Basketball Magic

We invited our friends from Cincinnati, Ohio to join us for an entertaining evening watching the Harlem Globetrotters at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. If you've never been to a Globetrotters game, we highly recommend it! The boys were mesmerized by all the tricks and laughed at the continous comedy. There were several timeouts throughout the game and select audience members were invited to the court for various entertainment reasons. During one timeout, 3 boys were invited to "bowl" on the court. A Globetrotters character was slingshotted down the court riding a scooter with the sole purpose of knocking down ALL the Cambell Soup Label containers...not sure why, but this provided much laughter from the crowd! After the bowling concluded, all 3 boys were awarded 1000 Campbell soup labels for their respective schools. Needless to say, the Harlem Globetrotters won their game against the Washington Nationals continuing a winning streak that started in 1971! The evening was so much fun for all and we're happy that the Baileys were able to join us!

12 Days of Christmas 2008 Version

Happy Holidays from our Home to Yours

Happy Holidays from the Martin home. Living in Ohio, we live far away from most of our family and friends. We invite you to enjoy our home decorated for the Christmas season! May the holiday season fill your hearts with love, peace and much happiness!

Merry Christmas to all!

White Chocolate Snowmen Treats

I've always enjoyed "Family Fun" for their articles, recipes and fun activities. In 2001, Alexander started kindergarten and "Family Fun" featured snowman pretzel sticks. I KNEW I had to make them for Alexander's school holiday party. And, guess what, I'm still making the pretzel snowmen 7 years later. Over the years I've adjusted the recipe and minimized the ingredients creating a streamlined assembly line for snowmen production. Noah came to me earlier in the week and asked if I was going to make the snowmen pretzels again this year. Quite honestly, I had decided not too, but how do you say "no" to your child when they've asked for a holiday tradition so kindly. So, Wednesday, I spent a couple hours preparing snowmen for Noah's class. In year's past I've made snowmen for Alexander's class, Noah's class and my preschool class, so honestly, spending a couple hours on one class really wasn't too much for Noah to ask. When he returned home from school Wednesday, Noah jumped up and down and kept thanking me for making the snowmen. His excitement and happiness was well worth all the time spent. He eagerly passed out the snowmen during his holiday party Friday afternoon at school. The kids marveled at the snowmen and enjoyed their holiday treat. I'm so glad that Noah asked me to make the snowmen--it truly is a wonderful tradition and a memory and treat the boys obviously enjoy!

Birthday wishes for Aunt Boo

Happy Birthday Aunt Boo!!

One of the best things about having lived in Atlanta was spending oodles and oodles of time with my sister; developing a friendship that we both cherish. For me, having my sister create a bond with the boys was equally important. She lovingly refers to Alexander and Noah as "Big Buddy" and "Little Buddy" and they love their Aunt Boo more than words can say! So today, December 19th, we wish her a heartfelt "Happy Birthday" and send hugs and "triangle" kisses to her!! Happy Birthday Boo!!!

Here Comes Santa Claus

For a second year in a row, Trey, Alexander, Noah and I enjoyed a visit to Alum Creek. We were toasty warm in our car as we admired the twinkling lights on our drive through the "Festival of Lights". Below are some of our favorite light displays. Half way through the drive we stopped to visit Santa. Following our visit with Santa, we warmed up by enjoying complimentary hot cocoa and cookies donated by one of our local grocery chains. We had a great family evening and look forward to enjoying the lights again next year.

Merry Christmas to all!

A Musical Adventure

Alexander volunteered me to attend his band field trip.

Our first stop, the elementary school adjacent to the middle school

Alexander playing the baritone

Fifth grade students listening to Mr. Louden

Preparing to play at the retirement community

Alexander and his captive audience
The boys and girls had to load and unload the bus, from the rear, in BRRR cold weather. It was quite a project--25 music stands and just as many instruments.
Our final trip was to an elementary school on the South side of Westerville

Alexander volunteered me to attend his band field trip before asking...thankfully I was able to rearrange my schedule and attend. Mr. Louden is the band director for the 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands. The 7th and 8th graders alone total 150 students. Mr. Louden decided to take a select few 7th and 8th graders on a field trip to help spread holiday cheer throughout our community. The students were asked to audition for the field trip and Mr. Louden chose 12 7th graders and 13 8th graders to attend the field trip. Alexander was honored to be one of the 25 selected.

Our "musical adventure" began with a walk to the elementary school adjacent to the middle school. The band performed musical ensembles and solos for the attentive 5th grade students. Following the performance, the students asked intelligent questions and seem genuinely interested in participating in band next year.

Following their performance at the elementary school, we boarded a school bus and headed to a nearby retirement community. The residents were so appreciative of the band's performance. I was in the back watching the residents tapping their feet, clapping and singing Christmas carols as the band played familiar tunes. Prior to the last arrangement, Mr. Louden asked the band members to mingle with the residents. The smiles on the resident's faces said it all--they loved having the kids perform for them.

After the two performances, Mr. Louden bravely allowed the boys and girls an hour, free reign, at the local mall. They were instructed to purchase lunch at the Food Court and then they were free to 'wander' the mall. I was concerned about this aspect of the trip, but the kids were very prompt and arrived at 1pm sharp as instructed. Two girls were cracking me up. In addition to a quick lunch, they visited as many stores as possible collecting bags--suffice to say they collected a lot!

The "Musical Adventure" concluded with a trip to another elementary school. The boys and girls were VERY enthusiastic about the performance. They clapped, hollered and hooted and sang EVERY song from their toes. Their enthusiasm was contagious and the band enjoyed performing for them.

I wasn't sure what an all day band field trip would entail, but I'm SO happy that I was the sole chaperone. The boys and girls were friendly, polite and I couldn't be more proud of the performances and solos. I had an amazing day! They did a fabulous job spreading Christmas cheer!!

Our "Sweet Sophie Shadow" turns ONE!

Sophie was a mere 3 pounds when the breeder invited our family to their home on December 29, 2007, to make our selection--she didn't arrive home until mid-January

Sophie--a tiny little girl in January

Look, I'm as big as Oscar (February 2008)

A quick snooze before the playfullness returns!

Every little girl needs something pink (March 2008)

I'm growing quickly! (April 2008)

What did you say? Another picture? (May 2008)

I'm a BIG girl now--summer 2008

Looks like every member of the family cheers for the Buckeyes! (Fall 2008)

Happy 1st Birthday Sophie--December 10, 2008

I can remember feeling an unsettling excitement and anticipation in the house last Christmas. Trey had contacted the Golden Retriever breeder and we were awaiting the news of when Sophie's litter would make their arrival. My sister visited last Christmas and had the pleasure of traveling to Newcomerstown, Ohio to help us decide who would become "Sophie". The puppies, only 3 weeks old, were all adorable and it was difficult to choose between the two females. We finally made a choice--designating our puppy with an "Ohio State" puppy collar.


Trey grew up with dogs, but the boys and I have never had a dog in the house; only cats. I can remember many a time saying "it's good thing you're cute, or I'd be REALLY angry". Sophie was crate trained and potty trained quickly, but remained confined to the kitchen until we were confident we could all survive "Sophie on the loose". She's captured everyone's heart (Alexander won't admit it, but we know he adores her) and our family would no longer be complete without her.

Happy 1st Birthday Miss Sophie!!