final project...

I just finished my last project for my photography class!! I'm really excited to see it in person. I kind of got sad finishing this assignment, knowing that it will be one of the last projects I'll work on for school. You can preview a few pages here.

i wanna be a cowgirl...

earlier this week eleanor was watching sesame street and there was a little girl who was a cowgirl and had a stick horse. while she was watching it she had me get her stick horse so she could be a cowgirl as well. while she was playing i told her this week i'd take her out and let her ride her horse in the "mountains" like the little cowgirl on the show. i figured i'd better get her out on her horse before the weather got to cold. i'm so glad we did this today. eleanor had such a blast. here are a few little coversations she had with her horse:
eleanor: come on horsey, let's go see the temple.
eleanor: mom, i'm a girl cowgirl.

i'm sure we'll be up in the mountains again real soon....

uofu blackout...

Last week John and I went to the Utah v. TCU game and it was crazy! It was freezing cold out and ground and seats were still wet from snow. Thankfully, I brought a few blankets and we had plenty of warm clothes on. We were afraid Utah was going to loose, but they pulled it together the last few minutes and won! It definitely was a great game to attend!!

Going Private

Okay, I've decided to make my blog private. Let me know if you'd like to be sent an invite you can email me at martin.julie.anne@gmail.com. I think I''ll try and make it private by next week. Thanks.

election day...

For months, Eleanor has been into the presidential election. She can identify both Obama and McCain. When asked who she is going to vote for she says, "Obama". Its the best! Well today she finally got to go to the polls! We didn't think John was registered, but it turns out he was and he was able to vote. He was pretty excited to cast his first presidental ballot! I am anxious for tonight!!!

perfect fall day...

Today was one of those perfect fall days! It started with me getting up early and getting my house completely cleaned before Eleanor woke up. I then made Eleanor and I good breakfast, got dressed and gathered a few things I needed to return (a number of sweaters not used for our Halloween costumes and a few other odds and ends). We then headed up to the University of Utah to try and get tickets for the TCU game this Thursday. When we pulled into the parking lot of the stadium, Eleanor got so excited about "going to the game" and being at "mom's school" ( I took her to campus on Halloween and showed her where I have my classes). She was quite upset when we didn't get out of the car. The line to get tickets went ALL the way around the stadium. I really didn't feel like standing in line for 2 hours with a 2 year old, so I called John and we decided I'd come back in a few hours and see how it looked. So, to burn some time Eleanor and I made a quick stop to Ann Taylor Loft and Old Navy. Of course, I found 6 coats I'm conventing for! (I really LOVE coats, I guess that's reason enough to live in Utah!) While I was in Ann Taylor, Eleanor wanted to hold my purse and I didn't realize until we got in the car that she had collected all the children's books laying around and shoved them in my purse. I had to give her a quick lesson on shoplifting then we took them back! Funny girl!

After shopping we heading back over to the "game" to see if the lines were any better, but it wasn't! It was just as long! So I called John and we headed over to his work to pick him up for lunch. He didn't have much time so we headed over to Hires for a quick lunch. John ordered a root beer mug, but I'm pretty sure he only got one or two sips. She had to hold onto the handle the entire time!! I love meeting up with John for lunch, I just wish we could do it more often!!

After lunch Eleanor and I checked out line again. The line was defiantly better, it was gone with a note on the window of the ticket office saying "SOLD OUT". I was a little disapointed, but didn't mind too much because I'm sure its going to be FREEZING Thursday night!

I wanted to get a photobooth with Eleanor so we headed over the the Utah Museum of Natural History. I wasn't planning on going through the Museum, but Eleanor saw a few animals and insisted we stay. It was my first time to actually go through it and it wasn't half bad. The best was watching Eleanor's reaction when we walked into the dinosaur room, her eyes were huge and she said, "coool". It was great! We then got to see all sorts of spiders. As mentioned before, Eleanor is totally into spiders. Her favorite was seeing the tarantula. Personally, I thought they were a bit creepy, but it was fun watching Eleanor get so excited over them!!

