Merrill Family

Happy New Year!!! ~2012~

2012-02-06T22:33:00.001-07:00

Our Family......

2012-01-19T16:26:00.000-07:00

Now down to the valley for family Christmas Parties!

2012-01-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

They were so excited to pack their new pajamas and robes that they got for Christmas for our Holiday trip!

We had so much fun seeing all of our Merrill Cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's house!

Aunt Rachelle made really cute reindeer candy canes for all the nieces and nephews.

(She is the favorite of the Aunts, always coming up with fun things for the kiddos!)

Then we headed over to Aunt Sierra's and Uncle Keith's for the Pember Christmas Party!

The kids played the White Elephant game for the 1st time.

(with the help of the parents)

Father like Son

(Silly Aunt Satya, just like when she was a kid...)

Christmas Morning....

2012-01-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve

2012-01-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

Talent Show

The kiddos performed Jingle Bells, the Nativity and Silent Night.

Tammy played the Piano

It was so much fun to have extra friends and family.....

Tammy and Doug came and so did our cousin, Anthony.

Mommy and Daddy sang "Santa Baby"

.....and good ol' Santa left a nice surprise!

Making Gingerbread Stable......

2012-01-13T23:47:00.000-07:00

Christmas Goodies!

2012-01-13T22:36:00.003-07:00

Brrr.... We went Caroling and delivering goodies in zero degree weather!

The girls played dress up and then sprinkled reindeer food in hopes
Santa would come!!!

Taylor 9th Ward Christmas Primary Program

2012-01-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

Busy, but lots of FUN!!!

2012-01-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

Caroline is loving the Christmas Season..... She is really getting into all of it this year!

She especially loves to stand at the window and look out at all the snow.

(That bench is probably her favorite spot in the whole house.)

So mom (me) took on a full time teaching job, teaching kindergarten and still teaching my preschool, with a new baby. It was fun and added a lot more to being busy! The girls loved having me at school, but it started to wear on our family at home. Even Charlotte was trying to help mom by doing Caroline's hair. I learned my lesson and realized time is more important than money at this time in our life. I need to focus on raising my children. There is a time and a season for everything.....

We had a fun family date with Sister Packer. She is an elderly lady in our ward, 90 years old, that my children have come to love. She likes to go to Dairy Queen, all the more reason to love her!

Holiday Fun in the Valley...

2012-01-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

~Santa Claus~

2011-12-22T00:33:00.001-07:00

Jon got his "Eagle" for scouts in the nick of time!!!!

2011-12-22T00:20:00.000-07:00


Congratulations Jonny Boy!!!

Happy 18th Birthday Jon!

Austin performing in the Honor Choir Christmas Program at Snowflake High School ~Beautiful music!

Harrison's Blessing Day

2011-12-11T23:33:00.000-07:00

Amongst all the business.... we woke up to a beautiful white blanket of SNOW!!!

2011-12-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

While Loren was hunting, I filled in a full time Job as a Kindergarten teacher until Christmas.

I love teaching, but I was so grateful for a SNOW DAY!!!

All the neighbors came to our house to play....

The Van Allens, Stewarts, Johnsons, and the Laras!

So much FUN!!!

.....More Hunting! This time for elk!

2011-12-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

We love Thanksgiving with Family!

2011-12-11T23:12:00.001-07:00

Soccer Season came to a close.....

2011-12-11T01:20:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful season. It went better than I could have ever imagined! Both girls loved it and Charlotte was so well accepted! The best day was the day I had Harrison. I was in the hospital, missing their game. Grandma Pember took them to their game. While I was in labor, all of a sudden I got a call, saying that Charlotte made a goal! I was so surprised and stunned! (She loved it out on the field, but getting around quickly was not easy for her.) How did my sweet girl get a goal with all those rough kids out there? The kids were so amazing. At about half time, after the other team had made a goal, she got to start the kick off at the half field mark. The two teams ran along side her as she kicked the ball all the way down the field to the goal! I heard it took only 5 kicks for her to get the ball in the goal!!! Wow, I was so proud of her! Her confidence soared! She came running into the hospital with the most excited smile and Kalicia yelling behind her, "My sister made a goal!" We couldn't have been prouder. To top it off.... at the end of the game the two teams lined up and ran through giving each other five to congratulate each other on the game..... I wasn't there to help Charlotte get to the line up quickly, so she missed out. The two teams swarmed around her and congratulated her and gave her five. I don't think those kids, coaches, or refs will ever have any idea what they did for my daughter that day and for a worried mother who wasn't there to make sure her daughter felt successful.

Winter Formal

2011-12-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

Hunting Season is upon us........

2011-11-20T20:13:00.001-07:00

So Proud.... Austin got his at 525 yards!

Uncle Glenn with Brodee and Garrett

Dad's (Loren's) Buck, 200 yards away

One month old....

2011-11-20T17:32:00.001-07:00

HaLLoWeEn FUN!!!

