Desktop

Justin just emailed me what his computer desktop looks like in Iraq... I love it.

Mesa Temple

Isn't this picture so pretty? I love it. I just really wanted to post something pretty to look at instead of Brent's nasty mullet.

My Mexican Hermano

This is Brent, my "Mexican" brother that is not Mexican but lives in Mexico. Apparently he also knows my blog password. My password is now changed!

I think he entered this picture into mullets.com in high school. If not, he should have.

And those dump truck pictures are REAL! Happened today.

Dijo means "said" in case you didn't know. I didn't.

dump trucks

My mexican hermano sent me these fotos today of a problemita they had at work. He was quite astonished by this because he dijo that they normally work with such high tech equipment. He said "you should've seen the driver hanging in the air there waving around, he had to open the door and drop out, I couldn't stop laughing" I love my hermano, hes the mejor in the mundo.

Bored

So apparently I need to change my blog password so Justin can't post things about WHAM while he's bored in Iraq :)

I don't know that net tank top is pretty hot though.

WHAM!!

Who says Wham is gay? If you think this, You are sadly mistaken. You obviously have not heard their rockin' song "Everything She Wants". I gave it 5 stars in my playlist. I know you will agree with me after hearing this song.


Just to give you a taste:

" Uh huh huh...
Oh yeah...
Uh huh huh...
Oh...oh...
Uh huh huh...
Doo doo doo...
La la la la...

Somebody tell me,
Wont you tell me...
Why I work so hard for you?
All to give you money,
All to give you money..."


I wish Justin would wear a nice netted tank top like George! Hot!

Helmet Face

"I call this 'Helmet Face.' Everytime, since I can remember, I make this face when I put on my helmet. My poor companion adopted my tradition and now we look absolutely ridiculous."

- Elder Jason Owen Martindale, Tennessee Knoxville Mission

Ghetto

Who is in this picture?

Karen (sister) is holding Max (nephew) while pushing Owen in the stroller (because he fell down and broke his crown), who has Briant (nephew) on his lap (because he's cold). Karen (sister) is about to run into Cole (brother) who is shorter than Jared (brother-in-law). But who isn't? Jared (the tall one) is holding Drew (because when I'm not taking pictures I'm pushing the stroller). And also because he likes him.

What are they doing?

Smiling for the picture. But before that, looking at Temple lights.

About that stroller....

.

Pictured is my ghetto version of a double stroller. The front tray came off so it now comfortably seats 2, if you count sitting on a lap as comfortable. When Owen doesn't feel like walking Drew gets to sit on his lap. We get lots of special looks. Somebody please tell Justin it's time for a new stroller!

Tree Hunting

Not like it was hard:

Drove 3 hours to Safford...

Tami picked us out a tree from their nursery,

and that was it!

Although it looks like I'm playing peek-a-boo behind the tree, I'm really holding the thing up!... With the help of Aunt Sherri who is helping from behind.

But anyway I love the tree.

.

And so does Owen who thinks it's his own.

He doesn't have to know this tree tag has 2 other names on it.

A Meeting

Meet Jessica and her kids, Mason and Emma.

I just did!

She is a family friend of the Hollobaughs.

We met today at the Arizona Museum for Youth.

It was a fun place (with fun company) that I hadn't been to before.

(right by the Natural History museum that I love with the dinosaurs)

Please say that stamp ink is washable as advertised.

Also, you will be seeing a lot of Owen's fish shirt.

He's obsessed.

This is the 1st item of clothing he's owned that he wants to wear to:

Sleep, church, and everywhere else.

It should be ratty in no time.

I want this flannel tree in a kid's room someday!

Why do I love felt pieces so much?

Then we went to the former Coffee Talk which is now

Inside the Bungalow

(and probably has been for awhile but I wouldn't know)

But I do know they offer cashews as a pita pizza topping.

Any pizza place in NC should learn from them!

Gingerbread Night

My parents invite a couple ward families over each year to do gingerbread houses... this is the whole lot of em. My mom made REAL gingerbread!


