Happy Birthday!!

This post is our economical way of celebrating my dad (aka "Pops") on his special day. "Pa", as he is most commonly called these days, happens to be the greatest dad on this planet. I say this with a very full heart as he has sacrificed a LOT of time helping John and I get our house into shape. Dad is always willing to help someone in need, family or otherwise. I don't know how many times I have called on him to help me with tasks, big and small. He gladly does it even though he would much rather be golfing. :)

As the baby of the family, I have always felt that I was Dad's "little girl". He has the greatest sense of humor and perfectly clever wit which makes him great fun to be around. I'm certain that Dad has to be the funniest guy on this planet. I knew that Dad would support me in anything that I wanted to do, whether it was sports or music. He was at my games and taught me how to enjoy the game and better myself. There were many nights that I remember going to our church to shoot free throws and play around. To this day, I don't think that my Dad ever lost in a free throw shooting contest. Maybe we need a rematch?

I remember once in high school wanting to go home from school early. I don't remember the reason, whether I wasn't prepared for something, or didn't want to see someone, but I called Dad and he came to pick me up, no questions asked. And do you know what we did? He took me to McDonalds! (Yes, we could make some sentimental commercial about that event! By the way, McDonalds is to my Dad as Disneyland is to a two-year old-- the happiest place on Earth!) I always felt like I could talk to my dad, and he wouldn't judge me or reprimand me. He would listen and often make me feel better just because of his optimism and good humor.

I am proud of my dad for all that he has accomplished. He has seen some tough times, but I have always seen him persevere and learn from what life had to throw at him. I have learned countless lessons from the example that he has set for me. He is one of the hardest working and most giving men I know. I am so grateful to be his daughter. I could go on and on, but my daughter wants me and I want to get this posted while it is still actually his birthday...

I love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!

(I was wishing that I had the brain freeze picture on my computer, but I didn't... You got lucky!)

I AM THE BIGGEST SLACKER PADDY WHACKER KNOWN TO MAN

I think that the title says enough. I have not blogged simply because there is no time. John and I are crazy enough to decide to put our house up on the market. We have pages upon pages of to-do lists, and I feel like we've hardly made a dent. Fortunately, my parents have come to save us (for the second time) and we are hopeful that we can finally get things put together before too long. We are not overly optimistic that it'll sell fast (and maybe not at all), but we're hopeful nonetheless. It's a win/win for us. Either the house will sell and we'll be able to get a bigger home for our family, or it won't sell and we'll have a practically new home here! (We've got new paint and new carpet and new decor-- I'm loving it!) So, if you wonder why you don't hear from me, assume that it's because this house is driving me mad!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY BABY!!!!!!

I just wanted to wish my sweetheart a Happy 30th Birthday!!!! I love you so much and am so lucky to have you as my wife. The last 5 1/2 years have been the best of my life. You are such a wonderful wife and mother. I can't wait to spend the rest of eternity with you!! You are the best!! WE LOVE YOU!

Love,

John, Daniel and Rachel

When it rains, it pours...

I may not be the most regular blogger, but I try to make up for it with triple and quadruple postings. :) (In other words, I have new blogs posted underneath this one...) Nothing much has been going on in our neck of the woods. Now that our kids are recovered, we are ready for it to get warm again so we can go out and play! I am more than sick of indoor activities, so if you have any swell ideas, send them my way!

In the meantime, here are some more cute pics of the kids. Enjoy grandma and grandpa Martineau and Tomlinson!

My water babies

I can't get enough of my naked babes. I love to snuggle them after they get out of their bath when they're fresh as a daisy. Daniel also enjoys the feeling of freedom because he dumps the towel and runs around screaming, "Daniel running the wee-wee" (interpreted as "Look at me, I'm running around naked!") These kids could spend all day long in the tub, and sometimes I let them. Here's some pics to show off their pure delight...

Poor sick kids...

I hate having sick kids. There is nothing worse than feeling helpless as they burn up with fever or moan from their aches and pains. Rachel was supposed to have her surgery last week, but it was a no-go due to her illness. The doctor diagnosed both kids as having severe ear infections. This was my first experience with ear infections, which I'm grateful for because I know that some kids have tons. It was heartbreaking, though, and I'm glad that they're better now. :)

My top eights... Yeah, I did it!

I am so not a slacker-- look at me! :) By the way, my husband is sitting here watching me type this up, so my answers might be slightly altered...

8 TV shows I love to watch:
(I feel like this is some sort of confessional...)

1. The Biggest Loser
2. House
3. Lost
4. The Bachelor (I really like this Jason dude, so sue me!)
5. Criminal Minds
6. The Amazing Race
7. American Idol/So You Think You Can Dance
8. Anything Food Network

8 Places I love eating at:
(I am recalling days pre-baby... Oh, how I miss those days)

1. Goodwood
2. Costa Vida (Cafe Rio for the Utahns...)
3. Olive Garden
4. Red Lobster
5. Winger's
6. Macaroni Grill
7. Beto's (24 hour Mexican food joint-- Provo got me hooked, and now they're here. Yippee!)
8. Anything Thai

8 Things that happened yesterday:

1. Found a peeping tom outside my window. Quite literally. I was lucky to be clothed, or else they would have had quite a show... :) (I'm just teasing you, Scooby-Doo)
2. Had Family Home Evening with the family... That consisted of scripture reading, songs, and goodies... I love family time.
3. Went grocery shopping and fortunately the store still had one of those Cozy Coupe grocery carts left. Phew!
4. Made some yummy desserts to deliver to family/friends
5. Watched "The Bachelor" while wishing that ABC would get rid of hot tubs and pools for their shows.
6. Wiped runny noses, medicated fevers, changed diapers, and cuddled with my poor sick little kids.
7. FINALLY finished a journal entry that got me all caught up. It covered 4 months; I've had it MUCH worse...
8. Made grilled ham/cheese and soup for dinner. Nothing to write home about...

