First Snowfall of the Season

On Thursday afternoon, we had our first snowfall of the season. It was beautiful with big snowflakes, the perfect kind of snow for building snowmen! So while I was out rushing around with last minute shopping, David and the girls built a snowman in the front yard. We didn't have any carrots, so "Frosty" ended up with a celery nose instead. David also built a tiny snowhill and pulled the girls around in the yard and over the hill. It was all fun and games until Madisen got hurt. (I will let David relay the rest of the story...)

I was pulling the girls up the driveway, which was very slick, on their plastic tobbagon and then whipping them around at the top. This worked very well and they loved it, until something terrible happened. I did not judge the distance from the back of the car to the back of Madisen's head. Of course, this is not a usual occurrence as usually I have perfect timing in all areas of life, especially when it comes to my silver tongue. Well, it was too late. I was going at a pretty good pace and came to the top of the drive to fling them around and "bam" Madisen bonked her head on my priceless 93 Olds Cutlass Ciera. I picked her up quickly and held her. Mommy was convinced that I gave her the shiner on her forehead, but I think that happened the time she did a face plant on the driveway. She was not used to being bundled up in all her snow gear so walking was a challenge for her as it is for her mother. Just ask Carla about her relationship with stairs, especially while in college! They are pretty "close" (if you know what I mean). The kids had fun, and mommy came home just before frostbite had settled in the girls' fingers. That is right, mommy had left all of the mittens in the car, and I did not care if they wore them or not. I was sure they needed to get outside right away, before the snow melted. It was a fun experience for us all. Oh, Morgan and I also got in a snowball fight and managed to get each other pretty good. We are so thankful to have a white Christmas after all!

Visit to Mary Poppins

Visit to see Mary Poppins

Today the girls, Grandma and I went to see "Up, Up & Away, The Magic of Mary Poppins" at the downtown Minneapolis Macy's store (formerly Marshall Field's and before that Dayton's). I must admit that I'm still partial to the original Dayton's department store! Anyway, it has become a yearly tradition for us ever since Morgan was born, and both girls thoroughly enjoyed it this year. In fact, I had a hard time getting Madisen to turn around for any pictures (as you can tell from the slide show), because she was so enthralled looking at the different scenes. Afterwards, we met up with Uncle Chris for lunch at Macy's Skyroom restaurant and then back to 8th floor for gingerbread cookies. The best part for me was watching the girls go through the exhibit and seeing their wonder and excitement. We are so blessed!

Christmas is Near

What fun this Christmas season is. Our daughters are absolutely estatic about the different aspects of Christmas. As soon as Carla put up the tree and lights, our oldest daughter, Morgan, has been asking when she can open the presents. We have a musical Christmas item that the girls love to get going. It plays several songs and has snowmen that dance around. It is fun in spurts. A great early gift this Christmas was that Carla found my ring under the recliner downstairs. We were so glad to not have to spend anymore money on the thing. I am so glad to have MY ring back. We are planning on having Christmas at mom and dad Ree's house as well as our own.

The colds have been going around the house as well. Right now it is my turn. My students are hoping that I become deathly ill or something, so they can have a substitute. If I need a substitute I will try to get the worst one possible so I can come back as a hero. Carla, is the only one that has not gotten sick, yet. Knock on wood.

I had fun changing out the tires yesterday. I was wrenching on the lug nut and it gave way. I hit my head on the side of the car. It did not feel too swell. I did break two ratchets trying to get the nuts off of one side. I think the aluminum rims reacted with the steel. It caused for some sympathy from my daughters at least.

Morgan got into bed with me last night and got very nervous. I asked her what the problem was and she said, "I heard a crab moving around the house." I wonder if it wasn't myself snoring or something.

Morgan has a part in the church program. She and her class will say, "Bells are ringing on the earth, bringing news of Jesus birth. " She will then sing happy birthday to Jesus.

Madisen is talking away. Whenever I come to a stop sign, she hollers out "Go, go go!!! I reply with a resounding "No!" She sure is doing a bit more talking. She is a little sweetheart.

Well, I hope that all of you have a blessed Christmas. We love all of you and will be missing you during this season.

Update on the Lost Wedding Band

Early in October I had posted that I lost my wedding band. Since it has been over a month since the ring disappeared, we decided to price what my $100 band would cost to replace. The prices we were quoted floored us~apparently gold prices have tripled since we got married back in 1998. Instead of $100, it was going to cost about $300! Fortunately, Carla remembered we had some store credit at a jewelry store, which has offset the price significantly.

A few photos

Here are a few photos of us and the girls. If you notice Madisen's picture, she is displaying one of the many looks she has.

We went to the orchard on Saturday and had a great time. Morgan(man child) was jumping off some hay mound. She launched herself from about five feet of the ground into some soft hay at the bottom. It was fun to watch her.

Do Things Only Come in Threes?!

This past week has been a challenging one. On Tuesday, I lost my wedding band. The following day I was in a fender-bender. Sunday, I locked the keys in the car. I trust that will be all that comes my way for a little while at least.

I did not think that losing my wedding ring would be that big of a deal. It is only a 60 or 70 dollar ring. It really does mean a tremendous amount to me. I have torn apart the couch. I did have a knife out ready to cut the bottom of the couch to retrieve the lost ring, but pulled a few staples instead. Carla got excited about me finding a little figurine that goes with some sweet street play house. It is NOT her toy; it is the girls toy?! I have yet to find that illusive ring. I have searched high and low for the thing.

