tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48247659081475706472024-03-13T20:05:32.010-09:30HouseOMartinColleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-37253322078615884412013-01-12T06:40:00.001-09:302014-01-01T10:17:58.836-09:30Ashlee NicoleAshlee Nicole Martin was born on December 26, 2012. She was born in McKinney, TX at a birth center with a wonderful midwife, Kathleen Mayorga. <br />I had been having contractions on and off throughout the month of December. On December 23rd Lois Perks and her husband Steve, our good friends from DC came to spend Christmas with us. Lois was also here in hopes to help with the birth of Ashlee if she should decide to arrive during their visit. Lois had been our Doula during Samantha's birth and we were excited by the thought that she could be with us for Ashlee's birth as well. <br />On Christmas day we had a low pressure front come rattling through Dallas bringing with it a beautiful layer of snow, which Samantha loved playing in and eating. This also caused an exciting display of contractions, but no baby. However that night around 2am I woke up with some pretty good contractions that lasted for a couple of hours and then subsided, again. <br />I decided that I would wake up and cook a nice breakfast for everyone. Egg and ham bake with rolls and such. We got through with breakfast and Lois looked at me and said, "are you contracting?" to which I replied, "yes.". Apparently I had been making some interesting faces during the contractions. She recommended that I begin to track these to see how regular they were. About 1-1/2 hours later we were on our way to the birth center. And about 2-1/2 hours after that I was holding Ashlee in my arms. <br /><br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZhThk4hDhTo" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZhThk4hDhTo" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhThk4hDhTo"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ZhThk4hDhTo/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-53170516757474419222012-07-31T04:39:00.001-09:302012-07-31T05:15:44.527-09:30Capturvating.comI have been really excited about working with Robert here in TX to expand his photo work. We started to have a fairly consistent stream of work flowing while we were in DC. We had developed a great client base and been getting great referrals. Since moving things have been a bit slower as we have gotten ourselves settled. <br />
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We have however booked a wonderful client that we are doing engagement shots for as well as traveling to Austin in November to shoot their wedding. We are so excited to be working on this again and developing things here in the Dallas area. <br />
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We have also added some additional photo shoots and reorganized current galleries on his website. I am super excited about it. W would love it if you would check it our and let us know your thoughts.<br />
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<a href="http://www.capturvating.com/">www.capturvating.com</a><br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadColleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-28764679303454164322012-01-19T17:50:00.001-09:302012-07-31T04:29:41.905-09:30Blogging from my iPadI am super excited about having a blogging app on my iPad now. I hope that with the ease of posting photos and sitting down to write up something quick I am likely to post more. Let's hope. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/07/31/1214.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/07/31/s_1214.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='166' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I took this photo recently. We were in our back yard and I went inside quickly to grab the camera. She began to melt down when she realized I had gone inside, but as soon as I started to snap shots and she heard the sound of the camera taking photos I got this big smile. :)<br />Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-53303585073915541932011-11-02T10:16:00.004-09:302011-11-02T14:54:19.277-09:30Life as a Mom in a New World<div>
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So, we moved to Texas in August. :) We have almost finished unpacking our boxes and are closing in on being settled. :)</div>
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Robert is working for the parent company of the one he was with in Washington, DC. They are splitting his time between the DC office he was at and the parent company he is with here. He is enjoying his work very much but could do without the hour commute to and from work (common story so I'm told). He wakes up in the morning and has about 15 minutes with Samantha before he heads out to work. Usually he will return home around 6:30 in time to have about 30-45 minutes with her in the evenings. He enjoys this time, but as I am sure you can imagine he wishes there was more of it. </div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670488982153789314" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gU6SsCALVKc/TrGfr4wK_4I/AAAAAAAAAZY/2U2kdcN4ucI/s320/Samantha%2B%2526%2BMommy.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 308px;" /></div>
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I am working as a consultant for the organization I was with in Washington, DC. They hired me on to train up my replacement in the DC office, as well as to work on some of their U.S. based programs. I took three days in September to travel to Denver for a set of meetings. Sue, Robert's mom drove up to Dallas from Houston to</div>
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watch Samantha while I was gone. She loved the extra time with S.J., though I am fairly certain she was glad when I returned so that she didn't have to wake up at 5am for the sleepy feeding. :)<br />
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I am traveling to Chicago this month for another three days of meetings for which I have been coordinating the hotel, travel and logistics. Mom(M) will be coming to Dallas again in order to look after S.J.. I am absolutely sure she will be glad to find out that S.J. has cut out the early feeding and now wakes up around 7am. :)</div>
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Samantha is has cut her second tooth and has a steady trickle running from her lower lip. Its actually kind of cute. I bet that will change around tooth #12. :) She is wearing her 12m clothing at 10-1/2 months, though she isn't quite filling them out yet. </div>
