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!