"Are you 2 already Geneva Mae Dugger?!!!"

Baby Beebs (as Mea calls her) celebrated her second birthday yesterday. The kids had a blast! Geneva requested a duck party, so Becky had a pool in her house with rubber ducks floating in it! Can you believe no one slipped or got soaking wet! It was a hit!!!

You really are a big girl now Geneva Mae, but to Mea and I you will ALWAYS be Baby Beebs!

A message from Mea!

"Thank you Grandma Sue for taking me to your Studio, and for making pumpkin seeds with me."

Mea had a very fun Saturday morning with her Grandma Sue. She was so excited over the roasted pumpkin seeds they made together. What a fun Martinsen tradition. Hank loves to make roasted pumpkin seeds, now Mea knows how!

"Is it Homecoming or the 4th of July?"

Homecoming was today and to me it felt like the 4th of July! It was 85 degrees for the parade. I realized today looking at all our kids, they will someday be playing football, in the band, or cheering on the side lines. What memories!

Welcome to the family Beau William Mesik!

John and Caloney Mesik welcomed their son Beau William to the world yesterday. He weighed 5lbs 10oz and was 19 in long. His sister Brielle (3) thought it was a mistake. She thought Beau was a girl! How cute. Caloney had a very difficult end to her pregnancy. Please say a prayer for her for she still is not doing well.

Love you Cal, You are in my prayers.

Fall is here!

Yesterday was the first day of fall! What a beautiful day to put up corn stalks, pumpkins and explore for leaves! After all the outdoor activities, today was the perfect day to make apple pies and some leave art projects.

Harvest Time!

What a perfect day to pick pumpkins! My parents have a beautiful garden, and today we were able to enjoy all the hard work that goes into it. Bumpa's pumpkin patch was a hit! Mea and Grace did a great job picking, the pumpkins this year were huge!

Thank you mom for the yummy harvest supper! What a great day.

Do you think the girls get a little excited being togeather?!!!

Mea is very much in love with her Uncle Nick. He is a big kid at heart.

The "Magic" of being a mother.

Like most little girls, Mea has fallen in love with Cinderella. Last night she wrote her a letter and insisted we send it in the mail. This gave me a chance to be magical. I awoke early and made up a bag full of Cinderella things and placed it in the mail box. When Mea awoke we went to the mail box to see if the mail man delivered the letter to Cinderella. To her surprise a package was waiting for her. The reaction Mea had was very magical for me. She is napping now dress, crown, glass slippers and all. There is no better feeling then making magic for a child.

Thank you Mom, for making so many magical memories for me. I learned from the best!

I guess dogs do become dogs after children.

Sam and Sushi were due for shots so I decided to bring both dogs in with Henry while Mea was in school. I realized Sushi has not been to the vet in 3 1/2 years. (the length of Mea's life) She has had teeth problems in the past and I knew they, like her long pretty hair had been neglected since children came into the picture. To sum it up, Sushi's wellness check turned into emergency surgery due to her teeth and the infection in her gums. Seven hours later and several tears shed, Sushi was ready to come home. She had SEVEN teeth pulled! Kidney, heart, and liver tests. Several vaccines, bath, shaved, two prescriptions, and special food. I never believed dogs become dogs after children but I guess they do. Everyone that remembers Sushi before the kids understands what I am talking about.

Ms. Saftey Patrol

Today Mea informed me Mrs. Larson taught them all how to be safe in storms. "If there is a tornado you have to go to a safe spot and go like this." She began covering her head. So when I asked her where a safe spot would be she informed me a work room and that Mrs. Larson took the class to a safe work room. (Does this sound like a janitor room?) Mea also talked a lot about it is important to have flashlights in thunder storms. Did any of the kids come home and tell you this? I love having her come home and tell me about her day!

Alot of catching up to do!

Our home computer has been down and so many things have happened I just would like to give a little recap!

Mea started school and she absolutely loves it! I am having a harder time then I thought. Gymnastics has also started. She is in a class without parents and between school and this her independence has blossomed. Some of the apple trees are now ripe and we have been baking pies like crazy. Henry just recently began rocking with his little butt up in the air! He also has graduated to the big tub with Mea. She LOVES this. They both are growing to fast!

"Grandchildren are gods reward for surviving your children!"

Happy Grandparents day! Like every other day we are so grateful for our Nana, Bumpa, Grandma Sue and Grandpa Hank. The way you are with our children makes Hank and I so happy. You play such an important part in Mea and Henry's lives. The excitement the kids show when they see you says it all. They love you just as much as we do. Thank you for being so wonderful to them!

Ready Set Watch Me Grow!

Today was a bitter sweet day in the Martinsen house. Mea had her orientation for Preschool. My precious little girl was so excited I could not help but feel truly happy for her. It is such a good feeling knowing Mea has a class full of good kids from good families. I am so enthused to watch how much they will all grow!

Thank you for the past seven years!

Happy Anniversary! Seven years ago today we started our married life together. I am so proud of all we have accomplished in just seven years! It makes me excited to see what we can do in a lifetime! Nothing makes me happier than being your wife and the mother of your children. You are the strong and steady presence that I can always count on. The happiness you bring into my life Hank is more than I could ever have hoped for. I will ALWAYS be grateful for the love you give to me and to our family we created together. I LOVE YOU FOREVER AND ALWAYS!