It's Christmas Time!!!!

Well, I think it is Christmas time! We put a tree up in the living room, it's all decorated thanks to the kids. Then Chet spent the day putting up lights on his hopefully Ice Thing in the back yard on top of the Mountain. It can't go in the front yard this year because we have too many trees (if you can ever have too many trees). At least they are in the way of any Ice sculpture. We had so many people ask us if we were going to have it again this year, and say that they would be so sad if we didn't. That made Chet really feel the pressure to be sure to get it done this year. So now all we need is for it to get cold. Not that I am excited to have it get cold but if it has to get cold at least we can get a cool thing out of it. We do have a few lights in the front and we may add more. Here is a picture of the hopeful Ice Thing. I will try to get some pictures of it when it gets going. Till then have fun shopping! Or what ever you might need to be doing.

where did 7 years go?

I can't believe that 7 years have gone by so quickly. Jenni and I had our 7 year anniversary this last Sunday. Our romantic celebration included being sick, staying up late on Saturday so I could study for a test, me going to bed at 6 so I could get up at 2 am to finish studying for a big test Monday morning, and that's about it. So, while its been an atypical one, it has been a good one because we're together. I think I got off easy on having to remember how many years its been because I just count from 2000. So as long as I can remember the year, I know how long we've been married. Anyway, I wish we could get home for the Christmas break, but we wont be able to. So we wish you and yours a merry Christmas, Happy thanksgiving, and a wonderful New Year.

Happy Happy Holidays!

Hi all! I haven't posted for awhile, but surely enjoy reading from all of you! I've been doing daily indexing and have set that as a must-do goal, so if nothing else gets done, I index and read my scriptures with Dad! It's amazing what a difference that makes. I've also been to the temple every week for the last almost 3 months. I'm afraid I won't make either goal this week, but we're so excited to go to CO for Thanksgiving. Dad hasn't been over in more than 2 years, so we're looking forward to it. We've watched the weather.com site religiously, and I feel a bit guilty about our selfish prayers, as we need moisture so badly, but the weather looks clearer each time I check, so we're being blessed! I'm very grateful! We'll pray for moisture on Monday evening next!
I've spent the last 3 days (in bits & pieces) putting up my Christmas village. It turns out differently every year, and seems to grow, but I really enjoy it & hope this year, some of you will get to see it. The only ones who did last year were, I think, Steve & Jenni. Please correct me if I'm wrong! Anyway, I hope others enjoy it as much as I do. I really get lost in it! Well, I'm off to try to finish it now. Love to you all and hope each of you have a lovely Thanksgiving, no matter what you are doing or with whom! Minders, we haven't heard from you in a long time. What are your plans? (We invited her to CO with us, but she couldn't go, bummer!)
Love,
Mom

Here's a post

Greetings to you all. We've been meaning to post for a while and keep forgetting. I do enjoy reading all of your posts. Don't tell Megan, but I'm glad we're in Colorado while she works out the kinks with her permit (Just kidding Megan:-)



Anyway, life is moving along at break-neck speed. Thanksgiving is already upon us all, then Christmas and a new year. We are all looking forward to having Mom and Dad visit with us for Thanksgiving. The kids are looking forward to a break from school.



Jesse is now playing basketball. I am coaching his team. He has decided (for the moment) that basketball and football are his two favorite sports. School is a mixed bag for him. Sometimes he really enjoys it and sometimes he struggles to find the motivation, especially when he has writing to do. He's usually excited to show the finished product though. Jennah made a daily schedule so that they can take responsibility of the things they need to do and Jesse has really shown some initiative with that which I'm very pleased with. I'm hoping he won't champion the cause of the procrastinators like his Dad has done for so long.



Brielle is, well, changing. At least, that's what she says. The other day she told Jennah that she "wasn't herself." "You have to understand Mom, I'm just not myself lately. I mean, I'm almost a teenager you know." Oh help. What are we going to do when she actually is a teenager? What, is she going to then tell us that we have to understand that she's almost an adult. What does all this mean anyway? Can someone tell me how to plumb the depths a 7 (not 17) year olds mind? We have a lot of laughs with her. She's great and a really good story teller if you have the time.



Paige wants "a llama with 4 humps and 5 horses" for Christmas (said while jumping up and down with tremendous exuberance). Does anyone know where you can get this stuff, especially the llama? Oh well, at least we know what to shop for.



Kylee is nearly done with potty training. Now everyone from the cashier at Wal-Mart to the man who walks the dog in front of our house (don't know his name) knows that Kylee poops in the potty. Grrreat.



Caleb seems to be learning so much so fast, especially with Pre-school now. Its interesting how children develop so differently. One thing that is a constant is his love for balls, cars and wrestling with anyone who lays down for more than five seconds - including Eryn. Did we tell you he's got a pretty good throwing arm. A few weeks ago we were playing a game with the kids and they were throwing stuffed animals at/to me at the bottom of the stairs. You know, soft, furry animals - harmless. Well little did I know that Caleb wanted in on the fun and all he had in his hand were little pieces from the magnetix toys, essentially ball bearings. Well, the pitcher steps into his stance, winds up and releases a perfect fastball right down center plate. Center plate happened to be my forhead. I just couldn't bring myself to actually explain to friends and neighbors how I got that big goose egg right in the middle of my forehead.

