Noah reflects on the loss of MJ

Today is a day I will not forget--my favorite singer, Michael Jackson, died earlier this evening. My heart is heavy with sadness and my eyes are wet with tears. I first learned about Michael Jackson last year while we were on vacation in Mexico. I was in awe of the performance and loved the music! I didn't realize until after the show that I was watching an impersonator. Soon after returning home, I started listening to MJ and watching every video to learn his moves. I would practice for hours!!! I knew that I wanted to be MJ for Halloween and my Mom was able to create a fantastic MJ outfit; I even have a white, sequin glove! The pictures below are from my 3rd grade talent show. I loved being on stage impersonating Michael Jackson; I lip synced "Billie Jean". I will miss Michael Jackson...my prayers are with his friends and family. I hope you enjoy these talent show pictures, "Noah Jackson" (my friends called me this following my performance) as the impersonator.

Father's Day Weekend

MARTIN Family Reunion

Gallipolis, Ohio

(located on the Ohio River)

June 20, 209

Family members travelled from Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia and various locations in Ohio to attend Trey's family reunion.

Tanya and her adorable son, Gavin

Bethany and her daughter Jacqui; her son Danny is in the background

Lisa, Dorothy and Tanya

Brittany, Gavin, Alexander and Noah

Family members enjoying catching up with one another

Billy and Trey--oh the stories Dee tells about the two of them!

I just hope the boys never learn what their Dad and his cousin used to do together!!!

After lunch, family members gathered to play a VERY competitive game of kick ball.

Alexander, pinch kicking for Brittany

Trey and Noah teasing one another at first base--Dad was safe

Yeah Grammy! Trey's Mom ready to kick

Lisa with Gavin--kickball game in progress in the background

Wendy's turn. There were numerous foul balls,

but I did manage to get a double during one turn!

Noah gave a little bunt kick and sprinted for first

Following the reunion, we returned to the hotel for swimming followed by a Mexican dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, we went to the hotel and while some talked, we played a game of "5 Crowns". The next morning (Father's Day) we met for breakfast and then said our "good bye's" before heading home.

Martin Family, see you next year!

Happy Father's Day, Trey!

The boys and Trey on the Ohio River

Staying Afloat

Our first full week of summer vacation began with Noah's swim lessons.

Great streamlined front float, Noah--good kicking too! Water splashing everywhere as Noah practices his kicking

Look at that form--head back, arms together, ears exposed.

A little more practice and you'll be floating all day on your back!

Noah took lessons with his friend Eli and Eli's sister,

Audrey and little brother, Graham (not pictured)

Way to go Noah! Good job on completing Stations 1 & 2 this week.

Next week Station 3 begins!

The Beginning and the End

Tuesday, June 9, 2009: the final day of school!

Noah (and Sophie in the window), last fall, on the first day of school (above). Noah, yesterday, on the last day of third grade.


Alexander (above) ready to begin 7th grade and play in his first 7th grade football game. Below, Alexander on the final day of 7th grade.

Both boys enjoyed their respective school years, but are SO happy summer vacation is here! It's hard to believe when school resumes in the fall that Alexander will begin 8th grade and Noah will be a 4th grader! How can that be possible?!

Third Grade Field Day

This past Monday, the third graders enjoyed "Field Day". Unfortunately, the thunderstorms forecasted for late afternoon arrived much, much earlier creating a "change of plan". Originally, the third graders were to enjoy lunch at Hilmar Park, but due to the morning showers, the event was moved to the front entrance of the school, under cover. All four third grade classes enjoyed hot dogs, chips and a drink with their classmates and friends. Noah's class is pictured below sporting their red shirts.

Noah enjoying his hot dog

Noah with some of his third grade buddies

The boys in Noah's third grade class hamming it up---boys will be boys!

Mrs. Kay checked the forecast/radar and decided that there should be enough of a break in the weather for the third graders to participate in "Field Day" outside. Several Moms quickly moved the events from indoors back outside, while Noah's class patiently waits for the games to begin.

The entire third grade class was divided into 10 teams and rotated through 10 events. I was stationed at "Corn Hole" and was only able to take a few pictures of Noah as he particpated in Field Day. Below Noah uses a foam dart gun to shoot the cans off their perch--notice that one of the cans was "hit"...

