Dad is great he feeds us chocolate cake! (Oct. 1st)

For BREAKFAST? Chocolate Waffles?

Cute family all lined up!

Saturday morning I came home from my run to this cute scene...Pete proudly chanting "Dad is great he feeds us chocolate cake!" I realized my kids were eating chocolate waffles for breakfast! They thought he was the coolest dad ever! (I personally tasted it...trust me it's not breakfast food if it consists of 1/2 cup of cocoa and topped with syrup!) Way to go super cool dad!

Stake Relief Society Meeting (Sept. 24th)

For the Stake RS meeting the theme was celebrating "Generations of Relief Society" all 8 year and older daughters were invited to come to the meeting with thier mom. Megan was excited to go with me, and it was so fun to take her! In the meeting they talked to the activity day girls and telling them of the importance of Relief Society! We were encouraged to talk about "Relief Society Moments" as a family or at the dinner table. Reminding us mothers to talk about what we really did that day...maybe visiting teaching or taking a meal or watching someone's children. We need to share with our children what we do as Relief Society Sisters to help one another. It was a great meeting and special to share it with Megan she is getting so big so fast!

Potty training....ugh!

I hate hate double hate LOATH Potty Training! Jett is my most difficult by far! (it must be his sweet spirit!)

Girls Weekend!!!

I am lucky enough to have good girl friends! After a rough summer my dear friend Heather said I needed a girls weekend...I agreed but thought nothing more of it. A few days later she asked if the weekend of Sept. 9th was free...and she managed to arrange for all 4 of us good ole' friends from high school . Heather flew in from Idaho, Cindy drove the long trip from Snowflake, and Sara from Mesa! We caught up as much as we could gabbing til weeee hours in the morning, lounging at the pool, eating at yummy PF Changs and Cheesecake Factory. Then we ended our weekend at the temple. What a neat experience to be in the temple together and share that eternal perspective. We each concluded that we all needed that girl time and it was way over due!

Uncle Tim's 30th! (Aug. 21st)

Sunday family Dinner...we drove down to Mesa and celebrated Uncle Tim's 30th birthday! Make your own gourmet pizza and yummy birthday cake! Fun to be with Pete and his siblings...fun to see them together and fun to see the little cousins play!

Big Shoes to Fill...(Aug. 20th)

Found Jett in our closet after church ...trying on Pete's shoes...I love it!

First Father Son Camp Out (Aug. 12)

Slept Great! (But Pete said he was wiggly)

Putting out the camp fire!
Mmmm watermellon...sticky! (Pete claimed that all the little boys looked this grubby!)

Fun memories the first of many!

Pete has fond memories of going to the Father and Son camp out when he was little... Pete really was excited to take Jett even if he is well......Jett!

Don't worry Jett fed the fish...

Mmmmmm......

This is how one morning started........."JET!!!!!!!!!"

Jett figured that with the girls in school he would assume the chore of feeding the fish...I really think he was trying to catch the fish and was luring them with food!

First Day of School 2011

Where are they going? (Poor Koda and Jett)

Excited First Grader
Big Fifth Grader ...(last year of elementary school!)

Nervous or

Excited?

Going back to school this year at Wilson was a lot easier than last year being new. The girls knew the teachers and both had friends in thier classes, knew the bus route, bus driver, where thier classes were. This year Wilson had a small school feel going back and seeing familiar kids and parents. We are definately enjoying the community and loving it!

Future Eagle Scout

My Dad my Hero!

When I was expecting Jett I found this little wannabe scout shirt and just had to buy it! Pete's current calling at church is working with the Boy Scouts. When a court of honor happens on a Tues. night when I have mutual Pete puts Jett's scout shirt on and takes him with him to the court of honor. So cute... I love my boys!

Pioneer Day...in Pinetop (July 22nd)

Mel and cousin Ben

Meg and cousin Daisy
Merrill cousins playing in the tent in the backyard (all smiles)

My Pioneer children...Meg, Mel, and Jett

All (12) of the Merrill cousins or Pioneer cousins

Grandma Merrill made matching Pioneer hats, skirts and scarfs for all the grandkids to wear in the Pioneer Parade. It was so fun to see them holding hands in the parade. It was a fun weekend to spend together!

Tractor Ride with Grandpa T. (July 13th)

Hot Summer Day...Mel found her own shade.
Jett lovin' working with Grandpa

Megan with her Grandpa T.

Mel working with Grandpa

Such great memories for the kids...I remember going on tractor rides on the same lap when I was little. We sure have missed living in St. David, but glad Tucson is not that far. Something about letting the kids breath some country air, playing outside in the dirt while I get to visit on the porch with some of my favorite people.

Start with the Healing...

So I have not blogged in almost a year and am feeling the need to keep doing it to stay connected with family. We are missing family more than ever lately. We have lots of family in lots of different states now, and we want you to know that we think of you all the time and you are always in our prayers. Just a few examples of how much we love and miss you...Megan and Melanie cried when they found out Brayden, Cambrie and Addie were moving to Washington state (because they would be soooo far away). Friday night as we knelt down in family prayer to pray for cousin Bode to get well soon( who was in the hospital) after the prayer was finished Meg and Mel both had tears streaming down thier little cheeks sad for thier sick cousin. Families are Forever... I feel the truthfulness of that statement more than ever. There is such a special bond I feel with sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, mom and dad, and grandma's and grandpas! How grateful I am for each and everyone of you! So this is for you...
As I sat down to think of where to start blogging from I thought I would start from the time that we started to heal from our loss this summer. We are healing with the help of the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and through His Atonement, and through faith in Him to move on.
Love,
Brittany