Merry Christmas Everyone.
I got really lazy this yea and I'm not sending out cards.
Here is the letter I would have sent though.
Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

Hello friends and family! Hope you all have had a wonderful year and are having a great holiday season. Here at the Martinez home it has been a good year. At the end of 2006 we were able to purchase a home in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, we love it! We have an awesome ward and have made so many wonderful friends this year. And best of all, our complex has a swimming pool! We spent most of our summer swimming! But I’m jumping ahead.

In January, Olivia turned 7 and had her first all girl party. Very fun! Olivia started Second grade this year and loves it! She gets along well with everyone and is a great student. She really likes to learn, which makes it easier for me come homework time. She is preparing to get baptized in February. Gabe and I can’t believe she is that old already!!

In March, Gabe got called to be the Young Men’s president and I was released from my calling as 2^nd Counselor in Relief Society. That was a good thing for me. Gabe is so good at his calling; he truly loves the young men. He is a good leader and a good friend to them. At work he is in the Juvenile Unit and he is trying to become a Detective. He likes his job most days.

In May we celebrated Isabel turning 5 with a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party. She is getting so big and she was incredibly excited to start Kindergarten. She goes to the afternoon session, which suits her fine since she is not a morning person. After only a few months in school, she is already beginning to read. It is fun to watch her get excited about learning.

In July, the girls and I were able to visit family in Idaho for two weeks. We had tons of fun there with their cousins from Texas. It was a very fun trip except for flying alone with three kids can be very stressful! In September, Gabe and I took a trip just for us to Mexico to celebrate our 10 year anniversary (which is actually in November). It was a wonderful time that we will treasure.

When we got back, it was time for Sofia’s Tinker Bell party. She is the big 2!! And oh, what a handful. Usually she is the sweetest girl, always saying “Please” and “Thank you.” She is very helpful and we have fun while the big girls are at school. But watch out if she doesn’t get her way! She can throw a fantastic tantrum. Then she loves the word “NO!” She is at that age where she does so many funny things that make us all laugh. The three girls get along so well! At least half of the time. The other half they are fighting and bugging each other like sisters do.

Oh I almost forgot about me. This has been a challenging year for me. But things are looking good now. I have done a lot of rearranging and decluttering our house. I’m constantly trying to get more organized. A few months ago I took up digital scrapbooking. I love the “no mess” of it and being creative on the computer. In church, I lead the music in Relief Society and I just got called to be the Achievement Day Leader for the 8-11 year old girls. I’m so excited about this calling, I really like girls!

Well that is our year in review. We wish you all the best for the New Year and we hope to hear from you!

Love - The Martinez Family