Shooter

Sarah and I LOVE movies if you didn't know. Because we don't watch R rated movies we tend to miss out on a lot of great shows. There are a couple companies out there that will let you purchase an edited movie as long as you buy the original. $25 is a hard monetary commitment to make for us when we don't even know if we will enjoy the movie. We have a couple friends that happen upon these edited R rated movies and let us borrow them. Keep in my this review is about an edited version of Shooter. Mark Wahlberg is definitely the man to be. As a trained sniper for the Marines he was sent on a mission and then left to die by his commander. Swagger (Mark W) takes care of business then goes into hiding. The military finds him again and offers another mission to help save a planned assassination of the President of the USA. Shooter is action filled and very impressive. The editors did a wonderful job...no swearing, not a who lot of blood, no promiscuity. I loved this movie! 4.5 out of 5 stars. ****. Thank you for this movie, Matt and Sarah.

SARAH: I was watching Enchanted with Sarah H. and the kiddies. I am so sad I missed a blow 'em up movie. Hahaha.

21

Sarah's uncle Peter and family are going to Las Vegas on a mission. We don't really know what it's like there so we thought we would watch this new movie to see what they are in for. Peter and family, you will definetely have your work cut out for you. I loved this film. I'm a numbers guy, so if you can show me a way to make a whole lot of money and look cool doing it using math...I'm in! If you haven't seen the trailers, Kevin Spacey is a professor at MIT. He compiled a group of sui generis students, ones that topped their class with numbers and taught them to count cards. They made their way to Vegas every weekend to beat the house. Of course the house never likes that. That is when Laurence Fishburne comes in and takes out the card counters. 21 has its funny moments. I would wait for this one to come out on video to watch again and again. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! 3 out of 5 stars - ***

SARAH: I really enjoyed this movie. I found that it was clever, exciting and pulled me into it. As Sean explained above this group if kids are taught to count cards in Vegas. I could never ever dare to do what they do, especially since I am not a numbers person, but more so because I HATE breaking rules. I freak out with things as simple as my cousin trying to get me to sneak into a hotel pool (you know who you are). Ben (Jim Sturgess) at the beginning is against it but gets caught up in the club so that he can pay for med school. He calls it a means to an end. There are a few twists and back stabs along the way and eventually things are all put together as they should be. I could of done without the strip club scene though. In the end I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

August Rush

Since I left you all in suspense for the last day, I didn't pass the series 65 test. Apparently I have to study more than a day. Justin and Megan came over to the Martin Home Theater to watch August Rush. A story of a boy born of two great musicians, being able to hear the music over the hullabaloo of New York City. Music is everywhere, in everything...we just have to listen. This is a drama where you have to watch the body language to understand the undertones of the true feeling of the movie. A family that has been connected for 11 years but has lived in separate states the entire time. Freddie Highmore from Finding Neverland portrays a feeling of release through his music that you rarely see even with professional musicians today. I am one who loves watching child prodigy movies so I give this 4 out of 5 stars - ****.

SARAH: I was excited to watch this movie because I had heard so many good things about it. I did enjoy the movie, it was a fun story. I could of done without a scary Robin Williams, and I could of done with a bit more at the end. Sean says that I like to have closure with my movies. Is that asking to much? Freddie Highmore did an excellent job as the "freak" in this movie. He made me believe that music was everywhere...if you just listen. All in all is was a good flick. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

DJ Jack

Jack is about the cutest little boy ever. I'm completely biased because he's my little boy. It's pictures like this that make me wonder if he should be in modeling. Please put me in my place, leave me a comment as to whether or not he should pursue this career path. About the picture...whenever we visit Aunt Melissa and Uncle Matt's blog music starts playing. He loves it, especially through the headphones. He will sit for 10 minutes straight listening intently. How can anyone be acrid with this little guy around!

Let them Eat Cake

My sister-in-law had this on her blog and when I saw that I could figure out what kind of cake I am, I was totally in! I mean if you know anything about me it is that I am all about sweets! I think it is pretty true to!! Click the link at the bottom to figure out what kind of cake you are!

You Are Strawberry Cake

Fresh, sassy, and romantic. You're a total flirt, who never would turn down a sugary treat. Occasionally you're a bit moody - but you usually stay sweet!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

Pondering Life

Here is a funny picture of my little but taller brother Chase at the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. He was so bored I'm sure he was thinking,"I wish those Japanese Bomber Planes would come now and end this misery!"

Wimbledon

I have been studying for the Series 65 test all day (this is the investment advisor test) and my brain has the numb tingly feeling right now. I thought I would give myself a break and tell you about one of our favorite movies. Wimbledon is one of the better romantic comedies around. Paul Bettany is one of my favorite actors. I have loved him in everything I've seen him in. I'm not a big Kirsten Dunst fan, in fact I generally despise her acting ability but surprisingly she does well in this film. James McAvoy plays Paul Bettany's brother in this film and provides a whole lot of comic relief. Of course the movie is about tennis. The director creates a mood with the cinematography that is hard to come by. The sound is encoded with DTS for you A/V junkies. For those that don't know what that means...if you have surround sound, press the 'audio' button on your dvd player remote till it says DTS. The sound is incredible. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars ****. Now back to studying...so exciting!

Easter Sunday

We had a great Easter Sunday!! Jack didn't really understand what was going on with the basket and eggs. We helped him find a few hidden eggs at Grandma Godfrey's. Towards the end of the Easter Egg Hunt he started to figure things out for himself and would get really excited when he spotted one. As you can see from the picture. He now is constantly looking under chairs and couches in hopes of finding a plastic egg.

