Thanksgiving Smiles for Grandma

Addy came home from school today with a new song from music class! It seemed like a song meant for a grandma!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Fashion at Finlandia

We had our first true snow storm of the year yesterday! Luckily, Chris and I had planned ahead and put the plow on the truck on Friday.

Addy was asked to participate in a fashion show put on by the art and design students at Finlandia. ...she wanted to share it with you!

Happy Winter!

Dynamite Dogs, Fabulous Frogs, and Poopers in the Potty

Hello to all. I have heard the rumblings....and yes, the blog has been outdated for a bit...but here are the updates from the Michigan Martins.

So as the title implies, Isabelle has decided to poop on the potty. She marches to the bathroom, points that little finger, and screams. Usually, mom comes running...but when I don't, she grabs the potty seat, carries it to the living room, sits down, and poops in her diaper. Once again, my girlies are growing at a rate that I am unable (UNWILLING) to keep up with! So here are the photos of tater's first poop!

Okay...moving on! We had our first flurries of snow (which translates to: 1 day down...9 months to go)....but God listened to me and nothing stuck to the ground, the roads, nor my car. However, the temperatures have dipped which means once again my children become a sad reproduction of the snow suit scene in "A Christmas Story".

Jeff Corwin (from that animal show) came to Michigan Tech last weekend. Chris took his first baby love on a date! Addy loved it, but came home with tears...she was too small to hold the animals. I look at this picture with tears....and think "why can't she just be small?"...perspective is an interesting thing!

Okay, so speaking of Addy growing up, I admit that she loves kindergarten. Her handwriting skills and general interest in learning have grown exponentially. She has been "citizen of the week" three times! She LOVES her bus driver Dan, and recess and gym are the best! However, I can not express in words how stressful kindergarten has been on me! Every Monday I hurry home to see the homework folder in fear that she will have gotten a dreaded "3" on her homework. Please pray for me....conferences are Thursday!

Isabelle is growing into quite the "little girl". She loves dresses, is drawn towards the color pink, takes great care of her babies, and even likes to brush her hair...we haven't bothered to tell her that she doesn't have any!

Halloween was fun for our family. Addy started out the month by entering the City of Hancock Scarecrow Contest. She created a master piece and won first prize

Well, here are some more photos of our Halloween.

I hope that everyone is doing well. Some days I feel so far away from those that we love! ...but as the days pass, Chris and I become more confident that we are where we should be right now...not to say we aren't looking forward to the next phase...you are all in our thoughts...we love you, dearly.

Baby Steps!!

I am quickly learning that parenting is a job of anticipation...I hold my breath waiting for each milestone...and then they come...and I wonder why I wanted that to happen so quickly! Addy started kindergarten and Isabelle woke up this morning, and decided to walk! How lucky am I to have these two little people in my life....filling me with anticipation and pride at each turn...here are some photos...and video of those moments! We love and miss you all!

Here is Addy on her first day of school....and coming off the bus after her first day! I was so happy to see her...

What a summer!

Hello everyone! I am creating this blog as my girlies come down from their sugar rush....yes,today is Izzy's birthday...she is 1! I can hardly believe that a year has passed since having her. Although her party was small (just us four) it was an absolute delight to share time as a family...it has become hard to come by the last couple of weeks.

Addy found this sit and spin/bounce zebra as a gift, and it was a big hit! Addy was also the proud baker of Izzy's birthday cake.

In other news, Addy has started soccer...or team chase. They run alot and kick a little.

Her coach is really patient...

In other Addy news, she is registered for Kindergarten. I was cool calm and collect until I met her bus driver Dan. The image of my baby's blonde pig tails bouncing up and down on a schoolbus was too much....she might as well have been leaving for college....I made it to the car before the tears began to fall...yes, I was the sad mom I promised I wouldn't be...thankfully she wasn't with me!

Well, to quench the requests for pictures...I am going to add some additional summer photos. We have been lucky to have time to play at the beaches, pick blueberries, and harvest some yummy veggies from our garden!









That is it for today....but in the words of this house...Go Jay Hawks!

Is it summer, yet?

The Keweenaw, like the rest of the country, has had an odd start to summer! Although the weather makes us think we are temporarily in an April holding pattern, the festivities of summer have continued.


Chris celebrated his first "I have two girls, Father's Day". Unfortunately for him, he had on more than one occasion mentioned to Addy that he would love penguin footy pajamas....just like hers....and who are we to let his dreams go unrealized?

What a DAD!

The family enjoyed our first trek to Little Travers Bay (about 10 miles from home). Last summer, Addy and I spent countless days enjoying Lake Superior from this beach. Addy got right in (although she claimed her legs were burning from the cold water), but Izzy in all her splendor, just screamed!

Addy and her friend, Brianna

Izzy enjoying the beach!

Izzy detesting cold Lake Superior

Adelynn started golf lessons this week, and seems to be enjoying carrying her clubs around far more than swinging them!

Like with most things right now, Addy participates and Izzy cheers on her big sis with all her might!

As the weather starts to warm, we are enjoying the things that the make the Keewanaw a great place to live...

All in all, things are going well. I am trying to adjust to working full time, which for the most part has been a really good experience. Chris and I are lucky to have somewhat flexible schedules, and a couple of really great babysitters that we can call on occasionally.We sure hope that you are all enjoying your summers! We miss you all.