tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54540766294332165642024-02-20T01:42:22.568-08:00Robbie 'n' Meri's Blogrobbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-88079345105097346462010-09-21T12:42:00.001-07:002010-09-21T13:03:30.747-07:00My Baby!<div style="text-align: center;">It seems like Jared just joined our family... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxbZf1LVaiVgex6ipTeWs6tuy0LzKGS4ecyrtDUGpOawzUCcVIJ_26rlDZk4BSUSxtbg6Ixtgxdd789xhT7ydF2LUvNFIi1YdCaUKjg6hKhqPJplyJeBpvGOmicgYr04ATy4kxLS1fXY/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxbZf1LVaiVgex6ipTeWs6tuy0LzKGS4ecyrtDUGpOawzUCcVIJ_26rlDZk4BSUSxtbg6Ixtgxdd789xhT7ydF2LUvNFIi1YdCaUKjg6hKhqPJplyJeBpvGOmicgYr04ATy4kxLS1fXY/s320/IMG_0251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519457390310429362" border="0" /></a><br />and now he is in Kindergarten...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9aHcbhlgSmCfBsBF1GUWrncYo_TttCGPE-lIOBdrz1nHu4Umm911MifWqpL3W9r5SMiRuEkqWfn_MTvtuVg8z4lOqtCH5I2acy-BspW2KxqINX7BMxlUZ4j96sUZXTAN9vpxlBJGV3E/s1600/DSC_0963_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9aHcbhlgSmCfBsBF1GUWrncYo_TttCGPE-lIOBdrz1nHu4Umm911MifWqpL3W9r5SMiRuEkqWfn_MTvtuVg8z4lOqtCH5I2acy-BspW2KxqINX7BMxlUZ4j96sUZXTAN9vpxlBJGV3E/s320/DSC_0963_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519457952022117106" border="0" /></a><br />...and last night he lost his first baby tooth!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYkzKPEVY7uZYxyDfzRxlYOmIMLgH1L3vV6beGjZT56kPnFei_IoOUAV534J2-wFcJ__Mf9kaJMLnNBIeK7_S23jJW0zNF5RFtPtzBpxJ_zXD3Hrg74diJjCL8cfvFtelkjlxftHe0FY/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYkzKPEVY7uZYxyDfzRxlYOmIMLgH1L3vV6beGjZT56kPnFei_IoOUAV534J2-wFcJ__Mf9kaJMLnNBIeK7_S23jJW0zNF5RFtPtzBpxJ_zXD3Hrg74diJjCL8cfvFtelkjlxftHe0FY/s320/DSC_0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519457397343964242" border="0" /></a><br />They grow up way too fast! <br /></div>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-84357345755765146852009-11-09T20:59:00.000-08:002009-11-27T10:51:11.601-08:00Articles of Faith of Mormon CultureI thought this was funny. I especially like #9.<br /><br /> 1. We believe in SUVs and minivans, as the form of transportation, and in knee length shorts, which are always nice, and in the multilevel marketing.<br /><br /> 2. We believe that church ball players should be punished for their own fouls, and not for unsportsmanlike aggression.<br /><br /> 3. We believe that through bread crumbs, cheese, creamy soups, and rice all casseroles can be saved through obedience to ward cookbooks and creativity in the mixing bowl.<br /><br /> 4. We believe that the first layers and ingredients of the Dip are: first, beans; second, cheese; third, chopped tomatoes; fourth, the gift of sour cream; fifth, olives; sixth, salsa; seventh, guacamole, that is, if you have it.<br /><br /> 5. We believe that a Mormon should have a distinguished or a cute name, that it is appropriate to name a child after a church leader or a historical figure including an ancestor, that alternative spellings and French prefixes only add to a name, and that when referring to the names of General Authorities, middle initials should be a part thereof.<br /><br /> 6. We believe in the same wall decor that exists in many Mormon homes, namely, framed family proclamations, vinyl lettering, inspirational word signs, family photos, pictures of temples and Jesus, and so forth.<br /><br /> 7. We believe in the gift of the re-gift, church books, crafts, family photos, baked goods, emergency supply kits, and so forth.<br /><br /> 8. We believe in sparkling grape juice so long as it is nonalcoholic; we also believe in bringing root beer and sprite to ward parties.