Family Time

a Labor Day brunch,

with Mamie & Papa,

Grandpa & Grandma Martin

fun times,

lasting memories,

just being together,

pure joy.

Blessed.
Blessed indeed.

Zoo Trip

Yesterday, last week, (ok, so I'm a little behind in my blogging due to needing naps myself during nap time), I guess it was a MONTH ago that Daddy took a day off and suggested we head over to Omaha to the Henry Doorly Zoo - the rest of us gladly obliged!!

All my attempts to post these pictures individually have failed, so instead sit back and enjoy a slideshow of our zoo trip!!

Who doesn't love the zoo??

She’s 90??

Last Thursday was my Grandma Martin’s birthday. Not just any birthday, she turned 90! It’s really hard to believe she's 90, she doesn't look 90 and definitely doesn't act 90. She is an amazing woman - very, very sharp - like for example she can remember all 18 grandchildren and all 23 great-grandchildren's birthday's with ease!! And she still loves to play Scrabble and wins at it most of the time too!!

We made sure to celebrate lots for the occasion - the celebrating started Thursday evening at Macaroni Grill.....

The party continued throughout the weekend as family members arrived from across the country. All 4 daughters came in from Florida, Idaho, Michigan & Western Nebraska. (Dad is the only son, he lives here!). My cousins came from California, Iowa, Michigan & over in Omaha! A special gathering took place on Saturday afternoon at the church with some of our extended family members. It was here that Grandma was presented with a gift from her children - a quilt, one that Grandma herself had done most of the handiwork on. (you can read more about it in an article that was featured on the front page of our local newspaper!!)

What a fun weekend we had celebrating a fun lady!

Thanks Grandma for sharing your enthusiasm for life and your unwavering faith in God with us!!

The happiest of birthdays to you, we love you!!

Two Train Parties for TW!

Party #1

Thomas the Train (in the form of a cake) made a special visit to celebrate Turner’s 2nd birthday with us. He was a quite a hit with the birthday boy! He still says “cake” every time we mention birthdays! This kid has a sweet tooth!

We were also joined by Mamie & Papa, Justin & Mitzi, Great G&G Martin, and the Engel clan!

This gift seemed to steal the show…. (Uncle Justin has a tendency to doing this!)... the kids had a blasting jumping around and crashing into each other in this!

Party #2

Saturday brought out family from the Hohlen side and more candles for Teba, he loved blowing them out and actually got 1 on his own each time!! Stud!

For Saturday night I made “Cake Trains” – a modified version of cake balls in the shape of trains (and a few hammers to honor TW’s best friend, Pat). They went over well, but not quite the hit the beautiful cake Aunt Heidi brought over (for her boyfriend George’s b-day which is the 15th!). It was scrumptious!!

More gifts and fun with family made for a special weekend for our little guy. He’s pretty spoiled… after the “party” the adults dusted off the Wii and had some of their own fun!! (need to document I finally beat cousin Amanda in tennis – yippee!!!)

A special bonus was that Gma Hohlen got to sleepover!!! Our first visitor in our official guest room (no more sleeping in the basement for our guests!) The boys loved reading time with her on Sunday morning!!

We love birthdays!!!

What could be more fun??

Than playing in the water, eating pizza, watching a movie, snacking on popcorn & candy, (attempting to play) games and friends! I can't think of anything more fun than this on a cold, snowy December day. You can see from the pictures, it went over well with the kids too.

I highly recommend a "water break" for any Nebraska family suffering from a little "stir crazy from the snow keeps a fallin' fever"...