This is what summer looks like!

From 2012-07-02 Bremerton

 Over the past two weeks we have been up in Bremerton fixing up our rental. After 3 months we finally got our squatters evicted. Huzzah. So we were hard at work turning this:

Got to love that hole in the floor and strange bed creation in the back room huh?
To this:

  Much better don't you think?  Daniel did most of the work, but we couldn't have done it without the help of my parents and sister looking after our kids. It wasn't all work and no play though, we went up to horseshoe lake and an wonderful garden on our way to the light house at Point on Point.

  Lizzy and Charles were excited to spend so much time with their cousins and Grand parents. Then we celebrated the 4th in true Martin fashion with "The War." The war consists of  opponents setting off a bunch of moving fireworks at each other. It is quite exciting and dangerous, but fun to watch. Here's the lineup:

From 2012-07-09 Bremerton

Jessica made a wonderful birthday cake that looked like the flag inside.

From 2012-07-09 Bremerton

We left before it got too late, the kids were zoning big time. It was a fun celebration.

Fabulous Forth

From 2012-06-15 Portal Party Lizzy 's 4th bday

Recently my little girl turned 4. Let me tell you how her week went... First she had to go to the dentist to have her tooth extracted. The day was fine, we went early so Lizzy could drink the magical juice to help her relax during the procedure. She drank it down like a champ. The nurse was impressed. Most kids gag. Then we let her play with a leap pad that they had. I really like our pediatric dentist office. It's called Adventure Dental and they are ready for kids, they play kids movies in the tiki reception room and have game stations for the older kids and quite a few leap pads with games that teach you good oral health. I was glad because I had my charge with me again and she was not sad at all this time. Yay! Anyway so the Dentist had warned me that a loss of bowel control was highly likely and to be prepared. So I put Lizzy in a pull up and thought that would be fine. It wasn't. She filled the pull up and continued onto the floor and I quickly grabbed my bag and Lizzy and headed to the restroom. The medicine was in full swing now so she was cognisant, but unable to use her limbs and feeling very fuzzy. I got her cleaned up and then the nurse took her away and started the procedure.
 They told me that she was getting mad at them, but that is pretty standard for this type of medication. So thy put her in a HUG, basically a strait jacket, so she couldn't bat at them and finished up. We were all happy to leave the office afterwards. Lizzy cried for a bit, but then we got ice cream so everyone was happy!
 The next day was her birthday! Lizzy had been asking for a Portal party.so Daniel made her a portal gun and I made her a companion cube.

From 2012-06-15 Portal Party Lizzy 's 4th bday

She loved them both. Charles really wanted a portal gun for himself. Lizzy was sweet and let him play with it. Here's a video of Daniel showing them how it works:

From 2012-06-15 Portal Party Lizzy 's 4th bday

Lizzy also loved the gifts she received from her grandparents. From the Gutierrez's she got a fun watch and grow planter and today we spied the first sprouts! From the Bartholomew's she got a matching outfit for her and her doll. They looked so cute. She continued to wear the outfit for the next 3 days and she cried when Daddy put it in the hamper. And from Great Grandma  Murphy she received a darling little doll. She is still talking about her gifts. All in all a successful party.

The next day she had to go to the doctors and get 3 shots. She is still upset about that. I'm glad the week is over!

Farm life

On Saturday we decided to visit the Pomeroy Living History farm. They were having a steam logging demonstration and we were itching to go. The farm is run by the decedents of the Pomeroy family. We got to talk to them about the history of the area. It was great fun. Lizzy really liked the wash board!

From 2012-06-11 Pomeroy Farm

 She kept going back to wash more. Once inside the house the theme was "Cradle to Grave" So in the master bed room was the wedding dresses of most of the Pomeroy Women who have lived on the farm including a great great granddaughter who was married at the farm a few years ago.  Mrs. Pomeroy could still fit into her wedding dress in the 1950s before she died. You can't really see the picture on the wall, but that is her. Women traditionally wore black wedding dresses until Queen Victoria wore a white dress to her wedding.

From 2012-06-11 Pomeroy Farm

The coat and hat were so she could wear the dress to other functions. On the table is her hope chest. In the dining room Lizzy and Charles tried their hand at churning butter:

From 2012-06-11 Pomeroy Farm

Also in this room was the famous "bed" it is a desk, closet, bed and dresser all in one. The purchased it form a college student. I don't know if they were common or not but it is definitely a piece of engineering. They had the pictures of Mrs. Pomeroy's funeral there as well.

From 2012-06-11 Pomeroy Farm

Upstairs was the baby cradle and clothes. In each of the 4 rooms was a different time period of when the family lived there. From the 1930s - the 1970s. It was neat to see the evolution. Then we went to visit with the farm animals. Lizzy fed the goat named Lewis, the one named Clark was too shy. Then we met the pigs, Ham and Bacon. We tried to coax the horse over, but he was content eating the grass and we didn't have anything tasty to offer. Then we loaded up on the Hay ride and headed up to the steam logging.

From 2012-06-11 Pomeroy Farm

 It was very exciting and loud!

From 2012-06-11 Pomeroy Farm

After a while we rode back to the farm and had lunch while listing to a country band. It was so fun. Lizzy challenged Daddy to a game of chess. Then we saw the blacksmith and visited the gardens before heading home. What a wonderful day!

