Catching butterflies at Grandma and Grandpa T's...
Hanging out on the porch visiting...
Hanging out at the Thomas Farm in SD for fall break...I love how Mel doesn't have shoes on. Goes to show you can be both a City girl AND a Country girl! It was a nice break, Pete had to work so we were only gone for a few days because we missed our Dad!
Jett's lovin that horse ride!
Oh to not have a care in the world!
Our home teacher when were were in SD came over one day when Pete was working a long day. In our doorway conversation Melanie tells him that our stick horse was broken :( So he said he could fix it and he took it home. A few days later the Merrill family stick horse was brought back to life! Replacing the broken stick with the end of an old beach umbrella (metal and longer). So now our stick horse will ride forever...just outside from now on!
Melanie Merrill #3
Playing for the purple scorpions
Melanie and her friend Peyton
The cheering section... faithful supporters!
Nothing like going camping at a beautiful place with just your family and your dog. 
Koda and Jett enjoying cooler weather...
Pete teaching Jett how to set up a tent...on Jett's first camping trip.
Buddies...
Big Helper...
Pete's first weekend off call duty ...we were able to go to Pinetop and help his dad get ready for a new roof for his carport. It was nice to be with family and to get some fresh air. 
Here is another picture of us getting moved in...I loved how Jett had to get in there and help out his dad! (note the computer desk I refinished)
You might have been wondering where we have been? I thought these pictures describe a lot. We moved as soon as the girls finished school. Pete finished residency and joined a Podiatry group in Oro Valley. We have felt so blessed by this job Pete loves who he works with and now 6 months looking back we are really falling in love with the ward, community and the school. It feels right for our family to be here. I am cutting out some summer pictures for now...really besides going to Utah for a week for my neices baptism we just moved, painted, cleaned, painted, painted, moved, painted, and cleaned! After 10 years we were able to buy our first home! So it was an exciting step! The house needed some painting and we decided to do it ourselves to "save money". We painted ceilings and all folks! It took a good 2 months to do. Thank you to all the family that helped!
Cute school girls!
Look at those excited and puffy morning eyes!
Melanie's first day of Kindergarten...
Megan a fourth grader!
Moving over the summer means lots of new things...new home, new ward, and new school! Today was the girls first day of school and everyone including mom and dad were excited and nervous! Everything ran smoothly this morning with our new schedule of waking up at 6am! It was nice to work as a family this morning eat breakfast, read scriptures, and say family prayers together before going our separate ways. It is nice having Pete closer to his work. Melanie is in all day kindergarten so the girls will ride the bus to and from school together and they loved it! Jett and I are adjusting (tear)...
Happy Hungry School Girls!
Megan in her new glasses!
What does a nervous mom do all day...
and a fresh peach pie!
Jett and I were pretty lonely with out the girls all day...I baked and Jett wondered from room to room calling for Mellll and Meghh. We were both happy to have them home. Both the girls loved riding the bus, making new friends, and getting to know their "Cool Teachers". Whew...thank heaven for tender mercies. 
Excited Melanie...
Melanie and Shaley
Melanie and I went to her Kindergarten Orientation yesterday. It was good to meet the teacher and see her classroom and learn all the rules. I have been really impress with the girls school "Wilson" Wow pretty organized for such a large k-8 school. I left confident that my little Melanie will do just fine finding her way around. She has a friend from church in her class, her name is Shaley and they are little twins. Did I tell you Melanie is so excited!
HE
IS
INTO
EVERYTHING!
What time is bed time? 
