Passion for the piano!

Amber's passion and gift of music. Enjoy Fandango!

Tree Fort

Well, it's complete enough! Just need to re-work the ladder since my rope ladder idea makes it a bit tough. Check it out.

A view from the main floor complete with a dumb waiter (pale and rope). They hoisted some beverages up for all of us. What a blast and these are blessed times...

Moto Men and the TOC

Wanted to give some credit to the Moto Men of the ToC and my father. They have been going for 9 days and it is taking it's toll. For the sake of budget, they have been really making the transfers insane. Following the time trial, they bunked in Buellton, work early to ride to the Santa Clarita start, moto-marshalled to Pasadena, then finally road to Rancho Mirage for the final stage of the tour. Smokes, they really need to get these transfers under control! Big thanks to my father and the rest of the Moto Men out there keeping the race safe. Job very well done.

Incidentally, my dads room-mate, friend and Moto Men buddy David Walls was the Moto that took Lance down last Monday. It appears he has become the darling of France overnight...:)

Riding with Giants

Got to ride with some of the best female and male cyclists in the world - our home team Columbia High Road.

Kim Kirchen and a smiling fan.


Teutenberg, me, Amber, Jenn, Kim Andersen, and Mike.

Me, Adam Hanson (rode nearly 1/4 the ride with him) and Rudy.

Christmas Vacation

I certainly realize this blog must be late but I cannot escape the desire to share the wonderful time away during the week after Christmas. As everyone already knows, our family loves company and we general spend all of our vacations and weekends saturated with family and friends. Over the past few years, we have learned a precious opportunity to just make this one trip of the years our own and get internal with one another. This trip did not disappoint and was a ton of fun!

Day 1 - Drove straight to the town of Oakhurst near south entrance to Yosemite to a lodge known as Tenaya Lodge. This day would be the first day of 3 nights and four days on the visit. We stopped in Fresno at the REI outlet to get the kids ready for the weather and outings we were about to experience. As we drove up the hill from Oakhurst, we knew we were in store for a winter storms treat of deep new snow throughout the area. When we arrived and unpacked, we jumped into our snow clothing and ran for the outside only to pummel each other with snow balls and sled on the Lodge provided slopes in a beautiful setting. The day was topped with a tasty dinner in diner right there on site. Woops, forgot to mention the indoor pool that the kids had to hit before shower time each night! They love the pools and swimming!

Day 2 - Drove into the Yosemite Valley with to enjoy a days event of snowshoeing. The valley was empty of tourist but completely full of strikingly beautiful layers of fresh snow and a frozen winter landscape. We walked for hours and really took in Gods amazing creation. You could not help but to find yourself conversing with God and giving praise for everything He made and created. We spent the entire day there and the drive back to Oakhurst on this day was a long one since all vehicles had to have tire chains. This fact, along with inexperienced drivers along the way, made for a long way home. However, the time was precious together and the views around every corner were fantastic.

Day 3 - Drove to Badger Pass Ski Area to cross country ski. This adventure was an amazing experience and quite kid friendly. For those who know how expensive skiing is, our whole day including rentals was $60 for all of us included! We really enjoyed the back country experience and the great exercise had by all. Both Amber and Sean did great and so did the wifey. Seany boy really impressed me with his climbing skills as he constantly went to the front to make it happen... We ended the afternoon with some pizza for the kids and a tasty beer for the parents. We packed up and got down the hill to enjoy some mexican food in Oakhurst. Since this was the last night, the kids went nutso in the pool.

Day 4 - Took a scenic drive in the heart of the Merced foothills to the north bay area. We really enjoyed the run in from the Oakland area and made the coastal loop to our first destination to stop for the day at the headlands at the Golden Gate Bridge. It was an amazing view and only the second time I have seen this wonderful landmark. It was both the kids and Jenns first time. Following this stop, we drove highway one south all the way to Monterey and passed along landscape and towns I have never witnessed before. It was a treat. We landed at a beautiful hotel along the cannery row in Monterey and treated ourselves to a seafood meal before hitting the pillow for the final day of adventure.

