Bear Lake Scout Camp...

"I sail! I'm a sailor! Ahoy!!!" -Bob Wiley

Tyler, Tanner, Nathan, Tanner Brown and Max

Tanner, Max and Tyler

Wet and having a blast. Good boys. We are blessed to have Tanner in a ward with a group of good boys to hang out with.

Spencer

Spencer manged to get to scout camp, again. He went up early this morning with Tom. Tom and Spencer will be home tomorrow evening. Tanner is gone for the week. They are all having fun.

My guys are on the left. First one in the green is broth Seltmeyer. The blue tongue belongs to my Tanner, next to him his Tom and then Spencer.

My Great, Great Uncle Chief Sam Blue

I have many weaknesses that I was sent here to this earth to overcome. I believe one of my biggest if not "the biggest" is to be continually forgiving as Christ was and is.
A story told by my great, great uncle Chief Sam Blue of the Catawba Indian Nation has been an incredible example of Christlike love and the love a forgiving heart can offer.

"One day my eleven-year-old son went squirrel hunting with six other Indians. He saw a squirrel run up a tree and climbed up to scare it out on a limb. After he had done this he called to the others to hold their fire until he could get down. One of the Indians in the hunting party had always been jealous of me and my position as chief. He and his son both shot deliberately at my boy. He was filled with buckshot from his knees to his head. The Indians carried my boy towards home and found a spot where they lay him while they ran for the doctor.

A friend came and found me and said, “Sam, run home at once; your boy has been shot.” I ran all the way home and found my boy near death. The doctor was there and said my boy would not live. He was right; the boy died in a few minutes.

The man and son who had done the shooting were in my front yard visiting with members of the crowd that had gathered. They did not appear to be upset at their deed. My heart filled with revenge and hatred. Something seemed to whisper to me, “If you don’t take down your gun and kill that man who murdered your son, Sam Blue, you are a coward.”

Now I have been a Mormon ever since I have been a young lad and I knew it would not be right to take revenge. I decided to pray to the Lord about it. I walked to my secret place out in the timber where I always have gone to pray alone when I have a special problem, and there I prayed to the Lord to take revenge out of my heart. I soon felt better and started back to the house. But again I heard something inside whisper, again I turned back and prayed until I felt better. On my way back to the house I again heard the voice say, “Sam Blue, you are a coward.” I turned again and went back to pray and this time I told the Lord he must help me or I would be a killer. I asked him to take revenge out of my heart and keep it out. I felt good when I got up from praying. I went back to the house a third time and when I reached the house I went out and shook hands with the Indian who had killed my boy. There was no hatred or desire for revenge in my heart." (See Marion G. Romney, The Power of God unto Salvation, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [Provo, 3 Feb. 1960], pp. 6–7.)

I am reminded that we don't have the strength on our own to forgive, we only have that power through Christ. It is ok to ask for that strength as many times as we need.

“Since forgiveness is an absolute requirement in attaining eternal life, man
naturally ponders: How can I best secure that forgiveness? One of many basic
factors stands out as indispensable immediately: One must forgive to be
forgiven.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball,
(2006), 89-101

Spencer's Birthday

Spencer turned 8 years old today. I can't believe how fast time goes by. 8 years ago this morning he joined our family. He came in at 4 lbs 8oz and 17 inches long.

Spencer picked out his favorite breakfast for this morning. It happens to be buttermilk pancakes...made by dad. I must admit the last part of that sentence hurts a little bit. But I am so glad that Tom was able to be home with us today to spend the day with Spencer.

The next activity was swimming at Draper Park. There are better pictures I could have used but I thought this one would be fun for Spencer to look back at in years to come. So he could remember what the Draper pool was like when he was 8.


Spencer is a huge Star Wars Lego fan. He has the games on his Sony Play Station and has a Star Wars shirt to wear each day of the week. His favorite gifts were a couple of new Star Wars T-shirts and some Star Wars Lego toys. He is excited to get building.

