Gabe turns 14 years old!

Gabe decided to have his birthday dinner at Red Robin this year (he loves the tower of onion rings), and will be going snowboarding soon to celebrate his 14th birthday.
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On the way home from dinner, we talked about the day he was born-- how we planned to name him Daniel Robert (D.R.), and it was only the night before his scheduled c-section that we changed it to Gabriel Ty Martinez. I told him how he ate all the time, how he spit up all the time, how he had night terror, and how he loved to sleep on my chest and would cry if I put him down in his crib.

1997

Now he's fourteen years old! That means I'm fourteen years older, too. I'm no longer a newlywed and having my first child. I have a fourteen-yr-old son! I can't believe he's grown up so fast. He has man-hair on his legs! NOOOOOO....

2001

I remember when he cried because he had to give up his binky, when he would watch Barney videos one after the other, when he was so helpful toddling over to get diapers for his new baby brother, and how much he loved to be rocked to sleep.

2004

How quickly the time goes. Two more years and he'll be driving. Four more years and he'll be graduating. How long before I have grandchildren? Grandchildren. I'm not ready for that. I still feel young inside. I'm still adjusting to motherhood, getting to know my husband, and planning our future together.
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2006

I am so blessed to have Gabe as my son. He is bright, comedic, sensitive and challenging. I look forward to sharing every joy, hardship, and milestone he'll let me be a part of in his future life.

2009

We love you -- Happy Birthday, Gabe!

Merry Christmas 2009!

December has been a busy month as usual. Just weeks after our tri-ward Super Saturday, we had our Relief Society Christmas dinner. As the 2nd counselor, I get to plan all the parties (with lots and lots of help -- especially from our Enrichment leader, Julie Wells). I am blessed to serve with these friends, and love the example they are to me. Here is a picture of our hard-working presidency:

Melanie DelToro, Sherida Bird, Jeannette Hill, Me

We also had a Ward Christmas party, and the kids didn't mind posing with Santa. Well, they didn't mind posing. Notice they're not really showing him the love...

Carly, Sam, Santa, Gabe............................. Carly and her good friend, Alyssa

I once again procrastinated with taking our Christmas picture, and we were doing our traditional pose in front of the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve morning! I quickly downloaded the one picture that wasn't hideous, and our Christmas cards were picked up at Costco that afternoon. Thank you, Costco. You're awesome.

Next year, things will be different. I vow to plan ahead! To be organized! To do my Christmas card 2 weeks before Christmas-- or at least 2 days before Christmas.

Daniel, Sam, Gabe, Carly, Jennie

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We spent Christmas Eve at our house with Aunt Ruth and Grandma Martinez. It was nice to have them here for the holiday. Ruth made a lovely meal, and the kids really enjoyed opening the wonderful gifts from them-- the highlight of their season!

Ruth & Sam ........................................Arthur & Dolores

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A friend of mine shared one of her family traditions with me, and this year we incorporated it into our Christmas Eve activities. We each wrote down what our gift to God would be during the upcoming year. Without reading each other's, we put the papers into a Christmas box. Next year, we'll re-read what our 2010 gifts were, as we again celebrate our Savior's birth. My hope is that every year we'll add new gifts, and try to keep the real spirit of Christmas alive all year long.

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"He whose birth we commemorate this season is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God, the creator of the earth, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, and Redeemer of mankind, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace..." -- Gordon B Hinckley

The Spirit of Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving at Grandma Martinez's house this year. Ruth did all the cooking! Yeah! All I had to provide was pies and rolls. Ahhhh. My kind of Thanksgiving...

Our tradition is to go see the Christmas lights at Spanaway Park on Thanksgiving night. It's fun to get bundled up and drive through the display while sipping on hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music.

The season of Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for so many things... my hard-working husband and the love he has for me, my children who love to spend time with me and entertain me on a daily basis, the home we have to gather in, to sleep warmly in, and to play together in, my extended family who offer love and support, my job which helps to make a dent in our credit card debt, and the peace and love I feel when I think of my Heavenly Father and his love for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

Boo!

The kids are getting older, but they still enjoy dressing up for Halloween!

We went to the school Trunk or Treat, the church Trunk or Treat, to Grandma Martinez's house, and they went to the houses in our neighborhood.

Cool carved pumpkins, huh?

Gabe: Mario, Carly: Cleopatra, Sam: Skeleton Archer

Blast from the past: Jennie, Matt and Carrie Vogt at Halloween - some time in the 70's! I think Carrie still has this Raggedy Ann costume. She loves costumes and has quite a collection.