Day 5 - Enjoyed the morning and early afternoon at the Aquarium. It was a great time had by all and the kids really learned alot about the ocean creatures. We spent most of our time trying to spot the various California halibut a the bottom of the sandy tank and all of us were just totally ready for next summers fishing trips. This is like visiting a great restaurant and looking at wonderful entrees without being able to sample them! After this we hit the car and drive three hours home and ended our wonderful time away and family retreat.

A great time indeed. We are so grateful for the blessings of these special times and adventures. Sorry it took so long to share. Life is in the way sometimes...

Ambers Communion Sunday - Jesus Conquered the Grave!

This morning I celebrated my 41st birthday with my family and children. We celebrated with a pancake breakfast and my wife treated me with an iphone accessory alarm clock stereo. A very nice surprise and something I will certainly enjoy. Thank you wifey for the surprise and very kind gift.

I also had a fantastic time at worship and celebrated something far more profound than the counted years of my life. After longing to join us at the Lords table, my daughter Amber took communion this morning, February 8, 2009. After a few tearful months prior when she asked and argued to participate, we were joyed to present this to her.

It was a precious experience as Amber and I sat together waiting for both Gods word and communion. She and I sang together and I took brief moments to whisper to her reminders Gods redeeming grace and had her repeat to me the significance of each element of both the body and the blood of Jesus. We kept repeating one of the worship songs Mighty to Save - Author of Salvation - Jesus conquered the grave! These brief words really tell a story of Gods grace and His intention to save us from the beginning. We are indeed thankful that Amber has an understanding of the gospel and understands our condition apart from Jesus our savior.

God bless you Amber and may God be with you in your journey here. We love you dearly and look forward to watching you grow in Christ.

Amberito turns 9 Today!

Amber Nicole Martin celebrates her 9th birthday this morning!

As is tradition in the last few years, I am about to walk upstairs with Seany and Mom and pray for her as she sleeps. We will wake her with sound of singing happy birthday. Sure glad she actually enjoys this...

We are so thankful for the gift of Amber. She is a great child full of life. She is doing so well in school, loves to read, play her piano, sing, and now the guitar that she is learning. This is in addition to basketball (which she rocks!), games, and countless other activitities. She is constantly moving and enjoying life every breathing minute of the day...!

We all look forward to many more birthdays together.

Time to get the pancakes rolling as well as part of the tradition.

God bless you Amber and Happy Birthday!

Seany Boy - Rocking The World Since 2003!

Seany Boy turned the age of 6 today.

We are so proud of the little man. He has really been making great efforts in school and has learned to actually do some chores in the house. Over the past week, Sean and I have spent time building a crane from his erector set - about half way through.

Sean wanted to wake early and celebrate his birthday together with a pancake breakfast. We are going to rally for Sean today to celebrate his birthday.

We love you sean. You are a delightful gift in our life and we wish you a very happy birthday this morning!

Christmas 2008 is here!

Our celebration started mid day yesterday on Christmas Eve when I left the office bound to get home and dig in with the family. It was taking some time since I just came out of several days in bed with a vicious cold virus that seemed to go one after another in a chain of events ending with yours truly. I'm better, just with a nagging cough.

Enjoyed just coming home to the kids, the wifey, the parents, and John and Donna ready for some celebration over the next 24 hours. We started with some mid day movies and hanging out and got ready for some Christmas Eve Worship Celebrations at both my fathers parish St. Patricks Church and our beloved Grace Church. St. Patricks was slammed with worshippers in their 4pm mass and there were so many folks present that I stood in the aisle with my daughter, along with my Dad, and Jenn and Sean found a seat next to the Bachmanns. Sweet message, mass, and production put on by the children of the parish. Caught up with the Bachmann Clan briefly but all very sweet to tell my dear best friend Rudy Merry Christmas along with his whole family. We were then off (in a rush) to pick up my mom, John, and Donna to run to Grace Church for family Christmas Worship.

We arrived just before 6pm and the crowds were starting to motor in. Met many families I have not met before and enjoyed hymn singing and reflecting on the birth of our savior Jesus Christ! It was great and there was some interaction time with our Pastor and our children at the front. Ended with a candle lighting and prayer. Sweet time and my heart was finally just jumping into Christmas celebration and joy. We ran home for the next phase of the celebration - Mom prepared the Christmas meal...!

