Merry Christmas!

Here’s the latest from the Martins . . . .

Kyle is a 14 month old bundle of energy. He’s into his climbing phase but he hasn’t quite learned how to get down . . . at least not gracefully. He is sure to be a part of whatever his brothers are doing, and competes with Lance at who can laugh the loudest.

Lance just turned 3 and is getting very big and strong, as he continues to remind us. He loves to put on his “joggin’ shoes” and run. He is in a co’op preschool with 3 other boys and enjoys learning. This year he was in an art and music class, and has become quite a singer. He has a great, loud laugh and loves making Kyle laugh.

Jace is 7 and in the second grade. He enjoys getting up early to be the first person at the bus stop to go to school. He loves reading, science stuff, making crafts, and playing outside. He enjoys sports like soccer and junior jazz basketball. His brothers have also developed a love for basketball and enjoy going to his games.

Jenny is working hard as always to keep the kids in line and a smile on her face while Jared is away studying. She plays the role of chauffer, cook, waitress, wake up call for Jace, and all those other things that come with being a mom.

Jared is half way through his 2nd year of medical school. He is 6 months away from the biggest test of his life. In June he will take his Step 1 Board exam. He enjoys coming home for an occasional lunch with the “Dear of his life”, and also tries to escape from his studies to the mountains any chance he gets. He got his yearly hand injury by breaking a bone in his hand while playing basketball. He also spends a little time working with Make-a-Wish of Utah.

Thank you for being our friends! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! Our message to all is that families can be together forever. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has made it possible for all of us to return to our Father in heaven. We are eternally grateful for the birth of Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us. Please keep in touch!

Love,

Jared, Jenny, Jace, Evan in heaven, Lance, and Kyle Martin

Happy Anniversary!

NINE YEARS of marriage, and we're still smiling!

Happy Anniversary, my Love!

Figure it Out!

This Christmas season, I have been trying to make more of an effort to help these kiddos grasp the meaning of Christmas, the Christmas story, etc. Thanks to an awesome friend of mine, we have a Christmas chain with a song, scripture, and activity to do each day of December until Christmas. The kids have enjoyed taking turns removing the chain and singing Christmas carols each day, along with a scripture, and if we get to it, an activity. (I didn't know gingerbread houses took so dang long, but we're having a great time with it!)

A few weeks ago, Jace read the book, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". I remember my Grandma Tilton reading that book to me when I was a child, and I was so glad to see Jace enjoying it. Today, he and Lance watched the movie from the book. I wasn't sure if it would make much sense to Lance, but I was pleased to see him watching it.

Tonight, we had plans to go to a Christmas party at church. Jace and Lance were sitting at the table when Jace quizzed Lance,

"What is Christmas all about, Lance?"

Lance quickly retorted, "You figure it out, Jace!"


We have our work cut out.

Enough!

Is there ever a time when someone has had enough hugs?

Today I told Lance I wanted to give him a big hug and I squeezed him tight. He said,

"That's enough huggin'!"

I suppose enough's enough.

G'day, Mate

Today, Jace, Jared, and I were putting a 500-piece Christmas puzzle together. He and Dad were teaming up to give Mom a hard time. I said,


"We need to have a girl so I can have somebody on my side."



Jared said something about time running out, and Jace said,



"You guys should mate."

Qute Quotes from Qids

Lance wanted to go hunting with Dad, and I told him that when he's bigger he can. He stood up on the chair and said, "Look, Mom! I am so tall and big! My ears are big, and my head is big."

Tonight past bedtime, Jace was trying to persuade me to let him keep reading his Friend magazine. He said, "Mom, it's good for my brain."

Happy Birthday, Evan!

3 years ago today, Evan was blowing out 3 candles on his birthday. He had a Blues Clues Party. I posted a letter to Evan in his website this morning. We love you and miss you, Evan!

Bath-almost-full of Boys

Jace: Mom, I wish Evan were here, then we'd really be crowded!

