Nine and Two Years Old

Happy Birthday Ashlyn!!

Happy Birthday Ashlyn!

Two Years Old!!

The time goes by way too quickly.

How we announced you were expected . . . the numbers correspond to which grandchild they are in the Merrill-side line up.

3-D Ultrasound . . . it's a girl!  Like I didn't already know. 

They wanted me to get an amnio, but I didn't want to do such invasive tests, so we opted to visit a perinatologist for the fun 3-D video.  

March 31st . . . 4 days past the due date (and practically falling out she was so low!). . . we hurried and got scheduled for a partial induction so she wouldn't be born on April 1st!  It was a good thing, too because as soon as my water broke, she didn't want to wait for the doctor.  If we were still at home, it would have been a home birth!  Definitely the fastest and easiest birth of them all.

Cute and tiny feet that were always flexed.

Precious baby girl!

Growing into a fun, enthusiastic, happy, strong-willed, feisty, wild, loud, demanding, smart and darling little girl.

Ashlyn is a joy!

The Week in Review

Spring Break '08!

This has been such a nice, relaxing week off . . . somewhat like a taste of what summer is to be- which is what the weather felt like so much that I kept forgetting it is only the beginning of Spring and we are back to the grind of school next week.  

We had our first Track Meet today (Saturday)!  It was a lot of fun and best of all, Madison and Brooke had a blast.  They were so nervous at first, but after their first race, they were pretty jazzed.  At the end, they wished they signed up for more events (each did 3).

Flying at the long jump

On Friday, John took the day off and we went down to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  It was crowded, but a lot of fun with amazing sea life to experience; like touching sting rays and sharks.

This is huge:  Brooke is absolutely terrified of animals and we have been working on it for several years . . . after the Lorikeets crawled all over Madison for quite some time, Brooke finally allowed one to go on her.  Quite the experience for her!! 

To avoid the ever-present horrendous LA-405 traffic (especially on a Friday afternoon), we took PCH home and stopped by a favorite spot of ours: The Malibu Fish Market for a wonderful dinner with a great view.

We got new patio furniture this week (Hooray!!) and it came in very large boxes that quickly became forts.  They were so much enjoyed they even served as sleeping quarters for a few nights.  I hope our children aspire to more than living in a cardboard box! 

On Thursday, we ventured out to good old Zuma Beach.  The weather had been so spectacularly warm and beautiful, we had to get in at least one beach day during break.  Unfortunately, the breeze was a bit too strong, and a bit too freezing to be thoroughly enjoyed, but the kids had fun anyway and we stayed for a good 3 hours.
Madison, Brooke, and Olivia (Maddy's friend from school) were trying to warm up after attempting to Boogie Board in the arctic waters.
Christian and his good buddy Harrison.  They are just a few days apart and love to pal around together.
Ashlyn is the bathing beauty who LOVES the beach and hanging out with the big girls.

Wednesday was spent visiting the dermatologist first thing in the morning (more procedures - yuck!) and then getting Madison and Ashlyn's annual portraits taken.  I'll post those when they arrive.  Then Maddy went to Olivia's house, and I brought home Harrison and his brother Sam to play for a few hours.  

Tuesday was our trek to Costco.  You'd think that wasn't a big deal, but it did encompass more than four hours.  Maddy and Brooke went with a friend to see "Horton" (again - we saw it last weekend), so I had the two littles who were quite the troopers with all the waiting and trips back and forth, and renting a truck to haul the furniture, etc. 

Monday, the start of our glorious week, was spent frolicking at the park.  See grandma's blog for photos.  Afterwards, Madison rode her bike all the way home from the park (nearly 3 miles) which was a first to do alone (but I followed her in the car). 

Tomorrow, to end this week (or start the new one?) will be spent at Ward Conference (no lesson to prepare!) and then having the Missionaries over for dinner.  What to serve, what to serve?  Maybe we'll do "breakfast".  The good news about WC is that (besides not having to teach), is that John doesn't have his hours of back-to-back meetings . . . but does have a 6:30 a.m. Priesthood meeting.  No sleeping in, but at least he'll be home the rest of the morning.  I don't want this week to end!  Because starting next week my baby turns TWO, and then John starts his maniac traveling again which will find him all over the globe for the month of April, only being home for a few days :-(

Easter!

Easter was a gloriously warm and beautiful day.  

Despite the business of the day 

(John speaking in Sacrament, me teaching primary the 2nd hour, and the entire YW the 3rd hour)

it was a lot of fun. 

We had a nice visit from the Easter Bunny, 

A fun time playing games as a family in the morning, 

an uplifting 3 hours of church,

and a fun dinner with family at our home.

I really lucked out finding their outfits to coordinate.  

Christian received his own scriptures from Grandma and Grandpa

and Madison was helping him read them.  Too cute!

Ashlyn loved finding eggs!

Happy Spring

I love spring --it's my favorite season. Everything is green and in bloom. The days are longer, warmer and stunningly beautiful.  I love to be outdoors during this time of nature's wonder.   I wish it lasted longer!

A Prayer in Spring
Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.

AI

Vote for Brooke!  

Catch Up

I was gently accused today of not keeping up on my blog well enough. 