All of us went across the drive and stayed at the parents with sweet fellowship, some wine tasting, and a delightful rib eye roast. Delicious meal and great time. After dinner, it was time to get the kids tucked for bed and ready for the deliveries by St. Nick. Before bed, we prayed together as family in front of the tree and enjoyed praising the birth celebration of our Lord and Savior. We were continuing with the evenings call - Jesus is the light of the world! Kids we're stashed into bed by 10pm and then Jenn and I just enjoyed some time together before crashing for the early morning wake up.

I crawled out of bed before 6am and made some coffee just enjoying the peace of the morning and the true significance of our Christmas celebration. Just about the time I began to pour some fresh brew, my daughter Amber sprang down the stairs with the most genuine smile and joy ready asking to approach the tree where the gifts were waiting. We both agreed to wait until the balance of the family joined and it did not take long for Amber to make the rounds of wake up calls including walking to across the drive to wake the balance of the group. Presents were opened at will and the kids were delighted as well as some of adults. Jenn and I for the first year elected to gift the balance of the family but not ourselves and it did not change the joy of the morning celebration at all.

We generally lazed around all morning and just enjoyed the day. We finally made a road trip up the coast just to get out. We saw some beautiful coast line and some elephant seals. Just good times together. We are home as I write this making some burritos and again ready for some more rest.

God is faithful in our lives. We have so much to be thankful for. And the whole beginning of the Gospel in the birth of Jesus can actually be overwhelming if you let it... Overwhelming with joy and total appreciation!

Merry Christmas to all! Jesus is the light of the world!

God bless you all.

Daughter of Jacob

When you say it this way, it sounds a little scripture like...

Meet my great niece Sienna. She has her mothers eyes and her fathers nose and lips. She is a beautiful little girl.

My sister, Jacobs mom, recently visited and sent us this picture. Jacob and his wife Jillian are doing well in the new home of Portland, OR.

Share the Road

Share the road with family and friends!

Enjoyed a ride with my family this weekend on the road. Sean, Debbie, Donna, Mom, Dad, and myself enjoyed a 35 mile ride essentially around the vineyard areas of Orcutt and back along the beach and home. Great little clip and so encouraged with my parents health and joy in cycling. Everyone in this group has been riding most of their lives and it really shows.

Took a picture from the back of the group as we were pedaling 21mph with both parents in the line.

Great time together this weekend.

Thanksgiving

Much to be very thankful. Thank you Father for your bounty, blessings, mercy and grace!

Enjoyed a great Thanksgiving day at my sister Tammys house and she and her husband Brad treated us to a fabuous dinner feast. Great fellowship and we even took the time to read the Proclamation of Thanksgiving of 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. It was great to listen and share the reason for the nations holiday and he mentioned God no less than 4 times to my knowledge. Crazy how our public policy has changed over time. Great time with family...

The balance of the weekend was great and we spent 2 days erecting the kids long awaited tree fort. They have been reminding me daily that it needs to be done. Well - about 75% there and we need to side it, finish roof sheating, and other trims/paint. It was a great time to show the kids fruits of labor, simple carpentry, and working together as a team. Loved it...

Sean and Amber helping to secure bracing... Safety first!

Amber has her eye protection on and appropriate flip flop attire... Wacking the nail!

View of the deck through the door. Cannot show the balance until it's complete so stay tuned... Kids are loving it already.

Big Blue

Sean and the rest of his Loredo Pals. Cool Pic.

Blue Ninjas

AYSO completed the regional finals this weekend. 4 games in one weekend! The weather was in the 90's and we had mainly day games so it was time to stay hydrated.

Amber's team Blue Ninjas almost took a very close fought victory and ended up second place within the region. It was their first loss of the season. Amazing!

Regardless of the second, they took first in effort and attitude and we are thankful for the experience of the loss in light of the continuous record. We appreciate any place in this sport and thankful for the lessons of wins and losses (albeit AYSO does not make this a point).

We are thankful for the coaches and the young ladies who gave it their all. God Bless them all!