<br /><br /> 9. We believe in all that we have scrapbooked, all that we will now scrapbook, and we believe that we will yet scrapbook many great and important things pertaining to our family, friends, pets, and vacations.<br /><br /> 10. We believe in the literal mixing of ketchup and mayo and in the generous application of ranch dressing; that CBAs (church-based acronyms) will be used to describe YM/YW, PEC, the Y, NCMO, and CTR; that Mitt Romney will get Mormons to vote for him any time he runs; and, that the Mormons will enjoy reading Twilight and The Work and the Glory.<br /><br /> 11. We claim the privilege of trying to identify common acquaintances with any visitor at church, and allow all other people at church the same privilege, and let them name drop the names of Famous and general authorities how, where, or what they may.<br /><br /> 12. We believe in being subject to scoutmasters, pampered chef hostesses, and the writers of the U.S. News and World Report Rankings for professional schools, and in obeying, honoring, and sustaining Glenn Beck.<br /><br /> 13. We believe in being above average, good at crafts, optimistic, and being fifteen minutes late everywhere we go. Indeed, we may say that we follow BYU football. We believe rumors about famous people joining the church, we hope to meet the three Nephites, we have endured many pyramid schemes, and hope to be able to endure all pyramid schemes. If there is anything cheap, free, sold in bulk, or given away when somebody is moving, we seek after these things.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-69636846624895926872009-08-24T19:59:00.000-07:002009-08-24T20:10:20.091-07:00Car for sale!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJwrafq42FQWVRoh9ixYCWH0ivjviX4DIQOjazjs5nzLv_RfodB7Q6fGQNiopKwXDTH3HzhqtjkvQM7RaVvnDrmxOxquamC7nkSgdMR1cBC7wtAmulKf7Wq2ZqM0gBJN5zAY19N5cNUQ/s1600-h/IMG_0969.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJwrafq42FQWVRoh9ixYCWH0ivjviX4DIQOjazjs5nzLv_RfodB7Q6fGQNiopKwXDTH3HzhqtjkvQM7RaVvnDrmxOxquamC7nkSgdMR1cBC7wtAmulKf7Wq2ZqM0gBJN5zAY19N5cNUQ/s400/IMG_0969.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373731570991415954" border="0" /></a><br />We are selling our 2006 Hyundai Sonata so that we can get a new minivan. Our Dodge caravan is on its last leg and now that we have 3 kids in carseats, we can't all fit in the Sonata. The car seats are too darn wide! So I am sad that we have to sell it, really sad. I almost cried on Saturday when I went to Sam's Club to fill it with gas, that this would be one of the last times that I drive it. We decided that we need something more reliable for the family vehicle and if the caravan were to just up and die on us we wouldn't even be able to get to church. And we can't have that! ;) And we would be stuck in the house all day long. Not that I go anywhere...I am still adjusting to 3. I did have the energy to exercise once last week. I decided I needed to after Robbie and I hiked the "Y" for our 7th anniversary on the 15th. (Neither of us had hiked it before and I have been in Provo since 1997 minus the mission.) I was sore for like 2 days. I waddled around for 2 days like a pregnant lady. <br /><br />So, if you or any of your friends or family are interested in a great car, give us a call. You can see our ad on ksl.com classifieds. Just search for a 2006 Hyundai Sonata.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-7885013019591916282009-08-03T22:43:00.000-07:002009-08-04T15:10:51.911-07:00Laughter is the best medicine...They say laughter is the best medicine. I think it's true, especially when it comes from a cute little baby. Enjoy!