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S.J. has been walking while hold</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIpBTqIUXJo/TrGjTnITIeI/AAAAAAAAAaI/FudMzy1lJG0/s1600/pTRU1-7984816reg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670492963152798178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIpBTqIUXJo/TrGjTnITIeI/AAAAAAAAAaI/FudMzy1lJG0/s320/pTRU1-7984816reg.jpg" style="height: 220px; margin-top: 0px; width: 220px;" /></a>ing onto either Robert or my hands for a couple of weeks now. It is so fun to watch her grow and progress. We recently bought her a little walker cart shaped like and elephant, it is very cute. She has refused to walk without the aid of our hands. It is the funniest thing seeing as while she has our hands she barely uses them except to catch herself every few steps. It is simply the fact that they are our hands. So, just today promptly after giving her mid day bottle to her (this is when she is the happiest) I set her up at the walker and sat a few feet in front of her. She stood at her walker as happy as can be and we exchanged grunts (her favorite) and hand gestures (she has learned how to, and loves to point her finger in the air). After a while of this she realized that she could lean forward and move the cart a bit. She wasn't quite sure if she liked the feeling. :) But after more grunts and hand gestures she decided to take three steps. This was very exciting for me, and naturally I followed them but much clapping and a few "good job"s, desperately hoping that positive reinforcement takes root and we won't have to wait three weeks for a repeat performance. :)</div>
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I have found that being a mom has been very thought provoking. I find myself constantly thinking about my mom and dad; thinking about the things they did to take care of us. I think about their sacrifice and commitment to seeing us have what we need, but not let us command their lives or mistake desire for necessity. I often find myself thinking about the stupid things that I said to them that I now understand why they were shocked, and how tremendously wrong I was. I once told them, when I was asked to do a load of laundry that I didn't want to do, that I thought they had kids just so that they cold have people to boss around and slave after them. I had NO idea that the 6-8 years that they invested in me to keep me alive to the age where I could do laundry were not worth the benefits of merely having a slave. Between the dirty diapers and the money for the toys - they would have hired a live-in maid and saved their money. I love being a mom. I love the way it makes me think about my life. I love how it makes me think about my parents, my aunts, my uncles, my grandparents. I was so much more loved than I ever realized or could ever comprehend. I am so glad that I get to share those people who loved me so deeply and unfailingly with my daughter, so that she can have the luxury of saying her own dumb things to us only to have a greater understanding some day, when she finally loves someone more than her mind can comprehend. :)</div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-43436094840279266522010-02-24T12:30:00.002-09:302010-02-24T12:40:25.431-09:30Movin' Back In<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u>Before:</u></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjRAE1s6I/AAAAAAAAASs/_-qI3o697Yg/s1600-h/6926_1228387917266_1456130352_619358_7645809_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjRAE1s6I/AAAAAAAAASs/_-qI3o697Yg/s320/6926_1228387917266_1456130352_619358_7645809_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441935237220512674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjQ15-x3I/AAAAAAAAASk/VhRJC1PGExY/s1600-h/6926_1228387957267_1456130352_619359_2260276_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjQ15-x3I/AAAAAAAAASk/VhRJC1PGExY/s320/6926_1228387957267_1456130352_619359_2260276_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441935234490615666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjQTeYwSI/AAAAAAAAASc/Ik8XhP8wa48/s1600-h/6926_1228387997268_1456130352_619360_3376347_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjQTeYwSI/AAAAAAAAASc/Ik8XhP8wa48/s320/6926_1228387997268_1456130352_619360_3376347_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441935225248071970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjP95FL4I/AAAAAAAAASU/ewUa5xMxYyY/s1600-h/6926_1228387837264_1456130352_619356_2774454_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/S4WjP95FL4I/AAAAAAAAASU/ewUa5xMxYyY/s320/6926_1228387837264_1456130352_619356_2774454_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441935219454455682" /></a><br />Friday and Saturday we move back into the house. CRAZY 2009! More update to come.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><br /></span></div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-58579250638568111162009-11-16T04:20:00.004-09:302009-11-16T05:09:48.351-09:30Richer Visit after Fire<div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SwFZgqASAPI/AAAAAAAAARA/6i7HdH19H4U/s320/16446_1250206102707_1456130352_679443_2287925_n.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404699445387460850" /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SwFZhOMM30I/AAAAAAAAARQ/n5n7nEvnnjg/s320/16446_1250206182709_1456130352_679445_4205493_n.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404699455101132610" /><br /></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SwFZglnNb0I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/odPOrEhJS_k/s320/16446_1250206062706_1456130352_679442_4897099_n.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404699444208561986" /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SwFZg3p28TI/AAAAAAAAARI/h4hE-sWJh5o/s320/16446_1250206142708_1456130352_679444_4027805_n.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404699449051509042" /><div>Robert and I were so grateful to have the entire Richer family here for a visit and to help after the fire. I want to tell you, if you have a friend or family member who goes through something tramatic like a house fire, the best thing you can do for them, if it is within your power to do, is to take off from work or whatever you are doing and go spend a few days with them. We needed people to be with us so that life didn't feel so lonely. When we are going through something like this it can begin to feel very isolated, like you are the only people who have ever been through a hard time, and we didn't have to go through that because our family was with us for a week and a half after the fire. We are so grateful to you. Thank you! Bruce & Nicole, we know you would have been here with us in a heart beat if you didn't live on the other side of the country. Your prayers, encouraging words and phone calls meant so much to us. Thank you too.</div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-81465399841155688372009-03-12T07:50:00.007-09:302009-03-12T08:20:06.638-09:30Disney Princess Half Marathon13.1 Miles<br />2:38:43 Run Time<br />12:06 Average/Mile<br />Started Training September 1, 2009 Literally 1 Mile at a time!<br />Shortest Mile 11:42 (Mile 7)<br />Longest Mile 12:36 (Mile 12)<br /><br />Better than I ever expected.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SblFk8bEt3I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/f8Us9b961ZM/s1600-h/Group+Before.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 254px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SblFk8bEt3I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/f8Us9b961ZM/s400/Group+Before.