Tooth Puller

Seany boy yanked on his first tooth. Just a few days later, yanked the next. The boy has no fear in this regard...

Morning Sun at Refugio

Woke early before the sun came up. Prayed a bit while making coffee before everyone woke. God is perfect in revealing His majesty and beautiful handiwork.

Jenn joined me just before the sun came up. Enjoyed some great time with family and friends.

The Opener

Rudy treated me and Juda to a dive trip to Santa Cruz Island the first day of the Lobster season. The experienced folks call it "the opener." Met Rudy at 5am to load and drive his boat to Santa Barbara Harbor and made the channel crossing to Santa Cruz Island. Thankful for maps, compass, charts, and GPS since we were in total fog until we reached the island. It took approximately 1:15 since there was moderate chop on the water.

Cap'n Rudy at the helm with a very accurate land in fog on the north end of SC.

We arrived on the north end of the island and immediately found a spot, anchored, and jumped in. Rudy dove with me and we spent time exploring this edge for over an hour on the first dive. It was an amazing experience.

First Dive spot. Note the beautiful and shear rock faces and kelp forests. The caves are were the bugs are.

Our first dive was awesome and Rudy really showed me the ropes. Between a dive depth of 20-50 feet at various areas, we saw Calico Bass, a few lobster (I missed it...), crabs, and many other sea creatures. It was amazingly beautiful and full of color and adventure.

Rudy and Juda suited up while I ran a live boat for better dive access.

Rudy in his ocean element. Look at the smile!

Judas monster bug!

Yours truly took the run home. I was pretty off the return run in the fog but not too bad.

Finished and ready for the drive home. Rudys boat is one amazing craft and very sea worthy. The SB Channel has its reputation and this boat can handle some very nasty seas.

Pictures in the live well.

Well, not so live. Dinner table the following night! Tasty buggers!

Really enjoyed my first California opener. Between myself, Rudy and Juda, 17 total bugs on the trip. I was not much help to these experienced lobstermen since they both limited out. Time and experience will kick in and make me more productive. Looking forward to more dives and ocean runs with Rudy.

City to Sea

Jenn, along with many friends, participated in the City to Sea Half Marathon this weekend. The event entailed heading to SLO town early in the morning for the downtown start and running 13.1 miles to the beach. It was a sunny day with mild winds but uncharacteristically very cold at 33 degrees at 7am. They all looked cold but appeared to immediately warm up at the start. The group ran from SLO town to the beach at Dinosaur Caves Park in Shell Beach.

Jenn finishing the final 50 yards with the Sea in the background.

From L to R: Christina (niece), Jenn aka wifey, Nicole Shipley, Lindsey Cheney, Katie Ernstrom, Joy Newman, and Jenn Collins.

Very proud of the wifey with her hard work and encouraging attitude towards the challenge. She and and all her friends did a great job. Congratulations to Jennifer and the rest of the group.

Riders of the Storm

Hello,

Update on my dive trip. This is our second day on the boat. We had great diving on the first day on an island 15 miles north of Loreto. We shot lots of fish and have slot of fish to take home. I shot mostly red and yellow snapper. Today we woke up to cloudy skies and we are near the northern edge of the hurricane. We did one dive this morning then headed for shelter due to the swell. The diving was still good with visibility to 50 -60 feet.

Talk to you all soon!

Sean Martin

A message from my brother Sean in the path of Norbert in Loreto, Baja. Norbert is a fully developed hurricane with 73-100 mph sustained winds. Sean and his crew are living it out in the sea with this monster going over the top of them. They have anchored close to shore in a protected cove and riding it out...

Seany - The Little Warrior

After much discussion about bows and arrows, Sean finally got his wish. We went to Farm Supply and outfitted Sean with a junior level bow and arrow. Make no bones about it, he has the real tools of a warrior and he is all about it...

Sean in action - look at the form!

Sean really enjoys seeing results of his work and discipline. Not bad...

Sean is learning discipline in safety around weapons, tools, and other similar things in the outdoors and his dads garage. Taking the time to teach him to use tools, hands, and other things that are a lost art in the households. He loves knives but he is not old enough to handle them safely. Soon he will be able to and wittle on wood around the camp site like we all did.

Good job lil man!