John's Angels

John brought this beauty back from Sweden.

Christopher Pop-in-Kins

Christopher Elf comes to visit us every year right after Thanksgiving.

The doorbell rings, and there he is! We love having him visit our family. He moves around the house freely, it's always a treat to find him perched in a new location where he can have a good vantage point so he can report back to Santa the good (and not-so-good) that he sees among the Merrill children.

Welcome to My Online Advent Calendar

I love my friend Janae's tradition that she does every year; she posts on her blog every day in December the happenings leading up to Christmas.

I'm taking her idea.

I'll call it my Blog Advent Calendar.

This is December First.

Although it does not have much to do with Christmas, I'm sure it's the best Christmas present Cole could imagine.

Sandy and Cole got married. They honeymooned for ten whole days in the exotic locale of our backyard (which no longer has green grass, thank you!).

Sandy's family came to pick her up today, December 1st. This photo is them posing quite stoically - or regally maybe - which I have to say is much better than the other positions they were in for much of her visit.

They are gorgeous dogs. Cole has an impeccable pedigree. Anyone want a puppy? We'll know for sure soon. If this was a successful marriage, we're looking at the family expanding the end of January.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and enjoy some time off, to reflect on for what we are grateful, and to of course eat.

We were lucky to have family over for the big day which was so much fun! The food was awesome, the company great, and the movie-while-the-turkey-is-in-the-oven was fantastic!

Baby Taylor is getting so big!

Nothing says Thanksgiving like a full and complete FEAST!!!

And nothing says Thanksgiving like a FULL TUMMY!!!

Madison and Brooke cracked me up as they took advantage of their seating arragnement to the fullest (pun intended): they just lay back from the piano bench on which they were seated and plopped on the couch, too full to move.

And at our home, Thanksgiving also means making a mess and having fun with a gingerbread house! It's become our tradition, especially to have cousin Angie lead the fun.

One cannot have Thanksgiving without scrumptious pies.

Pies that are traditional, pies that are unique.

Pies that are new to the menu.

Pies. that. hit. the. spot.

All homemade goodness: pumpkin, chocolate (complete with some little finger marks in it. Whose could they be??), pecan cheesecake, and Nantucket cranberry pie.

Yum!!

Instead of being crazy and spending an entire day (or all night long) waiting in lines, fighting through crowds, or trying to grab some sort of deal on Black Friday, we instead went ice skating as a family. John had to sit this one out since he is still recovering from his surgery, so he took pictures and entertained Christian, who didn't last long on the ice.

We had a great time testing out our moves and learning new ones on the ice for two hours.

I couldn't resist putting up this picture; I can't believe how perfect the timing was with John and the camera. So funny!

Here we all are, dying laughing . . . including Ashlyn.

We left with sore feet and many had very wet pants along with numb hands. But it was worth it and made for some good memories.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Post Thanksgiving leftovers:

Homemade turkey stock

Turkey soup

Homemade split pea & ham soup

Shepherd's Pie

Turkey Pot Pie

We've never eaten so well in a week before.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

Soccer is Over!

Yeah!

The soccer season is OVER!!

The girls did great and played their little hearts out.

Madison's team almost went to playoffs, but didn't have as many ref points as the other teams (oh darn!). With lots of rain -- it rained 3 Saturdays -- postponing and canceling games made for an interesting season.

Halloween Time

Halloween on a Sunday is a different experience for us, but luckily with school activities and an awesome tri-ward trunk-or-treat on Saturday night, it was all good and the candy count high!

Ashlyn got to dress up for preschool and was so excited to wear her cute ladybug costume.

The cutest part was watching her play baseball in it . . . running the bases in a fluffy, bouncy tutu is too cute!!

It's pumpkin carving time! Or let's make the biggest mess of the kitchen time!

The Jack-o-Lanterns all lit up and on display before they find their spot outside.

I love how Brooke's pumpkin, on the far left, was lopsided so she made hers have a goofy face to match.

Ready for the trunk-or-treat madness!

A storm trooper, Greek Goddesses (Athena and Artemis to be precise) and a little ladybug!

Ashlyn was so excited when her cousin Chelsea showed up!

Sorting the loot, making trades, enjoying the moment!