We are community....

Our closest Starbucks has recently remodeled. One of the great things about this one is that it features artwork from our kids' former elementary school. The Art Specialist there was a kindergarten teacher when we were a Sabin family. Chris Lamp does an amazing job with those kids. Original artwork and prints are for sale there.

Sign of the times...

Ever since Cherise went on a mission trip to South Central Los Angels and was introduced to Krispy Kreme doughnuts, our family has periodically stopped to pick up a dozen. We especially enjoyed the perk of getting a "free hot doughnut" when the sign outside read "HOT NOW". A couple of years ago to save money they would give 1/4 of a doughnut as their "freebie". Shortly after that they re-instated the whole doughnut give-away.

We stopped by there other night...drawn by that neon beacon. Alas no free doughnuts. The girl acted like she had no idea what we were talking about. Sad.

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's"

In the case of these specific taxes it's going to be: give whatever is Krystle's back to Krystle.

Whenever we have to pay a tax bill we wait until the last moment to get the $ sent out. But Krystle reminded me a couple weeks ago that she needed to get her taxes filed. I ended up doing them this morning. Nothing like last minute! Thank God for online forms and fast internet. I would not have been happy to schlep out to the post office to pick up forms at 5:30 this morning. Do they even carry the forms at the post office anymore?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Philippians 4:7-9

There are a couple of large planters outside of our remodeled Starbucks. Aren't they pretty?

We aren't as involved in community doings as we were when our older kids were in school.

But there is a large percentage of people from our neighborhood that gather for fellowship at St Arbucks. Sometimes we join them.

A mini field trip

Harlan asked me yesterday, "You spend so much time at the computer... Why don't you update your blog more than once a week?" Good question! I think I just purposed to post at least once a week, so it turned out that I saved photos and such for the weekend.

Just looked at the number of blog posts over the past years. I used to post much more often and had shorter posts. So I will try to post more often but when life gets super hectic it may be just once a week...

Had a mini field trip yesterday with my local grandkids. Their mom had an appointment so I grabbed them and hauled them with me to shop a bit.

It was a beautiful sunny day!

They are busy busy children... but we were in a pretty much confined area so I let them look at everything and got my camera out.

I didn't buy anything from the garden center but that is definitely on my to do list in the next couple of weeks.

I did get to buy a few cute things for those cute little ones though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I swiped this next picture from some that Cherise sent me yesterday

so I'd have a picture of 3 more grandchildren on this post.

"As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children’s children,

to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments."

Psalm 103:15-18

Cherise turned 26, Naomi turned ?? & Wyatt turned "6"! !

Cherise is 26 years old! Happy Day!

I failed to update my blog with a birthday post for Cherise on April 5th. :(

I didn't forget her birthday, or fail to wish her a happy one, just didn't mention it here so now I have!

Kiel Cherise and Henry were at their house for Easter weekend and her birthday so we have to have some sort of outing the next time they are in Portland.

Birthday Boy

Six years ago on April 7th our first grandson,

Wyatt Earl Martin,

was born in Bozeman, MT.

He was at our house on Wednesday to celebrate his birthday.

He was so cute opening all his presents, thanking the giver, and posing with each one.

Joylynn and Jess gave Wyatt a new pair of pajamas and Wyatt himself, gifted each of his sisters with a pair. What a nice idea. This is a great picture of their whole family. Can you see little #4 in the form of the baby bump?

Another Birthday!

Har's sister Naomi shares a birth date with Cherise. It seems in a large family there are often birthday buddies. Naomi is also Cherise's godmother so that works out great!

Mike and Naomi were in town this week for a few days. We spent a few brief minutes with them. Long enough to get a photo of the "kissing Aunt" (as Courtney's boyfriend as dubbed her) in action. Cute!

Eagle Scout Nuttelman

Our friend, David, earned his Eagle Scout status and there was a ceremony honoring that fact on Saturday. It was really nice to see a some old friends there.