2011-11-03T23:07:00.004-07:00

Our "Little Punkin" 2 weeks old

My Little Scarecrow....

Little Punkin'

Princess and the Frog

Grandpa gives the best Halloween treats!

Trick or Treating

with our friends!

Getting ready to go to school with our neighbors, the Stewarts

At school Charlotte was the Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach....

and Kalicia was a Queen from a Fairy Tale.

(Each class picked a theme for their party)

(Eating eyeballs for breakfast and carving pumpkins. Gotta love Halloween fun!)

.....Halloween Parties.......

Tammy and I always have so much fun with our kiddos!

(Caroline couldn't figure out why everyone was using their mouths to get the apples out of the water. She just reached in and picked one out with her hand, like duh! ~so funny!!)

Happy 56th Birthday Grandpa Pember!!!

2011-11-03T22:27:00.000-07:00

Grandpa got out his Didgeridoo from his mission in Australia.

The girls thought that was so fun!

2011-11-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Charlotte took another hard fall. Lots of stitches, xrays and crying. Crying mostly by me probably. I get so sad seeing her get hurt and I can't protect her every minute. She is trying so hard to be independent. This time I realized how grown up she is. She wasn't just my hurt little girl that I have to protect this time. She has her own frustrated feelings. She expressed to me how frustrated she is, using the word frustrated. She also told me she doesn't want to lose her balance anymore and asked me how she can stop falling. The hard part is when she loses her balance her arms are in her crutches, so she has no hands to catch herself and so she falls right to her face. She is healing nicely, with no major damage, just more scars. We sure love our beautiful Charlotte!

Snowflake High school Homecoming

Mckenzie and Jon

Happy 6th Birthday Kalicia!!!!

2011-10-22T00:14:00.000-07:00

Harrison Loren Merrill is BORN!!!

2011-10-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

Life just keeps going and I am trying to keep up......

2011-10-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

General Conference Fall 2011

2011-10-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

All the family came up for Austin's Eagle Court of Honor,

so we got to enjoy their company for the weekend watching General Conference.

This year we started a General Conference Tradition, a conference basket:

Every time a new speaker comes on, they have to look for their picture and do the activity in the bag.

They loved it and it was so much fun! Now I stored it away to get it perfected before Spring 2012 Conference!

So cute, every conference they have to lead the music. I wonder how many years this little tradition that they have created will go on......

2011-10-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,

mentally awake, and morally straight.

My Friends in Taylor threw me a shower for our soon to be baby boy,

Harrison!

Beautiful Cake!!!

So cute and amazing!

(Thanks Michelle for making it!)

(My neighbor, Janice, made me this fun Diaper cake!)

Proud of my Boys!!!!

2011-09-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

Even proud of the new boy on the way, even though he has put me on bed rest!

But, we are all so excited and can't wait to see him!!!!

Charlotte is so excited! She lost another tooth to put under her pillow!

2011-09-23T00:02:00.001-07:00

2011-09-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

Snowflake/Taylor Soccer and we are coaching again!!!! ~ So fun!

2011-09-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

Charlotte is loving it!

We had to pad up her crutches with pipe insulation for her to be on the field.

Daddy coaching his daughter....

Kalicia is so proud every time she gets to the ball!

Charlotte and Kalicia Perform in the "Constitution Program" at Jefferson Academy!

2011-09-16T15:52:00.001-07:00

Happy 65th Wedding Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa Burgoyne!!

2011-09-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

What wonderful examples they are to all of their posterity....

We hope to be just like them someday, happy and successful!

We sure love them dearly.....

(Pictures of Grandma and Grandpa over the years)

What a beautiful and amazing couple!


Elin's Baby Blessing, what a darling little girl.....

Another surgery...... this time Caroline is getting her tonsils and adenoids out.

She hasn't slept through the night in all her 3 years of her life, hopefully this will help before the baby is born. Her tonsils were so large she would have to gasp for air, cough, and panic all night long. She had a really tough week following the surgery. Each meal took an hour and an half to eat (blended it in a blender and fed her with a dropper) She is doing so well now. We are so proud of our tough little girl!

She loved the BUBBLES

that we played with while we waited in the hospital!

First Piano Recital.....

2011-09-02T13:42:00.002-07:00

Gardening fun..... just a little success....

2011-09-02T13:27:00.001-07:00

We get a "Punkin" to carve this fall!

(Right in the center is our one and only apple this year! -ugh)

Caroline loves being the only one home and helping mom in the garden....

(Caroline reading stories to her favorite dolly....)

Random Excitement!!!!

2011-08-24T12:54:00.002-07:00

Grandma Burgoyne's Chemotherapy went well after six months and her tests came back well!

We are so happy!

We love Great Grandma and Grandpa Burgoyne!!!

Happy Birthday Loraina!!!

She is such a great nanny for my kiddos!!!