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312353736457500530" border="0" /></a>To Erin's credit (as well as Jenny and Lauren) she stayed with me up to mile twelve. She could have gotten a much better time if she hadn't been hanging with me. I am convinced I did so well because i had people to run with that I knew and could talk to.<br />Linda however got stuck back at the beginning due to an unfortunatel port-a-john incident. But ran a fantastic race coming from the very back of the pack to finish about two minutes after me. Rock on Aunt Linda!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SblFk22bbMI/AAAAAAAAAQY/J0U5LzzOWr0/s1600-h/Group+After.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 254px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SblFk22bbMI/AAAAAAAAAQY/J0U5LzzOWr0/s400/Group+After.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312353734961622210" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="prp_personal"><h2>ERIN RICHER #1446</h2><address>EDINBORO, PA</address><span>Age: 29</span> <span>Gender: F</span></div><script language="JAVASCRIPT">clockFromString("2:35:06");</script><div id="prp_clock" align="center"><br /></div><table summary="Race Results for ERIN RICHER" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="title">Distance</td><td>HALF MAR</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Clock Time</td><td>2:51:28</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Chip Time</td><td>2:35:06</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Overall Place</td><td>3029 / 6324</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Gender Place</td><td>2912 / 6128</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Division Place</td><td>498 / 908</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Age Grade</td><td>42.4%</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 5K</td><td>38:03</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 10K</td><td>1:15:08</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 15K</td><td>1:52:10</td></tr></tbody></table><div id="prp_personal"><h2>LINDA PRAETZEL #6272</h2><address>VALLEY CENTER, CA</address><span>Age: 49</span> <span>Gender: F</span></div><script language="JAVASCRIPT">clockFromString("2:40:47");</script><div id="prp_clock" align="center"><br /></div><table summary="Race Results for LINDA PRAETZEL" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="title">Distance</td><td>HALF MAR</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Clock Time</td><td>2:57:09</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Chip Time</td><td>2:40:47</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Overall Place</td><td>3419 / 6324</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Gender Place</td><td>3290 / 6128</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Division Place</td><td>334 / 640</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Age Grade</td><td>47.1%</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 5K</td><td>39:58</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 10K</td><td>1:16:27</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 15K</td><td>1:55:29</td></tr></tbody></table><div id="prp_personal"><h2>COLLEEN MARTIN #6825</h2><address>WASHINGTON, DC</address><span>Age: 27</span> <span>Gender: F</span></div><script language="JAVASCRIPT">clockFromString("2:38:43");</script><div id="prp_clock" align="center"><br /></div><table summary="Race Results for COLLEEN MARTIN" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="title">Distance</td><td>HALF MAR</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Clock Time</td><td>2:55:02</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Chip Time</td><td>2:38:43</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Overall Place</td><td>3263 / 6324</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Gender Place</td><td>3138 / 6128</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Division Place</td><td>533 / 908</td></tr><tr><td class="title">Age Grade</td><td>41.5%</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 5K</td><td>38:06</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 10K</td><td>1:15:11</td></tr><tr><td class="title"> 15K</td><td>1:52:14</td></tr></tbody></table>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-87920060913120321082009-02-27T06:55:00.003-09:302009-02-27T06:57:45.423-09:30very funnyColleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-41149154550811735862008-12-10T11:46:00.016-09:302008-12-10T12:10:40.752-09:30Our HomeNow that we've completed most of the work we've been doing on our house, I thought I'd post some photos of the results for family who haven't been able to make it to DC for a while. Our projects have definitely been learning experiences but we've been very happy with how things have turned out. -R<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2N07zpGI/AAAAAAAAAQI/6ttnRQ7gNXU/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278374453912674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2N07zpGI/AAAAAAAAAQI/6ttnRQ7gNXU/s400/10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2FfZKdmI/AAAAAAAAAQA/n75spPQxvnE/s1600-h/09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278231232509538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2FfZKdmI/AAAAAAAAAQA/n75spPQxvnE/s400/09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2FCGK8HI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Y-jNRZ8bjvA/s1600-h/03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278223368220786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2FCGK8HI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Y-jNRZ8bjvA/s400/03.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2E5CENjI/AAAAAAAAAPw/_tFxC6jgMBs/s1600-h/06.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278220935083570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2E5CENjI/AAAAAAAAAPw/_tFxC6jgMBs/s400/06.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2EYEuDsI/AAAAAAAAAPo/EQJ6yJIb0a8/s1600-h/08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278212087844546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2EYEuDsI/AAAAAAAAAPo/EQJ6yJIb0a8/s400/08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2EHiYkWI/AAAAAAAAAPg/7kkWDyMhR5A/s1600-h/02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278207648862562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA2EHiYkWI/AAAAAAAAAPg/7kkWDyMhR5A/s400/02.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Good 'before' pic for the next shot:</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1sAHaelI/AAAAAAAAAPY/tn0BHMTFL2U/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277793339832914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1sAHaelI/AAAAAAAAAPY/tn0BHMTFL2U/s400/14.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1r97wtRI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/7ScXAmTuars/s1600-h/07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277792754087186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1r97wtRI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/7ScXAmTuars/s400/07.