I'm happy you let us be there to see the pride that your folks have in you.

We are proud too.

Some Randomness:

I rarely get photos of Krystle to post on this blog. I called her downstairs tonight to take one. Of course this is the way we see her most of the time. Phone firmly held on left ear. I usually talk with the phone on my right ear.

The "3 Cs" Charles, Courtney and Cam posed outside of Target on an outing.

Another family member that I don't get on my camera too often...

If you can enlarge this picture any you can see him in the photos behind him in two very different looks (hairstyle wise anyway).

Favorite pastime

I love reading, texting, drinking coffee, eating scones and taking pictures of random trees, flowers and such.

Both of these pictures were from this week. As you can see our Japanese maples are leafing out in their spring red leaves. The neighbors ornamental plum tree is blooming pink just beyond and our rhododendron is a late bloomer.

We also had the privilege of having our friend Nicole staying here for her work week and her dad, Gary here for two nights as well.

It's been a busy week with another one ahead. Perhaps I'll ambush Hayden and post photos of him next weekend!

A fine Easter Day

We started out our Sunday with a quick breakfast. Sent a few people off to church and the rest of us hung out with Rowan and his folks since he was still a bit under the weather.

Joylynn and the kids came here when they got out of church.

Just before dinner was ready I gave the kids the Easter baskets I made up for them.

Courtney Hayden and Cam had to share a bowl of candy with all of the adults here.

Picture time

Rowan looks so pleased to share his baby sister with his big cousin.

The "big" girls in their Easter finery.

Family photo with Max. Picture perfect!

The guys all looked so nice. Harlan wore a purple dress shirt and tie. When he got home from church, Danika met him at the door and looked him up and down and said, "Grampa, you look cute!"

Speaking of cute... Katie continues to excel in that department

Back to the books...

Our boys took a bit of a break at the end of the week from their school because they had Sebastian spend a couple of nights. Tomorrow will be an early morning and they need to get back into the swing of things. There are only two more months. They can make it!

Rowan got on the school computer on Saturday morning and brought up a tetris game. He announced that he was "doing school like Uncle Hayden"! I think I need to pay closer attention :-O

Hope everyone had a Blessed Easter celebration.

We certainly feel that God has blest us.

Let the Wild Rumpus start

We have had quite a bit of rain this week.
Joylynn had an appointment on Monday so I volunteered to meet her and let the kids play in our van while she went in for it.

It doesn't look like a jungle gym on wheels but add 3 little monkeys and that's what you get.

They explored an found all sorts of "sweet" things.

There was a fair amount of karaoke using the radio, a Veggie Tales sing along CD and a broken microphone.

Danika showing her skills.

Genevieve was game to try it too.

Wyatt turned out to be quite the gymnast.

They discovered the mirrors and adjusted them just so...

Synchronized swinging.

The "fun" continues...

Logan took part in a half marathon out in Vernonia this Saturday. They took our van so Alyssa (who doesn't drive a stick shift) could move the vehicle from the starting point of the race to the end to see Logan cross the finish line. When she got to the state park where the race was ending she noticed the van's power steering was no longer power and the battery light had come on.

The serpentine belt that runs all the pulleys in the engine compartment had come off. Harlan has plenty of experience redoing it so we took Hayden and Rowan and headed out to where they pulled off on a lovely stretch of Oregon Hwy 47 near Buxton..

All situations have their adventures so you make the most of it and explore the great outdoors a bit. There was a cool elk hide that was dumped on the side of the road, a rushing river and a land slide. So much to see off of the beaten path.

Rowan showing the medal his dad got for finishing the 1/2 marathon.

Katie... none the worse for the experience.


Final FOUR

I don't really follow college hoops but when I was going to Michigan State a young man from Lansing was playing for our basketball team. His name was Earvin Johnson, aka Magic Johnson. Michigan State is playing in the Final Four of the college championships this weekend.
I'm sure Magic and the rest of us Spartans will be rooting for them.