First comes love, then comes marriage.........

Then yup, here comes the baby in the baby carriage!!!!!   One of my favorite cousins/best friend/ people in the whole wide world is expecting her 1st!! She is here visiting from Buffalo where she will be living the next 3 1/2 year =(  but we had to throw her a shower of course!!  So between Shelley, Aunt Sharon and I we pulled off a yummy baby shower. Really besides Steph getting mostly gift cards and cash (remember she has to fly back home and who wants to pay for extra luggage these days)  the food needs to be amazing. Thank you to all who helped bring things.  

Ok can you even tell who is 7 months pregnant here!!  And don't say me!! 

Marcie, Shelley, Steph and Me

Oh there is the baby bump!!! Hello little guy. (he has no name yet)

Ok now we see the little prego belly!!! Steph you look amazing and I had so much fun being with you again!!!! 10 days was not enough time to come visit.  I'm saving my money and hopefully sooner than later I will fly out to see you and meet my new little cousin even though I will make him call me Aunt Leah =)   Stay warm, love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uncle Olan the Police Man

So I still need to get some of our Christmas pictures from my dad in law before I do a Christmas post but I thought I would share these pictures. Since my father-in-law is a fireman and bro-in-law  Nolan (ryker called him Olan)  is a Police Man we just have to get together when we can because they both have crazy schedules. We had the Martineau Christmas Dec 23rd in the evening. Amelia had to go to bed so the rest of us got in our PJs and waited for Olan to get off Duty. He shows up in his Police Man gear and Ryker was in Heaven. He always talks about how he is fighting the bad guys. So of course he had to arrest someone and Fishy (that is what Ryker calls Missy- yes he has weird names for our family members) well she looked guilty of something =)   

You have the right to remain silent!!

He read Fishy her Miranda rights.

Lets hope this is his first and LAST time with handcuffs on =)

I Can Kick, Stretch and Kick again!!! I'm 50!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!  For all you die hard SNL fans this is Sally O'Malley, a hilarious skit they had for a few years.  She came out and  always said "I can kick, stretch and kick again, I'm 50 years old!!!    I though this was PERFECT for my mom who is 50 years old today.  My mom looks amazing for being 50 years old and doesn't look old enough to have a daughter who is 26 years old!!  She is also alot like Ms. Sally O'Malley, my mom was a "bunny" at Mesa High (that is the best cheerleaders for those who don't know about Mesa High) and she has always been very flexible, she can still do the splits to this day!!!!  We had her birthday dinner last night so here are a few pictures of the fun event!!!!

Sally O'Malley

Abe, Shannie and I made some yummy soup and Sarah went and got these festive bread bowls. Yes they were dyed BRIGHT green and red.

My mom and her 5 pride and joys. Thanks Sarah and Wugs for the cute faces.

My mom is a wonderful Grandma. She helps us out so much!!

This was Amelia going CRAZY with the napkins. We were laughing so hard because she was attacking the napkins and throwing them all around. It was like a mini snow storm with napkins.

My sister and I made my mom these gifts. Sarah made the frames and I made a set of blocks that say Sellards.  We also got her a really cute shelf to put them on.  

Well mom I hope you know how much we love and appreciate you!!!  I hope I look as good as you do when I'm 50 years old!!  Here are a few random facts about my mom:

*she can out cook anyone in the kitchen anyday

*all growing up she made everything from scratch- even our Friday night pizza

*she is a little absent minded but was love her for it

*she NEVER yells, seriously to this day I can honestly say she has never yelled at me or any of my sibling for that matter.  I wish my kids could say that about me.

*she has a boyfriend named Joe...... Trader Joes that is. We always tease herthat she is at her "boyfriends" because she is always at Trader Joes. 

*my mom knows everyones genealogy. Seriously she can meet people and if you tell her your last name she will find a connection to you some how "oh your great great grandpa is my great aunts cousin" 

*my mom is more handy than my dad

*she can sew anything and everything

*she had all 5 kids with no epidural, and tried to convince me to do the same. Yeah right. I think she was meant to be a Pioneer. Sewing, cooking from scratch, popping babies out in bushes. Yup she could have done it

*and last but not least. She has been the rock in our family!!!  She has a strong testimony and has always taught us what was right!! Thanks mom you are an amazing example to me!! 

