Suited up

The Martin men in their snappy dress.  Seany boy's first suit....

Ambers Musical 2011 - Camp Will-A-Mocky

Amber had the privilege to participate in the leading role of Megan Riley in the traditional musical show Camp Will-A-Mocky.  It is a story where children are impacted by the love of Christ and it transforms them into lives different from how they were.  Amber's part as Megan could not be a bigger contrast from how she is in real life.  Megan is a princess, full of selfishness and pride.  Amber does a great job in playing the part for sure.

So glad she loves the performing arts.  It helps that she has been blessed with the desire to sing, dance, and be willing to go in front of a crowd.  Thankful for the Saint Pat's teachers and staff who made this night possible. Also, thankful for the wifey's work in setting up the background set.

Enjoy this clip.  Wait for the singing - its worth it.

Happy Birthday Dear Mother.  You are one amazingly lady at the age of 69!

The family and I had the pleasure to dine at the Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos, Ca.  Started with some pea soup, and then some amazing flatbread pizza.  Pepperoni, prosciutto, potato, egg, onion, avocado, and many other goodies on the flatbread for our delight.

The desserts were over the top!  Brownies, creme brulee, and date ice cream...

It was an awesome time tonight and seeing my parents so encouraged in the time together.  Had a great time together tonight. 

Jenn caught the wine in the foreground of the picture with the label of Kummu - meaning family.  Perfect wine for the time...  God bless you mom and happy birthday.

Romance and Bromance!

Pinch me!  Living the dream in a big way.  Had the opportunity to hit the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains this past weekend for a long overdue fishing trip with my brother in law.  To my delight, we also got to mix it up with our wives on this brief trip since they decided to jump on to our once established "guys" trip.  What a time indeed.  It was extra special to have my wife with me on a fishing trip...

(The romance!  The wifey enjoying the hotel creekside - she snowboarded the next morning)

We all stayed in Bishop, CA and enjoyed a beautiful creekside setting in our accomodations.  Jenn took advantage of some rest, reading, running, and wine sampling for the day until I got back from fishing.  We enjoyed some food and time together that evening.  It was awesome to see her just enjoy some quiet time before hitting the slopes the next day.  She is such a trooper to let me run in the outdoors and do my thing...  

We fished the east Walker River approximately 50 miles north of Mammoth Lakes under the instruction and guidance of Dave Neal of Mammoth Lakes, CA.  This is the second time I have had the fortune to be under his guidance and care in his backyard playground and business office.  Dave's experience and care did not dissappoint.  We fished our tails off for 2 full days along the miracle mile and landed some fine and fat German Brown trout along with an occassional football sized Rainbow trout.

John and I are close and he is definitely considered one of my brothers.  Fishing has been a big connection between us both and this time brought back memories that are precious.  The time was simply magical and full of fun.  I look forward to more times with John on the water and hooking 'em up!

(Both of us with full blown grins!)

(Check out the color of this fish John caught - he slayed 'em the first day!)

(John, Dave Neal, and yours truly - celebratory beers for the bromance!)  

Dave is the real deal.  He fit in just like a long time friend.  He is a cycling guy, outdoors guy, and loves his family - he fits right in... We loved hearing his experience in both life and fishing and really enjoyed his local mountain knowledge.  John and I decided we are going to treat ourselves at least once per year under his guidance and make him a family friend.  I highly recommend Dave should you be in Mammoth for fishing.  His website and blog is attached at http://flyfishingmammoth.typepad.com/fly_fish_with_dave_neal/ and www.reelmammothadventures.com.

This last photo was taken on the first day of the trip and I hooked up for the first time.  It was nothing short of awesome.  Fishing takes me back to so many childhood memories.  I am thankful that I have many close friends and brothers such as John who have helped me enjoy the outdoors.  My mom and dad made it a priority to be in the outdoors and I am truly grateful for this.  I look forward to handing this tradition on to my dear children Amber and Sean.  I enjoyed taking in the landscape and this mountain wonderland.  God is the ultimate artist in His creation.  I am grateful and humbled to play and experience the wonders of His creation and His creatures.  Thank you God for these precious times and joyful memories.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created though him and for him - Col. 1:16.

God created fishing for his Glory and I get to share in it!  Thanks for reading.

MDO RUN

Sean and I had an hour of fun at MDO mid day.  The families visited MDO and Sean and I burned out 6 miles of fun mountain running.  Rained the whole time on us even if it was misting.  Spotted two other runners at the trail intersections and they were trying to gain on us on ascent.  Sean and I dusted them on the ridge (they gained on us just before Hazards Peak) and they never got any closer.  Kind of like the old adventure racing days - just go man!