This is the one I started until Owen got sick... so my dad got to finish it up with a little help from Drew.

Stay tuned for New Year's Eve when the houses get blown up!

Lights

This was our Saturday night... the APS Fiesta of Light Parade in Phoenix. My pictures are bad. The parade was good... even though my mom & I ended up across the street from Derek & Alexa/Jared & Karen.

French Toast Friday

Monday - Pancakes

Tuesday - Oatmeal

Wednesday - Waffles

Thursday - Cream of Wheat (or Malt O Meal)

Friday - French Toast

My personal favorite, the french toast.

My mom has had this breakfast schedule FOREVER. Since I've been here last year she figured out to cook the french toast in the waffle maker and it tastes so much better, no soggy middles! And she always uses Grandma Sycamore's bread... so good.

Christmastime

Aren't you so glad you don't have to look at this header anymore? I am.

It's Good

Stayed up until 2am reading last night... I don't give up sleep for just anything. I know it's been around awhile, I'm just slow. But I LOVE IT.

On a side note, remember that time I wrapped up a diaper, threw it out, then came back in the house and the diaper was still there? So I went to see what I had wrapped up and thrown out. Ya, it was my cell phone. That was yesterday (even on a full night's sleep).

Thankful

Thanksgiving in Payson from my point of view...

Those sweet potatoes were SO good.

Always zooming in on the pies.

And now a few from Owen's point of view...

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's November 14th

And we're playing naked outside in the water!

Lucky #7

Happy anniversary to us!

These are my cute flowers from Justin. I'm gonna take them out as my date tonight.

So awhile ago Justin came across the little "How did you meet" questionnaire on Katie J's blog (if your blog is on my sidebar list he's seen it) and he decided to fill it out on one of his slow Iraq days.

If you're not sure whether he's kidding or not, assume he's kidding (i.e., push-ups, wikipedia, etc.)

Where did you two meet?
I was over at Jared of the Burr's house hanging out in the basement. No sooner than that, a fly honey comes down the stairs…so needless to say I commenced doing pushups. Just then I caught her eye and I could interpret what that twinkle was saying, "You are a definitely the hunk of the month". Score 1 for me…I then proceeded to play NFL Blitz on N64 because I researched at the local library that a good woman digs a man who can play a mean game of football on a gaming system. To make myself look better I played against Jared's little brother, there was no way this little man was going to beat me, at least that's what I thought. Next up, hopping into the vehicles and heading out to watch a movie. I didn't get to ride in the same car as Shauna because I was playing it cool, you know, the old hard to get game? I had this down, there's no need to think I messed this up. First stop was at some dude’s house whose name I should remember but I don't. He had a skateboard. Light bulb went on. I knew I had to make a move. Now, you have to realize that I am in the funny business…I jumped on the skateboard and proceeded to ride it like I knew what the junk I was doing and acted goofy to get her attention. I think it worked because she laughed. I knew business was good and it was starting to get better. We all jumped in the vehicles we came in and drove to get a movie at Blockbuster. I decided to get out and act funny again because you never lose with that old trick. I was starting to get a vibe from her saying, "I hope he comes over and talks to me, that sexy stallion."…We got in our vehicles and drove out to the massive Salt River that had claimed many people's lives. We just happened to get a scary movie…and needless to say I began to hold her hand. After the movie she wanted to ride back with me…When we got back I got her number. And that is how it all started. I felt like I was king of the world!
Karen (my sister) ended up marrying Jared who she initially wanted to set me up with. Jared and Justin knew each-other from the Fresno, CA mission where they both served (never as companions though). We were all hanging out at Jared’s house. He was at a reception so I met Justin before him and couldn’t get over his cool Kappa soccer shirt…

What is the first thing you said to her?
Hi

Where was your first date?
I took her to the most romantic place in the world. I knew every fly honey loves a little bit of the chikita Chinese food. It was in Fountain Hills and everything is good in Fountain Hills.

Where was your first kiss?
Duh, Fountain Hills!

How long did you date?
Maybe 2 months? What, is that bad? Dude, she wanted me and I kind of liked her.