Making PIZZAS,

a favorite Sunday Supper:

Congrats Aunt Christine and Uncle Sean on our new little cousin, Troy!!!

We are so excited for our little boys to grow up and play together....

This year Mom didn't get to compete in the Triathlon because she is going to have a baby boy!!!

But, we had fun going and supporting our friend Tammy, Mommy's Triathlon Partner!!

Charlotte's Physical Therapist, Randy, was competing too.

Kalicia and Alex cheered everyone on!!!!

We had our fun big Taylor Farms Summer Block Party at our house,

all the kids got Trophies for playing on the

Taylor Farms Kickball Team!!!

We have such a great neighborhood!!!!

Then our fun trip to the valley for our cousin, Ellen Cowgur's, Wedding...

She was like a sister to me growing up and spending the summers at her house

My cousin, Sharon, was in town with her two little ones, visiting from Denmark.

Ellen, makes a beautiful bride, visiting with Grandma Burgoyne.....

Caroline got to make this special trip with me to visit and play with her second cousin,

Olivia (Sharon's little girl)!

She had a lot of fun with Lincoln too (Greg's little boy)!

Charlotte lost her front tooth!!!!

and she swallowed it while she was sleeping, so a note will have to do.......

My kids trying really hard to be reverent during Stake Conference.....

I couldn't but help take a picture of my girls enjoying their big brother's attention, what fun memories!

My boys will be leaving on missions in the next year, so their little sisters only get them a little while longer!

(With my new phone, no one new I took a picture. I just held it on my lap.)

First Days of School:

2011-08-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

He is an adult..........

2011-08-10T19:27:00.001-07:00

Happy 18th Birthday Austin!

2011-08-10T18:28:00.004-07:00

Austin as a little guy, with his Grandma Maland.

1st grade

Our First Birthday with Austin, 2006.

Such a tiny guy!!!

Just the beginning of many adventures!

Trips and discussions with the missionaries.....

"Hanging out" with Grandma Pember for the first time!

Austin loves sports, track is his thing!

"He hauls trash!"

The beginning of dating (GIRLS!) and driving, oh my!

Happy 36th Birthday Daddy!!!!

2011-08-10T17:03:00.001-07:00

The girls loved sleeping in and setting up the tent! They finally understand that the tent is not an indoor toy....

We usually have our 5th Wheel so this is a new experience for the girls!

We finally got to have a fire and we got to make SMORES!

We had to come up with a simple plan, cause I can't travel too far from the hospital and the boys had to work....... So we went camping right next door to the hospital at Showlow Lake Campground. We loved it! We weren't far away, but we felt like it!

Happy Birthday
Grandma Pember!!

"Meet the Teacher" Night

2011-08-04T00:00:00.001-07:00

Summer Fun!!!!

2011-08-03T22:58:00.003-07:00

Watching Daddy play Baseball Games..........

Jon, getting to ride a neighbor's Mustang around, because he did some service for him.
I am proud of my boys, always looking to serve! And they can't wait to go on missions in just over a year!!!!

The girls camping on the front porch, while I work in the garden.....
Then, I got to make a yummy dinner out of the vegetables we picked. The girls enjoyed eating the peas fresh out of the garden. This is the first year that I got the peas picked early enough to enjoy them and they didn't go bitter!!!

Chicken and vegetables with Chipotle Marinate ~Yummy!!!

(Jon's favorite!)

Loren and Austin got to drive all the way to Idaho for a scout trip for a week to go white water rafting ~lucky guys!!! (That's a favorite of mine. I think we get to go in May!)

So after a 3 hour notice that he was leaving for a whole week to Idaho and taking the scouts in our truck, he was sweet and brought me flowers and chocolates when he came home. Oh, and my craving of Shrimp Tacos from El Cupidos!

Austin passed his Eagle Board of Review!!! ~Yea!

We are looking at October 1st for his Eagle Court of Honor.

Taylor Farms Kickball League

@ the Merrill Field

Sitting in the shade and

Taking a snack break at half time......

~DANCE~

Summer Projects

~adding onto the barn

~finally pouring cement under our deck, yea!!!

Getting Caroline Potty Trained!!!!!

She likes to sit herself on the toilet, but still nothing happens.

(When she disappears for a few minutes and I am looking for her, I know to look on her potty....)

She loves being a big girl!

1st Annual Winston and Irma Pember Reunion!!!

2011-07-25T21:49:00.002-07:00

What a wonderful time we had together!

As soon as people arrived on Friday Evening, we headed off to Fools Hollow Lake for a picnic, swimming and fishing. The boys were allowed to bring a couple of friends. Jon's friend, Mckenzie was a big help with Caroline. He can bring her anytime! She watched her for me while we scanned the area and talked to the police about Aunt Satya's purse. Some teenagers stole it and went joy riding around Showlow.
Sorry Aunt Satya
Playing at the Lake was a fun way to start off.......
Sage and Jon swam all the way across the lake and back, at least a 1000 yards! Wow!!!!
Sage was the winner!!!! Uncle Loren came to her rescue while fishing and gave her a floatation device on her way back. She was not about to give up.

