Brooke's Graduated!!!

My baby sister is finally graduated from high school! Brooke is special to me as since I've been married (almost 9 years) she has spent every summer with me and my family. The past two years we have lived in St. David and been able to watch her games and concerts. Together Brooke and I have gone through the HIGHS and the LOWS of High School! Trust me when I say it was a rough ride! Brooke I love you and I am proud of you...CONGRATULATIONS!

Megan's 1st Grade Program/Graduation

Megan's program was so DANG CUTE! She surprised me so much!!! At her Christmas program she was not too excited and muttered a few words and called that singing! Now just 5 short months later an American Idol Star wannabe was born! She was on the front row singing her little heart out and tapping her shoe and everything! I gave her a 10 on stage presence and another 10 on her vocals and cuteness.

Megan's class also put on a play on which Megan played her teacher, Mrs. Reece called and we cordinated thier wardrobes.

Now onward to SECOND GRADE!

Melanie's Pre-School

Melanie reminds me so much of myself...she is goofy, crazy, funny and she cracks me up! She had a little pre-school program and she was suppose to dress up as what she wants to be when she grows up. Her first choice was a princess, I laughed and said "Me Too!" Melanie's second choice was to be a BIG BALLERINA, which didn't suprise me because she lives in her leotard and tutu.
At Melanie's program she was so cute as a ballerina even though most of the little girls there were dressed up as princesses. I was relieved that she is a normal 3 year old little girl!

SDHS TRACK 2008

The 2008 SDHS Track and Field season is officially over! This was my first season as the Woman's Head Coach and it was FUN, EXCITING, STRESSFULL, and EXHAUSTING all at the same time! I enjoyed working with Coach Patrick Nduwimana who was the Men's Head Coach. We learned a lot from each other and worked really well together. Patrick ran for the University of Arizona and currently still holds the NCAA 800 meter dash record, he also has ran in the past 2 Olympics. We starting preparing for the season back in October when we were hired. We were able to raise money through the state tax credit program and as a result we were able to order new warm-ups and some much needed equipment. In January we had dedicated athletes that attended pre-season conditioning and helped up clean up the old track shed. The season went great we were able to take 12 athletes to the State Meet.

HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS...(in no particular order)

1. Coaching my sister, she took 2nd in High Jump at the State Meet.
2. Coaching with Patrick.

3.Coaching with Pete he was one of my Assistant Coaches, I love how we share the love of the sport.

4.Watching Meg and Mel start out of the blocks and race with the track kids.

5. Watching Melanie long jump.

6. Watching our track athletes win thier first race or create a new personal record.

7. Watching a blind boy from ASDB run a mile and cheering for him with my athletes.

8. Enjoying the State Meet with our athletes and rewarding them with "Ironman", Olive Garden, and late night Pizza.

9. Watching and cheering for Lee, Pete's sister at the State Meet who finished 2nd in the 100 and 200meter dash for BlueRidge.

10. Having one of my Freshman girls run up to me after qualifiying for finals at State and saying "I LOVE TRACK, THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!"

Well enough said!
(sorry about the boring pics, I can't publish pictures of my team)

WARNING...UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!

YES,DUE TO MANY HAZING COMMENTS AND EMAILS, I AM ATTEMPTING TO UPDATE MY BLOG...PLEASE GIVE ME A FEW DAYS TO CATCH UP...I HOPE TO BE UP TO DATE BY THE WEEKEND!

Introducing Dr. Megan Merrill

Megan and Melanie are pretty good pals...I could even dare to say best friends! Here Megan is sharing her daddy's interests. Melanie on the other hand was trying hard to play the part of the very sick patient.

Michael's Blessing

It was so fun to be able to just jump in the car and be there to see little Michael blessed! Megan and Melanie LOVE all of thier cousins and enjoy being with them. After church the kids went crazy yet we still were able to manage a few family pictures. We went to Tim and Connie's new home (Congrats!) and had breakfast with all the family!

Easter Sunday...

I don't know about you but Easter came way to fast this year! Sunday night Megan asked me if we could keep the Easter decorations up a little while longer... I agree with Meg! I enjoyed our Easter Sacrament Meeting there was such a sweet spirit there today! We carried out Easter discussions into Family Home Evening last night as well, it is so satisfying to be able to teach my children the meaning of Easter rather that letting them think that we celebrate the Easter Bunny. I truly am grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and the sacrafices that he made for me. I enjoy this time of year to be reminded and to reflect on his life and example.

Megan's 7th Birthday!

