Love starts at HOME

The Holidays Came and Went....

2012-01-17T09:36:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving:

So Thanksgiving was great. The Killebrew's decided to better accommodate more people we held our big Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. So Todd and I decided to make our own first big Thanksgiving dinner. We made it all... and when I say we I really mean Todd... I helped a little, a big fat turkey, all the sides and Todd's amazing home made pumpkin pie. After the dinner we went straight into decorating for Thanksgiving. Yup we were the first on the block. Or probably even the state. What was really weird was the weather hasn't realized it's fall yet and all of our roses were still full in bloom. So to see the contrast between the lights on the house and all the roses it was pretty neat. That only lasted a week then the weather clued in and it was time to trim things up.

Daddy had a little helper in the kitchen!

Christmas:

Christmas was great. Todd had the idea that we should do all homemade gift and I have to say even thought I gripped and complained about it ALOT it really was great. Todd made me a quilt ladder which I was really excited about. And I made Todd plush angry birds. Zac made daddy a tee shirt which they both enjoy.

I think the hit was the rocking horse Zac got from mom and dad. Daddy made it and Mommy painted it. Zac LOVED opening all his present. He even got a little upset when I would open presents cause he needed to help me with min too.

The small one turned out better... it's all in the eyes.

4 Years Together.

2011-11-26T11:24:00.000-08:00

Todd and I just celebrated our 4th anniversary. I love his so much! This year I really wanted to go to a murder mystary dinner. The theme was Billianaries Maskarade Cub. We were encouraged to wear anything "rich" and masks. Of course Todd and I had a blast getting all dressed up. Luky me the red dress Todd bought me for our first anniversary still fit. Now we just had to find something for Todd to wear. We went to a shop to reant a tux but this is not Utah and they are much more expensive and you cant rent one in three days. Oops. So we pressed our luck and went to GoodWill and hit the jack pot! We found a really nice black suite for 16 bucks and better yet it fit! We had such a great time at our dinner.

The day of our anniversary Momo and Papa were so sweet to take Zac for us so we could go to dinner and a movie. Being the our anniversay fell on a Thursday Todd was able to take Friday off. When Zac got home from his grandparents we all went to the zoo. It was Zac's fisrt time to go and he had a blast! I think the highlight was the Parrot Paradise we went in and feed the birds. Zac wanted to grab them. He was so excited when they landed on his stick.

Working for my parents.

2011-11-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have gotten several of these types of calls and I just want to vent. I took over managing the TAS department of my parents business about two years ago. Knowing absolutely NOTHING about TAS (Texas Accessibility Standards) I had to learn and was directed what our policies and procedures are by my father who is also the owner of the business. Which makes me want to tell people I DIDN'T MAKE THIS CRAP UP ON MY OWN.

When people call me and go on and on about how "their company" operates by being billed and pay later well that is fanSTINKINtastic for you. However, I don't do work for which I am not payed for, and our company operated by being payed before you receive it's services.

What gets under my skin even more is when they want to go over my head to "fix" this "problem" they are having with our policy. Being the manager of the department going over my head would be to talk to the owner of the company Tom. I know this is bratty but whatever, it just makes me want to say.... "You can talk to Tom if you'd like but this is his policy not mine and by the way he is MY DAD so go ahead see who's side he's on".

I never actually say that... but man sometimes I want to.

Halloween!

2011-11-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

Being the dork I am I decided we should go themed for Halloween. We did it last year and it was so much fun I decided to do it again, and again, and well at least till Zac is old enough to tell me I'm lame and wants to do his own thing. At the Martin family reunion this year Todd got a bunch of stuff from his youth that had been left at his parents house. In one of the bags we found a Blue M&M costume his mom had made him. It still fit giving us the idea that I should make one for Zac and me and there you go. Being the only girl in the group of course I was green. I wanted to make Zac the yellow one but couldn't find the right color in the right fabric so we settled and made him the red one. I think they turned out pretty good. What do you thing?

This Summer....

2011-10-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

Terribly sorry everyone. This summer was packed full of all kinds of things going on. You would think with all the incredibly hot weather we were having I would have found some inside time to update the blog, but truthfully it just slipped my mind. So here is a quick update on what we have been up to.

June- Zac started walking (on his own, not holding onto everything) one week before his first birthday while staying with Momo and Papa Killebrew. We had a combined birthday party for Zac and his best bud Jack who are only 4 days apart. it was pirate themed and they had a great time. Kat went to girls camp and loved spending time with all the girls and really getting to know them. Todd spent the month counting down the days till our summer vacation in July.