The next morning:

The PIONEER DAY PARADE!!

As soon as the parade was over, we ran over to the dunk tank.....
Charlotte even had to take her turn, braver than me!
(They made a good amount of money from all our family.)

All of our wet "Dunk Tank Super Heroes" along with the teenagers, the teachers and the cops.

The Slip and Slide was a favorite!!!

Fireworks and Taylor Rodeo

Lots of yummy treats!!!!!

Charlotte has more procedures to help her walk.......

2011-07-25T18:45:00.002-07:00

Traditional Chocolate Milk. I always buy my kids chocolate milk to settle their stomach after going under and getting those horrible IV's. The promise of Chocolate milk relaxes their mind too! Gotta love chocolate!

She was fascinated by the speaker on the remote.

Charlotte has gone through several procedures recently at St. Joseph's Hospital, such as the Lumbar Puncture. She is a tough girl with a lot of faith. She is always telling me that Jesus is going to help her walk. Just recently, it broke my heart though, when she asked, "When will Jesus help me walk?"

We went and donated blood as a family, toward Charlotte's Study at the Barrow Institute and even Kalicia was excited and being brave wanting to help Charlotte walk until....... She saw the needle. I have never seen her so scared, she kicked and fought the doctor, nurse, Loren and me off of her. All the while through her tears, saying, "I want to give blood to help Charlotte." So she wanted to do it. We didn't want to force her. She finally got the courage up and held as still as possible, laughing and crying all at the same time, trying to be tough.

Later that same day, we went swimming as a family...... Kalicia started screaming with excitement and cheering Charlotte on, getting all of our attention...... Charlotte was climbing up the ladder of the pool in the deep end, got out, balanced her self on the edge of the pool without holding on to anything and jumped in!!!!! Everyone of course cheered and Charlotte was beaming! Kalicia got even more excited and announced to everyone, "Mommy, Mommy, look..... donating the blood worked! She is doing better!"

After we left the hospital late in the evening.........

.....we stopped by Aunt Jessyka's house to see her new baby, Elin.

(Charlotte is so excited to have a small baby in our home again!)

And we got to eat some yummy food that Aunt Satya brought over.

(She is always so good at taking care of everyone.)

Then after a long day, she curled up in Grandpa Merrill's arms.

What an eventful and memorable week..........

2011-07-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Sage was Baptized! She looked just like a princess twirling circles in her dress.

Charlotte, can't stop talking about how she is going to be baptized like Sage and Grandma Merrill is going to make her a "pretty twirly dress" too!

Then..... Aunt Jessyka had her new baby!!!!

~Elin Sylvia Boyd~

Congrats!!!! What a gorgeous little girl!!!!

Our Pember Family Camping Trip was a Success, even with all the fires and forest closures.... We found a beautiful spot, among the ashes.....

2011-07-07T23:07:00.000-07:00

Family Home Evening at Fools Hollow Lake with our neighbors!

2011-07-07T21:16:00.001-07:00

What a fun and exciting weekend!

2011-07-07T19:52:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Aunt Judy's Retirement ~Congratulations!

The girls sell eggs they collect from their chickens and they chose to spend their money at the "Sweet Factory"!

Grandma Merrill gave Caroline a new horse for her birthday. She has named it Bobbie and sleeps with it every night!

Happy Birthday to our little cousin, Brad.........

We went to a couple swimming Birthday Parties! The kids loved that!

We got to go see Aunt Kristie's new baby boy, Lance Gary Merrill! ~Congrats!

Charlotte's favorite this weekend became jumping off the diving board........

Through all the busy summer, I had a fun time, as a leader, at the Taylor 9th Young Women's Girls' Camp!

2011-07-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!!! We love our Dads!!!!

2011-07-07T14:14:00.004-07:00

For Father's Day we got to go to Canyon Creek to pick our spot for Girls' Camp with our neighbors, the Johnsons.

We enjoyed spending Sunday afternoon, running through the creek in the nice cool mountains.


Before we headed into the forest, we had a nice Father's Day Dinner and opened gifts.	He loved his new BBQ grill.

That same week we got to go see Grandpa Merrill and celebrate Father's Day.

Loren has spent a lot of time this summer working for Grandpa Pember and......

watching him play with all his new toys!

We enjoyed having him over for our Father's Day Dinner too!

"Mom and Sons" Trip to Utah....... Dad always takes them hunting, so I got my week to spoil them!

2011-06-28T07:52:00.003-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday "Sweet Caroline!"

2011-06-13T01:11:00.000-07:00

Jon and Austin Graduate AZPC! They are home!!!!!

2011-06-13T00:16:00.002-07:00


The girls made a large sign to hang up to welcome their big brothers home! They can't wait!