Tests

We are so grateful to live so close to Dad's school so that the boys can enjoy some foozball time together the day before yet another series of tests. Who would have thought there would be tests, tests, and more tests in medical school?

More Halloween pics...

Lance made a great Jack-o-lantern... and what's Kyle doing back there?

Sorry, I know it's late, but I was going through some pictures today, and these pictures are so hilarious, I had to post them.

This great expression by Jace best describes my stress sometimes during the holidays...

"Check it out!"

Today at lunchtime, Lance was sitting at the table when he said, "I want meat." I opened the fridge, and he hurried over to specify with his pointed finger that he wanted the smoked turkey breast sandwich meat. So I pulled it out and asked if he wanted a meat sandwich.
"Yes."
"With cheese?"
"Yes."

He doesn't usually eat meat and cheese sandwiches. Jared and I have them almost every day (with lettuce and my fav - avocados!) and I've always offered them to Lance, who would rather have a corndog or PB & J sandwich. So today must be an extraordinary day.

I was at the counter contemplating how to make this sandwich good without using any mayo or miracle whip, both of which he doesn't like, when he said,

"and peanut butter."

"You want a meat and cheese sandwich with peanut butter?"

"Yes."

I didn't know what to say. So I made it. A meat and cheese sandwich with peanut butter. It can't hurt anything. Lance squealed with delight and giggles when he saw me making it. I placed the "Lance Original" in front of a very happy Lance. After prayer, he immediately opened it up to look inside and exclaimed,

"Check it out!"

I don't know where he learned that or heard it, but today was definitely an extraordinary day.
And to top it off, Lance ATE the sandwich. All.

"Wisten" to this still, small voice!

Trick or Treat!

Harry Potter, Dalmation, and Tigger enjoyed Trick or Treating at Shoreline Ridge.

I was going to put a CUTE CUTE video on, but I tried and tried and couldn't figure it out! Let me know, any of you bloggers! (I have Quicktime as well as Windows Media, and the video is 5 MB)

Jace's Idea

Jace has been working countless hours on graph paper that he has taped together to make it taller than him. He has written, in each square, numbers counting by three. He began this little hobby one day when we began counting aloud by three, as his teacher has advised because he has multiplication tables coming up. So after saying some numbers aloud, Jace wanted to write them down. I was amazed with his fascination once he had several numbers down, to about 21 or so. He was noticing the relations in the numbers as you keep going and if you look straight down the numbers (he wrote them across), the last digit shows a "1,2,3..." and continues in that order. ( I don't think that made much sense, but it's the best I can do for explaining it) I had never really taking time to stop and notice this, especially when I was in second grade, but I'm am THRILLED that he is having so much fun with math! (I had a great dislike for it and vowed that I would marry somebody that is good at math - I lucked out!)

So tonight was Family Night, and I had no idea what to do. Luckily, Jace had an idea. He wanted to count aloud (without looking) from 3 to 102. So after we sang our "Family Night" song, we all gathered to sit and watch Jace in his performance. He did great. So then Lance took a turn at performing. He did some counting, and then sang, "Listen to the Still, Small Voice" for us. We clapped and he beamed. Then Jared and I looked at each other and I told him that we should probably perform something, too. So I played a song on the piano, and Jared got the ol' trumpet out from when he was in the Viewmont High School Marching Band, and played "The Spirit of God", and a few other songs. The kids took turns blowing into the trumpet and laughing their heads off after the sound they made. It turned out to be one of our most enjoyeable family nights, and it all began with Jace's great idea.

This is Jace's LONG list of numbers counting by 3's all the way up to 3,000-something.

"Part-on Me!"