Did you have a long engagement?
Umm……… in Mormon standards? I think 4 months maybe. I still had to play hard to get cause I didn't want her to think she had lassoed me. I know it is long if you are Mormon, but please, don't judge me. I had to keep it real and I didn't want to cramp her style.

Where did you propose?
I looked it up on wikipedia.com and it told me that San Diego was the place and that it is best if Christina Aguilera is playing in the background. I didn't have that handy so I had to do without. I headed to the beach with my sister and her soon to be fiancé Nate Jacobs (He is definitely alright with me). Oh and the fly one too. It was 0200 (that is A.M.) and I double checked wikipedia before I left and it told me that it must be on the beach. So we were walking and because she didn't want a ring I had to act fast, all I had was some gum wrapper so I quickly made it into the most beautiful ring ever (it was later sold on Ebay) I waited for the right moment, meaning no one was around, and I knelt down and asked her to marry me. Ohhhh……you might say, I know, wikipedia is awesome.
I DID want a ring but I wanted my friend Debbie to make it… was so not into diamonds at the time. Justin threw away the gum wrapper ring before we left the beach cause he was embarrassed about it! I wish I still had it!

(The beach in San Diego where Justin proposed)

Where were you married?
I decided the Temple is probably the best choice but I wanted to be sure so I consulted my counselor, wikipedia. Needless to say we were married on November 10, 2000 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

How did the reception go?
Well, it wasn't bad. We had it at Shauna's house because I figured it would save me money in the long run (I WANTED it in my parents backyard). I knew I had to start watching my money. We had fun and all sorts of different people were invited. Family, friends, people our family knew, hobbits, a couple of cats, three billy goats and my mom and dad. Oh and it rained all over us as well. People were telling us that it was good luck and we would be rich……….ok I have yet to see anything of that nature, I am in the Marine Corps now, stuck in Iraq and …..wait I love Iraq, we have great food and oh nevermind. I am still not rich, even after going to Vegas and spending my life savings there trying to get rich.
The reception was so much fun even though it was totally rained out and it ended up being in the undecorated house and back porch. I’m still embarrassed our first dance was to “More Than Words” though! I had made a CD of songs I wanted played and it was left in a car at the Temple. So we got stuck with Grant’s selection, which must’ve been pretty bad if “More Than Words” is the best we could find. Our colors were yellow & orange, which I still love.

How was the honeymoon?
Umm…..isn't that kind of private?......Oh not that part huh? Well, we went to San Francisco and lived the life of a fisherman on Fisherman's Warf. I saw seals, hobos, bums, gay people, expensive food and trolleys. It was great!

(This picture isn't cheesy at all)

Happy Anniversary to my "sexy stallion!"

Funny Baby Clothes

K the cutest baby/kid t-shirts are at

Trendy Tadpole...

Owen chose:

(of course)

Drew needs:

And Sally can't live (or be born) without:

Which ones do your kiddos need?

Fish Heaven

Well, he lasted almost 2 weeks longer than I thought he would! Owen wasn't even really phased... he was more upset when his puffer toy from Target broke. He will happily tell you that Puffer is, "Flushed away!"

Hoe Down

My sister Rachel made this... I especially like my red eyes, Drew's humongous head, that Owen is a girl, and Justin is dead serious :)

Sally

That's her name, don't wear it out.

You Know What This Means!

Yes, I already went shopping. We are so excited!

Batman & Robot

Our Halloween festivities included:

The Halloween Carnival put together by Ginger... This is the only picture I got from the night (more at Becky's Blog). Owen IN the treasure chest. He decided to take over. Robot costume long gone.

Trunk or Treat... the token picture again. But trunk or treat is the best - tons of candy (for me to eat) in like 10 minutes! Oh wait, no robot costume again.

Halloween day Karen & I took the kiddies to see "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in 3-D (hence Owen's glasses).

That night we went trick or treating in Marie/Grandma & Grandpa Martindale's neighborhood. We did 10-12 houses... I realized that Drew is not the shy one. Thanks t0 Becky B for lending us the Batman costume!