Merrill Family Photos

We have been enjoying the winter here. Two years in a row having snow has been a real change, with all that global warming stuff and all. Here are some new pictures of our family (taken by a really cool photog Emily Walton) so....emjoy!! Happy New Year!!!!!

Twilight saga!!

YES..... The 4th and final book in the Twilight series is out. Tim, my sister in law Holly, and I went to get the book at Barns and Noble. We went to the before party with actually was a stinker. But at midnight we got our books! I have mine read already! I loved loved loved it!!! Nothing like I thought it would be. I won't ruin it for you all, but once you have read it let me know.... so we can discuss it!! So exited. I am going to start it again just as soon as Tim is done reading it. I had to give him a turn. Happy reading everyone!

My camera is broken right now. So sorry for the lack of pictures.

Our little family is very patriotic. We are so greatful for our freedom, and realize that it is not free. I am so thankful to live in this country, to have all of the luxeries and freedoms that we have. I am so thankfull for our troops, and for the many men and women who sacrifice everything to serve and protect. So for the 4th we went some activities that our neighborhood HOA was putting on. It was so fun. The kids had a blast. We ate, listened to a band, watched a movie on a huge screen that they blew up in the park, then went off to watch the fire works. Rhya was making everyone laugh by dancing to the music. That girl cracks me up! By the end of the night clouds had come in, which made the sky look so pretty. Anyways.... Happy 4th of July everyone!

Well we sent Kylee off back home to Alaska on Saturday night. Kylee and I both cried like little babies when she had to go. We had so much fun! Our last little hurrah was taking her hiking up Mt. Timpinogos to the caves up there. It was a beautiful hike. Although hotter than heck, and a lot harder than we thought it would be. The poor kids! They made it though and we were so proud of them. We didn't bring enough water, and they all ended up with blisters. So bless their little hearts, they did a good job. After we got off of the Mountain we set up camp and had smores! It was such a fun day. The actual cave part was one of my worst nightmares. I was thinking that it would be this open area once inside the cave. NOT! I am extremely clausterphobic, and the whole time through the cave you are squeezing and ducking, almost crawling. I was panaking the whole time. It was just as bad as the dentist! Luckily it is also dark in there so no one could see me cry! :) I have never been so happy to see sunlight in my life. Other than that, it was so fun.

We have had my little sister Kylee here staying with us. We have had so much fun! We have been to Lagoon and the zoo. Plus we just have been playing playing playing! it has been so fun. Here are some pictures of our adventures together. It has been so hot here. WE have slept a few nights in the tent in our yard. WE have had fun with water fights too! Its a good way to cool off! Anyhoo... Fun stuff going on at the Merrills.

We spent a lot of the weekend up at American Fork Canyon. Hiking and exploring. We had a lot of fun. Our origional plan was to camp up in the uenta mts, but it was snowing there still. So we went to plan B. Which was perfect. It was so nice to spent time together. We loved it. We have so much to be greatfull for. Not only our families, but now is the time to remember out military people who give their lives for freedom!

We have been spending all of our time outside now! We love it! We got the kids a little wading pool and some nets and they are having so much fun! And I am really loving bed time. The kids actually wear themselves out!
Rhya is loving being outside too. She is still as bald as cam be! We love it. What a cutie pie! She is always making us laugh. She still really only likes me, or her daddy. I am just going to enjoy it while she still wants me! Ella who is almost 5, holds her daddy at the top of the world. It is sweet, but I miss when she wanted me if she got hurt or something. Anyhoo...

Ok, Jamie.... We are planning this camping trip, and the weather is terrible. So I made these waterproof mats for the kids to sit on outside on the ground. First I took a ton of newspapers. Sealed them together with plastic garbage bags and duct tape. Then I covered them like you would do a pillow with waterproof fabric. You could use a shower curtain, or wall paper even. I used a thick fabric and then sprayed it with waterproofer. I just used what I had, but you could really make these look cute.
We have been spending all our weekends working on our yard. We all enjoy the work, and it is great family time together. The kids love being helpers! Who knew pulling weeds could be so fun!