New Years Eve '09

Gunnar was thrilled when Lucas asked him to come over and spend the night. I was thrilled when Rocky asked if Chance and Coby could come over for a New Years celebration. John was thrilled when Dan asked if we wanted to go to the Huskies game. Basically, we were all pretty thrilled.

We dropped Gunnar off at grandmas house to stay with Lucas... then we dropped the other two boys off with Rocky... then we headed to Seattle for some basketball.

I love going to the Huskies play. We played the Oregon State Beavers and it was a great game. Thank you Dan!! You're the BEST!!We won 76 to 70!

After the game we went to Bahama Breeze. I got the Jerk Chicken Pasta..."Sliced jerk chicken breast, fresh asparagus and mushrooms tossed in a rich parmesan-herb cream sauce with bow-tie pasta."

So good!! (I ordered it... minus the asparagus and mushrooms)

It was11:00ish when we were done. We decided to go get Chance and Coby and have the New Years countdown, together, at our house. They had already had their party with Rocky and their cousins.

Malachi, in his head gear, Coby, Jory, Chance, Sophie, Riley

Once again, we watched the ball drop with Dick Clark. Coby poured our sparkling cider...

10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1...

Happy New Year!!

Our first kiss of 2010.

Self portrait time...Coby's first kiss of 2010...We each said a few words and toasted to the New Year! We missed Gunnar but we had so much fun (I am sure he had a blast with Lucas). I love my family.

Veterans Day

On Veterans Day we honor all,

Who answered to a service call.

Soldiers young, and soldiers old,

Fought for freedom,

brave and bold.

Some have lived, while others died,

And all of them deserve our pride.

We’re proud of all the soldiers who,

Kept thinking of red, white and blue.

They fought for us and all our rights,

They fought through many days and nights.

And though we may not know each name,

We thank ALL veterans just the same.

by Cheryl Dyson John Nixon Martineau

U.S. Army

1993-1996

Happy Halloween!

Getting made up by daddy...

Coby was a "zombie sk8er boy".

John was a wonderful make-up artist and splashed him with blood. He mixed blood with water and sprayed it on his shirt with a straw. He was careful not to drink it.

Brilliant idea John.

Bloody mess!! Next up was Gunnar...

Our werewolf.

John glued hair all over his face and hands.

Gunnar looked amazing.AAAhhhhoooooo!!Scary Gunn!Poor Chance was sick in bed with an ear infection.I felt so sad for him. We got him set up in our bed with Kleenex, water, remote control, telephone, and lots of pillows and blankets.

Happy Halloween Chance!! Every year we drive to the Afework's house and start our Halloween night. This year CarrieLyn and Dustin came with us. Isaiah the Police Officer Chi as Michael Jackson
Beautiful Sophie as Cleopatra
All bundled up. The guys...E.J., Dan, John, and IanThe girls... Me, Romi, and Grandma
Trick-or-Treat!


Look at the full moon...
At about 8:15, Isaiah, Gunnar, Lucas and Dustin headed home but the older kids...Sophie CarrieLyn, Coby and Malachi stayed out for a little bit longer. It was a strange night because more then half of the homes were dark with nobody home. About 1 out of every 7 houses (if that even) were lit with people handing out candy. It was kind of sad. I don't know if it was because it was a Saturday and everyone was at a party or if it was because people couldn't afford candy. There weren't a lot of trick-or treaters either. A lot of the people who were out were teenagers. We made up a few rules for those of you who aren't sure if you are too old for trick-or treating...

#1 If you are trick-or-treating while holding hands with your boyfriend/girlfriend...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#2 If you don't need your mom/dad to chaperon you while trick-or treating...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#3 If you can drive from neighborhood to neighborhood trick-or-treating...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#4 If you are taller than my husband...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#5 If you have to shave before heading out to trick-or-treat...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#6 If you are trick-or-treating while chatting on your iPhone...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#7 If you are dressed as a French Maid (which we saw last night)...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#8 If you voted in the last election, chances are...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#9 If you are older than Miley Cyrus...YOU ARE TOO OLD!!

#10 If you are not sure who Miley Cyrus is..YOU ARE BEYOND TOO OLD!!

It was a beautiful night. It was supposed to rain but we never even felt a drop...PERFECT.

One of the kids favorite parts of the night is to sort and trade their candy.

I think Gunnar was a little confused on what "trade" meant. Instead of trading he was just giving his candy to people. Oh well, less cavities.We all had a fantastic Halloween. We are so lucky to be able to spend it with family and friends.

We headed home and found Chance like this...

so sorry you were sick Chance. We missed you.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!