It was such a sweet reunion! I am so happy to have my boys home! We are so proud of them.

Their little sisters were thrilled to bring them home!!!!

Taylor Friends Welcome Home Party

We are having a BOY! Can you believe it? We are so happy!

2011-06-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

Charlotte new it was a "Boy Baby" the whole time!

Summer Friends!

2011-06-09T02:28:00.000-07:00

Charlotte and Alex

(The have been friends since 8 months old. If you ask them who they are going to marry. They name each other. So cute!)

This is what we love about summer.....

getting to play with friends and see those we don't see very often!

Collette Naylor came to visit! We had so much fun spending the day together!

Its fun to see our own kids playing together.

(Cassideen and Charlotte became fast friends!)

Gary and Sharlene Merrill Reunion 2011 @ Big Lake

2011-06-09T02:07:00.005-07:00

Well, it started at Big Lake, until sadly to say the Wallow Fire took over......

We were forced to move......Blockades went up....

It burned even thousands of more acres and we were camping at the field of the breaking point.

On the move for the 2nd time......

the third time....

and then the 4th time! Wow, what a sad event!

My kids loved playing in the dry dusty dirt....

Brodee was so brave and actually jumped into a nasty pond, from a low cliff to save Krew's fishing pole.

Zach jumped in to save Brodee.

The two HEROES of our Camp!

Dad, can cook...... trying to look tough for the picture.

Charlotte is such a great helper with her little sister, Caroline.

Slumber Party in the 5th Wheel

Fun Activities and Hanging out with cousins........

We ended up only camping 20 miles up Pinedale road. So by the time we had to clean up camp for the 4th time. Loren had me get ahead start and take the girls home in the Ranger while he cleaned up camp. It was a fun ride home!!!

By the time Loren (Daddy) made it home....... The girls were cleaned up and in bed!
They loved the Bubble Bath.
We got a little out of control with the bubbles, but they were dirty and they loved it!!!!

Jon and Austin are doing amazing!

2011-06-09T01:20:00.000-07:00


Jon and Austin have introduced the gospel to a lot of their cadet friends at AZPC!


They have been great missionaries. Jon baptized his friend Charles McDowell and Austin spoke on Baptism.

Congrats! Our little baby has a friend ~cousin~ Graham Cox!

2011-06-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

Ellen is engaged! So much excitement for the Cowgur family!

"Girl Time" End of the Year Summer Party!!!!

2011-06-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

Last Week of Preschool and Kalicia Graduates! She is going to Kindergarten and she can't wait!

2011-06-09T00:37:00.000-07:00

Field Day! Charlotte's last week of 1st grade.....

2011-06-09T00:24:00.001-07:00

Charlotte's sisters got to come spend the day with her playing softball.....

Hula Hooping,

....racing in potato sacks,

and watching Charlotte get awards from her awesome teacher, Mrs. Sherman

Caroline loved the parachute activities! (notice baby bump, 17 weeks)

Charlotte found out that Jade Merrill in her class was her 2nd cousin!

Our loving horse ~Bobbies Funeral......

2011-05-24T00:22:00.001-07:00

We got to see our boys this weekend at AZPC

2011-05-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

They are doing amazing!!! They come home in a few weeks! We can't wait!!!! They have grown up a lot, became great leaders, gained a stronger testimony and have been awesome missionaries, as well as great examples! Their little sisters pray for them every night and can't wait to give them big hugs........

The Grand Finale!!!! Disney in 3D! ~Dance Matrix...

2011-05-16T16:09:00.005-07:00

They were greeted off the stage with roses and their Dad's big hug!

Tammy gave them roses too!

I am so proud of my girls and all their hard work.

They were so excited that Grandma and Grandpa Pember were there!!!

After all their months of practice.... the big day arrived and all their favorite fans were their to support them!

The final bow with all the dancers.....

Such an adorable tap dance, "Princess and the Frog" and at the very end, they picked up their frogs and kissed them~so cute and then they took their bow with beautiful cheesy grins!

Waiting in the dress up room to take their turn on stage. They were gitty with excitement!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-16T15:32:00.003-07:00

They voted to jump into bed with me and watch "Princess and the Frog", that was after a long relaxing day of being pampered by my husband and children. He woke up early, before bishopric meetings and made me my favorite cheese omelets, sausage, and toast. He makes the best omelets! Then he even cleaned up the mess with the kids!!! (I usually regret the cleanup after he cooks, but he cleaned it up and kept me out of the kitchen.) Then he made a yummy Sunday Supper with mashed potatoes, grilled some chicken, veggies and rolls. He even invited my parents so my mom didn't have to cook. My girls made special gifts for me; Charlotte's vase, Kalicia and Caroline's recipe book, Jon sent a card, signed by all the cadets and Austin sent a poem. Loren gave me chocolates, a love note, and flowers......... What a special day! I love my family!

We went and surprised Grandma Pember at school and took her Mother's Day Gifts, just to make it special. The girls loved to see her at work!