After the museum we headed over to my favorite park. We've been taking Eleanor this park ever since she was itty bitty. The weather was perfect and I loved having all the leaves on the ground! Again, I LOVE this time of year. This year I feel like we've had such a great fall!! It was nice for Eleanor to get out and play. Her favorite things to do are: Hang, Swing and ride the "dragon" (a small little dinosaur).

Our next visit was the Salt Lake Temple. I choose to drive through the Avenues to get there and I'm so glad I did. I seriously love the avenues and would LOVE to live there! I seriously would live in Utah the rest of my life if I could have a home there! Eleanor loved the area as well and would say, "I like this house" to almost every house we past. We made a quick drive by to Aunt Sara's old place. (wish you still lived here Sara and Dick).

By the time we got to the Temple Eleanor was pretty tired so we just did a drive by. I rolled down her window and right when she saw the Temple she yelled, "I found the Temple!". Needless to say, she thought it was the coolest thing!!

Before we got on the freeway she was out cold, which was nice for me because that allowed me to do all my errands, while she slept. I ran to Micheal's, Ikea, Walmart, Smiths and Costco. I am so lucky that Eleanor will sleep anywhere!!

When we got home I made some homemade chicken noodle soup and had it ready just in time for John to get home. We ate dinner together and caught up on a few shows. It seriously was such a great day!!

happy halloween...

from Bert, Ernie and Kermit!

*to see more photos, visit here.

photos..

The past few months I've been feeling a little overwhelmed about all the digital photos we have, so I started organizing and making backups. I put all our photos on both hardrives and cds and then placed them in a fireproof safe (a little neurotic, yes). Then today I've been adding photos on our smugmug page. With three backups, I think I should be good. Now, I just need to start printing photos. I love digital, but I miss having prints.

A few years ago my brother Ashley went through all of my parent's photos/slides and gave all of us digital copies. It is seriously one of my favorite possession. My dad took so many great shots of us as kids. I really want to make sure my kids have plenty of childhood photos.

*sorry for the photo overload.

paying attention...

This past week Eleanor has been obsessed with my scriptures. She's been carrying them around and calls it her "new book". This morning she was sitting on my bed looking at her "new book" and yelled to me, "mom, the temple and a parade". I didn't pay too much attention at first, but she kept saying it so I went over to see what she was talking about. Sure enough, this was the photo she was looking at. (I love that she thought the covered wagons were in a parade.)

I called John to see if he ever taught her about the temple and he said no. So then I called her Michelle, her nursery teacher, to ask the same question. Turns out they've been singing the Temple song and have been showing the kids a picture of the temple. Michelle said Eleanor is obsessed with the temple and always wants to hold the picture.

This little story was a reminder of just how smart little kids can be and how they actually do pay attention to things!! Thanks Michelle to teacher Eleanor!!

halloween party...

Yesterday we had a little Halloween Party at Grandma and Grandpa Martin's house and we had a blast! We didn't have a costume for Eleanor so we did a little last minute hustle and put together an Annie costume. Of course Eleanor was more than pleased with her dress, hair and shoes. She loved being Annie! It was fun seeing all the cousins dressed up and watching them play together. I love when Eleanor gets to be with her cousins. Both John and I have found memories of being with cousins, and I really want Eleanor to have the same.

At the party John carved an awesome witch in our pumpkin. It took him a few hours, but I think he enjoyed it. I'll have to get a photo tonight and add it. Eleanor found Grandma's spider. This year she has been into pumpkins and spiders. She can't quite say spider and says, "fider". We made a few and put up around the house and every time she see's one she curls her little shoulders, brings her hands to her mouth and says "fider scary". Its been so much fun watching her this Halloween. She gets so excited over all the "halveen" stuff.

surprise is good...

Yesterday I had to make sugar cookies for John's work. When the dough was all mix and I was getting ready to clean our the bowl, I called Eleanor in for a "surprise". I gave her the beater to lick clean. When she took her first lick she said, "yumm surprise is good". She continued saying it after every single lick!