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1riDXOII/AAAAAAAAAPI/1FgTwQPP_UY/s1600-h/04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277785269778562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1riDXOII/AAAAAAAAAPI/1FgTwQPP_UY/s400/04.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1rgNAtHI/AAAAAAAAAPA/C82TqQ5gpzU/s1600-h/05.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277784773375090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1rgNAtHI/AAAAAAAAAPA/C82TqQ5gpzU/s400/05.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1gQyo8-I/AAAAAAAAAO4/-LfkAclFcwU/s1600-h/01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277591657673698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1gQyo8-I/AAAAAAAAAO4/-LfkAclFcwU/s400/01.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1gIip8fI/AAAAAAAAAOw/lQBP9dfmPRQ/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277589443146226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1gIip8fI/AAAAAAAAAOw/lQBP9dfmPRQ/s400/12.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1fuqQcBI/AAAAAAAAAOo/zfWlCcttoAk/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277582495707154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1fuqQcBI/AAAAAAAAAOo/zfWlCcttoAk/s400/13.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1fgD_HZI/AAAAAAAAAOg/dKdAN4TOBpY/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277578577091986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SUA1fgD_HZI/AAAAAAAAAOg/dKdAN4TOBpY/s400/11.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-47958984997800544732008-11-11T17:51:00.003-09:302008-11-11T17:57:35.955-09:30Happy Veteran's DayThis is a simple post for the purpose of thanking four men I know and love who have spent time in their life away from their wives, children, parents, siblings, and friends in order to serve this country I am so glad to call home. They serve(d) to reserve for myself, and those they left behind, all of the rights we enjoy and even some that we don't. <br /><br />So here is to you, Grandpa Praetzel, Grandpa Bennett, P.A. , and most currently my awesome brother Jeff Richer. I dedicate my heart to remember <span style="font-style: italic;">at least </span>once a year what great men you are, and what a wonderful country I live in because of your sacrifice.<br /><br />Happy Veteran's Day!Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-71007027301365696672008-10-04T16:54:00.002-09:302008-10-04T17:04:14.296-09:30Queens, NY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl3tKkKCI/AAAAAAAAAKk/wGV0GkWzuUI/s1600-h/METS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl3tKkKCI/AAAAAAAAAKk/wGV0GkWzuUI/s320/METS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253490604274624546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is one of the rails inside of Shae Stadium. It was a really cool experience being there the second to last game. Directly beyond outfield you can see the new stadium being built.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl3krFLcI/AAAAAAAAAKs/XcmSKrZGj4w/s1600-h/Our+Seats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl3krFLcI/AAAAAAAAAKs/XcmSKrZGj4w/s320/Our+Seats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253490601995087298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Emily tookt his picture of the seat directionals - I thought it was cool.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl31oB3hI/AAAAAAAAAK0/AIL9bNhWbhM/s1600-h/Robert+%26+i_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl31oB3hI/AAAAAAAAAK0/AIL9bNhWbhM/s320/Robert+%26+i_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253490606545690130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Robert and I - infront of the feild - thrilling I know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl31XOdQI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zEg3wSuWVNk/s1600-h/Stadium_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl31XOdQI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zEg3wSuWVNk/s320/Stadium_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253490606475212034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You can see there is the new stadium.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl35gGKbI/AAAAAAAAALE/c56_U2ZV7Is/s1600-h/The+Four+of+Us.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SOgl35gGKbI/AAAAAAAAALE/c56_U2ZV7Is/s320/The+Four+of+Us.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253490607586159026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We took this trip with two of our friends. It was such a wonderful time. Rich grew up in NJ. This lead to his family being serious Mets fans. It was very special for us to share this memory with Rich and Emily. Emily's parents live in Mass. and drove all the way down to NY in order to watch Rich and Emily's 15 month old son for 4 hours while we watched the game. So Amazing! They are so sweet. <br /><br />So, I dedicate this wonderful trip to Missy and Jeff O'Dell the Weekend Warriors!<br /><br />Thank you for your kindness to us and radical love of your grandson.Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-44885220090590075542008-08-14T17:21:00.007-09:302008-08-15T05:21:32.855-09:30STOP 6: Cleveland, Ohio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyh33JDDI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/3MF3CHvJXXU/s1600-h/DSCN0652.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234575330656193586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyh33JDDI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/3MF3CHvJXXU/s320/DSCN0652.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Cleveland Indians. Not as packed out as other stadiums, but in all very nice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyiq3EeKI/AAAAAAAAAJY/TLSuVHU7EeI/s1600-h/DSCN0618.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234575344346101922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyiq3EeKI/AAAAAAAAAJY/TLSuVHU7EeI/s320/DSCN0618.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Robert and I posed for a photo that a very nice usher offered to take for us. It was great. He was this incredibly freindly man who you could tell loved his job and worked hard at it earning every ounce of respect the season ticket holders gave him. That is one thing I have learned on this trip. I LOVE MIDDLE AMERICA. The people who make up these city's are some of the most hard working genuine people you could ever hope to meet. They love what they do and they do it well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyi8iTsiI/AAAAAAAAAJg/LszjMCXhLWw/s1600-h/DSCN0617.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234575349090857506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyi8iTsiI/AAAAAAAAAJg/LszjMCXhLWw/s320/DSCN0617.JPG" border="0" /></a>The architect of this stadium was a brilliant man. The glass windows you see here are actually part of the club restaurant that is open to all people, but a discount is given to season ticket holders. When you enter the field at left field these are the first thing you see. It is actually very impressive in person.