Megan turned 7 last Friday March 21st! She is so grown up all of a sudden! She is such a sweet heart and she is such a big helper to me. Megan's present was the swing set that Grandpa Gibson helped us buy for not just Meg but for all the grandkids to enjoy! This year she wanted a party with her friends and so we invited everyone over to play on the new swing set, while enjoying some pizza for lunch and then afterward coloring eggs and having an good old fashion Easter Egg HUNT!

We felt like Megan was spoiled all week during her birthday,(which was also spring break) she had a party and then went to Chuckee Cheese with Grandma and Grandpa Merrill and then YES EASTER TWO DAYS LATER!!!!

FYI ...If you are concidering buying such a playset make sure your husband takes off two days from work to assemble! No Joke! It came in a million pieces and I was in trouble for buying probably the most complicated playset on the market!

Baby Michael Merrill is so CUTE!

Baby Michael was born Feb. 19th 2008, 8 lbs 14oz! Megan anxiously awaited the arrival of baby Michael! She called Aunt Connie frequently to check on the progress (weeks before Michael's due date)! Megan, Melanie and I were excited to go help with baby Michael in any way that we could! So we spent a few days in Gilbert with Tim and Connie and cousin Abby. Megan was sweet and took good care of Abby while Aunt Connie was getting some rest. The best way I found myself to be helpful was cooking! I enjoy cooking and it was fun to cook for a crowd.

Connie and Tim are such a strong couple . Connie's mom had passed away just weeks before Michael was born. Tim and Connie we hope you know how much we will always love and support you!

More Pictures in Beautiful Arizona!!!

The first picture is of all the Gibson grandkids!

The second picture is of the Gibson sisters!

The third picture is of my and my GIRLS!

The fourth picture is of my hubby and I!

The fifth picture is of my little family!

And yes these pictures were taken in Febuary in Arizona and yes the weather is so beautiful right now!

Family Pictures...Family Time...

In Feburary we were all was faced with the sad news of my brother Ben's wife Cheryl being diagnosed with cancer. The cancer was found after a routine sugery she had in January to remove the bursa sac in Cheryl's knee. She has had severe unexplained knee pain for the past 6 years or more. The routine treatment from several doctors was physical therapy, until finally the surgery was scheduled to remove the bursa sac. A week after the surgery the pathology reports came back positive for cancer. We couldn't stand all the waiting to find out answers so all the family cleared their schedules and jump in the car to go be with Ben and Cheryl for a weekend. We enjoyed being with eachother and had lots of fun! We had pictures taken and then BBQ picniced and played some crazy olympic games! Cheryl and Ben we hope you know how much we love you... your constantly in our thoughts and prayers.

You can keep updated with Cheryl on her blog I have it listed has Gibson Family.

The Importance of Toilet Paper...

I have been stressing the importance of using toilet paper EVERY time Melanie goes potty.

Melanie for a while like most kids thought that toilet paper was OPTIONAL!

This picture is proof that she has now grasped the idea!

Valentine's Day...

Valentine's Day was actually for us a busy day! We made sure all our grandma's and grandpa's and aunts and uncles felt loved! I also helped out with Megan's Class party... And took care of cousin Hailey so Brianna and Tyler could go to a Sun's game! So by the end we were all exhausted yet felt very loved! Pete and I went to dinner and a movie the following weekend when the resturants weren't so busy!

(Don't you just love little Mel's personality!)

Pete's Side Kicks!

Just the past couple of weeks I had a couple of those moments where I ran and grabbed my camera! Megan and Melanie love their dad and love spending time with him! They like to be helpers when ever they can whether it is work or play! These pictures make me melt!

Catching up with the Leavitt Family!!

It was so good to see the Leavitt's! After the new year we met up at Tracy and Amber's house in Marana and enjoyed visiting and catching up while the girls had fun playing. Tracy went to school with Pete at DMU and Amber and I worked together in Young Women's in our Ward. Tracy is a 2nd year podiatry resident here in Tucson with Pete.

We don't get together too often but after this visit vowed to make an effort more often! We went out and enjoyed some good food at Texas Road House.

The Leavitt's big news is that they are expecting...sometime this summer! How fun huh!!! Amber is really sick with morning sickness and is enduring through all of that yucky stuff, but other than that they are doing great! I fell in love with little Olivia she is sooooo cute!

Melanie's Christmas

Sweet little Melanie asked for only one specific item...Princess Aurora the baby doll! She was thrilled and enjoyed sharing the Enchanting Castle as well! Time will fly and in soon will be demanding the 80 Gig ipod like Aunt Brooke! Oh how I love how sweet and simple kids can be!