My kids just being kids (adorable ones at that)

Yes, Brad is included in my kids! Arn't these great? Pictures really are priceless.

Before we moved to Santa Clara we got to spend the day with Travis Gugeulman in Virginia City, Montana. These are some of the shots he took. It was a lot of fun. Especially since Jex was so into trains and we got to take pictures with the trains. Travis is the best photographers I know he truely has a gift an an eye for what he does.

cheese

brad getting a ticket

New Friends

I have made a few good friends. Mindy Boyce in the middle is my neighbor and Kristen on the end lives just around the corner. Thank heavens for them they have made the transition her much easier not only for me but for my kids. It's great to move somewhere new and have instant friends. I am greatful and thankful for them.

Labor Day in Idaho

We got to go home for Labor day. We had quite the trip. Brad ripped the wheel of the sandrail. We lost the four wheeler off the trailer while going 50 mph in Grant about 1/4 of a mile from Dennis and Rhonda's house totaling it. Brad's truck got broke into in Vegas and they stole all the stereo and DVD equipment.

I guess 3 wasn't enough because when we got home Ava burn her hand and Brad wrecked my Escalade on a landscape rock at a cabin in Ponderosa. Hopefully our bad luck is over for awhile. I don't think I can handle anymore.

Mya got a ride a horse. She has been begging us to do for about a month now. Great Grandma and Grandpa Merrill had one in there pasture so Brad put her on the colts back. Luck that wasn't accident number six. I got to see my family and we got all the babies together. Ashley and Eli, Brianna and Kiah and Me and Ava. It's fun to have cousins all the same age. We also got to go camping at white owl. Jex and Grandpa Dennis played Indiana Jones. Dennis made a rescue rope and a whip for Jex. He was on cloud nine. Tonka - Brianna and Caseys dog was there. He is a huge puppy!! I think my dad would agree.

A week and 5 days after the accident.

Ava had to wear a club cast on her hand for a week and 3 days but now it is off. She got really good at sliding the cast on the floor and moving her other hand to get around. We had to change the dressing everyday and she never fussed. The middle picture is her hand today. One week and five days later. As you can imagine she is getting all kinds of love from everybody especially Daddy.

Ava's accident

These pictures are a little hard for me to post. I was making Raman noodles in the microwave and had just got them out after cooking for 3 minits. Ava was sitting on the counter top and she dove across the counter and reached for the noodles. Before I could grab her she stuck her hand in the soup and because of the diving motion the bowl slid across the counter and spilled on her face. It was a horrible experience. Mya and I took her to the ER and they gave her a little morphine to calm her down. It was really not very fun at all. She cried for about 2 hours before she finally fell asleep in my arms. We have been going to the wound clinic and got our discharge yesterday. I can't believe how fast she has healed up. Babies are amazing. Melaleuca helps too!

Jex and Conner looking like twins in from of the house in I.F. and Jex carring on his dad's crazy tradition of making people laugh with his version of and underware tree.

The stairs, Jex and Mya's bedroom. We are having mural painted on it right now. The outside with new trees and a few other things.

More house pictures

Kitchen, Ava's room and the upstairs living room.

New house Pictures

The dinning room and Master bedroom.

New house pictures

The 1st picture is in the living room looking out at the pool. Second picture from the same spot looking into the living room, dining room and kitchen. The third picture is the Cassida or in Idaho terms the spare bedroom.

We have been Rhino riding a few times. I love this picture. Jex also had his first day of school at Arrowhead Elementary. He seems to like it. He gets to ride his bike to school everyday escorted by his mommy, bike trailer and two sisters. He thinks that still pretty cool. When we get to school he always makes me put up my kickstand so I can hug him with both hands. He's pretty particular. That's why we love him. Mya also started preschool, tap and singing. She has been dancing and singing around the house ever since. She loves the centers at her school. Paractical life center is her favorite.

Moving In

We left the kids in Idaho while Brad, Chris, Dennis, Rhonda and I moved in all of our stuff. We moved in July 28, 2009 and it was 114 degrees outside. HOT!! After we got everything unpacked Lisa and Matt brought the kids down in the "rolling terd" They stayed for a few days and the kids sure had fun with there cousins. Ruby even got in on the action. Reggie and Ruby hate the pool but somehow Brad always drags them in. We love the pool and the kids look like little mexicans with bleached blonde hair. It's pretty funny.

Brad just being Brad on our bike trip!

Before Moving

Before we left the windy town of I.F. we got to go riding with a few of our friends. We rode through the storm of the century with Brad and Kristen and we had to park under a church pavillion until the rain and hail let up. It was crazy but memorable. We sleptin Driggs and the next day we drove around Jackson and went through Yellowstone. It was actually my 1st time through Jenny's Lake. It really was beautiful. It was a good farewell ride before life got hectic and we switched into moving mode.

Ava is now 7 months. Time really does go by fast. She just started crawling and eating everything she can get her hands on. She weighted in at 20 pounds a few days ago. She is pretty chunky. I think Tessa Chris and Cindy's baby out weighs her by 10 or 20 pounds. She is a pretty cute little fat toad. Ahhh..the baby days!

Preparation for the big move!!

In 30 days and counting we will be making our big move out of the nest and into uncharted territory. After TONS of house drama we are finally moving into this home that we bought as an investment, that then turned into drama, that then turned into out home. We are exited and greatful to be turning this new page in my our life. Go Dixie!! Do they even have sports at Dixie?

Day out with Thomas

We also had the opportunity to go see "The Real Thomas" This was probably the highlight of Jex's life. No only did we see the real Thomas but Grandpa and Conner were there too. All the Merrill clan came with us and we really did have a good time. We also went to "The Musem of Heavenly Father" as Jex called it. In Laman's terms that means that we went to the visitors center. Jex couldn't watch the Joesph Smith movie because it made him cry. He has such a soft little heart.

We had a great opportunity to go to Cancun during the peak of Swine flu with some of our best buddies Kevin, Amy, Ben and Mattie. We had so much fun on the beach and at the pool. We got to go to Chichen Itza and Telum which were ver cool experiences. It was a much needed vacation amongst the choas in our life.

Here we are at Ava's Blessing day. It was a crazy day but overall was a great day. Brad did a great job on the blessing and arn't Jex and Mya cute?

I found her dress in Las Vegas. The dress really was beautiful. It will be a great thing for her to pass down to her girls.

Look at this cute little baby.

My sexy 30 pound lighter husband. Sporting his GQ look and of course his new baby.