August: Summer of Brian

Brian grew up not far from the infamous Rogue River where many amazing salmon and steelhead fish are caught every year. Despite his proximity to this river, he never fished it growing up.

Then, when we moved here in 2005 he met one of his soon to be best friends Raj and they became fishing buddies.


Brian and would request days off to fish with Raj. The best part of this situation was that Raj's wife, and one of my best friend's Sharon, dislikes all fish and hates cooking/eating them. So, these fishing expeditions became quite the haul for this fish loving family.

Brian happened to be a bachelor several times this summer while I was out of town. He "suffered" while I was away and to ease his pain he made several trips to the Rogue in my absence.

First with our brother-in-law Matt.


Also with his favorite cousin Matthew.


Also with his buddy Mike.


Our brother-in-law Andrew.



And many, many, many times with his longest fishing buddy Doug.






Poor Brian. Such suffering this summer. I can see how much you missed me written all over your face.

July: Motor Cross Sports

My husband and I went to a benefit event and the end result was we had purchased a day at the Medford Sports Track in a go-cart. I think to myself, this could be fun. I mean, a little adrenaline and competition has always been good in our relationship. Then, he gives me the big, "I can't go, I got to work!" So my date becomes my sister, and the two of us giggle as the competition happens to be a former NFL football player and all his buddies (who also bid on the event). We were the girls at the track. And WE WERE SEXY!
(Despite everyone's pleasure when I colored my hair back to basics, I still like these blond highlights.)


The men let the ladies go first and I jumped at the chance to be first. After all of the pictures, which made the men roll their eyes, I took off. I knew I was being timed and the rush of speed made my heart pound and I tried to cut the corners sharp and thought these boys would be soooo impressed...and they were.


Chelsea went out after me and made me look like an slow-poke. She was fast, shaving 5 seconds off my pace! She was almost as fast as the men.




On my final run of the day they gave me the "faster' cart. I took off reaching speeds of possibly 40 mph although I told them all I must have been going 80 mph! But, near the end of my run I spun out. I was humiliated by the fact that they had to run a 1/2 mile out to rescue me and reset the motor as I puttered back to the home track. Plus, wearing a 40 pound protective outfit in 105 degree temps made me even more miserable as they fixed the cart. Overall though, very fun!

July: Jackson County Fair

I love the Jackson County Fair. I love seeing my kids get excited around the animals. I love the arguments that ensue when they are trying to negotiate a treat or a ride. I love looking at the vendors and taking freebies like stickers, lip balm, handouts, candy, and frisbees.

Ethan's favorite was the petting zoo.

Andrew loved getting in the snow cat search and rescue machine.

They all petted the tortoise and got their pic taken for the mail tribune. They even interviewed me. Then, after all that excitement, we didn't make the newspaper and not even the online web site...sheesh!

Sophie is my animal lover too.
Chelsea couldn't get enough of this pig and just HAD to have a picture with the darling. Let me remind you that ever since she was a kid she loved pigs and has refused to eat any type of pork at all (even a BLT...crazy!). So to have a moment with the pig (the pet owner actually let her in, this was not available for all pig lovers but he could sense something special about Chelsea), was super duper special.

Each kid had a choice between one ride or an item from the vendor that was <$5.00. Three of them went for the adventure...which even now Ethan talks about. For Andrew, it was all about the pokemon cards...aaaah!


Those are some happy kids!

July: Children's Festival

After our wonderful trip to Utah, we were greeted at home by lots of cousins. Liz and her family extended their vacation to Utah by an extra week so as not to miss us upon our arrival home. One of our first outings with them was the annual Children's Festival. I love hearing from Anne how it was one of her favorite childhood experiences.


We divided the kids into age groups and took them to age-appropriate activities. I had the toddlers, hence the toddler pics.

Even Roggie loved it!

Mary said, "Girls can do nails!" Yep, we can do many different kind of nails...my favorite being the pedicure type.

It was great fun with the Lambert & Cropper cousins.

July: 1st Cut Hay

While the kids and I played in Utah, Brian returned home to work and pay for our fun. After his work day was complete, he headed to the ranch and helped with the first cut of hay.


What a trio Roger, Rozanne and Brian make working the ranch. Doesn't Rozanne look perfect on that tractor?

Roger and Brian also helped load his hay for other people to buy straight out of the field.


The afternoon sun was a scorcher and you had to wear long sleeve everything. Brian missed my laundry capabilities. He even called me in Utah to ask me how to run the washing machine. Isn't that terrible? I am definitely his Mexican housekeeper.



Despite all the long hours, he still made time to have some fun. He and our brother-in-law Matt went on the Rogue River and caught some beautiful Salmon!

July: Utah Vacation Part 5 (Woolley Reunion at Bear Lake)

Our trip to Utah was capped off with a fantastic trip to Bear Lake for the Woolley Reunion. We have been going to Bear Lake since I was a little kid. It is absolutely my favorite place on this earth and I think this holds true for my kids too. Here are the reasons why I love Bear Lake:

1. Seeing my siblings. All of us were there this year which was very special for my parents. We now need 3 full condos to house us all and it is only going to get worse as grand babies start to multiply and replenish the next generation of Martins.


2. Naps: I can have one at any time and there is someone willing to watch the kids. Doesn't my favorite Blog fan look so peaceful napping.

3. Games: Lots of time is spent playing games and even my kids got into the mix this year (or mixed up the pieces as Ethan was famous for).
4. Jet ski rides: Mom and Dad splurge and provide us with 8 hours of fun in the sun with Jet Ski rentals. The waves on Bear Lake are always so choppy that it is always a fun day on the Jet Skis!


5. Chillin' Time: From about 10am till 6pm we spend the day at the beach. We sit, we visit, we eat, then repeat. It gives me time to visit with all my quirky relatives and to enjoy one another without rush.




7. Sand Time: My kids would be furious if I forgot about how important it is for them to play in the sand. They will spend the entire day building fortresses or sitting in the mud with their cousins. They make all sorts of creations and it is always exciting to see what my cousins Mark and Brad make out of the sand.



7. Talent Show: This is the newest tradition, in its second year, started by my sister Michelle. Each family member shows some sort of talent. Lizzy sang "How great thou art," Sophie did a cartwheel, Andrew showed how he could make the Eiffle Tower out of string, and my favorite...

My brother-in-law Andrew playing "Yankee Doodle Dandy" with a flute and his nose!

It was a memorable vacation to Utah. I can't wait till next year!