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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