8 Things that I love about winter:

1. Cuddling in my blankies
2. LOOKING at snow-- oh, how pretty
3. Watching the kids get so excited to see snow
4. Christmas time and everything that comes with it
5. Soups-- I'd have soup for dinner every night if John would let me
6. Hot Cocoa with lots of marshmallows and whipped cream
7. Wearing "Homey G's". I actually don't know what they're called... Winter hats? Ski hats? I dubbed them "Homey G's" at BYU and it's stuck with me. If you know the real name, let me know...
8. The start of a new year and resolving to be/do better than the year before

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Going to bed soon. Having sick kids doesn't make sleep very easy. (As I write this, John is sleeping right next to me... Apparently, he is a wee-bit sleep deprived. Maybe I should alter some of my answers above now that he's not watching...) :)
2. Seeing my parents for the Girls State Basketball Championships... (GO SODA!)
3. Heading to Utah to see family and friends (It feels like FOREVER since we've been there...) Let me know who has a couch to sleep on! Our Chateau le Tomlinson has moved, so we're in a pickle.
4. Rachel's 1st, Daniel's 3rd, John's 29th, and my new big fat age birthday
5. Organizing my house (this has been needing to happen for the past three years)
6. Going camping this summer
7. Having picnics in the park
8. Living happily ever after with my sweet family

8 People that I tag:

Oh, the pressure! I will tag anyone who happens to see this tag. I am an Equal Opportunity Tagger. :)


I love chocolate...

My trip to Cali...

Oh, how I love California! I wish that we could visit more often because we always have a fabulous time when we go down. We flew down Christmas morning (I know, we are crazy...) and stayed until New Years Day. There was lots of fun and relaxation and partying-- everyone had a blast! The main event of the vacation was celebrating the 65th birthday of John's Dad. This was the first time that all seven kids were together with their families since John got home from his mission! It was wonderful! Here are some pics of our time there, including a FREEZING trip to the beach, park fun, family partying and flow-riding (John's brother, Gary, hooked us up in Lindsay, CA). Good times.

You might notice that John and I still think that we're 18 years old. After we "flowrode", I hurt. And I'm talking about pain that I never believed existed (and I have had two children-- one naturally, for Pete's sake!). For some reason we turn into teenagers when we get to Cali. I love it!

Merry Christmas Card...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Tomlinson Christmas letter has been a tradition for years. Each Christmas I carefully plan the content and prepare extensive lists to make sure that everyone is included. This year, I am pooped. I am going to save both time AND money (and who doesn’t need to be saving money right now!) by sending out our first annual E-Christmas card! I hope that receiving this letter via email doesn’t tarnish the sentiment enclosed. It’s just our way of financially (and psychologically) keeping the tradition alive… Enjoy!

What a whirlwind this year has been! The highlight was the birth of our daughter, Rachel Brooke, on June 26th. She is absolutely beautiful and brings such a joy into our home. Rachel’s favorite things are her brother (she ADORES him—truly!), cooing, rolling over, TV (she cranes her head to find the TV anytime it’s on), and growling like a tiger. We feel so incredibly blessed to be her parents and hope that we can protect her from her “loving” big brother before any serious accidents occur.

Daniel is a whirlwind in and of himself! He is 2 ½ years old and keeps both mom and dad constantly on their toes (and in a protective stance—he has a tendency to pounce without any warning… ask John!). He talks up a storm. I don’t know where he learns half of the things that he talks about, which is kind of scary. He sings and jumps and somersaults and dances and flips and dives and then does it all over again. Daniel is one fun kid and lights up our hearts. He loves being a big brother, even though that means he has to give Rachel some “tough love”. They’re quite a pair and I love seeing them together.

John has had a busy year! He went from Channel 2, to DBSI (a commercial real estate company), to the Idaho Transportation Department. He really loves the job—suspending the licenses of drunks. Who wouldn’t love that?? He gets to use his Spanish every once in a while, which is a nice perk as well. He is serving in the Elders’ Quorum Presidency, which has been an incredible blessing for our family. John is an amazing husband and incredible father to the kids. They adore him nearly as much as I.

I get to hang out with my kids every day. How lucky am I? They are my full-time job. My house is usually a mess, and dinner is never gourmet, but I know that I won’t have my babies forever, so I’m soaking it all in. (That’s what I tell myself so that I don’t feel guilty when the house is a disaster and we’re eating spaghetti for the fourth night in a row.) I serve as the Compassionate Service leader in our ward. I love the calling and I’m learning a lot. I feel incredibly blessed to be a mother and to have so many tremendous people in my life.

Happy holidays to each of you! We hope that this Christmas season is full of joy and peace.

Love, the Tomlinsons

Disco Inferno!

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