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxcOqRHcc3jIT1hUNW-1sU0DenGfuWL0DE0cSDLNIFpQUjOODGkLABXGJgyLXbvZsVzJKfzLKb-RQT5usAGWA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Nathan just started laughing at Jared at dinner tonight. This went on for over 5 minutes. Nathan is such a happy baby and so much fun.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-72597391896100368502009-05-05T10:47:00.000-07:002009-05-05T12:43:00.966-07:00A Blessing From HeavenRobbie blessed Nathan on Sunday and gave him a beautiful blessing. I am so grateful for my husband and for the wonderful father he is to our boys. I am grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder who is able to bless our family. We had a family get together that evening for family members that couldn't attend the blessing to meet our little Nathan. Nathan was fabulous all day. He slept right through his blessing, and let everyone and anyone hold him. Enjoy the pictures!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfoFiydj8mEOZSBEl5dHtsvZDI7kHHG3_FDPGx_ynZ0tlE23KZaafJNLOlRL-AF2foUmOKz4m1jRei1-_aDSiqAp_nIs8uoxd7pZ33atgEEfywxithuIUKgwYElimbN86SBy0MqHaQNM/s1600-h/IMG_9594_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfoFiydj8mEOZSBEl5dHtsvZDI7kHHG3_FDPGx_ynZ0tlE23KZaafJNLOlRL-AF2foUmOKz4m1jRei1-_aDSiqAp_nIs8uoxd7pZ33atgEEfywxithuIUKgwYElimbN86SBy0MqHaQNM/s400/IMG_9594_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332422965878808322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAm_sEV6pjNTiejRG8BEZQ9byvhMYanpYRsTsmdG3A0a06sG_jzDXgXaC-_xCYAReSZggdTZQFB4Crj_UqIF4HR3uSprijnSxHGm246TqELVuDqTjwmQZEtkzYIE6vsT-zeIo9JyCJP0/s1600-h/IMG_9605_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAm_sEV6pjNTiejRG8BEZQ9byvhMYanpYRsTsmdG3A0a06sG_jzDXgXaC-_xCYAReSZggdTZQFB4Crj_UqIF4HR3uSprijnSxHGm246TqELVuDqTjwmQZEtkzYIE6vsT-zeIo9JyCJP0/s400/IMG_9605_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332422961341135522" border="0" /></a>Our first picture as a family now that Nathan has joined our family. We couldn't get one in the hospital because Nathan was in the NICU and the boys weren't allowed in there.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCjPlmohUh9Z2UWEJySISar9l3SEPwOAuKMdxRIAeqcfhoeQAuhyoP7TyeXrV8Up8ODCE4Oqz9GtbQhKx7pnMd3vSoJwyS_C3EMIS3OI91-1dfW38PAFqeThPDs4y4GDUAV6f61TO2Jk/s1600-h/IMG_9556_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCjPlmohUh9Z2UWEJySISar9l3SEPwOAuKMdxRIAeqcfhoeQAuhyoP7TyeXrV8Up8ODCE4Oqz9GtbQhKx7pnMd3vSoJwyS_C3EMIS3OI91-1dfW38PAFqeThPDs4y4GDUAV6f61TO2Jk/s320/IMG_9556_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332421981646987042" border="0" /></a>Aunt Aimee and Nathan<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGHXu5DrF5e60IFa-cDl55OPCG3xPQaf0ksmR_DcabC_OwxilwR1TdxGvXdMjepNJ8eqyEgeaiSATKqe_uVONWFyQTvxohofD_7jKQNDhhQi2OGBgqMiQrwWsrv-dtjrJPflVej4SOlU/s1600-h/IMG_9585_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGHXu5DrF5e60IFa-cDl55OPCG3xPQaf0ksmR_DcabC_OwxilwR1TdxGvXdMjepNJ8eqyEgeaiSATKqe_uVONWFyQTvxohofD_7jKQNDhhQi2OGBgqMiQrwWsrv-dtjrJPflVej4SOlU/s320/IMG_9585_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332421995733652450" border="0" /></a>Meri's Aunt Kathleen and Nathan<br />Thanks for bringing such a yummy salad!