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyjKzxA0I/AAAAAAAAAJo/mTbmv4byIgk/s1600-h/DSCN0623.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234575352922178370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyjKzxA0I/AAAAAAAAAJo/mTbmv4byIgk/s320/DSCN0623.JPG" border="0" /></a>They had the most impressive score board of all the stadiums we went to (not including Wrigley's, which is in a whole other league). It was very important to both Dave and I to be able to see plenty of statistics, and the Indians' has statistics to spare. Also, you will see that below the score board there are bleacher seats. I believe these are in imitation of the bleachers in Chicago's Wrigley Field. It was heart breaking though to see how empty they were.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyjWj_X2I/AAAAAAAAAJw/Q8uIQDpcVd0/s1600-h/DSCN0648.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234575356077236066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKTyjWj_X2I/AAAAAAAAAJw/Q8uIQDpcVd0/s320/DSCN0648.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is the view from our seats. I would like to take this moment to praise the awesome ticket buying work done by my amazing husband. At Each and EVERY game we went to we had awesome seats. Not only were they in a great location in the park, at every game we were at the end of a row. You may wonder, what does that matter? It matters a ton, especially if you are hoping to get up during the middle of the game to go get something to eat or drink. Which, we did plenty of.<br /><br />To Come: A ranking of our over-all experience at each stadium broken down by 8 categories, each weighted by how much they play into the overall scoring. AND, Video taken at each park during the singing of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game"<br /><br />Next Stop: HOME!Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-30788824292416803572008-08-11T19:00:00.004-09:302008-08-12T18:57:54.843-09:30STOP 5: Milwaukee, Wisconsin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKESyenjkoI/AAAAAAAAAIo/_LnNNsq8mr0/s1600-h/DSCN0550.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKESyenjkoI/AAAAAAAAAIo/_LnNNsq8mr0/s320/DSCN0550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233484900402958978" border="0" /></a><br />Miller Park is the Brewers' new(ish) home located just beyond downtown Milwaukee off the freeway. It's surrounded by lovely freeway, and that's about it. Oh, and parking lots too.<br /><br />The parking lots are more than just concrete slabs for Brewers fans, however - they're party zones! Tailgating is allowed and even encouraged, alcohol and all, and we felt like the odd men out because we parked and immediately walked to the stadium instead of setting up lawn chairs portable awnings and grilling up some burgers.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKESyzmxFdI/AAAAAAAAAIw/3i1FuidH9ys/s1600-h/DSCN0552.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKESyzmxFdI/AAAAAAAAAIw/3i1FuidH9ys/s320/DSCN0552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233484906036794834" border="0" /></a><br />The park has one of those new-fangled retractable roofs - this one opens and closes like a fan - it was open on Monday. The ballpark feels larger than some and is rather industrial in appearance. It seems to fit the city though.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKESzq2BeMI/AAAAAAAAAI4/8TPqI9Iuah0/s1600-h/DSCN0558.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKESzq2BeMI/AAAAAAAAAI4/8TPqI9Iuah0/s320/DSCN0558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233484920864733378" border="0" /></a><br />The view from our seats. The Brewers were playing our Washington Nationals andbeat our team 6-1.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKES0EtDt3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/yh4HMW8ShQw/s1600-h/DSCN0565.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKES0EtDt3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/yh4HMW8ShQw/s320/DSCN0565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233484927806453618" border="0" /></a><br />Even though we were cheering for the Nats, the Brewers fans gave us a friendly hard time and even took a pic of us by the field.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next Stop: Cleveland, OHColleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-21191237558133224312008-08-11T18:34:00.004-09:302008-08-11T18:59:01.210-09:30STOP 4: Chicago, Illinois<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENjAmOoII/AAAAAAAAAH4/H9E4rbE0iVA/s1600-h/DSCN0497.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENjAmOoII/AAAAAAAAAH4/H9E4rbE0iVA/s320/DSCN0497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233479137088151682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the famous Wrigley Field Entrance.<br /><br /><br /><br />As we approached the stadium there was this huge throng of people lined up. And when I say huge, I mean about 60 people wide and 500 people deep. This we soon realized was the bleacher ticket holders. Wow. Those seats are first come first served.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENkAxAbSI/AAAAAAAAAII/6kAfKeknoMo/s1600-h/DSCN0511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENkAxAbSI/AAAAAAAAAII/6kAfKeknoMo/s320/DSCN0511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233479154313227554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Robert and I at the edge of the over hang. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENjjTmCiI/AAAAAAAAAIA/g4zW3Y3eiOc/s1600-h/DSCN0500.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENjjTmCiI/AAAAAAAAAIA/g4zW3Y3eiOc/s320/DSCN0500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233479146405235234" border="0" /></a>When we walked up the ramp into the stadium area, we were littlerally breathless. The field is such an amazing place. I will try to describe to you what seems so difficult to portray with simple words. The feel of this stadium is what I have always imagined the stadiums that the original Baseball legends played in. When I used to watch "In A League of Their Own" I always got this nostalgic feeling, and this was that same feeling. Wrigley, being the second oldest stadium in both the National and American leagues, I knew I was feeling that way for a reason. The greatest baseball players of all time had played in this park at one time or another. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENlogGf3I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/RAHQY-p2D3A/s1600-h/DSCN0523.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENlogGf3I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/RAHQY-p2D3A/s320/DSCN0523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233479182159609714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This was the view from our seats. Really cool.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENmPT3aMI/AAAAAAAAAIY/8w3ZgqamuGY/s1600-h/DSCN0541.