Image Post

12-17-05: Genn's 16th B-Day cake (the third one). My favorite quote from this day: "Dad ate my cake can you get me another one? ... Since you're getting me another cake can I eat this one?"

12-17-05: Ben, Laura (aka Clara), and Shelli after the Nutcraker.

12-18-05: Shelli and Ben's Goddaughter, Lily, being lulled to sleep by her Grammy, DeAnn.

12-24-05: Shelli and Ben's stockings and Christmas Tree (notice the presents are under the tree - it was the largest we could afford and find by the time we got home)

Just a Reminder

Shelli and Ben will be in Federal Way Dec 15th (very late) until Dec 19th. We are spending the 17th at Laura's nutcracker performance and the 18th at Lily's baptism. Ben and I would like to go to The Chronicles of Narnia with both families on one of the days we are home (the 16th?) so make room in your calenders. To extended family and friends: Please call and make plans to see us while we are in town!

Robbery on Turkey Day

Hello Everyone!

Thanksgiving was really fun over here. I made dinner (with the help of my friend Tessa) and *I must say* it was fabulous! I asked Ben to take a pic of the turkey which of course he didn't do - so sorry no pic! We invited Tessa, Jason, and Jason's Girlfriend, Zan, to dinner.

Unfortuneatly, Zan couldn't make it to dinner because she was robbed at work!! (She works at a gas station!) We were all in shock and of course Jason left to be with her. Can you believe it?

I hope all the other Martineaus had a fun holiday! I missed you guys so much - I cried!! I love you all! -Shell

Decatur HS Home Coming

Decatur's Marching Band did a wonderful job this year. - Genn had to march with a huge drum -base? Unfortunatly the football team was whipped 58-7... or something like that.- It was painful. Genn is the third from the left

Genn & The Beagles

Handsome Beagles! Stewy really loves a good run.

BPA Trail Walk

Nuggy and Stewy explored the BPA trail this weekend.

Grammy's Hurt but O.K,

Hey everyone Grammy had an accident here's what she said in her auto response email: "Jeannie has fallen and broken her hip. She will be having surgery 9/22/05 and does not know when she will be able to return home" Everyone buy her a card (or e-card) and send her get well flowers!! - Shell

Now You're Talkin'

Don't wait for a light to appear
at the end of the tunnel,
stride down there....
and light the bloody thing yourself.

-Sara Henderson, b.1936
Australian Outback Station Manager and Writer

A Quote For When You Feel Like Giving Up

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you,
till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer,
never give up then, for that is just the place and time
that the tide will turn.
-Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1811-1896 American Author and Social Reformer

-- God I Hope So!

..or maybe try the serenity prayer...

God,
grant me the serenity,
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

New Job!!

Even though Tiffy still makes more $ than me (how is that fair???), I'm excited because I got a job at the Missoula Manor! I start Sunday 9/18.

Working on the Wedding of My Dreams

Here is a photo of the Royal Argosy where Ben and I will be "tying the knot".

I was in class today day dreaming and my teacher was wearing a very beautiful yellow sari (the type that hindu when wear in India) and I thought that that may be a cool wedding dress.. What do you think? I'm sure you will all hate it..

To Rave Or Not To Rave ?

GeNn wants me to let her attend a Rave tomorrow night (Friday 8/12/05) at Studio B. I think it is a dangerous, drug infested activity. I want her to be able to go out dancing and have fun, I just don't think it's safe. GeNn says that I can trust her but I am more worried about the creeps she might encounter. Input please, am I mean & overprotective to say no?

Seattle

Mom, Susan, and I all went down to Seattle to pick up mom's prize she won from the radio station [ $2,500 worth of doors ]. And we ended up going to Pike Place Market as well.

I had a really good time. I love Seattle. OH! And always remember this...

[ this guy was running around telling everyone to smile ]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

GeNn, Ayla and I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last Saturday. We went the 10pm show, Ayla feel asleep during the movie and missed the last 30-40 minutes. I guess we shouldn't take her to the late show. I loved it. Johnny Depp was an excellent Willy Wonka. I still want to see War of the Worlds, and believe it or not I still haven't seen Star Wars yet.

Earl, Tiffany, GeNn & Ayla, July 24th, 2005

E A R T H Q U A K E ! ! !

Last night Ben, Jason, and I were sitting around watching Constantine on DVD when the whole building shook. Ben and I immediatly got up and started to dance - we knew it was a small earthquake.. Jason looked at us puzzled and said, "What is this like a Seattle thing? to dance after an earthquake?" It was relatively small feeling but it really freaked Jason out - it was his first quake. We were all releved it wasn't yellowstone blowing up!

Excerpt from www.missoulian.com:
"Afthershocks shake southwestern MontanaUpdated at 2:05 p.m. July 26By the Associated Press
HELENA - Eight aftershocks rumbled through southwestern Montana early Tuesday in the wake of an earthquake late Monday measuring a magnitude 5.6 that rattled windows, buildings and nerves, but caused no serious damage.The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake and its aftershocks were centered about 13 miles northeast of Dillon, although residents across a wide swath of Montana, Idaho, Washington and other areas reported feeling the main temblor at about 10:10 p.m.Reports came in from as far away as Seattle, 490 miles to the west; and Hardin, 246 miles to the east; Calgary, Alberta, more than 500 miles to the north; and Denver 841 miles to the south."

this is it.

OK. i realize this is alot to load. so please give the pictures time. These are scrolling pictures. So to STOP and look at a picture just mouse over it. ENJOY!

After I shed tears of culture shock i was pretty OK. Everyone was really sweet and kind. Almost the whole entire time we were there we went out to eat because all of the family's friends wanted to treat them to meals and such. So I really got to see all the night life and gigantic malls that stood side by side. I met Earl's friends. One of his friends house had ticks everywhere. And i didn't notice i had them all over me until I was sitting in the bathroom going pee and two go scuttling sideways across my boobs. [ YUCK! ] I even encountered a ghost when i was there.

STORY: So Earl bought Josh [ Earl's nephew ] this R/C car. We were all downstairs playing with it and when we were done Josh set it on top of the speaker near the T.V and put the remote control by it. So we were just sitting there watching TV when all of a sudden the wheels of the car start moving. And we look around at each other and no one had the remote. it was sitting right next the car! The next thing we know its on the ground and its moving around by itself. We all look at each other until I said "Well...I guess it just wanted its turn to play?"

This ghost in their house is very much known to them. This isn't the first time anyone has experienced it. One time Jeff [ Earl's sisters husband ], came home from work. And we saw his daughter Denise looking in on their fish tank. Well, he didn't think anything of it. So he went upstairs to check on his son Josh, who was sleeping in his room. And there was Denise right next to him.

There are a couple more stories of the ghost buTT i should move along...I ate alot of food there. I ate a duck fetus or better known as Bulut. I didn't however try the chicken intestines. That was just a little to much for me. Gosh we did so many things. buTT here are some pictures to maybe better explain my trip....

We went to Tagaytay this beautiful lake where inside the lake is Taal Volcano. The Volcano exploded a long time ago and it left this most stunning crater.

Of course we had to do a karaoke night! We were in asia for God's sake! So we went to this really nice karaoke bar, and got our own room. Pool included!

We didn't take that many pictures when we were in the main city of Manila. So sorry about that. This is Boracay...or heaven as i like to call it.

We went snorkling...

We rode the Banana boat [ like tubbing only the intertube is long like a banana ]

We saw beautiful sandcastles....

And well...just played around....

Here is some scenery that Earl and I took....

what do you think? Join me next time? haha.