Awesome time.  Gods handiwork in those mountains are amazing.  Our Creator gave us some joy in our legs and in His landscape.  Praise God!

(on the descent to Spooners Cove in the background)

Hey Batter Batter Batter - Swing Batter!

Sean's first day at bat.  Not bad for his first time!  Three base hits and he brought in 2 RBI's before the games end.  Sweet!

Photo Booth Fun!

There was a novel and fun treat and Kyle and Megans wedding reception - A photo booth.

I like top hats.  Sean's zoolander is perfect with green bow in tact!

So much fun...

A Life Milestone!

A dream has come true!  My 11 year old daughter Amber road her first road bike today!  Her grandmother was generous in giving her a bike that the family and I presented her for Christmas in 1997.  Kind of like an heirloom.

Cycling activities has been a cornerstone for life adventures and fitness in the Martin family well over 25 years.  Welcome to the tradition my daughter - be safe and enjoy this wonderful adventure in life.

It was awesome and almost tearful for Jenn and I.  In our family, it is kind of like the experience of watching them first walk.  And I am pretty serious about that...

Praise God for this time in life...

Lessons in patience!

Have you built a model in a while?  Yes, complete with kits, instructions, glue, paint, etc.  And yes, with drying time and continuous steps as if it will take forever...

Sean is building a WWII Sptifire War Plan and Amber a Red Ferrarri!

Seany boy and Amber are learning this fundamental life lesson.  In the day of instant gratification, we are excercising craftmenship, patience, and working together in a vision.  I do this all the time, on minor and grand scales and it is a delight to see how they view the details, one step at a time...

So cool to spend these precious little slots of life together. 

Go Celtics!

Amber has shown promise in basketball.  She loves the sport, has a deadly shot, and her passion for team sports is growing.

Last summer, the St. Patrick School coach asked Jenn and I if we would allow Amber to play on the 7th grade basketball team.  Amber is currently in 5th grade.  After some counseling with the coach, we gave the decision our blessing.  Since then, there is no dissapointment in the decision.

Amber is the second 5th grader in recent St. Pats history to be moved up.  Coach belives she shows promise and dedication and wanted to extend greater growth and opportunity.  So far, it has been a delight to watch our 10 year old (now 11 since Jan.) wake early (545a), pack her food and clothing for the day, and hit the gym for drills and learning.  She is holding her own on the court and learning constantly.  We did not know how competetive local girls basketball is!

Amber getting her shot off!  She has her trade mark jaw drop!

Amber driving to set up.  Coach Burt sitting to Amber's right and assistanct Coach Horace Grant at her left!  Trust many of you know who Horace is...

So Grateful for the coaching staff and the supportive young ladies on the team.  Moving forward in this journey of faith and adventure that the Lord provides.  Praise God for this adventure!

Go Amber - mom and dad love you and support you!

Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach

This place did not disappoint.  Very kid friendly, less than half the price of admission to Monterey Bay, and you could touch many marine animals including sharks!

Beautiful December day and this old tug boat community sure has cleaned up...

The harbor has changed alot over the years - beautiful December day!

Lots of little sharks and rays to pet.  They came to you like little cats for a quick scratch...  Very cool.

Our resident marine biologist and family shark expert.  The little man named nearly all the ten sharks in this tank precisely.  So really cool.  Sawfish in the background.  Have you ever heard of a zebra shark?  There were a bunch!

You need to make a plan to go there!

Reagan Library

The family visited the Reagan Library on a recent trip.  It was awesome.  Much of the library had some amazing exhibits and jarred back a lot of memories as a child with President Reagan.

Like all leaders and people, he had flaws, but my memories of him we're very favorable.  I adored this man back in the day...

Much to visit here, I highly recommend it...

Signs of freedom - this is a section of the Berlin wall.  Freedom and democracy was his mission.

Airforce One - we toured this area in and out.  It was an amazing piece of equipment and you could see the timelines and history of his travels for expanding his mission.

The family in front of vintage 80's Kawazaki motorcycle - my dad rode the exact model during his time in LAPD motors!

Great trip - Praise God for the experience.

Eleven in 2011!

Amber turned eleven!  This precious jewel is such a joy.  We love her zeal for the life that God gave her - our singer, athlete, and academic.  We are having a blast watching her grow.

Happy Birthday my dear daughter - we all love you very much!

Crazy Eight!

