Look what colder weather brings...

Funny Hats:

With Dave working in houses that don't have heat, he decided to buy this warm hat as a birthday present to himself!

Falling Leaves:
I came home yesterday from running errands to find some Elves raking our leaves in the front yard!

Caroline thought it was so funny to see the missionaries raking leaves outside our house! They had a little fun playing in them and Caroline decided to pitch in!

And finally...

SOPHIE!!!!

Yes, Sophie came home to us on Wednesday night after 5 days! We had some theories as to what happened to her and Wednesday afternoon I think we finally resigned ourselves to the idea that she was gone. We were so happy that night when we heard her crying at the door! She was much thinner but she didn't look hurt or anything, just a little disoriented. Now she's back to her cuddly self (with Dave that is :)

What a relief!

Warning: Boring

I really have nothing exciting to say, I was just getting tired of having nothing new on the blog. So I figure I'll just recap the last few weeks.

-For those of you who don't know, our puppy, Stewy, died. Apparently he was born with a liver disease that no one could have known about until it was too late. He got really sick and after a few visits (a few expensive visits) to the vet, they told us that he needed to be put to sleep. It was so horribly emotional. He was the cutest little thing and we got attached to him so quickly and then he was gone. Dave has been talking with the family that we got him from, and it looks like they are willing to give us a puppy from their next litter that will be ready around Christmas time. So at least we'll have one of his siblings!

- Thanksgiving was good. We had a group of small families from our ward meet together at the church, about 20 people! We had soooo much food and it was soooo yummy!

- Our cat ran away this weekend. (yeah, we are having horrible luck with animals) We spent the night in Germantown on Friday for some dinner and games with Jeff and Joleen and we left her here in the house. She got out through a missing window pane in the spare room upstairs. (note to self: get upstairs window fixed) She's been outside several times before this, but she always came home for food and snuggles. Sophie really is part of the family. Dave is especially attached her. So we've been calling shelters and animal hospitals in the area, but no one has seen her. It's becoming apparent to me that my Heavenly Father does not trust me to have stewardship over anything else but what I have. I guess I need to work on my mothering/nurturing skills.

I had a funny conversation with Caroline today. She coughed a few times after I put her in the car to go grocery shopping.

Susan: Yikes! That doesn't sound so good!
Caroline: Yeah, I'm all coffee (that in itself is so cute!)
Susan: Did mommy give you her cough?
Caroline: Yeah
Susan: I'm sorry!
Caroline: It's ok. I'll give it back tomorrow.

Love that kid.

New Modbe Promo Code

Modbe is offering some great deals this winter
Code: WNTRSVNGS

If you enter party #795 when you check out, you can also get 10% off 3 items or more!
Happy Shopping!

www.modbeclothing.com/susanmartin

How turning "3" should be

I thought I'd put up some pictures of Caroline's birthday. Dave requested that I not post about his birthday because the only pictures we took were first thing in the morning and we all look... like it was 6:30 in the morning!

Caroline had some friends over on her birthday to celebrate. Our ward is FULL of kids Caroline's age (they've had to split the nursery and there will be two Sunbeam classess next year!)

I wish we could have invited them all, but our house isn't that big! (and Mommy just isn't Superwoman)

I kept asking what kind of cake she wanted for her birthday. Her favorite book is "Pinkalicious" (if you have a preschool girly girl - this is a must have!) and so all she would say was that she wanted pink cupcakes "like Pinkerbelle!" I LOVE that she has simple tastes!

Dave and I got her a little dollhouse. We actually bought it a few months ago, because it was on a great sale and we've been saving it! She really likes it ... and I have stepped on countless pieces of plastic dollhouse furniture since then. *sigh*

I think the biggest hit of the day was her present from Uncle Ryan:

Caroline has slept in her tent every night and every nap since Saturday! She LOVES it! It came with a little sleeping bag, an eye mask, and a water bottle. The first night, she actually slept with the mask on and kept it on! It was so cute!

Thanks to everyone who came, who sent cards and gifts, emails and phone calls! Caroline really got excited to hear from everyone and Dave and I appreciate the support and love you have for our little girl.

To My Two Favorite People:

My favorite people just celebrated birthdays:

Sometimes, I think I was supposed to marry Dave so that he could be an example to me. He has so much faith and always reminds me of what's important and to always keep an eteranl perspective. He's a hard-worker, kind, and still so handsome!

(Told you she had a lot of hair when she was born!)

Caroline is one of a kind! Ever since she was a small baby she has been active and happy. She definately came to us with her own personality! She is always making me laugh and it's amazing to me to watch her grow and mature. She really is a light to our lives.

Happy Birthdays you two. I love you so.

Just some stuff

It's been a long, difficult weekend. Actually, it's been hard enough that I don't even want to talk about it. But I have a bunch of pictures I planned on posting about and never got around to so enjoy!

Our big girl will be 3 this week!

This is at the Modbe party Joleen gave for me. This picture was not staged at all was it girls? :)

Ashley, Jessica, Emily, Caroline, and the oldest Zac Efron fan in the theater

just before going in to see High School Musical 3. Caroline sported her HSM shirt and we all had buttons. Seriously, Caroline has all the songs from the first 2 movies memorized!


One night we had missionaries over and we had fried Twinkies and Oreos for dessert! I understand that this is some kind of Southern cuisine that you have to try while here.

Dave did a great job, but... they're not my favorite.

I wonder if someone was playing in bed when she was supposed to be sleeping!