Visiting Vancouver

My parents came down for a few days and we toured Portland. I love Portland, the bridges, the light rail, the people! It's fun to visit. First we took in the art of Chinese gardens at the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

From 2012-05-19 Portland

 They had some guests who were teaching about the Chinese dragon races. It commemorates the death of a servant of the king who tried to save the kingdom, but instead was banished and upon hearing of the loss of the kingdom and the king's death he drowns himself. Here's what the dragon boats look like.    They race on the Columbia River on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calender. The women of the racing team had a drum that they let Charles and Lizzy play!

From 2012-05-19 Portland

we saw a strange art car outside the gardens:

From 2012-05-19 Portland

 Then we went on the Areal Tram to get a good view of Portland.  It was a great day!

18 Months And Still Kicking!

From 2012-05-04 fun

Charles is officially 18 months now. He can go to nursery! Hooray! Being 18 months does come with a few consequences, IE a wellness check-up. Let me take you on our trip to the Doctor.... Recently I began a long term babysitting gig. I have a nearly 3 year old for 2 days a week. Usually we have a great time. I had thought that Charles check-up was on Wednesday when I don't babysit. Alas I was wrong. So I thought OK I'll just take her with me since trying to find a babysitter in this area is nigh impossible. What can go wrong? My two usually do fine. So I told her before we left where we were going and why and that started her whimpering ever so slightly.

 "Well, it will be quick" I try to console myself and her. Half way to the clinic her whimpers have escalated to a repeated statement of failed self comfort, "Mommy will be here." I tried to reassure her that Yes, she will see her Mother soon when Lizzy pipes up, as ever oblivious to the distress she is about to add upon my poor little charge, “Your Mommy is not coming. You will never see your Mom." Thanks Lizzy. Nothing but love for you!  Welcome to full melt down town! Yay!

 By this time we are exiting the car in a full down pour and of course we are only in sweaters because it wasn't raining when we left. Oh joy! We attempt to rush into the building. I say attempt since there was a small skirmish over who was the privileged one to sit in the stroller.

  That solved, we ventured in and looked for the office. This was our first visit. I consulted my phone and found the right room number. We get in and immediately my kiddos head for the toys, my charge needed to be held so I picked her up and while trying to be consoling, attempt to check in. I receive a stack of paperwork and try to sit down when I am informed of everyone’s immediate need to use the facilities. So we pack up and head down to the restrooms. That accomplished we return and Charles is called.  We follow the nurse into the exam room and I get Charles undressed and put him on the scale. He does a little shiver and then seemed to flex all his muscles at once. The nurse was impressed! It was quite humorous.

 He is right on track developmentally. The doctor was very happy about his results.  His height was 31.75 in. which put him in the 33%. His Weight was 22lbs.  Which is the 6.74% I was surprised at how low that was, but the doctor assured me that he is fine, just active and running though calories at an accelerated rate.  I couldn’t argue that as at that very moment he was chasing Lizzy back and forth across the exam room. He also eats all the time so I am not worried. His head circumference was 46.2 cm. so that placed him in the 11.77%. The best part of this was not having to get shots! We all got a sticker and a treat and headed home. My charge finally stopped crying when I told her that we were going home to watch Toy Story, her favorite movie. Lizzy upset her further by saying we can’t watch Toy Story because she didn’t want to. Thanks Lizzy! You are a champ. 

Simple Simon give a way

I love reading this blog: Simple Simon and Co. They are two creative ladies who have awesome advice and inspiration for sewers and crafters. Also they have awesome giveaways. Like today! Check out their blog and you may win a  $150 Target gift card! Good Luck!

The Family

 I have had growing families on the brain recently. My Brother and his lovely wife are expecting their first child. My sister-in-law recently had her 6th child, and Daniel and I are now expecting our 3rd. I just sent my brother a manual entitled:Family Guidebook, put out by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. The book is free and is described as follows: "This guidebook is for all members, especially new members and those who have limited experience in the Church. It outlines the purpose and organization of the family and contains information on how to teach the gospel in the family, how to fulfill family responsibilities, how the family can be a Church unit, and how to perform priesthood ordinances and blessings." I found this resource last year after a heated debate raged though our ward. The debate was over what was an appropriate way to teach your children about, specifically, moral issues and sexuality. Being a relatively new parent and not having to deal with such issues at the time I was at a loss myself.  What is too much? What is not enough? I was thrilled to find a respected source for more then just moral issues.

 
A Parent's Guide tells you how to teach your child trough each stage of development from birth to marriage and beyond.
  I only wish I had thought to look to the Church earlier. I know that they are dedicated to the family. The General Authorities gave us specific council in 1995 in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." I quote, "Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." That is an awesome and serious responsibility. But as in all things we are not left alone to muddle it all out. So I turned to the Church's online Store and discovered a dearth of resources that are available. I got them all! Daniel and I went over each booklet and pamphlet in companionship study and I relished each piece of advice. We quickly put into practice a few suggestions to our family's continued happiness. 
  Now, because I hope that I am not the only clueless parent out there I highly recommend checking out these resources.  Use them or not, but I wanted you to know of their existence just in case you were wondering if there was any help out there. Thanks for reading my rant. I'll get off my soapbox now.