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQFtvsU3nUKGGK3RjBJ0bTpUKJ03aEUiK3Tj1Y_8ujj2biKdnMXk6ujNpwUIDZoftQQUS_qPzeAjQ6NGGA1ex5mryo1M3Ke2BL92k1xbdUhFh2hyphenhyphenxYajgJqYVg_EHHYvMzr5XPxOK-wo/s1600-h/IMG_9575_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQFtvsU3nUKGGK3RjBJ0bTpUKJ03aEUiK3Tj1Y_8ujj2biKdnMXk6ujNpwUIDZoftQQUS_qPzeAjQ6NGGA1ex5mryo1M3Ke2BL92k1xbdUhFh2hyphenhyphenxYajgJqYVg_EHHYvMzr5XPxOK-wo/s320/IMG_9575_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332421989359489042" border="0" /></a>Great Grandma Summers and Nathan<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Dd88uFztFYVJxr8iSVgfj2P7vW_1pc1FLWZB_gcM0IvRVoCV2NYz_CE3rOS7WvnTcqWvdTz__1emVG7qQN6zU8OvmIy32koL_oPKOT6a3VQ-oc6id7iPy6uHNP8La2sRVtuI2ll5wT4/s1600-h/IMG_9571_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Dd88uFztFYVJxr8iSVgfj2P7vW_1pc1FLWZB_gcM0IvRVoCV2NYz_CE3rOS7WvnTcqWvdTz__1emVG7qQN6zU8OvmIy32koL_oPKOT6a3VQ-oc6id7iPy6uHNP8La2sRVtuI2ll5wT4/s320/IMG_9571_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332421987399460370" border="0" /></a>Meri's siblings Brett and Rebecca with Nathan. My sister Melanie came to the blessing too, but got stuck feeding people at BYU's Canon Center and missed the party. We missed you Mel!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4TpTR8jewwTP3yCVRmL7nvNnNUmVIwX_OqpXgDyD3zlddujFrWw79Zl0vh750c54NclNrFtcuQmFWl-EVVay_no7zomfbp44A20mg-c8Tt2w17tmgRxLDM3E34_J4OGStNpPRx3tDG8/s1600-h/IMG_9577.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4TpTR8jewwTP3yCVRmL7nvNnNUmVIwX_OqpXgDyD3zlddujFrWw79Zl0vh750c54NclNrFtcuQmFWl-EVVay_no7zomfbp44A20mg-c8Tt2w17tmgRxLDM3E34_J4OGStNpPRx3tDG8/s320/IMG_9577.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332421976997844210" border="0" /></a>Grandpa and Grandma Haertel<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEefc_t8nSJBK6HA1tGrITuVpRL05Wbr7OXJGf1_ZKjmVgnlKWdtKwAY-dAO1V4EiJ4m8736ltvp8S5oplUw0oTX5F4U7ZLBFvWLMCWhwv6G4X_xUq8nGtkeaU86k4j_-nPBaovbYb1g/s1600-h/IMG_9587.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEefc_t8nSJBK6HA1tGrITuVpRL05Wbr7OXJGf1_ZKjmVgnlKWdtKwAY-dAO1V4EiJ4m8736ltvp8S5oplUw0oTX5F4U7ZLBFvWLMCWhwv6G4X_xUq8nGtkeaU86k4j_-nPBaovbYb1g/s320/IMG_9587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332402722837336978" border="0" /></a>Great Grandpa and Grandma Haertel<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSD6rhXOj-pn_srgeulKp1IH-j7fhWHDPtmUrjTuN764gPcj8fAsxxlHLdsXgr06_LR5iG2cLLX9PcRkYq8GQeERAF8ZXCqQKMAoPsW3dBFHMlNhHKmOy2NncAqvWRVusV3zXTC2atq0/s1600-h/IMG_9574.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSD6rhXOj-pn_srgeulKp1IH-j7fhWHDPtmUrjTuN764gPcj8fAsxxlHLdsXgr06_LR5iG2cLLX9PcRkYq8GQeERAF8ZXCqQKMAoPsW3dBFHMlNhHKmOy2NncAqvWRVusV3zXTC2atq0/s320/IMG_9574.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332402747202995042" border="0" /></a>Meri's brother Brett, Alex, Robbie, Jared, Meri's sister Rebecca, and Vance's friend Mark<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtL5fayy_9NUCHEIPPz0VOY_XtyfVz1ThWKmw7glo2VgaZImVoQVAfHZ2YrVQ_kOPfJJiLyZDjKIuEDof0H4Zq_d6tff00cQ2i6fQKJFOn20B73W2CECZqTjRQ_Hd-zYpL6_XFCDmn78/s1600-h/IMG_9566.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtL5fayy_9NUCHEIPPz0VOY_XtyfVz1ThWKmw7glo2VgaZImVoQVAfHZ2YrVQ_kOPfJJiLyZDjKIuEDof0H4Zq_d6tff00cQ2i6fQKJFOn20B73W2CECZqTjRQ_Hd-zYpL6_XFCDmn78/s320/IMG_9566.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332402741695036690" border="0" /></a>Robbie's siblings Josh, Aimee, brother-in-law Vance, niece Mylah, and Jennie<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83Sjvm5s9XQPc7xg3pdoY4y11_Kx1q7qgyndzvmkkHMDYliJGvlvGVbq9TZohmxBx0ZMIzwOI10Bcl4WFIgZluASY9-wQoN4IlD4CoF3zXWSsGmhWFOl_qRJ8cJoncUvqqsBj7LB_riA/s1600-h/IMG_9570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83Sjvm5s9XQPc7xg3pdoY4y11_Kx1q7qgyndzvmkkHMDYliJGvlvGVbq9TZohmxBx0ZMIzwOI10Bcl4WFIgZluASY9-wQoN4IlD4CoF3zXWSsGmhWFOl_qRJ8cJoncUvqqsBj7LB_riA/s320/IMG_9570.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332402727114298770" border="0" /></a>The Pattison's (Robbie's cousins and Aunt and Uncle)<br />Thanks Jolene for the yummy salad you brought!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnY5CXqLi_-LDVWYPO592a9cW_NwN3F_NdW2RLjiraoEwfH9yvSZiE2fyrTu1KRtjFkgIKN8MsFluCf4EOHD2Ps0C4MHea6QmBrPOHbJXeGyv3PZWCah6bUvD2LjAkdSRoVu58lY0Tcw/s1600-h/IMG_9568.