Oh the dreaded family Pictures!!!!!!

Saturday my dad was going to take our family pictures. Yeah nice it is 10 days before Christmas, but whatever. So we have never taken a traditional family picture so I thought we should. So mind you on a stinkin Saturday we got all dressed in our Sunday best and this is what we got. Ryker not working with us very well and Amelia was even worse. She wasn't fussy BUT the girl WOULDN'T SMILE for the life of her. We tried everything and still she sat there like a Gloomy Gus .  So here is our last shot of us bribing Ryker with M&Ms. Didn't work. 

And all Millie really wants for Christmas is her 2 front TEETH. This is why the girl doesn't feel like smiling. Can you see her puffy, swollen top gums. The teeth are like right there, I don't know why they won't pop through. So this is a lovely shot of Millies under-bite chomper teeth.  One day we will get a good family picture.

HAppy Birthday Nattie!!

So this morning I was going through my box of old pictures trying to find something and saw some old Highschool photos!!!  Since it is Nat's birthday I thought I will give each of my girls their own special post for all their birthday's.  hehe   I loved my highschool years and it was all because of them. We had so much fun and have way to many memories!!! I'm so grateful we are all still great friends!!!! Happy Birthday  

"Puff Nattie"  (remember that nick name) 

Nat, Meg, Leah and Heather

We were so gross

We were so attractive

Leah, Heather and Nat on our snowboarding trip!!! Holy Cow we had do much fun. Remember how sore we were the next day =)  Let do it again!!!!

Ok since it is christmas time I had to put this picture in.  Remember when we went and got our pictures taken at a studio!!!!!  I have them all and they are great!!!! 

Merry Christmas Girls!!!! 

Remember half of us wore over-alls and the rest just wore jeans. We were so creative =)

Udall Gift Exchange

As we all have many family traditions this is one of my FAVORITES and we have done this as long as I can remember. All growing up it was so exciting to have one of the cousins who you give a present to and then another one will have a present for you!! We have continued this even though every year or family grows with all the great-grandbabies. So now all the kids from 18 months till married have a gift giving exchange and a  few years back we started a "white elephant" with all the married couples. (I didn't get any pictures of that though- shelley I hope that step ladder is coming in handy...lol)

These are my sweet Grandparents, Bompa Jess and Granny Annie

(so cute they dressed in red and green)

Here is one shot of half the family

My cousin CJ gave to Ryker this year, he gave him a marshmallow blow gun. Boy was Ryker in Heaven.

Ryker then gave to Addison.  He gave her a Sleeping Beauty dress and wand 

(sorry Lisa it was a size to small) But that didn't stop Addison from wearing it the rest of the night.

I love my cousins and I'm so grateful we are still so close. it is so fun to now have our kids young and playing with each other like we use to do.  Oh course a little shout out to Steph and Travis who we missed this year!!!! Can't wait to see you guys in LESS THAN A WEEK =)

Also sorry Shelley for not sending you pictures, this past week was a blur!!!

Child Bearing!!

*warning* this is one of those cheesy post that some people roll their eyes at. So if you are one of those people turn away!!!

I was flipping through the channels during my rest time. Amelia is sleeping and Ryker watching his show so I need to have a little down time for myself right? Well A Baby Story was on and I haven't watched this show in awhile. But EVERYTIME I do watch it I end up crying as I hear the sweet sound of a new baby being born. All babies sound the same when they take their first breath and start to do their newborn cry, I can't help but be taken back to when I had my own kids and the AMAZINGNESS (not a real word) of it all.  I've also been think alot about Mary this Christmas season. I can only imagine what she was thinking when she held her sweet baby in her arms for the first time. I love this time of year and I can't even express in words how thankful I am to my Savior. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Mommy so happy to be holding her precious baby girl!! -This is one of the BEST feelings in the WORLD.

Late Thanksgiving Post

We had a laid back but yummy Thanksgiving this year. We went to my parents house and stuffed our faces. My mom made most of the food, I brought mashed potatoes and dessert and Shannie brought a green bean casserole. 

This was the "Not married- 20 and younger table"  Poor Sarah, she is a good sport!! 

I just love Amelia's cheesy smile, not the best shot but so cute!!!

