Missing Martins

We are back here in Idaho. After spending a loooong visit with the Martins, from mid-December to mid-April, we had to return to Rexburg. Shea was able to transfer to the Olive Garden in Frederick, MD and worked while we stayed there. We saved up some money and got to visit our favorite east coasters! But we returned back so Shea could finish up dreaded school, he recently took a break from school so we could save up some money and plan for Baby Bella! Now we are finally settled and enjoying Rexburg Spring, more to come on that later, for now...

Here is a little recap in pictures of our favorite times, at the Martins:

Connor being a little mimic.

 Making snowmen.

 Playing Castle.

 Snuggling with Uncle Joe.

 Loving the bumbo.

 Backyard Smores.

Smiling at Nana.

Making Messes.

 Falling in love with Veggie Tales.

  Becoming a ThumbSucker.

 Walking to Way Cool Ice Cream.

 Hunger Games, First Day Die Hards!

Laughing with two littles. 

 Welcoming Spring.

 Naptimes with Auntie AM!

 Rice Cereal Beginner.

 Matching Nails.

 Lunch with the Girls.

 Neighborhood Playground.

 Grandpa and his Magic Bella Sleep Pats.

Strong Uncle Joe and his buddy Con. 

 Rocking to RockBand.

 Learning to escape the Car Seat after Naps.

Uncle Daniel teaching him to say his favorite word, DANIEL. 

 Giving Kisses.

 Making wild faces.

 Liking her new shoes.

 Avoiding the Camera.

 Hugs.

Saying Goodbye is never fun.

We miss the Martins, especially ME. I am a family magnet and it is hard for me to be away. I am doing much better now. But after the trip back it was dreadful. Missing home and family is no fun. Connor and Bella got to spend lots of time getting to know their east coast family, and Connor likes skyping with them and making them laugh. Even hundreds of miles away we are still keeping up on each others daily lives.

Loving and Missing you Martins!

Easter

Excerpt from First Presidency Message

“Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.

“The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, ‘If a man die, shall he live again?’ To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth. …

“My beloved brothers and sisters, in our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’”

We spent our Easter weekend with the Martins:

Making Easter Treats, 

Egg Nests

Dying Easter Eggs,

Going to Church Easter Sunday,

Discovering Easter Baskets, 

Easter Egg Hunting

Meeting the Animals

Monday we took a family trip, with the Martins to the Catoctin Zoo. It is a smaller zoo that is closer and we thought the kids would enjoy.

Amberlee

Shea and Bells 

Family Smiles

Koi Pond

Koi Fish Watching

We saw lots of animals. From giraffes to alligators. Connor loved saying "Hi!" to the birds. The giant reptile house, was not our favorite. I personally like snakes so it was kinda fun. But it was dark and a little smelly inside so it frightened our poor boy. As we entered he grimaced, we had to be quick and he was very relieved to see the sun outside when we left. The monkeys were crazy and we got to see a whole show about them. It was a tad scary. And VERY loud! Con got a little scared. 

We were impressed with all the big cats, they were a lot closer than were used to and they were pretty active. 

Lion Watching

Strolling

Being ADORABLE the whole time. ALL smiles!

Tigers

Wolves

Of course Connor's favorite part was the petting zoo. They had goats, deer, pigs, rams, llamas, and sheep. Connor couldn't have been happier, he was so excited to feed them, and pet them he would do a little excited squeal every time. 

(A couple of our friends that followed us around wanting food.)

After the Zoo trip we were famished. So we went to a local Martin hot spot. We always went here when I was growing up, if we were hitting the Catoctin mountains for anything. It is called the Cozy Inn. It houses a Camp David Museum and a cool mural of the presidents, along with a garden and fish pond. The Cozy Inn is the oldest family restaurant in the state of Maryland. And it has a whole bunch of history to go with it including housing the Secret Service for the President at times. Anyway it was fun seeing the place again.

Grapes were his favorite part of the meal.

Bella watched us eat and was eager to join in. 

Wishing well wishing

Walking along the mural

It was a good day!