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKENmPT3aMI/AAAAAAAAAIY/8w3ZgqamuGY/s320/DSCN0541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233479192577272002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Robert caught this photo, we both think it is a great shot, so we added it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEODvyC7gI/AAAAAAAAAIg/MxKo4BWpWpM/s1600-h/DSCN0547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEODvyC7gI/AAAAAAAAAIg/MxKo4BWpWpM/s320/DSCN0547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233479699509997058" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Cubs won their game. The Cubs fans were on their feet more in this game than I have seen people on their feet at a concert. I have never experienced such a dynamic crowed. At the end of the they sang this great song. EVERYONE stayed and sang. </span></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Wrigley field is an experience all its own. You can not manufacture in your mind what it is like to actually watch a game in this stadium. Even if you are not a lover of baseball, I highly reccommend that you make it to a game in Wrigley field before it is too late for you, or the field itself. <br /><br /><br /><br />Next Stop: Milwaukee, WisconsinColleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-90355250639536136882008-08-11T18:07:00.006-09:302008-08-15T05:22:03.801-09:30STOP 3: Detroit, Michigan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHF3OAPPI/AAAAAAAAAHI/BZE7TL8AUeY/s1600-h/DSCN0438.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233472039284653298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHF3OAPPI/AAAAAAAAAHI/BZE7TL8AUeY/s320/DSCN0438.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">We arrived at Comerica Park. As we approached the gate this is what we saw. Pretty amazing.</span><br /><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHHRAsULI/AAAAAAAAAHY/CMXL0GeVIIk/s1600-h/DSCN0459.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233472063388012722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHHRAsULI/AAAAAAAAAHY/CMXL0GeVIIk/s320/DSCN0459.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In the outfield there were these fountains that would go off every once in a while. I couldn't really figure out the rhyme or reason to it. However, it was still pretty cool.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHH4-uh2I/AAAAAAAAAHg/iwcUxJ-z-6U/s1600-h/DSCN0484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233472074117187426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHH4-uh2I/AAAAAAAAAHg/iwcUxJ-z-6U/s320/DSCN0484.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As we entered the stadium we it began to downpour. It rained, drizzled and everything in between up and until game time. They did delay the game about an hour, but once it started the sky cleared and gave us a beautiful sunset.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHINy93hI/AAAAAAAAAHo/cWuZWVe5Rgs/s1600-h/DSCN0485.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233472079705005586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEHINy93hI/AAAAAAAAAHo/cWuZWVe5Rgs/s320/DSCN0485.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Not only did be get a beautiful sunset, but a rainbow strategically placed above the outfield scoreboard. Look carefully, it is there.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEJVV381mI/AAAAAAAAAHw/VdFAZ7agpko/s1600-h/DSCN0492.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233474504234948194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SKEJVV381mI/AAAAAAAAAHw/VdFAZ7agpko/s320/DSCN0492.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here are the four of us. Yeah Us! You may ask why we are wearing the team hats for a team we don't follow. Well, we collect hats from all of the stadiums we've been to - 1. to keep track for our selves, and 2. as a memento.<br /><br /><br />AND - Here is a little piece of joy for our niece Hannah....<br /><br /><br />P.S cock your head toward your left shoulder for best viewing.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyJztcf4eLMPkLRdO3PiepyuDuWFiERXdpu6bIIBhnpLhULV8yoUaHX0feI_aJo7mLeRjaxoaXSQgnhbliETA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />Best fireworks I have ever seen.<br /><br />Next Stop: Chicago, ILColleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-19874900760630752512008-08-08T18:17:00.007-09:302008-08-08T18:43:04.178-09:30STOP 2: Toronto, OntarioWoke Up in Niagara Falls, Ontario:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UTLSAA0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/ddln4ic9h9k/s1600-h/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UTLSAA0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/ddln4ic9h9k/s320/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232360661752742722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dave and Diane had the opportunity to see their grandchildren this morning in Niagara Falls. It was so much fun to finally meet Amanda (their mother) and the kids. All four of them are so sweet. What a treat it was to meet them.<br /><br />Toronto, ON:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UTjmSgAI/AAAAAAAAAGo/766VoLgxRSg/s1600-h/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UTjmSgAI/AAAAAAAAAGo/766VoLgxRSg/s320/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232360668280291330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Robert did a lot of research before we went on this trip about each of the teams and the stadiums. Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays play is both a ball park and a football stadium. He found in his research that Rogers Stadium has the highest seats in both the National and America Leagues. So, naturally, we had to go up to those seats and try them out. Just so we can say we had. (Man, there were a lot of stairs)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UUFxyHuI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tl-_3Hyd4N4/s1600-h/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UUFxyHuI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tl-_3Hyd4N4/s320/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232360677455306466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />However, this is where we actually got to sit to watch the game. Robert got us some spectacular seats. Behind us is the official Toronto Blue Jays' Tractor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UUp2yivI/AAAAAAAAAG4/g7Jzh-BKHb8/s1600-h/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UUp2yivI/AAAAAAAAAG4/g7Jzh-BKHb8/s320/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232360687139982066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Twenty Years ago the Blue Jays were the first baseball team to build their ball park with a retractable roof. When we went into the stadium the roof was closed due to a threat of rain. I was delighted when they started to open the roof just before game time.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UVR7RBHI/AAAAAAAAAHA/0y1TNbd4Lyw/s1600-h/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJ0UVR7RBHI/AAAAAAAAAHA/0y1TNbd4Lyw/s320/8.8.08_Toronto,+ON+054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232360697896174706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As they started to open the roof we discovered that we had not only awesome seats for the game, but the best view in the house. This is the CN Tower from our seats. At night it lights up from top to bottom with the colors consistently changing (eerily similar to Niagara Falls at night time).