Father's Day at Grandma and Grandpa's hous

Our kids always love going to Grandma and Grandpa's house - they especially love playing outside on the playground and riding bikes!

Jaden was checking out Grandpa's bike . . .

 The other great thing about going to Grandma and Grandpa's house is that usually there are cousins to play with!

Jaden and Abby bonded during some reading time.

 And the toys are more fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house too!

 Uncle Brock and Jaden had fun seeing the world from a different perspective!

 Uncle Brock captured some great pictures . . .

 Jaden invented the game of roofball - I'm not sure of all the rules, but it kept him busy for quite a while!

 Lael enjoyed playing with the little ones - although she was surprised how much work it was to pull them in the wagon!

Fun at the park

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past couple of days, so we had to get out and enjoy it!  We took a trip to one of the big playgrounds in our city - and because we went during school hours, it wasn't too busy!

Noah especially enjoyed running around . . . but he had to have someone tagging along with him.  Fortunately, he has a big brother and sister that are glad to fulfill that role (leaving Mom free to take pictures)!

Such a great time!

Science Fair Fun!

One of our final co-op activities of the year is the annual SCHOLA science fair.  This is the second year that Lael and Jaden participated in the science fair, and although the days leading up to the science fair are always filled with a flurry of activity, it's always a fun night!

This year we had a special guest - Mr. Frank DeFreitas (he's a member of our church) - who shared with us about holography . . . amazing stuff!

 At the cafe, kids could choose a cookie by naming an element (or just picking their favorite color)!

 We've been studying the human body this year, so Lael and Jaden each chose to do a "display of knowledge" about something relating to the human body.

Lael's project was on nutrition and digestion:

One of the co-op moms was the judge who talked with Lael about her project.

 Great job, Lael!

 Jaden's project was on muscles . . .

 . . . and here he is with his judge.

Great job, Jaden!

 Noah spent a lot of time in his stroller at the science fair so that he couldn't do any damage!  But he still had lots of fun - he especially liked looking at the goldfish that was at one student's display . . . and he ate lots of popcorn at the cafe!

 What a fun night!  Congratulations to all who participated!

Looking back - 8 years ago!

Eight years ago today we welcomed

Jaden Matthew Martin into our family!

He was 7 pounds, 4 ounces - which seemed huge after our

micro-preemie Lael!

Because I had to wait so long to hold Lael (she was over a month old before I held her for the first time), I was incredibly anxious to hold Jaden.  But having had a c-section, I had to wait until I was out of recovery - which seemed to take forever!  Then when I was ready to leave, they had no place to take me because all the rooms were full!  Which meant more waiting!

Finally they took me to the post-partum unit only to have to wait in the hallway because my room was being cleaned . . . well, I couldn't wait any longer to hold my son!  So I asked the nurse to bring him to me so I could snuggle him in the hallway!

Lael was pretty impressed with her new baby brother, but she was just as happy to snuggle her doll! 

Daddy with his son

Lael "holding" her baby brother

Grandpa and Grandma Martin

Ready to come home from the hospital

Visit from Nana and Papa - when Jaden was 2 weeks old

Jaden, we are so glad that you are in our family - you bring your own special spice to our lives and I can't imagine my life without you in it!