Soccer Season

Carly and Gabe really enjoyed soccer this year! Carly learned a lot on her team. She's a real hustler. She and one of her best friends, Erica, played on the same team -- The University Place Soccer Club JAGUARS.

Gabe's been on the same team for the last few years: The University Place Soccer Club ARSENAL. He continues to grow in his skills and really excells at being a defender. He always seems to be dancing on the field, and says it helps him focus on the game!

Mother/Daughter Weekend in San Diego

Once a year, my Mom and sisters and I meet for a special weekend. Just the girls. No kids. No husbands. No TV. No work. We look for airline specials, hotel deals, and rental car coupons, and PLAN. Four family's calendars are researched, and we make a decision. The location has to be somewhere on the west coast (we don't want to waste this precious time just traveling!), and we try to stretch it to 3 nights.

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This year, Mom picked San Diego. It was so sunny when we all arrived at the airport. Ahhhhhhh. Sunglasses were a must, and flip-flops appropriate.

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I love flip-flops. They are the summer. They are tanned feet and legs. They are pedicured feet...

We spent our first full day at Del Mar beach. It was nice to just "be", with the sound of waves in the background. Carrie and Rebecca fit right in as Southern California babes...

For lunch we moved on to Mission Beach at Belmont Park, had lovely mexican food, and investigated the beach shops.

We met up with the rest of the family, ate dinner at The Mexican Cafe in Old Towne, then went on to a performance of The Lion King. The Civic Theatre was beautiful, and the musical memorable. (Thanks, Mom!)

The next day we went to the Swap Meet (wouldn't recommend it -- mostly garage sale-type stuff), and (surprise!) out to eat. I love going out to eat. Here we are in front of the restaurant.

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Front row: Aunt Janice, Mom, Elizabeth & Brooklyn, Rebecca, Jaylynn;

Back row: Me, Carrie, and Elisha

It was fun to spend time together, catching up, cracking jokes, playing games, eating, and talking, talking, talking. As usual, I lost a little sleep on this trip.

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Worth it. Way worth it.

09/06/09 Mt St Helens

When we first moved to Washington in 2003, Daniel and I took a drive to see Mount St Helens while the kids were with Aunt Linda for the weekend. Here is a picture of Daniel in 2003, and both of us this year:

We wanted the kids to see it, and finally had a "family day" to visit the National Volcanic Monument at Johnston Ridge Observatory.



Although the kids complained about how long the drive was, how much time they were "wasting", and how they would rather be at home playing video games, I think they enjoyed it.

Going home!

08/28/09 Ward Campout

We love to go to the Ward Campout every year at Zion's Camp. This year we had one sunny day, and the kids we able to play in the lake. The second night it was cold and rainy, but we still had a lot of fun with our Ward friends.

Nicole and Carly, Gabe and Sam

WASHJAM 2009

The Washington State Jamboree was held at Fort Lewis here in Tacoma. It was a great opportunity for Gabe, Sam and Daniel to experience something this special. Since it was held so soon after Boy Scout Camp, our Troop just went up on Sunday, 08/23/09.

Thousands of Youth and Leaders from the whole Puget Sound area joined together. Elder Perrin Walker and other area leaders were in attendance. Sacrament Meeting was held, and each Pack made their own dinner before an evening Fireside.

August 7, 2009 Sam Turns Twelve!

Happy Birthday Sam!

I can't believe he's already twelve years old and passing the sacrament at church. It's such a transition to go from Primary to Young Men, and he's rising to the challenge.

Sam and his friends Jacob, and Alex (and Gabe)

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This year he invited a few friends to see the movie "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", then we went for pizza at Round Table. It was a nice, laid-back celebration.

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We love having Sam in our family, and appreciate his willingness to laugh and celebrate!

Hot in Los Angeles

We spent our vacation this year in Los Angeles. Aunt Ruth sent for us, and let us stay at her place for a week! The kids are such good traveler's now that they're older. It's (almost) like traveling with adults! They had their i-Pods and Game Boys, and stayed entertained the whole flight.

Arrrrrrgh -- We were pirates for a night!

We were treated like celebrities at Universal Studios,

Cooled off at Raging Waters in San Dimas,

and played in the surf at Newport Beach. We walked Balboa Pier, and checked out the shops. I remember a lot of beach trips when I was little -- that was when the Penny Arcade actually used pennies (ok, maybe nickels). My parents always got a cup of chowder at The Crab Cooker.

Some of Daniel's and my highlights include In-N-Out Burger, El Pollo Loco, Don Jose's, D'Elias Grinders, and Wienerschnitzel!

Oh, the memories...(excuse the drool).

We saw lots of family, and generally relaxed in the sunshine!

Ahhh, The Golden State... you still seem like home.