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnY5CXqLi_-LDVWYPO592a9cW_NwN3F_NdW2RLjiraoEwfH9yvSZiE2fyrTu1KRtjFkgIKN8MsFluCf4EOHD2Ps0C4MHea6QmBrPOHbJXeGyv3PZWCah6bUvD2LjAkdSRoVu58lY0Tcw/s320/IMG_9568.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332402734352535170" border="0" /></a>We would also like to thank Robbie's parents' for hosting the party and for preparing most of the food. I really appreciate it since I am averaging 4-5 hours of sleep a night, and there is no way I would have been able to throw something like this together. So thank you, thank you, thank you! We enjoyed seeing everyone and celebrating Nathan's arrival!robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-55570597446401569422009-04-11T21:34:00.001-07:002009-04-11T21:37:13.823-07:00He's Home!Just wanted to let everyone know that we are all at home and doing well now. Nathan still has two very tiny pnuemothoraxes, but the doctor saw no reason for him to stay at the hospital since he was doing so well. I will post more pictures soon. Jared and Alex have been so cute with him and love their new brother so much.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-44091021423827773562009-04-09T14:43:00.001-07:002009-04-09T17:50:45.022-07:00Nathan Andrew HaertelI started having contractions Sunday afternoon, but they were far apart and not painful. I went to the doctor Monday morning, the day after my due date, and he said I could be induced the next morning and to get to the hospital at 5am. My mom was very excited to find out she would be getting a grandson for her birthday. I had contractions throughout the day, but nothing painful. So after a lousy night's sleep, I probably only slept 2.5 hours because I was having contractions, we went to the hospital early. We got checked in. I was only dilated to a 1. They induced me at 7:20am and I got my epidural at 8am and the doctor broke my water at 8:20. At 11:50 I was a 9, and unfortunately I could feel everything on the left side of my body, which was pretty weird. So they gave me another dose of the epidural which numbed me up. I pushed 3 times through a contraction and they told me to relax. I thought I was going to have to push again, but I looked down and I saw his head. I had no idea that my pushing had done anything since this time I could seriously feel nothing (with Alex I could feel pressure, but no pain). And then all of a sudden his whole body slid out. I was like, "wow, that was easy". They took the baby to clean him off and measure him. So he was born at 12:11 pm and weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. and is 21 in. long. Unfortunately, I only got to hold him for like 15 seconds before they whisked him away to the nursery in respiratory distress. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNTpSLhJ4luHmYNfs4pjKjf3yJkI0oz62R-fNFTQWNp777_Y-wH9KLwTs5G8Uq2cSZVSlhyPICuMp6Fc1tSWwQdMyagnRrvSQwqWtlrkdvyLRsu4YEQYtWAWYZ-Ix90G2QvE_LvNEguw/s1600-h/IMG_9047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNTpSLhJ4luHmYNfs4pjKjf3yJkI0oz62R-fNFTQWNp777_Y-wH9KLwTs5G8Uq2cSZVSlhyPICuMp6Fc1tSWwQdMyagnRrvSQwqWtlrkdvyLRsu4YEQYtWAWYZ-Ix90G2QvE_LvNEguw/s320/IMG_9047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322812406908150674" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He was in distress for 20 - 30 minutes.