OK Lisa, I'll try harder, but that means you have to, too! 

I honestly cannot believe how fast this week has flown by.  

I honestly cannot believe that we're half-way through March already.

Today (Sunday) was a good day. 

The kids were actually really well-behaved in Sacrament and we made it all the way through without having to take anyone out.  I think Ashlyn felt so pretty in her new dress (see below) that she wanted to sit like a lady for most of the meeting.  That's a first!

Last night, we celebrated March birthdays at my parents' home.  My mom gave Ashlyn this totally darling dress.  She looked so cute in it today.  Brooke wanted to match her, too.

Madison is growing up too fast. 

Tonight we had the Merrills over to celebrate Madison, Ashlyn, and Carnell's birthdays. 

Ashlyn, being such a girl, LOVED getting clothes.  She's so excited about her new outfits.  She dragged them around all evening. 

Madison got to choose the menu. 

We had a taco/burrito bar (easy!!)

Nectarine pie and ice cream.  

If you are ever in Central California, you MUST stop in Avila Beach at the Avila Valley Barn for the absolute BEST homemade pies ever.  Where else can you fine nectarine, or ollalieberry pie with the most scrumptious crusts?  Plus, the Barn is just the cutest, quaintest place ever.  It's a tradition for us now.

Carnell is 88! Way to go!  Madison 9, and Ashlyn will be 2.

Earlier this week, I was able to go on the 1st grade field trip to the library  because Lisa took my littlest littles.  Thanks Lisa! It was very fun to be on a school bus again (reminded me of my elementary school days - the buses still smell the same), and Brooke loved having her mommy go!

Ashlyn adores her cousin Chelsea (which was one of her first words, too).  She gets so excited to hear her name and nearly jumps out of her carseat when we pull up to the house. 

Track has started.  This is our first year. So far, the girls love it.  Madison practices 3x/week and Brooke twice.  In two more weeks, every Saturday will be spent at the track!

I snapped this shot with my phone this past week during Brooke's practice.

During practice, I took Ashlyn and Christian to the park to play.  Ashlyn's first time on the merry-go-round.  She loved it and wanted to go faster!  I've long-since outgrown my ability to get dizzy for fun! 

Happy Birthday Madison

Saturday, March 8

Maddy's birthday started yesterday with treats to her classroom, 

a couple of friends over after school (9 little kids here), 

and a dinner-date with mom and dad to a restaurant of her choosing

(Cafe Ali Baba - Mediterranean food), 

then shopping to spend some birthday money, 

and ending with hot-cocoa at Starbucks. 

Today, we all awoke early at 6:15

  (thanks Christian - he was excited to see what the Birthday Fairy did to Maddy's room)

Madison, Brooke and I went for a nice morning run up Rabbit Hill and at the track at the park, then home for breakfast blinztes and presents . . .

What could be behind the doors?

A new bike!  Yeah!  She really needed a bike, and wanted a beach cruiser. 

It is so darling!

We all went outside for a little ride in the neighborhood, 

then off to piano lessons.

Then . . .

Horseback Riding!

look closely above . . . those little dots are us on the horses. 

What a gloriously beautiful Spring day!

Fatimah (Maddy's school friend), Brooke and Madison getting ready to saddle-up.

Tally-Ho!

Gid'yup!

We went for an hour-long trail ride while John took Ashlyn and Christian on a horse in the coral.  They loved it.  It was a fun birthday activity that Madison chose.  We are so lucky to have such beauty and resources nearly walking-distance from our home. 

Happy Birthday Maddy!

Here's to Nine Years!

Can you seriously get any cuter?  What a beautiful baby girl!

Madison is grateful to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is learning the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and the sacrament.

First day of kindergarten . . . and still loves school.  Hopefully it continues for at least 13 more years.

Pictures are totally out of order (love Blogger)

Enjoys playing the piano and is learning so much!

Madison loves, loves, loves the beach.

She enjoys gymnastics, but is now taking a break to do track . . . and is loving track!

Likes shooting hoops out front, or at the park.

I Got Tagged (twice)!

What is HIS full name? John LeRoy

How long have you been married? 15 years this June!

How many dates before your first kiss? hmmm . . . "too many" according to him.

Who eats more sweets? We're probably pretty equal on this one. Not too much because we both get headaches if we have too much, and his back starts tightening up.

Who said "I love you" first? He did! I cried and told him not so say that.

How old is he? 37

Who is taller? He is . . . by about 6 inches.

Who is smarter? He is on most topics, except for spelling/grammar, etc. If you ask him he'll tell you how I use to edit his love letters.

Who can sing better? Him, definitely - by a long shot.

Who does the laundry? Mostly me, but if he's around, he helps. Right now (11:30 p.m. Monday night) he's just putting the dryer back together after having it entirely taken apart because it hasn't been working right and smelled like a gas leak today. So that scores major points in the laundry department!

When and where was your last date? Temple sealing assignment last Thursday night. Does that count? We brought two of our kids with us. Other than that, the weekend before . . . dinner and a movie.

Who pays the bills? I did when he was in school, now he does.

Who do you tag? Stacey and Janae