Happy Mother's Day to Grandma Merrill!!!!
We wish we could have visited her too!

One of my favorite "Mommy Moments", reading to my children before bed....
(Loren took this picture and sent it to me thanking me for being a good mommy and wishing me a Happy Mother's day)
I don't think that special day could have gone any better!

Saturday with Dad.......

2011-05-16T15:18:00.002-07:00

I had to go to more teacher certification classes all day on Saturday and then Young Womens' Certification Day Camp, so Dad was on his own with the kiddos.......
AND THEY HAD A BLAST!!!

Dad spent some time working on the quads in the garage, so the girls had a picnic in the garage.
He sent me these pictures through out the day~what fun!

They decided they wanted to work on a quad too just like Daddy, so they put their hats on just like him, lifted up the seat of the quad and went to town fixing (who knows what!).

Charlotte's 1st Grade Spring Program....

2011-05-16T14:16:00.003-07:00

Charlotte with her school, Jefferson Academy and her friends: Janaleigh, Cameron,
(best friend ~AJ), and of course her bestest friend and sister~Kalicia!

2011-05-05T22:18:00.002-07:00

Princess and the Frog
(Photo Shoot)

Happy Easter!!!

2011-05-02T10:38:00.005-07:00

~Traditional Easter Egg Decorating~

So, we had to come up with a new way to use our Easter Eggs..... We love the Deviled Eggs, but you just can't have that for dinner. My friend, Jess, makes this yummy meal for her family for Easter and we loved it! So it's our new traditional Easter Meal, along with Deviled Eggs of course:
Egg ala Goldenrod
(I have know idea why it's called that, but it's yummy!)

Sunday Morning Easter Egg Hunt

The race is on!

The girls had fun doing their own photo shoot:
(Mom just needs to get better at being the photographer.)

The Reason for the Easter Season......

2011-05-01T12:19:00.003-07:00

During all the fun of the Easter Season, we had a chance to go to the Easter Pageant with other Merrill Family! The girls were all so excited to see Jesus.

Kalicia was amazed that Jesus loved and even forgave the bad guys.

Charlotte expressed her feelings about Jesus helping her walk, like he blessed the other children.

Caroline just kept pointing to Jesus and excitedly repeating "Jesus".

A fun and Exciting Saturday!!!!

2011-05-01T11:30:00.004-07:00

The fun Saturday ended with (Auntie) Lucia, taking out Grandpa Pember during the adults taking on the Pinata! (while the kids watched)

The Twins (Satya and Lucia) turned 30!
I thought I felt old when I turned 30, but to have my little sisters turn 30, turns me really old!!!!

Thank you Aunt Jessyka for throwing a great party!

(Satya and Lucia even dressed alike ~so cute!)

In between the fun Easter Carnival and the Birthday Party.....
We took our girls to see the movie "HOP"!
They loved that! We don't go to the theater very often.

They got to see the Easter Bunny!!!!

Thank you Aunt Rachelle for inviting us to her work
Easter Carnival!
She was in charge and put so much work into it!
The girls had an amazing time!

Lots of fun with COUSINS!!!!!

2011-05-01T10:38:00.002-07:00

Thanks to Good Friday, and an unused "Snow Day" all the kids were out of school....
So we spent the day with cousins, going on a picnic and an Easter Egg Hunt at Freestone Park.

On you mark, get set.....Go! (start hunting!)
(Charlotte, Kalicia, Caroline, Capri, Brodee, Meika, Sage, Halee, Arwen, Jackson, Kendall Trenton, Brooklyn, Jade and Bradley

....and the weekend before that,
all the Pember Cousins came to our house, while the Dads worked on Grandpa and Grandma's House. We got to play, watch movies and glaze our ceramics.

(Meika and Capri)

Another Surgery...... Tubes in Charlottes' Ears.

2011-05-01T09:22:00.002-07:00

Dr. Cox usually only puts tubes in that last for about 6 months because they are supposed to grow out of it, but he went ahead and put some tubes in her ears that will last a whole year!

The tubes really helps her speech and balance. It's a dramatic difference when she gets them put in.

The doctor, brought her the mask ahead of time to play with to calm her fears, it sure did!

Spring..... or winter...... which is it?

2011-04-26T21:19:00.002-07:00

So, I have been getting all excited about the spring coming! My Tulips blooming...... I planted broccoli and lettuce, the wind is here.......

(I saw on Satya's Blog that they are jumping on the Trampoline in the Sprinklers! It is warming up!)

And then.....
it
SNOWS in Taylor!

......and instead of jumping on the trampoline in the sprinklers,
we are jumping on the trampoline in the SNOW!!!! (in April!!!)

......of course, the girls are loving it!!!!

Happy APriL fOOls!!!!!

2011-04-08T14:00:00.002-07:00

Turquoise Meatloaf Cake and Hamburger Cookies and dirt for dessert.....

