McKay Loves the Kitchen

McKay absolutely loves to help out in the kitchen. Sometimes he loves to help so much that he'll make a mess (i.e., dump out pasta on the floor) so he can clean it up. He helped me make several things for Thanksgiving dinner.

Helping Daddy make our pizza for our family's traditional "Pizza Night/Movie Night" on Fridays.

And creating towers out of various pantry items.

Thanksgiving

Cory and L started off Thanksgiving morning bright and early playing in our ward's (church congregation) Turkey Bowl. L was really looking forward to playing football with his daddy. Unfortunately, it was raining and cold, so it wasn't quite the experience he was looking for. When they got home, he jumped in a warm shower (for a long time...this kid could stay in the shower forever if we let him) and everyone had some hot cocoa while we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was a quiet Thanksgiving this year; just our family. Lucas was really concerned about this. "Why aren't we having it with a bunch of people?" Apparently, we're fun to hang out with...but not THAT fun. In the end, I think he tolerated us and we had some fun together.

Little M was my best helper. He helped me to make the rolls...

mash the potatoes, and set the table. Anytime he sees me starting to cook something he pulls over a chair to the counter and says, "Hep! Hep!" I'm loving it while it lasts.

Since I was the only one cooking, and cooking for my picky eaters, I kept debating how much to actually put myself out. I decided homemade rolls were non-negotiable. Mashed potatoes, a must. Cranberry sauce...yes, but homemade not necessary. Turkey...a half, seasoned, pre-cooked turkey from Trader Joe's worked just fine, thank you. I only had to warm it up for about an hour and a half. Although, Cory and I are debating if future Thanksgivings will involve turkey...not necessarily the favorite part of the meal for either of us. Actually, it seems many people I talk to could do fine without the bird as part of the festivities. A ham instead? We also had jell-o, green beans, and stuffing (once again, homemade not a must).

For dessert, I made pumpkin pie and peach cobbler, and we invited some friends over that evening to share that with us (along with other treats they brought). Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Halloween

We had a Mad Scientist, His Assistant Igor,

And the Mummy Monster they created (who wanted a glob of green goo on his cheek, a la many superhero stories of green goo gone wrong).

Brothers

Same shirt. Same age. Different Martin boys.

M's First Haircut

I guess it was time. Mackie's hair was looking pretty shaggy. Time for a visit to Daddy's barbershop.

Is that the same kiddo?!

We're Back

Thanks to my generous father-in-law, we have a camera and are back in business! Because, really, who are these blogposts for but the grandparents?

Lucas and Cory recently finished up their flag-football season. Cory coached the Broncos through a fantastic season! Their record (3-2) shows only part of the story.
As one parent put it to Cory, "You took them from a herd of cats to a football team." No small feat for a group of 7-8 year old boys (and one girl). Coach C and L after the last game. Cory had fun coaching these kids. If he had his druthers, he would coach football full time (not necessarily little league). A little bit o' Martin history for you...when we were first married, Cory's career path was to be a high school football coach. But, being the good man that he is, he sacrificed that dream for a career more fitting to supporting a family.
Of course, the next best thing to coaching football is to manage government relations for a major trade association...This is L's BFF, M. These two have been great friends since they met in Kindergarten.

Who is that grown up kid? Is that MINE? The end-of-season team party. These kids were on our baseball team last spring, and we rounded them up for football.

G and siblings of fellow team members (except for D at the far right, who is a team member). Cute kids my boys run around with, right? We've been lucky.


After receiving his participation medal from Coach, L poses.