Eryn is fast, fearless and trying the make the terrible twos' arrive early. This morning, Life cereal became the latest casualty in campaign. Eryn sat in gleeful triumph at the table while she tossed handfulls of Life cereal on the floor. Next week, chapter 2 of the continuing saga of Er' Bear and her campaign to rule the Martin realm or bring it to ruins. Okay, so she's actually lots of fun, but can you blame me for wanting to spice things up?

We sure love you all, wish we could see you more often and look forward to seeing you as soon as we can.

Dave

Deep sigh!

We are now breathing a deep sigh of relief -- after two weeks of dealing with a leak in the kitchen, we are happy to report that it is finally fixed. I told Chrisser the other day that having something wrong in the house is like having an injury on your body; kind of like a paper cut on a finger, and that seems to draw way more attention than it really needs and too many other things get ignored or put aside until you feel better. You would not believe what a disaster my house is today. I am actually looking forward to getting it reclaimed from the throes of mess.
As the holdays get closer, I thought it might be a good idea to remind everyone to whom they are giving:
Christi -- Stephen
Jana -- Christi
David -- Jana
Mindy -- David
Stephen -- Mindy
I'm sure that if you have any requests for a specific gift, they would be welcomed -- (Stephen???)
So what is everyone doing for the holidays this year? If you are going to St George, When are you planning to be there?
Well, enough yammering on -- cleaning awaits!
Have a happy day!
:)

Mom & Dad DON'T read this!

Hey everyone I have an idea for Mom & Dad for Christmas (said in a whisper like they are not reading this but might hear) If there is any of you that might be interested in chipping in and reaping the rewards {:) just send me and e-mail or call me (the cell phone is the best place to call) and we can work out the details. Just whatever you do don't tell Mom & Dad! t's a secret! Love ya Jana

How is everyone doing?

I am just wondering how those of you who haven't made a post in a while are doing? Mindy? Dave? Is all well with you and yours? Let us know what is turning in your worlds. We really are interested. Also now that Christi's got her new computer I was thinking that we might get to hear more from her? I will be waiting for more! I love this stuff and it is much easier to keep track of than the family letter was, although I do miss getting it in the mail. I really want to know what is going on in all your worlds! Love you all. (ALL) Hope to hear from you all soon! Love Jana

blog woes.

http://stevenjenni.blogspot.com/
this is what it should look like in the explorer bar
I don't know why its such a pain to get it to come up but it will
promise

steve's family blog

the address is www.stevenjenni@blogspot.com

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

Oh MY GOODNESS is about all I can say. Are you ready for this? Megan has her driving permit! Can you even believe it? I think I am still in a bit of shock. Not nearly as much as I was the day she got the permit though. Lets just say that was a very eventful day that we really would like to put behind us, at least as soon as I get my car fixed that is. :) No I am not kidding, not only did Megan get her permit on Tuesday, but she also was in her first accident as a driver. Luckily she was not at fault in the slightest, but that doesn't do much for her nerves. As a permit driver she is only allowed to drive with a 21 or older person in the front and only family members in the car other than that. That said, we ( we being Megan, myself, and Ford )were on our way up unto the sub-division above us to pick up a girl in our ward to go to Young Men & Women's. Megan was driving us up and we were going to switch places when we picked the other girl up. Well when we got to the road she lives on and started to round the corner, there was a big pick up truck in the middle of the road. So Megan stopped to wait and see where they were going to go, when they started backing up! I said "they will stop", but they didn't stop they just kept coming at us. I told Megan to put the car in reverse as I started laying on the horn. Megan put the car in neutral and then in park in her nervousness to get out of the way. In the mean time they just kept backing up right into the front of my car! The man driving was an older man and said he just had not even seen us. By the way it was dark and we did have our headlights on. Oh well, like I said at least it wasn't her fault and it wasn't worse than it was. Megan said,"who gets their permit and in their first wreck all in the same day? Oh ya, that's right ME!" Anyway Megan does have her permit now. :) I think that it is a good thing. At least for now.

update

I posted some new pics on our website. its easier to post them on just the one, so you can go there to check it out if you want. www.stevenjenni@blogspot.com. Hope everyone is going good.

so i got board in class and started a blog for my fam too. so if you want to see it, its stevenjenni@blogspot.com
Did I mention I get to go golfing tomorrow?

happy fall!

So, how was Halloween? Ours was fun. School parade for Madi, trick or treating at Daddy's office and finally traipsing around to selected homes in our enormous ward boundaries. Fun for girlies and parental figures. Madi was a little blonde Geisha and Gilli was a blued-eyed snow princess and both were thrilled with their choices. Gilli's favorite element of her costume was the sparkly silver shoes that she chose herself.
We have had water in our creek for the last week and it has been marvelous. Mom even enjoyed it when she was here this last weekend. Poor Dad had to stay away because my kiddos were sickish and we didn't want to share the joy with him.
Today we have a water leak -- in fact a bit of a waterfall from the kitchen down into the playroom -- can't do a thing about it -- hoping the plumber comes SOON, and so I BLOG. What else can I do?
Loving Fall, Loving you all, and hopiong your worlds are well and dry where they should be.
Until Next Time.:)