Homemade Pazookies!!! We are not big pie eaters in my family so I made white chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. They are big, soft and cake like. So good with the big heap of ice cream on top.  (that is peppermint ice cream MY FAVORITE!!!!!)

They we went home and put our tree up.  We never had a star on top, I usually just put a big bow on but Ryker was so upset that we didn't have a star. So to Hoggly Loggly (as Ryker would say Hobby Lobby) the next day to find a star.

You can't beat $4.99 for a big glitter star!! 

Ryker had the honor of putting it on (we had to fix it when he wasn't looking)

Then Saturday night I really wanted to go to the Light Parade in Tempe so I hood-winked the Porters into join us. It was so much fun and next year Amanda and I want to make our own float for the parade! Who is with us??? =)

Delie-Willie, Ryker and Eden   Oh and we can't forget Lee

So we sort of found a spot on the wrong side of the road so we had to go stand behind other people. So the kids weaseled their way to the street and we left them to fend for themselves. Ok we really didn't leave them but, we were sad we couldn't sit with them.

After the parade they have a tree lighting and some lame bubble snow.  

So all in all we had a great Thanksgiving. Such an wonderful time of year and so much to be thankful for!!!!  

For the Love People!!!!!

Ok I really don't keep up with all the latest celebrity gossip, but I was on the Internet and on the side of some site it had a picture of Ashlee and her husband saying they had their baby. Well they wouldn't be true celebrities if they didn't give their baby a terrible name. Why do they think it is ok to name your children bizarro names. I mean get a dog and give it a funky name if your dying to use it but these poor kids have to live with it the rest of their lives!!! So she named her son:   Bronx Mowgli    I mean seriously all I can think about is that little man-cub from the Jungle Book wandering around in Bronx, NY wondering where is Baloo!!!!  Well I make a list of some of the brilliant names celebrities have come up with. Pick your favorite!!

Yes these are REAL NAMES of children in Hollywood:

Zowie Bowie

Seven Sirius

Coco

Calico

Fifi-Trixebelle

Peaches Honeyblossom

Little Pixie

Apple

Bluebell

Moxie Crimefighter

Pilot Inspektor

Banjo

Moon Unit

Diva Muffin

Ok you get the point and the list could go on. I'm sorry I have a real issue with this. I also don't like it when people give sweet, cute, adorable little girls BOYS names. Sorry if that offends some of you but that is my opinion take it or leave it!!!!  

10 years and 8 months Down the TOILET

Literally 10 years and 8 months when down the toilet. Some of you might have know that I have made it through 2 pregnancies, the flu a few times without throwing up. I remember the day I last threw up March 31st 1998. It was the morning of a George Strait Festival. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were performing as well, all my favorites. My parents got tickets and I was taking several friends with me. Well I don't get sick often and I wasn't going to let that stop me from going. So I grabbed my rain poncho (because it rain most of the time and it was outdoors) and headed to the concert. I felt sick but enjoyed every minute of it!! So Yesterday I had a stomach ache in the afternoon but nothing terrible. I went to a reception for my cousin and Shaun was already there because he was doing her wedding video. Well not until I got home at 9:00, my stomach was not feeling good. I had that "I just need to throw up" feeling but knew I wouldn't and it would pass.  I get in bed because I was light headed and really achy, right when Shaun got in bed as well we hear Milly coughing and making gross sounds. Yup she had thrown up all over. Shaun was amazing and dealt with her while I had to get back in bed. He did this 3 more times with her then decided he would just sleep in her room because he is nervous about her choking on her throw up. So finally around 1:30am it was my turn. My heart started racing and I knew my  almost 11 yr run was going to be history.  After throwing up several times I felt so good. What a great feeling =)   But my stomach ache did return and I tossed and turned the rest of the night. Yes I should be in bed right now but I'm not one who can lay down for hours. I have to get up and move around, even though I'm weak and still don't feel good, sitting in front of the computer is not hard. So there is my throw- up story for you. I feel so bad  because I was around alot of people yesterday including Shantay who was in the hospital because she had to get her appendix removed.  I hope I didn't pass this along to anyone!!! Have a great Sunday.

Almost 9 months old

Why is it that the 2nd child just grows up so fast. I remember with Ryker I couldn't wait till he did something new, but now I'm like slow down small child you are growing way to fast.