<br /><br /><br />Next Stop: Detroit, MIColleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-70418736870118246182008-08-08T05:22:00.007-09:302008-08-08T18:42:12.852-09:30STOP 1: Niagara Falls, OntarioThis is my first time at the Falls andI have to say I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be - they're incredible.<br /><br />Little did we know until we opened the door to our hotel room how fantastic our view would be:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJxecnmLQGI/AAAAAAAAAGA/CIn7qnMZ-BU/s1600-h/8.7.08_Niagra+Falls+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJxecnmLQGI/AAAAAAAAAGA/CIn7qnMZ-BU/s320/8.7.08_Niagra+Falls+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232160712856125538" border="0" /></a><br />Mom Hagerty, sister Erin, and nephew Ben joined us for Niagara, as did niece Hannah:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJxfnBOJl6I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/gKXy1aTPjLs/s1600-h/8.7.08_Niagra+Falls+012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJxfnBOJl6I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/gKXy1aTPjLs/s320/8.7.08_Niagra+Falls+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232161991044994978" border="0" /></a><br />Double Rainbow:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJxf8Sse2iI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Ypu4Pyqpzbc/s1600-h/8.7.08_Niagra+Falls+023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SJxf8Sse2iI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Ypu4Pyqpzbc/s320/8.7.08_Niagra+Falls+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232162356512872994" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop - Toronto.Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-29153276889077140452008-07-26T15:33:00.008-09:302008-08-06T09:56:20.862-09:30An Engaging Weekend<span style="font-size:100%;">I shot engagement photos for my coworker this weekend and am pretty proud of the results. Thought I'd share. Be sure to click on the photos to make them full screen.<br /><br />-Robert</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvJzjRfPjI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/eL8k23bfTfk/s1600-h/09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227493679972695602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvJzjRfPjI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/eL8k23bfTfk/s320/09.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvKL0JCXoI/AAAAAAAAAFY/AWxq1RaJpHg/s1600-h/01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227494096817512066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvKL0JCXoI/AAAAAAAAAFY/AWxq1RaJpHg/s320/01.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvKr4uwPNI/AAAAAAAAAFg/l82cFMyIAts/s1600-h/118"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227494647805263058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvKr4uwPNI/AAAAAAAAAFg/l82cFMyIAts/s400/118" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvLvNR-ePI/AAAAAAAAAFw/tHii_QcyvBA/s1600-h/07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227495804372941042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvLvNR-ePI/AAAAAAAAAFw/tHii_QcyvBA/s320/07.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">This one is best full-screen:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvLa_E8_iI/AAAAAAAAAFo/7dKLN2xXoiA/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227495456962838050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvLa_E8_iI/AAAAAAAAAFo/7dKLN2xXoiA/s320/13.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvL6xyMwQI/AAAAAAAAAF4/hsnUXPffRlk/s1600-h/08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227496003150332162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SIvL6xyMwQI/AAAAAAAAAF4/hsnUXPffRlk/s320/08.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-88050664305099265862008-07-26T15:28:00.013-09:302008-07-28T10:28:53.496-09:30Happenings 'round Here - Road Trip DetailsI wish I could say there have been great and wonderful things happening in my life these past weeks, but I can't. However, though that may be encouragement for the rest of you to stop reading immediately and go do something better with your time, I must admit it is refreshing to say that our lives have been boring.<br /><br />The months of April, May, and June were fairly tumultuous for the Martin Family of DC. Thus, a calm uneventful month such as July brought with it great rejoicing for both Robert and I. But, because I know there are people who like to know what is happening in our lives I will try to muster up some things that might cause those few and proud survivors to be entertained.<br /><br />First, as I sit here writing this blog entry, Robert walks in the room and announces that I would be so proud of him. He proceeds to tell me that he has just uploaded some of his photos that he took on Friday to our blog. So, that is the first entertaining tidbit. Both of us, who rarely blog at all, decided to start entries at the exact same time. well, I thought it was funny.<br /><br />All of July Robert has been serving on a DC Grand Jury. He has to finish next week after five weeks of hearing indictment cases. It has been interesting because he can't really tell me anything about them - I hope when he is done and back to work I don't forget to start asking him how is day was again.<br /><br />Robert has started to put together the photos that we are going to be hanging in our stairway leading up to our upstairs. I am really excited because he has picked some of my favorite photos. I really love how the photos turned out. He has found this great printer who has done a wonderful job with his photos. We are also very excited because in the late fall/early winter Robert is going to do a joint showing of his photos. We had a friend who did a show of her work this Spring. Her show went excellently, and I could see the look in Robert's eyes as he walked through there. He is very excited to do this show with her.<br /><br />Robert and I are gearing up for our road trip coming up. We are traveling to 6 cities, seeing 5-6 baseball games, in 8 days. Here is our itinerary...<span><span><br />Drive to Buffalo to pick up my boss and his wife, drive to </span></span>Niagara Falls spend the night.<br /><br />Then drive to Toronto on the 8<sup>th - see a Blue Jays Game</sup><br /><br />Drive to Detroit on the 9<sup>th</sup> watch the Tigers game and then drive to Kalamazoo, MI that evening<br /><br />Drive to Chicago on the 10<sup>th</sup> and stay through the 12<sup>th</sup>. Watch a Cubs game, and then have a day to either site see or get tickets day of for the White Sox. On the 11th we will be driving to Milwakee to catch a Brewers game and then back to Chicago.<br /><span><span> </span></span><br />Drive to Cleveland August 13<sup>th</sup> - catch an Indians game. Stay the night in Cleveland and then drive back to DC.