Tonight, we were all sitting at the dinner table enjoying a yummy dinner that Jared made when we heard a loud, rude sound come from Lance's direction. He asked innocently, "Did I do that?" After many giggles from Jace, Jared, and myself, also trying to persuade him to say the right thing, he finally looked at me with his big blue eyes and long lashes and said,
"Part-on me."
That added to Jace's giggles. We have some friends that have a darling little boy that is still learning how to say certain words correctly. When the time occurs that he needs to pardon himself, he says, "Fart-on me,". The joke passed to our kids, who to this day love it. Lance has said it just like that since, until we finally got him to say it right... well, almost right. He says it just funny enough for Jace, but correct enough for my approval. "Part-on me!"

I love this picture of Evan when he was 2 and a half. It is the last professional picture of him before he got sick. The other night, Jared, Jace, and Lance got to go to an Angel Family Tribute put on by the Candlelighters organization. Once a year they invite us to a delicious catered dinner and candlelighting ceremony that is held at Memory Grove, by the Capitol building. (I actually had to miss this year because of a little get-together that I planned before I heard about it) This year, Jace got be up in front with several other children and light one of the candles after reading a little paragraph in honor of the children that have passed away. One of the gifts they give us is a button with our child on it, like the one above that we used this year. Lance loves his button and has been wearing it since. He also wore his necklace all day today that they gave with an angel made out of a paperclip. So that night, I asked the boys what their favorite part of the evening was. Jace said, "reading into the microphone and lighting the candle," and Lance said, "eating the food!"

I'm glad the boys had a great time, and thank you, Candlelighters, for providing such a beautiful tribute!

I've been tagged...

My awesome friend, Nancy tagged me on her blog, so here goes....

Jobs I've had:

1. Researcher for an overnight delivery company that sent lost packages (usually the airbill fell off) back to their correct owners.

2. I was also coaching gymnastics in the evenings during that time and for years past. I loved it and miss it so much!!!

3. Basically a babysitter for an after-school program for elementary age children.

4. Physical Education Instructor at East Layton Elementary

5. Hostess for Bakery and Pie Shop


Places I've lived:

1. Born at U of U hospital and lived in Provo for first part of life

2. Louisiana, but don't remember it

3. Midland, Texas for 13 years, 'til 9th grade

4. Des Moines, IA for high school years

5. I guess you could say I'm back where I started.


Stuff I did in high school:

1. Party (the non-alcoholic kind)

2. Play (as much as possible)

3. Compete on the diving team

4. Cheerleading

5. Gymnastics, but only in the first year

6. Sometimes I studied!

Food I love:

1. Seafood - like crab legs, shrimp, and cod. Jared knows how to cook all of these, and it's delicious!

2. Avocados - They are so healthy and yummy! Even Kyle likes them! I love them in smoked turkey sandwiches and also mushed up in guacomole with some chips and a side of homeade salsa!

3. Cilantro - It's what MAKES the salsa!

4. Chocolate

5. Anything someone else cooks.

6. Oh ya, and my latest thing has been ground flaxseed. It is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, and I can sneak it in pancakes for the kids like I did tonight! (Or call it "sugar" and put it on top of Lance's cereal, like I did this morning - okay, I told him it was "like sugar".)

Websites I visit:

1. My friends and family's blogs

2. I just surf... last night I was looking for flaxseed recipes.

3. Evan's website, every once in a while

4. Starfall.com - thanks, Nancy! Lance tried it out tonight for the first time and loved it! Jace told me that was what they did when he was in Kindergartin. Now I know!

5. digitalfreebies.com

Places I would rather be:

In Eternity, with our entire family

Movies I love:

1. Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea

2. Sound of Music

3. Lilo & Stitch

4. Pure Country

5. Groundhog Day

6. Hitch

Shows I watch:

1. Lost - it starts again in February, can't wait!

I sort of don't watch much unless Jared has the TV on (which isn't much these days!). I just really like the peaceful quiet that sets over our home at night when the kids are in bed. Lately I've been lost (pardon the pun) in Harry Potter, book six! Can you believe Jace is over halfway done with book 4?!

2. Oh ya, you know those Mystery Diagnosis shows? Those are interesting.

3. Hey! How 'bout the Dr. Laura talk show? Does that count?

Tag Your IT!

