It's been good. Very good.

Wise words

I think it is time for the whole Martinis family to look stupid. !! Just wait!! Me first..... (O;

Some anniversaries are best forgotten.....

It was a year ago today that Eric broke his neck. He is still healing, but we are so blessed. I won't post about it again. I just needed to commemorate this day as I feel so grateful for him. He is a wonderful father, husband and friend. I love you Cupcake. No more air.... ever!!

P.S. Don't ask me why those goons are smiling in the back.... maybe because they are men. Men..... And I am darn sure they are glad that this is NOT then. Men....

P.S.S. Thanks again to Dayna and Jason for all your help during this time. Words cannot express my gratitude.

How stinking cute is this???

I just couldn't resist. It is late.... I actually need sleep. I wonder where the Thanksgiving pics CD is...... I need more hours in the day. So, just how stinking cute is this pic? I love my boys.

Hummmm..

So, yes we did get family pics and.... the boys are darling! This is just a tease or glimpse into the absolute cuteness of the session! Hang tight. Oregon and Thanksgiving do not want to be forgotten..... First things first!!

I wish I hadn't had my camera stolen. MY FAULT though.

Darn.

I am happy to report.....

All of our leaves have finally fallen off and the clean up will now cease!! The mulberry tree above the coop is always the last to go and..... she is bare!! Finn enjoyed the leaves! We had a nice, warm Autumn this year. As a matter of a fact, it is going to be 61 today. We are still enjoying temperate weather. Mother Nature is such a tease!

A spooky song by..... ME!!

I made up this song when Coleman was a toddler. I have been singing it ever since. I change it around a little, but it always starts the same and each boy can always belt out their scariest ooooo's. I had to change up the characters to a Zombie for Finn. He loves the Zombies.

There was an old witch who lived in the woods.
Ooooo Ooooo Ooooo.
She ate spiders and snakes and scorpions.
Ooooo Ooooo Oooo.
She came out on a Halloween night.
Ooooo Ooooo Oooo.
With other witches, and goblins (now zombies) and skeletons.
Ooooo Ooooo Ooooo.
She came into your bedroom.
Ooooo Ooooo Ooooo.
And said BOO!!!! (and I also make up a whole bunch of other spontaneous lines to fit the kid and mood!! Lol!!)

Halloween was really fun this year. I was kind of a spooky bummer most of the month, but I finally managed to decorate our house some and Halloween just came together nicely. Next year I will do better. The boys love this holiday and Finn is still so young. I have to remember that this is my job and I need to do it well and with excitement and pride.

The Pavuks were here for a marathon and Halloween. It was so fun to have them around. We miss them terribly so it always feels nice when our kids can do simple things (like trick or treating or carving pumpkins). Times like this will build memories and continue with our friendships. Olivia and Miles are getting so old. Olivia is a beautiful giant and Miles has a funny, clever personality. The twins are darling and so fun to be around. They are helpful and love to play with Finn. Coleman even ties them down for card games etc. Remind me again why they had to move......? (still bitter..... JK!!)

We had our party. It is fun and I am so glad we do it. It always seems like a crazy task, but traditions are important. I love to see all the kids in their costumes. We have an awesome brood!! We all got split up for trick or treating in the Kentlands and it turned out to be the most productive eve yet. I had Tate and Finn. Eric had Gabe and Coleman. We tackled the Kentlands. Finn was on my back for most of the night and we practically ran from house to house. We also made it to the Haunted Forest more this year than ever before. We all had a lot of fun out there with family and friends. We love the Haunted Forest. Halloween is just so much better with the old MHF around!!

I repeat... next year I WILL do better. I will focus more on the costumes, decorating my house, making spooky treats and maybe even finally going back to Booing someone. (I miss that!!). All in all it was a fun year.

Life is good.

Wise words

I am home. I am sick. I am happy. We will work on you later! Muah!!

We are off to Oregon. I wanted to post about Halloween, fall fun and such.... but the unwanted visitor came and left a dent in my time. I am hoping we stay well and have a wonderful time in Oregon with family and perhaps friends. I have much to be thankful for and always feel so blessed that we are able to spend this holiday with family.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who mean the most!

Remember to count your many blessings!!

Look who is visiting....? Mr. Bronchitis Bacterium (an unwanted visitor!!). Right before Thanksgiving... right before we leave... Yep, Coleman and Finn are down for the count. Let's hope it stays away from the rest of us. Darn. DARN!!

Oh Thursdays.... I guess it is good that the next day is Friday..... and then the weekend!

(because every SECOND counts.....)

I just want the world to know my Thursday schedule.... it is TORTURE! I should pick up the boys from school so that I don't feel so rushed, but I can't make myself be in the car any more than I already am...... I think the worst thing about Thursday is dinner. I actually am personally tortured by dinner on Thursday (not my dinner though.... thank goodness!).

Boys walk in the door about 3:40

I leave at 3:45 with Finn and Tate

4:00 Drive to Kentlands to tutoring for Tate

Drive home and pick up Coleman

4:30 Drop off Coleman at Bretton Woods for tennis

Drive home and pick up Gabe. Drive back to the Kentlands.

5:00 Pick up Tate from Tutoring

Dinner (usually at Wendy's in about 20 minutes..... I HATE the smell and food of Wendy's. I try NOT to eat there, but I usually eat a fry or two and later regret that. I am such not the fast food fan and my body does NOT like it at all!!)

A disclaimer: I do try to go to the Italian Gourmet Market for sandwiches and pizza, but sometimes they are too slow..... every second counts.

5:30 Take Tate and Gabe to Art Class

Drive home and try to get some normal dinner ready..... sometimes.

6:30 Pick up Coleman from tennis

7:00 Pick up boys from art class

Home again, home again giggity gig.

Bedtime cannot come soon enough.... Awwww Thursdays, you make me car sick!!

Busting out into the blissful teenage years....

time to bust out into the teens

the door opens

he peeks out

coming out... our darling teen!

it is early.....

there he is... Coleman Paul, 13 years old!

our morning tradition.. birthday treats and balloons

6:30 am and cute as ever

tres leches cake and much wanted birthday gifts

i always love when the kids look at their cake. it is a sweet moment.

coleman carefully blew out his candles

are YOU a fushia bean? we may have one in the family!

Happy birthday Coleman! We love you sooo much!!