First thing is morning she wakes up and tells me she wants a surprise and had to re-tell me how good the surprise was. This little girl is constantly cracking me up!

200 Have and Have-nots...

I though this was kind of fun. You are supposed to go through and BOLD everything you've done...
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars (many nights on the good 'ol tramp
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper (are you kidding?)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables (first time this summer!)
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (remember at the eye dr. in chile?)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking (i'm sure my neighbors see this all the time!)
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time (working a the the art gallery)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (with the help of Lori)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone (i was in like 5th grade)
67. Bounced a check (before I married John, of course)
68. Read - and understood - your credit report (no, but John has, I'm sure)
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy (does it count if I bought it for Eleanor)
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job (I wasn't fired, just laid off, business went under)
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing (before the days of Eleanor!)
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes (just made them this summer)
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair (and I need to do it again, I have a few grays creeping up on me)
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep (never Eleanor, I don't have a rocking chair)
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse (and been bucked of one)
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band (again, I was in 5th grade and maybe lasted 3 months. hated the teacher)
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf (and broke my pinkie toe)
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter (to david letterman)
149. Spent the night in something haunted (no, but I swore my house was haunted lastnight. We watched the "Strangers" and I was freaked all night!!)
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane (actually, I think my parent's had a St. Bernard)
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox (i'm still doing this on school days)
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous (david letterman)
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics (as a fan of course)
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator (in both Chile and Belgium)
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel (one too many nights!!)
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Commented on a friend's blog today.

pumpkin patch and lost keys...

So, last night Tiffany, Paul and myself all headed over the the pumpkin patch (John was supposed to meet us, but ended up having to stay late at work). Other then it being FREEZING cold, it was a lot of fun hunting for pumpkins. Eleanor and Adyson had a great time roaming the field. Eleanor was so giddy to see so many pumpkins at once. Somehow she got it in her head that pumpkins look like bums and she kept asking me, "did you see that bum mom?". 

Well, after we found the perfect pumpkins and were too cold to stay any longer, we discovered that I LOST THE KEYS IN THE FIELD!!! Yes, that's correct. Paul had given me the keys to go get my checkbook out of the car and instead of giving the keys back to him I put them in my back pocket ( I have a bad habit of just putting the little clicker thing in my pocket and letting the keys just hang out of the pocket). I was sick!! The little girls were freezing and cold and now we had to drag them back out to the field and begin our search. 

We searched every foot of that field. We asked everyone around to keep their eyes out for lost keys, and every time I heard a little kid say, "I found it" I was ticked to learn he was only talking of the perfect pumpkin. Finally, over an hour into our search Tiffany screams from way back in the far corner that she FOUND them!!! I can't tell you how HAPPY I was! I was convinced we'd never find them and that the Hunts would never talk to me again!! Right after Tiffany found them John had pulled up (I'd called him and told him he'd better come and get the little girls out of the cold). Needless to say, we were all so GLAD to finally find the keys and get on our way home!! 

Luckily, I had made soup earlier that afternoon so I took it over to the Hunts and we all had warm soup, corn bread with warm apple crisp and homemade ice cream  for dinner. Overall it was a really fun night, but I'm still mad at myself for loosing those darn keys!!!

cornbellys and cousins...

Ashley, Niki, Stacey, Emma and McKenna are in town, which we are so excited about.  Yesterday we all went down to Cornbellys for a few hours and we had a blast! It was the perfect Fall afternoon. I always love seeing Eleanor playing with her cousins (its sad she doesn't get to see them too often). 

Gotta love the sunglasses!!

I love this little girl, such a ham!

Evan stuck on the slide. I had to slide down and pull him the rest of the way!

Enjoying the hayride!

It's nice having someone WANT to carry Eleanor...

I want one of these little barrel things.

Water...kid's favorite of course.

Waiting for the big kids to come out of the scary monster.