1. Jamie Gilland

2. Verusca Gilland

3. Maaret Ingram

4. Lorena

5. Sarah Calvert

6. Kristi Cloward

May I take a moment to praise Lance? He began potty-training during conference on Saturday. I wasn't even planning on it, and the thought popped into my head to do it that day, while Jared was home and we weren't going anywhere except to the couches in front of the TV. (It was a TV marathon weekend! We watched the first and second Harry Potter movies that I promised Jace, between conference sessions. Can you believe he's reading book 4?) So back to Lance, I don't know if it was because of the doctor at his well child checkup that showed her surprise that I hadn't potty trained him yet, or what. "It's easier when they're two," she had said, but then added that her kids were in a day care and so she wasn't actually the one to potty train them. Imagine! Anyway, Lance proved to be an easy potty training effort. Today was his first day of staying dry, no accidents ALL DAY! We even went to the Children's Museum this morning (With a diaper bag full of underwear and pants)! AND he stayed dry during his nap. (I think he likes the idea that he is allowed to get up out of his bed to go to the bathroom during naptime.) He has been one well-deserved spoiled dude, with countless stickers and treats!
Way to go, Lance!

Two Birthday Boys!

I am finally posting the result of our wonderful experience at the Layton Kiddie Kandids a few weeks back. Lance's birthday was Sept. 7, and Kyle's is Oct. 7. I always get the two birthdays confused at doctor appts. At least I get their names right, most the time! I cannot believe Lance is 3! Look how he's grown! What a handsome little man!

And can you believe Kyle? Only a year ago this Sunday we welcomed him into our family :)

I love these pictures! I was impressed that Kyle didn't eat the rose right away. Way to go, boys! And thank you, Kiddie Kandids!

Cabin trip Sept 2nd

Lance just finished running through sprinklers
I think he had a good time :)

Jace's pet tarantula

Lance beams at his Uncle Casey for letting him ride on Belle.

We had another wonderful weekend (despite one small illness) at the cabin. I'll post some pix soon. I have got to share this way funny that Lance did today.

Lance said his stomach hurt earlier on Monday, and he had complained about a sore throat as well. But there was nothing we could do to stop him from getting sick. Lance threw up on our drive home from the cabin last night. Poor guy. Luckily, we were almost home, and I had some towels on hand because, well, just in case. So once we got home and got him in and out of the bath tub and into his warm bed, and cleaned the van out, we were able to have a pretty good sleep and Lance only woke up once asking for water and settling for Pedialite. He felt better the next morning and turned out to be better by the end of today, but when my sister in law called this morning to invite us to go to the zoo, I decided it was best not to go... just in case. Unfortunately, Lance heard about the zoo.
Lance said, "I'm all better, mom! I can go to the zoo!" I explained to him that he is still just a little sick and we'll go with them next time (they go about once a month, at least). He was bummed. Later on today, he was taking his bowl of dry cereal to the sink and spilled it on the way. I asked him to clean it up, please.
He said matter of factly, "I'm just sick, mom. I can't do it".

I didn't know they started doing that so young!

(He cleaned it up.)

Jace took this picture of us. I think he did pretty good :)

Hangin' out at the Provo riverside. Can you believe this is part of the backyard at the cabin? It was another Paradise! (Next to the beach, of course :)



Jace cannot put Harry Potter book #2 down!

Jared went fly fishing while Lance played in the river and Jace caught fish with his net.

Basketball Boys!

Jace practicing with his new bow. He hit the same spot in the bullseye twice!
Lance following his brother's footsteps...

Lance playing softball

Can he look any more content?

Jared practiced with his target here before the hunt began. Isn't it a beautiful view? He shot a few bullseyes as well. Odds are looking good for the deer/elk hunter...

Lance loves his baby Kyle

Do you know any boys that can pass up the chance to throw rocks in a river?

I love this photo!

Icecream, you scream!