July- We spent almost two weeks on a road trip to the Martin family reunion in San Diego. We had thought about flying but realized we needed the excuse to stop in Meadview, AZ to see Grandpa Martin. Zac got to meet his Great Grandpa Martin for the first time and see where Great Grandma Martin rests. I would have to say Zac's favorite part of GGM's house was the scooter we would let him sit in our lap and drive him around the ramps. And carrying around all the picture frames he could reach giving each one kisses. He was a pretty good trooper most of the way from TX to San Diego but was sick and tired of the car by the way home.

San Diego : We had a great time with all the family being together. We had several service days of getting Grandma CC and Papa Martin's house ready to be sold. Uncle Tom put together a scavenger hunt for the family at Balboa Park (which I still think we should have won ;)... it was a close call) And we spend a whole day at the beach. This was Zac's first time at the ocean or the beach and I think he tried to take home as much of it as he could by eating all the sand he could get his hands on. And to top it all off we spend a day at Disneyland. I have never been a huge fan of the parades but after watching Zac's eyes light up when the princesses blew him a kiss or the monkey waved at him I think I changed my mind.

August - September- Back in Texas the heat really kicked in this year and we came one day shy of beating the record number of days in the 100 degrees. I know not that exciting but it helps to understand why we really didn't get out and do a whole lot. However Todd did start his application process for getting into grad school. And he was accepted! It is through an online program at Western Governors where he will be getting his MBA. He is able to start at the first of any month so he will begin in Feb. Other exciting news Johnathan and Jen welcomed their first little girl Charlotte Hayden. It seems to be the girl year on the Killebrew side with Carie Ann and Brent having their fifth and only girl Emily Kate in May.

We are in October now and just getting ready for Halloween. Kat makes the costumes every year. This year however Todd had a M&M costume from when he was young that his mother made him so I am making M&M costumes for Zac and me. Todd is the blue, Kat will be green, and Zac will be red. I will post pics when they are all made.

So there you go I will post pics, sorry they are out of order.

Oh the Plumbing Problems...

2011-06-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

It's no new news that we have had plumbing problems on and off, and on and off, and on... yeah you get it.

Anyway being the neighborly guy my husband is, when the city came one Saturday and started digging up our neighbors yard he went over to talk and ask what was going on. Turns out when VERIZON came and laid the main line for the neighborhood they cut through the sewer pipes leading to the main lines and laid the cable right threw it. Todd asked what the likelihood of that happening to our house as well and they assured him it was a pretty good bet.

In order for the city to fix it we had to get a plumber out to video the line to prove it was cut and they would fix it. The city will give us $150 for the plumber's video but the total bill was $250. So now we have to go after VERIZON for the rest of the plumbing bill. We are just so grateful that for ONCE this is not our fault or our problem to fix!

And we have fun pics of the broken pipe that got fixed for all of you to see!

Of course the pipe was exactly under the 5 foot of actual concrete we have, so the city had to tear it up and will replace it.

Yes the orange line is the VERIZON cable right through the sewer pipe they broke to put it there.

Zac loved watching the trucks work.

He was so excited he had to get closer.

He is such a boy!

The Joys of Homeownership.

2011-05-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

SO last Saturday Todd was doing his husbandly duty and mowing the lawn. Then along came a rock that the mower decided to pick up and throw right through the spare bedroom window. We went to Home Depot and found thankfully they have a sheet of glass that is the right size for our window. So we get it home no problem but as Todd holds it up to the window and checks to see if everything is right the winds pick up slamming a corner of the sheet of glass into the house braking the window. AGAIN. Back to Home Depot we go again but by this time it will take too long for Todd to get the window in to he tapes up cardboard to the six inch gap of the old window and leaves it be till he has time later.

During the week, the pipes in the house decided it's their turn, and they all back up. We know its just a simple clog and thankfully we already own a snake to take care of the problem. But our 25 ft snake just wouldn't cut it. So instead of fixing the window this Saturday Todd and his friend rent a 150 ft snake from Home Depot and work on getting the pipes cleaned out. It worked like it was suppose to and the boys are smelly, dirty, but proud accomplished men.

Mean while I'm wondering if all the projects around the house are ever going to be completely finished. Not to the fault of my wonderful husband who works every hard at taking care of all the problems around the house. More to the fault of the actual house. My house is going to keep Home Depot in business for as long as it stands.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

My kid LOVES his kisses.

2011-04-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

Even from the puppy dog.