My poor kids were so confused, but had lots of fun with dinner!

We had Grandma and Grandpa Merrill here for the weekend.
They joined us for General Conference and a fun April Fools Dinner!

Crazy Little Caroline.......

2011-04-08T13:54:00.002-07:00

(Daddy took this Picture of Caroline, while out jumping on the trampoline with her.)

Is she tough or what......
Through all our busyness,
we managed to fit in another eye surgery for Caroline.

White Mountain Belles Spring Concert....

2011-04-08T13:41:00.002-07:00

We have a good time together, traveling around the White Mountains performing.

For 2 years I have been part of a Womens' Barbershop group called the
White Mountain Belles.

Family Day at AZPC!

2011-04-04T21:47:00.004-07:00

Thanks to all those who came and for your love and support!
The boys were so excited to have you there!

We had a fun Easter Egg Hunt with all the cousins!

Sisters and Cousins were so excited to see Jon and Austin!
We have missed them.....

They were so happy to see Grandmas and Grandpas and Uncles and Aunts.......

Their little sisters were excited to decorate Easter eggs with their big brothers. It was so great that they were able to finally see them! They also got to see their school. The girls pray for their big brothers everyday. It was a sweet little reunion of my children.

We are standing on the side lines watching the boys march in with their platoons!
what an exciting moment! We couldn't wait to see them!

We are so proud of our boys! This school has been an answer to our and their prayers!
They are so happy and their testimonies have blossomed! They feel a great difference!
Can't wait for them to graduate and come home on June 11th! We are half way there!!!

We had to take Austin to his follow up appt. after the surgery, so the girls were thrilled! We went to Burger King for lunch and he played with them in Playland!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

2011-03-22T20:39:00.002-07:00

Daddy helped his girls make a Leprechaun Trap. They didn't catch a Leprechaun, but they woke up and found green footprints all over the floor and gold chocolate coins trailed around....
They were ecstatic!!!

......and then they found that he got into our fridge and turned the milk green!
And our breakfast was a rainbow, fruit and pancakes!

Charlotte said she found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
a yummy fun breakfast!

And then a "Clover Casserole" for Dinner!
This Leprechaun got a little carried away on our food, but the kids loved it!

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY CHARLOTTE!

2011-03-08T22:26:00.004-07:00

Hoot n' Nanny for her Birthday Breakfast!
Good Morning Birthday Girl!

We spent the whole day together, just Charlotte and Mommy!
She got a manicure for her birthday and she picked Sparkly Green!

We had so much fun sharing a lunch together with her class.
I got to sit at a table with all her friends!

I loved just spending the whole day with her
and watching her learn and participate in her class.

Her good friends, AJ and Hayley

(I even learned that lots of boys have a crush on her!)

Charlotte's Rapunzel Cake!

(She calls Rapunzel the princess with the long long long long hair
and now she wants to grow her hair long!)

I thought it was fun that she asked for a pajama party, so everyone came in pajamas!

She had a wonderful 7th Birthday!!!!

Busy Week.......

2011-03-08T21:19:00.003-07:00

SNOWBOARDING!!!!!!!
I went as a leader with the Laurels. I had such a great time, but am paying for it after.
I always forget about all the muscles I use and the amount of times I fall on my tailbone

Caroline and I got to go see Austin and Jon.
Austin had Hernia Surgery, so we got to spend the day with him. We only got to see Jon when we got Austin, but Caroline was so cute how excited she got to see her big brothers!

It was hard to say good bye to my boys again when I dropped Austin back off at AZPC.
His surgery went well and we had such a special day together.
I love my sons and can't wait until they graduate, so they can come back home!
They are doing so well and we are so proud of them!

Kalicia's and Mommy's trip together!
......Waiting to board the plane to Utah!

Kalicia got to go hang out in the cockpit of the airplane and meet the pilots!
She was so amazed by everything and everyone thought she was so cute!

Kalicia's 1st time on the Airplane!!!!!
She was excited and nervous all at once.
(she kept tightening her seatbelt)

Watching her excitement as the plane left the ground was so magical.
She was in such awe.....

We went to Utah to help our friend, Natalie, just after she had a baby and surgery.
What a cute little family she has!

Kalicia was such a good helper entertaining Colton, while mom helped Natalie.
.....And she learned she loves trains and now she wants to save her money for a train set.

She loved all the "Mommy time" ~Just her and I for a whole week!

We went to Eager for Daycee's Baptism.......

Charlotte and Kalicia were so excited about their cousin, Daycee, getting baptized!

In the midst of winter,
we are enjoying "spring" in our Greenhouse!

Kalicia was excited about the baby oranges growing
and she loves going out to pick strawberries so we can make fruit smoothies!

Happy Birthday to Mommy!!! 32 years and I found 5 gray hairs!!!