Seany boy turned another number this morning.  Tradition was held this morning.  Prayed over him as a family as he slept at 0630, only to awaken him with a happy birthday greeting.  Only kids could love that treatment and tradition...

Finished the morning birthday tradition with cowboy style pancakes with a candled light!

He is about to take on the day - with a new basketball, a new surfboard bag, and leash.  The man is equipped!

I thank the Lord greatly for this gift in our lives.  Thank you God for the privilege.

Bless you son and Happy 8th Birthday!

Family Stability

This photo is one of our favorites.  This is a drift on the Colorado last June during one of our family adventures.  It is my hope and prayer that the Lord always keeps these two close and reliant on one another in so manny of life's journey.  Got to treat family like paddling a kayak.  Kayaks, when operated solo are fun but can be unstable.  When 2 kayaks are together (see Ambers hand), they stay together and are far more stable.  A little lesson to think about...

Celebration of her life - Jeanette R. Martin

Jeanette R. Martin, my grandmother, and mother to my father passed from this world on November 12, 2010.

Grandma was born in Georgia in 1918 almost the same day and month of her passing in 2010.  She was one child of a large family including two brothers (Gerald and Earnest) and four sisters (Lorraine, Cora Lee, Julia, and Annie Mae).  She was the last living sibling.

Among several places her life may have taken her, I have knowledge of several that included my father in Las Vegas in 1946, Minneosota in 1952, and later her permenant residence in Vestavia Hills, Alambama (near Birmingham).  This is where I always considered their home.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert Martin, her son Jeffery Davis Martin, and daughter Kaye Hodge in addition to their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Daugther Kay and son Jeffery

Attending grandchildren:  Donna, Deeane, Sean, and Athesia

We are blessed in the love and care the Hodge family has extended to our grandparents in these later years and thankful for them.

As we all greive at this time in her passing, let us have peace that she knew and loved the Lord.  By knowledge of her faith in Jesus Christ, we are encouraged to know that she is with the Lord and her soul is at rest.  May we all stand comforted in Gods word in which Paul reminds us "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain...having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better (Phillipians 1:21-23). 

May God bless all of you and give you peace.

Sierra Summer Vacation 2010

The mountains have always had a special place in my heart.  Especially this region that we visited in the Sierra Nevadas in the upper foothills of Plumas and Sierra Counties.  These places shaped my life as a young man, let my heart soar as I trekked into the woods day after day with my brother, sisters, mom and dad.  I'm now living the same experiences with the only change being the dad.

We did so much, experienced so much, and had a blast!

Fishing, horseback, climbing atop big mountains, and the kids really stretched themselves in ways I thought not possible for such young children. 

Check the flickr site adjacent in recent photos for more pictures!!!

Few notables:

• Sleeping in a Walmart parking lot (really!).
• Grabbing coffee in Nevada City before the run up the 49.
• Fishing in Downieville at the same ol trustworthy spot and landing almost 10 fish or more within the first 30 minutes!  Seany really hooked them up.
• Watching Amber pan for gold and getting a nugget (really!)
• Sleeping along the river.
• Listening to bears wrestle outside the tent, sleeping horribly, but loving every minute of it.
• Climbing atop the Sierra Buttes with the kiddos.
• Flyfishing with the kids just before dinner at Packer Lake.
• Taking my kids to the same ice cream joint I visited at their same age.
• Quality time with the wifey!
• Meeting strangers everyday and hanging out in campground settings.
• Swimming at the pond.
• Driving to Tahoe and Mammoth the last few days.
• Fishing, fishing, and more fishing!
• Riding horseback with the family.
• Road time and seeing the world!

Thanks be to God for these amazing times and to enjoy His glory in the mountain landscape!

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery and Diane Martin 50th Wedding Anniversary

Image credit:  my sister Cheryl (good job!)

We are very grateful to God for the blessing of their marriage and commitment to us all.  Even through all the storms of life, careers, life changes, and circumstances, their commitment to marriage has set an example for so many. 

Congratulations and many blessings to you both.  We love you guys and appreciate the time we get to spend together!

May God continue to bless you both and this family.

Cannel Plunge 2010

Before playing the video, hit the expand video button for full screen...

This is video of Sean's organized 2010 Cannel Plunge Ride in Kernvillle, CA.  See other posts for the survival ride on the same course in 2008.

Good job Sean and the rest of your crew!

Watch it all the way through with the music and still photos...

This Video Fires Me Up!

My Pastor recently posted this video.  It fires me up and speaks volumes...!

Does it grab you as well?