Noah at Mom's station--Corn Hole.

Noah is supposedly hitting the ball to his buddy across the way, but it seems that his aim might be off--just a little.

Noah thoroughly enjoying the sack race.

Noah was GREAT at holding on to the sack and jumping up and down the field; who knew?!
The rain held off until the very end of Field Day. The third graders enjoyed all 10 stations and quickly moved indoors to enjoy their well-earned popsicles. They did get a little wet on the return to school, but at least they were able to enjoy Field Day outside! Way to go 3rd Graders!

Concert on the Lawn

To end the school year, the 7th and 8th grade bands provide a "concert on the lawn" for their final event. The 7th grade band (the largest Mr. Louden has directed) is pictured below. Friends and family enjoyed listening to the 7th grade music selections while enjoying a comfortable Ohio evening.

Alexander playing the baritone.

The band students enjoyed the direction of their student teacher from The Ohio State University. He directed two selections and Mr. Louden, their band director, led two other selections.

Alexander listening intently to a friend prior to the start of the concert--good thing Mom has such a wonderful zoom!

We can't believe Alexander completes his 2nd year of band this week! He will continue playing the baritone next year in 8th grade.

Enjoying the new grill

Before Ted and Trey left on their adventure Saturday afternoon, Ted helped Trey put the grill together. However, we had so much food left over from the surprise party that Chef Trey didn't cook until Monday evening. Using the infared feature, Trey grilled "restaurant quality" steaks (Alexander's compliment to Trey). We look forward to many more delicious summer meals on the grill!

A Successful Surprise!!

Preparations for Trey's surprise 40th BDay party began over 2 months ago. I decided that I wanted to do something special for Trey and thought a surprise party would be perfect. Thankfully Trey wasn't suspicious when I repainted the kitchen (crying when the original color wasn't what I envisioned), stained the deck and insisted on mulching the entire yard after "perfecting" the flower beds. When asked, I replied that I wanted all the projects completed before the boys started summer vacation--which was partly true.

A HUGE thank you, again, to Ted & Michelle for distracting Trey and preventing him from tearing apart the kitchen for our upcoming remodel--Trey went to pick up "Plum Crazy" with Ted and we spent Memorial Day weekend with Ted & Michelle! I would have been so disappointed if the kitchen backsplash was missing for the party!

Our best friends, Ted & Michelle, were extremely helpful in executing the surprise! We planned for their arrival Saturday afternoon (from Cinci) to be the day's "surprise". And, it worked! Trey and Ted left around 2pm for a show at Easton and then out for appetizers and drinks. I told Trey that I wanted he and Ted to have fun, but he needed to be home by 7:30pm to change and be ready for our 8:30pm dinner reservations downtown (hee,hee). Meanwhile, Michelle & I ran to City BBQ, Kroger and The Home Depot for last minute "items". The kids (Alexander, Noah, Samuel and Olivia) were a tremendous help in setting up everything for the party!!

Spying from the living room window; anxiously awaiting Trey's return while approximately 30 guests waited in the kitchen for Trey and Ted's arrival. Ted did such a wonderful job of stalling Trey that they were about 10 minutes late in arriving home! I was a nervous wreck--I wanted everything to be PERFECT for Trey's evening! I didn't realize Jen was taking pictures of me spying and laughed when I realized what she was doing! I think Trey's facial expression says it all--he was DEFINITELY surprised!!! Trey beaming once he realized what was happening; eyeing the number of friends, family and neighbors who were there to celebrate with him! I was checking to make sure that this event was truly a surprise and that he clearly didn't have any idea. And, I'm still in shock that I was able to pull off a surprise party for him!! Trey with his parents (on either side of him) and his aunt and uncle behind. Trey's brother, Chris, and Elizabeth Middle school friends, Chad & Matt Steele and their spouses, good friends of ours, Jill and Denette Trey's co-worker, Bruce, and his wife Jen Trey's cousin, Rod, his friend Shane and his daughter Isabele. Olivia is front and center. Another childhood friend, Brian, and his wife Jane. Salllie, April, Jason and Tracy--Trey's cousins Trey's Dad hanging out with our neighbors, Katie, Suzy, Beverly, Fawaz and Alex Trey and Wendy with our best friends Ted and Michelle. I intended to light 40 candles, but you have no idea how much heat rises from that many candles!!
Happy 40th Birthday Trey!! May all your wishes and dreams come true.
Apparently it takes some effort to blow out almost 40 candles! Trey at 3 months

Trey at 18 months

Trey in 5th grade--apparently, he was voted "cutest boy in the class"

One of Trey's high school photos

And, Trey at 40!

