. I only let her sleep for 15 mins, so she was still in bed by 7 and back asleep! I didn't get any pool pics, but here's Payton asleep. My sister in law is in town with Tanner's only 2 boy cousins on my side, so I for sure need to get the camera out and get some pics tomorrow! It's been fun getting to spend time with them-Tanner is of course in heaven...