Wednesday, my following someone closely during a heavy traffic time for many years took its toll. I did not do much damage to the other vehicle and they are willing to let me pay for the repairs out of my own pockets which are very deep. They called on Saturday to tell me that it would only be $250. A message was cut short on our answering machine from Myron about his repairs. It does not sound like good news. I have not called back, yet.

Sunday morning, I was praying at the beginning of Sunday School and had my hand in my pocket when I realized there was only the set of church keys. I called my wife out of class to see if they were in the car. Yes!!! They were in the ignition. A man at church has AAA and called and got the keys out for free. PTL.

On top of all this, I still have three motorcycles. One will get no attention until I sell another one. The one I have been monkeying with is running worse that when I got the thing. I am not too happy about it right now. Don't tell Carla, but I just emailed a man about a fourth motorcycle. It is only $25. If I can get my hands on this one, I can part it out and then have no problem taking the shotgun to the motorcycle that is not cooperating with me!!! :)

One last thing. Is it me or am I really out number in my home? I am attempting to make Morgan my man-child, but that is not working out as I planned. She is quite emotional at times. The youngest has already learned "the look" from her mother. Sunday morning while I was giving her sustanence, I did something that did not bode well with her and was pierced through with the look. I have seen the look a few times before, but was not sure if it were the look or maybe something else. I had always hoped that it was something else. I was sorely mistaken. She works every angle of being a girl. She cries at the drop of a hat. She can give you that look which causes a father to give pause and reconsider if I really want to chasten this poor little thing.

Three is a good number. Let us all hope that it is sufficient for my little world. Think good and happy thoughts!!! I can not get my post to check my spelling or grammar. You do need to know that Carla had not part in writing this.

LIFE CHANGES

You can tell that Carla and I do not take pictures with the girls very often. It is usually the girls that get all the action. I am adding a picture that was taken a year ago. I will have to warn you that the outfit Morgan is wearing is not my doing. Grandma Ree is trying to ruin my oldest daughter by putting a wretched cheerleader outfit on her. She will not be allowed to be a cheerleader while she is living at home. If she decides to get in the way of fans attempting to watching a game while at college, that is her prerogative. We do need to get an updated picture.

Oh, we did have one taken a few weeks ago. I was doing my Silly Sid character (a.k.a. Jerry Lewis) for a Sunday School Bus promotion. I kept the families that came to church for the picture entertained while they waited for their pics. After everyone was through, the photographer asked if we wanted ours taken. The picture revealed that my girls, all three, are possessed and I am a recovering drug addicted. Their eyes are glowing orange and I am definitely on some kind of downers or something. It is really bad.

Another reason I attempt to avoid the camera is that I am showing way too much forehead. Yes, I am admitting the fact that I am going bald. Hopefully completely bald by the time that I am forty so I can walk around with a sucker in my mouth all day and noone would even dare say a word about it. What?! Yes, my hair is chasing my back these days. I rarely wear a winter coat anymore. I don't really need one. I do frighten small children at the pool and few men will even pat me on the back when I hit a ball well at softball games.

I am loosing some hearing, but I still hear those softly spoken comments like Big Foot's brother, or Co Co has a relative. My students love me asking several times for an answer to be repeated. Dare they say even the softest of comments to one another and I nip it in the bud.

I am still recovering from a fall while playing flag football for p.e. two weeks ago. The elbow is still quite tender. I don't seem to move quite as quickly as I remember.

Things like food now get me quite excited and a nap is a cherished Sunday treat.

Life is grand. I see the new vigor of my girls and get excited to see what they will become. Hopefully a little bit more like their mother. I am tired. I might have to retire soon!

Good night.

First Entry

All is going well in the Martens' home. We have to very spirited girls. I am learning very quickly that neither of the girls are like their mother. The girls will cry at the drop of a hat and will become emotional very easily when tired. I asked Carla what has happened and she had no answers. I will definitely attempt to work at keeping their crying over "nothing" to a minimum. We are very thankful for our girls. Our oldest is being an example to our youngest, sometimes a good one and other times a not so good one. Madisen is talking like crazy. She is apparently filled with the Spirit, because she speaks in tongues quite often.

I now am a proud owner of a motorcycle or two or three. I have one that works and two that don't. I being the great entrpenuer have decided to buy a couple of bikes and turn around and make money on them. Ha! Ha! I should have listened to my father-in-law. I have enjoyed riding the one bike. The weather this summer has allowed me to put over 2000 miles on the one bike. I have yet to just go riding with my Harley group. :)

Carla has spent the summer buying clothes to look at. She intended to have Morgan's wardrobe taken care for the next year, but Morgan is pushing a size 5 already. She is only supposed to be in a size 3/4. She grew a 1/2 in. from June to September. WOW! She loves to be read to and has learned how to ride a bike that has training wheels. She believes she is going to marry Jackson Schoonover. I am keeping my eye on that boy. We are teaching her that all boys are yucky except daddy and grandpa.

Madisen has learned how to walk down the stairs, sometimes faster than she planned. She is learning to be more adventurous. I now am able to throw her in the air and she loves it. A month or two ago she would get worried when I would throw her up.

I am teaching several classes in school. I teach 6th grade Math, 7th grade Math and Health, 7/8th Science, 9/10 Science, and jr. hi. and sr. hi. p.e. I am busy, but I am enjoying working with young people.

Well, I better sign off. Thank you for reading my first blog.