Thanks to EVERYONE who played a part in helping to make Trey's 40th surprise party successful. Without the help of friends, neighbors and our families--I never would have been able to surprise Trey! The evening was PERFECT; one I know he will always remember!

Walking Westerville

The annual 3rd grade field trip is a walking tour of Westerville. The boys and girls have been learning a lot about Westerville's history in social studies. The classes were anxious to tour Westerville and recognize the Westerville landmarks they learned about from their teachers.

Our tour began with a stop at the Westerville Courthouse where the classes listened intently to Mayor Ann Gonzales (pictured below) recount her responsibilities. Mayor Gonzales did an amazing job of engaging the students--she described her responsibilities on their level, with quite a bit of humor. The student's behavior reflected how much they thoroughly enjoyed their visit with the mayor.

Mrs. Kay leads her class on a mile journey, walking down Main Street,

to Everal Barn in Heritage Park.

"The Everal farm, named Rosedale after J.W. Everal's rose garden, is an excellent example of nineteenth century farm architecture. Industrialist John Everal, after having discovered a large clay deposit about one-half mile from the Village of Westerville, established the J.W. Everal Tile Company in 1872. The plant was located a short distance east of the present farm on the bank of Alum Creek. The brick and tile for the farmhouse, carriage house and other outbuildings at Rosedale were fired in the Everal kiln, as were those for many Westerville area structures of the period. The plant operated nine months per year and employed thirty people, making it the largest industry in Westerville. Peak output of the plant reached 25,000 bricks per day." (information from City of Westerville website)

Following Mrs. Koenig's interactive history lesson, the classes divided into groups of four andaccepted their next assignment--a nature scavenger hunt.

A picture of the Everal Homestead from across the pond. The boys wandered all over the property in search of their nature items.

After the nature hunt, the class walked about .25 miles to Alum Creek Park where lunch was enjoyed under the pavilion.

Noah and Eli taking time out from lunch, to allow Mom a quick picture.

The Hanby House, "by far the most historic site in Westerville", shown below. The home was purchased by Benjamin Hanby and used as a stop on the Underground Railroad in the 1850s. Benjamin Hanby was a composer of many Civil War songs and hymns including "Darling Nellie Gray" based on the true story of a runaway slave. He is also recognized for the popular Christmas song "Up on the House Top".

Mrs. Kay's class enjoying a rest before the afternoon walking tour begins. Unfortunately, the rain did not hold off as desired and the 2 hour walking tour was spent under umbrellas as the rain gently fell around us. At least 1) it didn't pour and 2) it wasn't so hot the students were miserable!

Otterbein College, a small liberal arts college, located nestled among the trees in Uptown Westerville was found in 1847.

In 1858, Westerville passed one of the earliest prohibition ordinances in Ohio. "That decision would affect the history of Westerville and the nation for over a century"! Below, Corbin's Saloon, created much controversy in Westerville. Enraged citizens eventually blew up the saloon, twice, and a saloon has not been established in Westerville since the "Whiskey Wars".

In 1909, the American Issue Publishing Company was formed as the parent company of the Anti-Saloon League of America. The national headquarters were moved from Washington DC to Westerville, Ohio (who knew?!). The printing plant was dedicated in 1909 and due to the volume of mail, Westerville became the smallest community in the country to have a first-class post office. Westerville remained a "dry community" until recently.

Uptown Westerville--home of Graeter's ice cream (yum!) and many other wonderful merchants and restaurants.

Hanging flower baskets and flags line South State Street, the main road

through Uptown Westerville.

The roads surrounding Uptown Westerville and Otterbein College are brick lined still today.

The house, located on the left in the picture below, was the headquarter of the American Issue Publishing Company. Today, the Westerville Public Library administartive offices and museum are located in the building.

The students, and parents, enjoyed our walking tour of Westerville. Who knew so much history occurred in our little town?!