My mom has had this huge bunny out for Easter and Jack absolutley loves it. He picks it up and attempts to carry it around the house. It is as big as he is.

Happy Easter

Sleeping In

Being a mom I am sure that the majority of my posts are going to be about Jack. But since most of you are also moms I hope that you will get a kick out it - hopefully.
Yesterday morning Sean woke up a little earlier than normal. He got up and went to eat breakfast and I was totally confused because I didn't hear him get up I only heard things being shuffled around down in the kitchen. So I went to ask him what he was doing, to which he replied "Don't you remember? I have an early appointment so I had to wake up early." Feeling slightly silly for forgetting I went back to bed. A little later Sean came in and woke me up to say good bye. I looked at the clock and debated about waking up or going back to sleep. I decided that Jack could possibly sleep another twenty minutes so I went back to sleep. When I wake up the sun in streaming in the windows, I turn over and look at the clock to see what time it is, to discover that I had slept a little over an hour. Now in panic mode thinking that Jack attempted to climb out of his crib and fell, I run down the hall. I found Jack laying in his crib both legs sticking out the slats (which for some reason he loves to do), kicking them up and down while playing with his blankets, most of all totally content. Now for most of you this might not be odd. But ever since Jack was born he has never woke up and just starting playing or talking he starts screaming and crying. I hear of friends who can continue to sleep because their kids will just play in the crib, not Jack, he hates being in his crib if he is awake. I guess he knew that I was still recovering from jet lag and decided to let me sleep. By his morning nap things were back to normal. So sad.

Are you ready to ROCK?!?

Dan In Real Life

With Dane Cook and Steve Carell who could go wrong. This romantic comedy shows Steve Carell's true acting ability as he transmutates from a comedic role to a serious role. Dan has a column in the local newspaper called Dan in Real Life. As a single parent of 3 daughters he has become a very protective, smothering person. Dan hasn't dated in 4 years. He finally meets a woman he falls in love with almost instantly. That's where the fun begins. Definetly rent this if you haven't seen it; or come over to my house and watch it on the big screen (I've seen it twice now and could go a couple more times.) I give this 4 out of 5 stars. ****

Family Vacation - Hawaiian Style

Every year, around December, my father-in-law starts getting really hungry for a warmer climate. So he starts throwing out ideas for a family vacation. This year he let us choose between a cruise and Hawaii. We all made our arguments and Hawaii was booked within the month. Then we only had to wait 2 months for the actual vacation.

Last Wednesday we dropped Jack off at Grandma Godfrey’s and headed for the airport to meet up with the rest of the family. We arrived in Oahu very late at night and though we were all extremely tired and ready for bed the night would just not end. It started with Andrew’s (my 3 month old nephew) car seat not showing up at baggage claim. Then having a piece of luggage with all of his clothes and supplies disappear and then quite magically reappear minutes later. Then to get lost driving around trying to find the rental house. Once we got on track and were within 5 minutes of the home we saw the blue lights in our rear view mirror. It isn’t hard to speed in Hawaii, what with their extremely slow speed limits and all, but it was past midnight (four o’clock Utah time) and we all we wanted was bed. Once the lady gave us the ticket and told us to slow down while visiting the great state of Hawaii, we were on our way. Finally we made it to Haleiwa, our home for the next four days. Although the rooster next door did a mighty fine job of keeping all of us awake through the night, I think we managed to get some sleep.

The first day there was started with surfing lessons for the boys, a mandatory thing when you are staying in the surf capitol of the world, or so every Haleiwa sign said. They were all successful and did a great job, though the next day they were all pretty sore. We also visited the Dole Plantation for some extremely delicious pineapple ice cream. Had a wonderful dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, and a relaxing evening of walking on the beach and watching Back to the Future.

The second day we drove around and went to the Banzai Pipeline to try and watch some pro’s surf. Next we tried to find Turtle Bay, where according to others turtle are everywhere. Well we saw no turtles but we did get a little beach time and I got a nice burn. That night we drove to Laie to see the Temple and go to the Polynesian Culture Center. Sean got picked to try and start a fire the Samoan way and husk a coconut, it was really fun to watch. We went to the Luau and the program that night to watch the native dances.

The third day started with some shopping at a local swap meet. Sean had been before so we knew this was the place to get all of our souviners for the people still at home. We also hiked up (or if you are 5'2" with a family of much taller people who are more in shape you jogged) Diamond Head to view Waikiki's skyline. Then we got some more beach time in with a nice relaxing evening watching Back to the Future #2.

The fourth day was Sunday and so first thing we tried to find a church. By the time we found one we had missed to first half of Sacrament meeting but we arrived there for some of it. We spent the afternoon going to Pearl Harbor to see the remains of USS Arizona and hear more about the attack on December 7, 1941. It is an incredible story and for those of you who have never been, you should go at least once.

Last night ended our family vacation to Hawaii, so sad. I knew it was officially over when we walked off of the plane and felt, for the first time in 5 days, COLD and DRY air. After a whole day of traveling home I was so excited to see Jack. We made it to Grandma Callie's after he had already gone to bed, so we just got to hold him instead of play. This morning he was glad to see us and all of his toys!! It was such a fun vacation and a nice break from being a mom. Thanks to both sets of Grandparents for everything!!

The Martin Family Blog

Can you believe it? We finally have a blog! I hope you enjoy reading our blog as much as I have enjoyed reading yours!