Spring 2011

2011-04-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

So I accidentally clicked on our family blog in my bookmarks instead of something else and found it fully decorated with Halloween from the last time mt wonderful sister in-law tried to help me update my blog. Obviously that attempt failed. So in a moment of bloggers guilt I decided I just need to do it. I have a free hour while Zac is sleeping I just need to start blogging and keep everyone up on what's going on in our lives. I'm going to try and make this a habit of at least once a week but I'm not making any promises.

I'm not back dating, I'm just too busy for that... So I'm starting from now. Here is where the Martin's are as of spring 2011.

Todd is still at 20/20 companies and doing well. He teaches early morning seminary which tries his patience as well as his sleep. He loves the kids and getting to teach D&C, since he is a history buff. He is just recovering from having shingles for the first time which was not a fun experience but now we know what to look for next time (not that there's a whole lot you can do about it).

Kat is still working for Metro Code at home mostly. I do reports at night and go into the office when needed and to work on TAS (Texas Accessibility Standards) when projects come in that need my help. I love being at home with Zac. I am the Beehives Adviser and the Assistant Camp Director. I am SO excited about going to camp this year and have a great group of girls to go with.

Zac is almost 10 months old and has both of his parents hooked. He was a momma's boy until recently when he decided daddy is his new best friend. He will give Todd about ten to twelve kisses in a row and lots of hugs all night. When daddy gets home he get's really upset if daddy doesn't go straight to him and give him loves. I would be jealous but I think its really cute that he loves his daddy so much..... and I get him all day so it's only fair. Zac can crawl faster than anything and really only thinks its funny when someone is chasing him. He has been pulling himself up and walking along things for a while now but not on his own yet. He has his two bottom teeth that he loves to use. And well he's pretty much just the sweetest thing I've ever seen. :)

Hello!

2010-10-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

San Diego

2009-03-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

After spending a few days with Grandpa Martin we headed down to San Diego. We were able to go the the temple with Todd's mom and dad which is always a great experience. I love the San Diego Temple. Todd took me to the Wild Animal Park which I had never been to. What a site!
The next day we went to the Zoo. We were so excited to see the pandas. The polar bears and big cats were also fun to see. On Saint Patty's Day we went down to La Jolla Cove to watch the seals. The babies were out and SO cute! It was a great trip to have fun in San Diego and spend time with his parents. We were also able to spend a night with Todd's aunt Sharon.

Meadview

2009-03-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

Well we had a fast and furious spring break. We left the Friday before it actually started to take full advantage of the time. We went straight to Meadview Arizona to see Todd's grandpa. Todd's dad Roy met us up there and grandpa spared no time putting the boys to work. I've been out to Meadview a few different times now, and I have to say its becoming one of my favorit places. For those of you who have not have the privliage of experienceing Meadview. It is about twenty min.s from the base of the Grand Canyon and literally in the middle of NO WHERE. I think thats why I like it. When I get stressed out with school, work or whatever else is going on with my life, I know I can hide out there and no one will find me. That and Grampa Martin is the grandpa I never had and never knew I was missing! We love visiting out there.

Poor Stinks.

2009-02-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

We picked up Stinks from the doctor. We had his front two paws declawed and he is now neutered. Hes paws are are wrapped pretty good. It makes him look like a boxer, and gives him quite a bit of trouble walking. The pain meds hes on helps but makes him sleepy all day. Hes a pretty pathetic little kitty. Todd says he takes after me.

The Utah experiance

2009-02-06T13:21:00.000-08:00

Ok so I know I complain about living here in Utah. But truthfully I am grateful for this time. I am so glad we are able to be up here and take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities we have living in Utah. Such as the temple being so close. Today we were able to go through the Draper Open House. It was amazing. Last week one of my companions was visiting and we took her up to Slat Lake. Todd knew where the cemetery where most of the prophets have been buried is so we went and were able to find eight of their markers. Todd and I have agreed we are going to try and get in all our Utah fill our last six months here. Were are going to try and get to every temple. I still have never been to Zion's National Park. So were making a list of the
"must see or do" while we are still here.
Go ahead and give suggestions!

2009-01-28T14:46:00.001-08:00

2009-01-28T12:48:00.000-08:00

Todd and I are new at this blog thing so please be patent as we try to update our information. And any comments to improve would be appreciated! Thanks, Kat

What we are up too...

2009-01-28T12:40:00.000-08:00

Todd and I have been married now just over a year. We are currently living in Provo, Utah going to school at Utah Valley University. Todd will be graduating in April and I will be graduating shortly after in the summer. We are excited to be finishing up but are still working hard trying to survive theses last semesters. We have also been taking advantage of living here in Utah as much as we can by taking many road trips and enjoying our surroundings.