Suspicious

Wise words

Not you Ms. Blog. YOU... and you know who you are! xo

Guess who went to Vegas....

and met the boys from Gold Rush?

Lucky Daddy!!

P.S. This is one of Daddy and Tate's favorite reality TV shows. Crazy boys!!

P.S.S. What did I say.... Reality TV MAGNET!! Lol!!

"Well hello there Tate"

Tate is officially a tween (yes, way back in January!!). My 11 year old boy... Here are a few highlights from his special day(s).

Our birthday tradition.... sugar yuck (I mean yum) cereal, balloons on the birthday chair and a fun, long awaited present. Pretty exciting!

The Birthday boy. What a cutie!!

What could this be? (He wanted an iPhone... hummm, NO!!)

Could it be..... from Wicked Lasers!! The....

Artic Spyder III. The most powerful handheld laser on the market... OR as I like to refer to it as a DANGEROUS WEAPON. There goes my blood pressure!! He is happy though (oh, and Gabe is amazed too!!).

Tate is his father.... Angel food cake is their fav!

11 candles... sniff sniff. Where did all the time go?

I LOVE this pic. So sweet and captures the essence of our Tate. Precious.

Tate took a few friends and his lucky brother Coleman to a special "Spies at Night" program at the Spy Museum in DC. The kids had a GREAT time. It is an amazing program with NO ADULTS ALLOWED. Eric and I got to go on a short date while the kids had fun. It was a great birthday for all!

We love you Tate. Happy birthday darling!

Winner winner chicken dinner

I should have posted this the night of the Derby. The Martinis Family had some very exciting news as of January --. We WON the Pinewood Derby and we placed THIRD too!! Miracles of all miracles!! The boys outdid themselves this year!! I say we, because when the boys go to bed, I paint a little to make the cars look even more beautiful. They boys did most of the work this year and it really paid off.

Tate had a design that I wasn't crazy about and apparently he knew what he was doing...... Tate got FIRST place and Gabe with his cool Mac, book got THIRD!! I am so proud I could cry. I love my boys cars, but come the day of the race.... you really want your boy to do well and importantly you want the cars to be FAST. Call me crazy, but I am as happy as they are!!

So, it was a great day. The boys were so pleased! We had to scurry off to basketball games so we didn't get to celebrate until Sunday. Aunt Liz was here so it was like a triple celebration! Next year it will only be Gabe. I have a feeling that it will be another winner winner chicken dinner year.

Let's bet on it!! (O:

My boys' cars...Gabe's in green lane, Tate's in orange lane! Both great designs!!!

Tate's car in yellow lane and Gabe's in blue.....ZOOMING!!!!

Naughty!!

Announcing THIRD place WINNER!!!Gabriel Martinis come on down!!!

Winner winner chicken dinner!!

Announcing the FIRST place WINNER!!! Tate Martinis COME ON DOWN!!!!

Winner winner BIG chicken dinner!!

My boys.... "winning!!"


And look! SECOND place is the awesome Sotir Markoff!!! 3 darling, hard working boys!!!

Guess who went to the Superbowl this year?

Ron Paul?

NO!

Lucky Daddy!!

How many pics do I have with the infamous "photo face"?


(the Hardcore Pawn boys.... Daddy is a Reality TV Magnet!!... you will see!)

Merry Christmas Redskins

So, I get an email from Eric about going to a Redskins game with VP goodies attached to it. A real game experience with the VP of the Redskins. He adds that he would like to take Coleman. I am all for it and completely neglect to look at the date. Eric probably cannot believe my response and sends me an update on the game because now he can take Coleman and a friend. This time I look at the date..... December 24th or otherwise known as CHRISTMAS EVE.

We are all alone in Maryland for the most part. We do have a little family close by, but I don't think they know we exist so..... for the most part we are alone. That definitely has its pros and cons. It is nice to establish some traditions, but I grew up sharing my Christmas with 100 other relatives. I like the chaos and commotion. I miss seeing my family and I suppose it might be easier to celebrate alone so I don't miss my Grandma Baker so much and compare Christmas past with Christmas present. Anyways...... I was not thrilled with the idea of Christmas Eve at the Redskins, but how could I say no. I am such a nice gal. My apprehension spread to the VP as he sent Eric and I a nice email stating that Eric would likely be home around 5:00pm. SOLD!! This is the year of the Redskins and of the first annual traditional Martinis Christmas Eve. It can't get any better than that.... (famous last words!!)

Eric, Coleman and Christopher spent the entire day at the Redskins stadium. They went on the field for a lot of the day or in the VP suite munching on yummy food. Coleman asked Christopher how he would rate the day in fun from a 1 to a 10. Christopher said, "11!!" Neither boy is a real football fan, but both could appreciate the experience for what it was... AMAZING!!! I am glad they were able to go and have a fun, memorable day. I am also so happy that Eric thought about including Coleman. Dad time is always the best time. I love Eric for his thoughtfulness and fun!

Life is good.

Here comes the ball..... does Coleman and the other boys look ready or scared?

They were this close.... If it were me, I would have given 46 a little pinch!!

Visitors from the sky

The boys welcomed in the players with the cheerleaders.... the Redskin Cheerleaders. Did they notice?!... NO!!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good game!!

Wise words

I am working on this. Truly.

Thanksgiving

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein


This is Gus! We LOVE him! I didn't take enough pics of him.... Dumb camera thief!! Gus runs around the house like he is carrying a football or is going to tackle you. He is ADORABLE!!!

Spending some time with Dr. D.

Doing what boys do best.....(when they want to relax and chillllll)

A couch full of handsome boys (look at that cute Gussy)

Grandma Gloria and kids. My only pic of sweet Jasmine.

My poor sick boys....

Gabe with the Gramps. We love the Gramps so much!!

"Football!!"

the beautiful Thanksgiving table

Eric and sweet Mary

I LOVE this pic. I wish Mary was in it. I really love this family!!

Uncle Paul and cousins William and Jack

Sweet Grandma Gloria and Auntie Liz. I LOVE this pic too. Pretty women I adore!!

Tate with his Great-Grandma (Granny). This is such a sweet pic. I love it!!

You know, for not having a camera... I sure did get a lot of good pics! Granny, Gramps and Liz. What a wonderful legacy they have!!

Aunt Marissa, Aunt Liz and cute Gus. Marissa is a fire fighter and always has to wisk away to work. I am so happy I have a pic of her. We love our Aunties!!

My handsome boys!

Coleman and his Aunt Liz (perhaps choking her too death....)

And of course.... a little poker to end Thanksgiving dinner. Perfect!