Amelia has finally figured out crawling. Yes both my kids crawled at 9 months which is fine by me.  She still doesn't go fast but she has been rolling around for week so now she can move around a little better. Also this girl likes to eat. Ryker was hard to feed and didn't like much but Amelia will eat it even if she doesn't like the food, she just  wants to eat.

Once again these puffy checks are to die for, right now my little chipmunk has them stuffed with bananas.

She sits at the table with us now and wants to eat what we are eating.  A smile full with some bananas in it.

I couldn't get her to look at me but this is her in action.

She doesn't do as good on the tile, I think she just likes the soft carpet.   Oh I love my dollie so much, uni-brow and all =)

Ryker was Tagged

My friend Alissa tagged Ryker and I have to post 7 Random facts about my little man.

1. Ryker LOVES the outdoors. So this is not so random but we loves being outside. We have either gone for bike rides or to the park EVERYDAY for the past few weeks because the weather is wonderful. He is in heaven =)

2. Ryker is very, I like to say Ridged. I might have made up this word but he is borderline OCD (maybe he really is)

3.  Ryker has a fetish with my hair. I lay down with him, at least once a day whether is be just resting in the afternoon or when I'm tucking him at night but he lays and twirls my hair. I'll admit is is therapeutic to me as well.

4. Ryker is very obsessed with animals. Shaun and I don't like animals at all so poor kid will never have a real pet.  He pretends he is a tiger, turtle, cat, shark etc. all the time.  Totally cracks us up. He even prays for random animals when he says prayers.

5. Ryker loves salsa. He has liked it from a young age. My mom makes salsa all the time so their is ALWAYS homemade salsa at my parents. It is pretty much a fixture on the kitchen table so since he is over their so much he would eat it with the rest of us. 

6. Ryker is such a good boy when I take him places. He wasn't always like this but I don't mind taking him places anymore because is just loves to be out so he is a much better listener.

7. I know most of you see the scowling crazy boy he is but deep down he is such a sweet and loving boy.  He always tells me he loves me and Amelia and is very concerned about us.  He is going to be the best big brother to Amelia and protect her form all those creepy boys.  He sure is something else but I sure do love my Rykster!!!!!! 

Fun at the Zoo

I had a Preschool Field Trip on Thursday and we went to the Zoo. I couldn't have asked for better weather.  My mom came to help me with my kiddos, thank you mom!!

Ryker telling me about the Rhinos.

I have been to the Zoo many times in the past few years and never have I seen the Tiger come out from the back wall.  This was Rykers FAVORITE animal.

After about 2 hours, the other moms start to head out. A few of us stayed a little longer. Ryker didn't want to leave ever but Milly needed a nap.

Look at those 2 monkeys.  I told that to Ryker and he didn't think I was funny =)

I love this time of year!!! I think we will go back for Zoo Lights at the end of November when it starts. Shaun and I went years ago, before kids and thought it was lame but I bet Ryker would enjoy it and we can leave Milly at a Grandparents house so she doesn't spoil our fun. If anyone else wants to go let me know =)

24 years old... are you kidding me!!

Happy Day Abeos!!!!!  Growing up I always thought we got a day off of school for Abes Birthday. He was born 24 yrs ago Nov 11th 1984. At the time we were living in San Diego so he is the only one of us not a AZ native, he is a California boy.  Oh Abe what can I say, you are the best big little brother a sister could have. We were the best of buds growing up, (except for the 2 years I couldn't stand you) I think I was a pre-teen and you were annoying!!! =)  But you would play house or school with me then we would turn into the ninja turtles and be fighting off the evil Shredder. I'm glad we stayed close even through Highschool when I was a cool Senior and you but a dorky freshman.  I ALWAYS knew I could count on you for ANYTHING!!!!  I hope you had a great day and I can only hope Amelia and Ryker will be as close as we were.

\

For Pete Sakes, pull your shirt down in the back. I didn't get you a present yet and I know what I'm getting you a longer shirt!!!  Hey Abe you should be a plumber   hahahahahah, oh I'm so funny.

No but really You are the best uncle!! I love how you and Shannie love to play with my kids. Thanks for all the help and giving me a break every once in awhile!!