2011-03-08T20:45:00.002-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day!
The kids always look forward to waking up Valentine's morning!
The girls enjoyed their cookies before I got a chance to take pictures!
I guess that's proof that they love the yummy tradition!
My boys were worried about getting their Valentine from mom. So I took pictures and mailed pictures of their cookies to them and told them I would save their cookies in the freezer.
They were thrilled!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Merrill!

2011-02-14T09:51:00.006-07:00

We had Grandpa Merrill over to visit for a birthday dinner at our new little condo in the valley. We stay there for doctor appointments. It was getting too tough to stay in hotels once a week. The girls helped me make his favorite birthday cake, lemon cake, from the tree in our back yard!

CHEER CAMP
at Snowflake High School

Charlotte and Kalicia had fun cheering with the Varsity Cheer leaders
at the High School Basket ball game!

Caroline gets to sleep in her
new toddler bed in her sisters' room!

She feels so BIG!!!

Kalicia is trying to do the household chores. I love that she has such a desire to help!
How long does this last?!

(1st time and vacuuming and she got a broom for Christmas that she loves!)

Arizona Project Challenge....Here we come!

2011-02-01T20:35:00.006-07:00

Cadet Austin Verlin Merrill

Cadet Jon Winston Merrill

Well, the boys are all set up and at the "Army School" as their little sisters call it. Getting their heads shaved was crazy! They were both laughing and having a good time as we went through the check in process. They seemed a little more excited once we got there. They said they were excited, but a little nervous. They got to talk and hang out with a lot of kids getting ready too. A lot of kids that already graduated were there and giving them advice. It was a real positive atmosphere and everyone seemed united and had the kids best interest at heart.

I had a very hard time leaving them there, especially trying to sleep that night was tough, knowing they were in different beds trying to sleep themselves. But, I left knowing they were in good hands and the boys were getting anxious to get going and check out their Barracks. They will do awesome and they are thrilled because they said they will come back bigger for sports and ahead for their senior year! The kids that graduated already, said it was tough, but well worth it and they would do it again!

The leaders there instructed us that letters are like gold. They may not always have time to write back, but to keep writing because it will inspire them and help keep them focused because they know they are supported by people who care for them! Thanks for all your love and support and I can't wait for them to graduate June 11th! They make a huge deal at graduation! This will be a wonderful experience for them!

We were so surprised how relaxed Austin was when getting his head shaved.
He is all about his hair, but he looks good shaved!

Jon wasn't so sure about getting his head shaved,
but he has a very nice shaped head. So he was relieved after wards.

Saying all their GOOD BYES........

Annatto, our Lab, is sure going to miss wrestling with them!

We had a fun time going out to eat with family,
saying our Good byes and having a good time together!

All the cousins are going to miss them!

The hardest part was saying good bye to their little sisters, lots of tears....

They went on one last date with Sister Packer.
(They are always going to her house to visit or do some service.)
So she took them out to Dairy Queen before they left.

Caroline gave them the sweetest hug.
She doesn't quite understand and everyday she and the girls ask if the boys are coming back tomorrow.

The boys took the horses out for one last ride before they left.
The horses have been great chick magnets.
The teenage girls are waiting for them to get back to go on more rides!

Happ New Years at the Sand Dunes!

2011-01-23T20:14:00.007-07:00

New Years at the Dunes!!!!

We had so much fun with the fireworks this year, now that they are legal!

Jon loved helping Dad with them and seemed to know more about them than Dad did.
Jon also had a great time as always entertaining all the kids at camp! They always have so much fun with him!!

Austin could not give the poor quad a break..... He had a blast, a dream come true! He rode the quad day and night!

Charlotte and Kalicia got really good this year at riding Charlotte's little quad. They cruised all over camp with the other kids. I loved watching them! Can't forget how much fun they had sledding down the sand hills! I think Dad and Caroline had the most fun sledding!!!

Dad took us on lots of rides on the Ranger and Caroline fell asleep every time.....

Then the craziest thing.... after lecturing the boys to be safe on the quads, I of course have to give an object lesson right in front of them!!! I was following along on the quad right behind them and hit the jump just wrong, took air for about 10-15 feet landed it wrong and the quad came down right on top of me, crushing my leg. I just layed there in pain, not able to move with Austin trying to do CPR on me with me wide awake. It was one of those comical painful moments with Austin trying to help me.

Luckily, nothing ended up broken, but torn up muscle and a puncture wound was a great lesson for me. About a week later, I did end up in the emergency room with a major infection and blood clots, with the thought of losing my leg. It looked horrible and the pain was unbearable! With a blessing and the right antibiotics it is starting to heal, but they said what I did was worse than a break. I am lucky to have my leg and it will take almost a year to heal and get rid of all the blood clots. This has taught me I am not a teenager anymore. The scariest part is I have to keep myself together so I can be a mom. Thanks Aunt Satya for helping me with my leg while we were camping!

We had an awesome New Years!!! One of the blessings is that the injury happened to me and not one of my kids.