This evening we went to Murray park to have cake and ice cream with family and friends. His favorite cousin from Arizona (Anna) was able to be there. He was really excited about that. His best friends Gavin and Oat were able to be there as well. Uncle Joe, Aunt Joy, Kelly, Natalie, Abby and Bailey were there. Uncle Matt, Aunt Heidi and Jarom. Uncle Nathan and Oat. Uncle Tim, Auntie Ruth, Andrew, Kayla, Anna and Trevor. We had a great time.

Spencer I think the most precious point for me today was when you told me you are so glad you turned 8 so you can be baptized. I love you little buddy!! XO XO XXX OOO!!

Birthday Suit

Spencer posing in his new suit for Aunt Rachel. What a ham this little guy is. He turns 8 this year. He has decided to be baptized. He is anxious for this day.

Martins, Martins and more Martins

Bailey and Spencer Martin

Tom's cousin Tim and his family are visiting from Mesa, AZ. Tim and Ruth have 4 kids...Andrew, Kayla, Anna and Trevor. Andrew is Tanner's age and Anna is Spencer's age. So the kids have a blast together. Tom's youngest brother Joey and his wife Joy have 4 girls...Kelly, Natalee, Abby and Bailey. We all got together on Friday and took the kids to the aquarium in Sandy. After we went out to lunch. Then we headed downtown to see the Joseph Smith movie and take the kids to the Church History Museum. It was fun. Very hot, but fun.

Tanner and Andrew

Kayla and Anna

For sure the coolest part of the aquarium is the stingrays. The kids had a blast petting them. Come on, where else in Utah are you going to get to pet a stingray?

Abby and Anna

Trevor and Stingray

Anna, Ruth and Trevor

Bailey, Joey, Spencer, Tom, Ruth, Trevor, Kayla and Abby

Trevor

Abby

Spencer

Spencer and Tanner

Spencer and Tanner at Temple Square. I think this is the first picture Spencer has had a real smile since he was a little guy.

Andrew, Trevor, Tanner, Spencer, Bailey, Kelly, Kayla, Abby, Natalie and Anna Martin

Tanner and Andrew

At the church history museum while the little kids were playing the big boys decided to enjoy themselves too. They crack me up.

Our nephews and niece on the Watts side of the family.

This is our little Jarom when he was only 5-6 months old. He will turn two at the end of next month. He is going to be a big brother in February. Matt and Heidi are excited for another one. I don't know how excited Heidi is to be pregnant again. She pukes for the full 9 months. We are sorry for that part of it but we are so excited to see our family grow.


How cute are they? This is my nice Lindzie and my nephew Bailey. Jonnie and Rachel's kids. They are so sweet and fun to have around. Lindzie is the only granddaughter for my parents. She is nick named "Princess". Sometimes I think she really believes she is one. She is girl all the way. Pink everything for that one.

Bailey is my medicine. He can always make my worries melt away. He is the sweetest little guy.

We expect to see Bailey and Lindzie have a new little sister or brother within the next year or so.

The boys in Moab for a week+.....

The boys have been in Moab for over a week. They have been staying with Grandma Zan and Grandpa Louie. They look forward to this trip every year. They love to spend time with their grandparents and cousins.

Spencer can't quite swim yet. So aunt Kari makes sure he floats by doubling up.


Spencer went hiking in Arches National Park wtih Aunt Kari and Dusty.

Trip to Northern California. 1998

We took a trip to Northern California and spent an entire week with Mel and Carol Platt. It was awesome. They took such good care of us.

Tanner was so impressed by the beauty of the ocean. We couldn't keep him out of it.

Tanner started chasing the water and it chased him back. Emily wanted to do it too but she didn't want to get wet. So Mel ran for her. He is a good dad.

Emily and Tanner. Sweet kids. Tanner liked to tease her a little. But I think they had a great time together.