<br /><br /><div class="dditd noprint"><div>2,033 mi – about 1 day 10 hours</div></div><br />That is going to be a fun trip, now all we have to do is rest up for the trip. :)<br /><br />So, I can't think of much else to share - but one thing I do recommend is the TV Series, Prison Break. Very Good! - (Thank You Corey)Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-2644194145022084562008-06-23T17:38:00.002-09:302008-06-23T17:42:19.669-09:30Fun of a Ditch<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Martin Family Mission:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To make our front yard a fun of a ditch for all who enter our property.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g9FylOT8A6s&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g9FylOT8A6s&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /></div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-70237492123088181372008-06-19T13:07:00.001-09:302008-06-19T13:07:49.817-09:301969- The ORIGINAL<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AYJuKX2j-Cw&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AYJuKX2j-Cw&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-39976493631362999622008-06-15T12:34:00.002-09:302008-06-15T12:37:17.435-09:30Thinking Ahead -its a first I knowTo the right - you will see that I have posted an amazon wish list. This is something I had previously done strickly for myself so I didn't forget the books that I wanted to order - but I have been recently encouraged to share this list so that when Christmas roles around and people start asking what I want - I will have already been keeping this up to date. So there it is. Don't feel compelled to look - its more of a Just So You Know.Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-44644635406496347572008-06-12T17:20:00.002-09:302008-06-12T17:36:31.154-09:30Work on house<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjPzxUCXI/AAAAAAAAAEU/uewUtRNMuLI/s1600-h/6.12.08+219.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211196104578959730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjPzxUCXI/AAAAAAAAAEU/uewUtRNMuLI/s320/6.12.08+219.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjQR2lKNI/AAAAAAAAAEc/HaMNkd5dLBM/s1600-h/6.12.08+221.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211196112654117074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjQR2lKNI/AAAAAAAAAEc/HaMNkd5dLBM/s320/6.12.08+221.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dining room in wine and cream<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjQ9KdN8I/AAAAAAAAAEk/2unewfLxuyU/s1600-h/6.12.08+224.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211196124280207298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjQ9KdN8I/AAAAAAAAAEk/2unewfLxuyU/s320/6.12.08+224.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjRCUt44I/AAAAAAAAAEs/sv7P2PsERRQ/s1600-h/6.12.08+226.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211196125665420162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjRCUt44I/AAAAAAAAAEs/sv7P2PsERRQ/s320/6.12.08+226.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjRV10osI/AAAAAAAAAE0/PbqJQzNPERo/s1600-h/6.12.08+229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211196130904548034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHjRV10osI/AAAAAAAAAE0/PbqJQzNPERo/s320/6.12.08+229.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Kitchen in brown and a white tinted with yellow.</div><div> </div><div>And the sunroom is done in green. It is really pretty. You will all have to come see it in person - it is much better with your own eyes.</div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-22033354829517766212008-06-12T17:06:00.002-09:302008-06-12T17:19:18.713-09:30a few of my favorites - and I'm done.I was so excited I did my own hair and trusted that it turned out - and it did!<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfYgcTiSI/AAAAAAAAAD0/VytVYG8XVjE/s1600-h/6.12.08+190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211191855962884386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfYgcTiSI/AAAAAAAAAD0/VytVYG8XVjE/s320/6.12.08+190.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was so beautiful at the reception - Robert and I decided to seize the moment for a nice picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfZuWmzBI/AAAAAAAAAD8/CnAnNqK2CGM/s1600-h/6.12.08+205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211191876876946450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfZuWmzBI/AAAAAAAAAD8/CnAnNqK2CGM/s320/6.12.08+205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Robert Snuck on the limo bus and took this picture really quickly<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfaIPjnzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/12qh17GiYiM/s1600-h/6.12.08+188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211191883826700082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfaIPjnzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/12qh17GiYiM/s320/6.12.08+188.JPG" border="0" /></a> I Love my mom!<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfa-alR5I/AAAAAAAAAEM/ggpf0UgFIEA/s1600-h/6.12.08+213.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211191898368460690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHfa-alR5I/AAAAAAAAAEM/ggpf0UgFIEA/s320/6.12.08+213.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824765908147570647.post-74265100245008892242008-06-12T14:57:00.001-09:302008-06-12T15:34:38.666-09:30More Wedding Photos<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDMB0GV5I/AAAAAAAAADM/SiG2J8t51ng/s1600-h/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211160855257175954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDMB0GV5I/AAAAAAAAADM/SiG2J8t51ng/s320/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDMcv9nZI/AAAAAAAAADU/pBRRjn7Vv9Q/s1600-h/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211160862487584146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDMcv9nZI/AAAAAAAAADU/pBRRjn7Vv9Q/s320/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+102.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDMwSW6PI/AAAAAAAAADc/P9lhl5kZvXI/s1600-h/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211160867732121842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDMwSW6PI/AAAAAAAAADc/P9lhl5kZvXI/s320/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+108.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDNb1t33I/AAAAAAAAADk/nizgtxyRKms/s1600-h/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211160879423151986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDNb1t33I/AAAAAAAAADk/nizgtxyRKms/s320/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDN2AozYI/AAAAAAAAADs/Lt-Y8vM2lLY/s1600-h/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211160886448278914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HlwhgiNomFs/SFHDN2AozYI/AAAAAAAAADs/Lt-Y8vM2lLY/s320/Devery+and+Corey%27s+wedding+136.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Colleen Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053952118124890213noreply@blogger.com0