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLGDJrg2gIwn_rf_Z5MqHSHWaUu1v7ZGNVsw07VdmbS8UVTeHqgkOiVdZAEJiS5jCCsI2HbtGvJ56PyqrKk-AnoWcrw2Nq-PoIWt395M4pVuWF6IXGhjOXTHvfW_0xWeihLgHhgqv2Vg/s1600-h/IMG_9052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLGDJrg2gIwn_rf_Z5MqHSHWaUu1v7ZGNVsw07VdmbS8UVTeHqgkOiVdZAEJiS5jCCsI2HbtGvJ56PyqrKk-AnoWcrw2Nq-PoIWt395M4pVuWF6IXGhjOXTHvfW_0xWeihLgHhgqv2Vg/s320/IMG_9052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322811244942302242" border="0" /></a><br />They took an x-ray of his chest and found he had air in his chest cavity on both sides of the body and around the heart. Surprisingly though his vitals were so good. The doctors keep telling us how miraculous it is that he is doing so well after looking at his x-rays. His oxygen levels and heart rate are all excellent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJdTEpeVQ7qeDppbaRcDL8JsuhPrzEQsVchGHpzrI9xBVdwm0xNeCaNch8-HtzbxQKsdvtZDIqiiMcCTRThnL-FjiIaqFOt-pNb0nHiE_DwS-Z7teoT2oxiuV73B05YwykzLfwZ52W2U/s1600-h/IMG_9053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJdTEpeVQ7qeDppbaRcDL8JsuhPrzEQsVchGHpzrI9xBVdwm0xNeCaNch8-HtzbxQKsdvtZDIqiiMcCTRThnL-FjiIaqFOt-pNb0nHiE_DwS-Z7teoT2oxiuV73B05YwykzLfwZ52W2U/s320/IMG_9053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322812402376921442" border="0" /></a><br />So, while he was in the nursery I was shivering to death in my room. I reacted badly to the extra dose of epidural. Usually I shiver for 15 mintues after delivery, but this was uncontrollable and lasted for like 3 hours. They brought Nathan to me around 2 and they laid him next to me as I shivered and tried to nurse him. It didn't go so well. I felt really sick and started throwing up. So they took him back to the nursery. They needed to monitor him because he might need to go to Utah Valley to the NICU. I was praying so hard that he wouldn't have to go. I didn't want to be separated from him and I was in no condition to be checked out of the hospital. They gave me a shot of Zofran and by 4pm I was able to sit up and eat an orange. (Despite the bad reaction I wouldn't trade the pain of childbirth for shivers and throwing up 3 times.) At 5:30 pm I finally got to hold Nathan for a little while. I tried to nurse him, but he didn't eat very well. They took him back to the nursery at 6:30pm to monitor him. I had a fever, I think it was just from my cold, but they put me and Nathan on antibiotics to be sure. The doctors think he might have pneumonia too, but it is really hard to tell at this age and from the x-rays I guess, so we'll just have to wait and see. He hasn't been allowed out of the nursery since then since he is attached to more monitors now and an IV, before he just had a portable monitor.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">He was born on a beautiful day and this is the view from my hospital room.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6JGHyXzqeNWIklGtA4FqvyqgCIXqd1LU0mKyBGX3AHiMoIw-_thyBORee7ALCYRkjklPm_-aBnwmn_p6dkMqi4_cMqVEUHu71u7Da44S8NgL49CtvRzmHDUYPPtQgol3r0WbvDe2pDU/s1600-h/IMG_9056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6JGHyXzqeNWIklGtA4FqvyqgCIXqd1LU0mKyBGX3AHiMoIw-_thyBORee7ALCYRkjklPm_-aBnwmn_p6dkMqi4_cMqVEUHu71u7Da44S8NgL49CtvRzmHDUYPPtQgol3r0WbvDe2pDU/s320/IMG_9056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322811251928270706" border="0" /></a><br />My brother, Brett, my sister, Melanie, and her boyfriend Nick came to see Nathan that night. Only Robbie and I are allowed to hold him, and we can take only one person in at a time to see him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_uNl5d0yPFnuWozTInceqInl83JCYfMn02YxicyJmWEgMV8oVFjVnWOO_kogajsDdyDtPuV98nwZA8Nbkw8G7bSYYDhjmOjCRZxt-mhgq8zbCmbT04THE_X1GL4aU0SCecAuRXgDhwA/s1600-h/IMG_9066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_uNl5d0yPFnuWozTInceqInl83JCYfMn02YxicyJmWEgMV8oVFjVnWOO_kogajsDdyDtPuV98nwZA8Nbkw8G7bSYYDhjmOjCRZxt-mhgq8zbCmbT04THE_X1GL4aU0SCecAuRXgDhwA/s320/IMG_9066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322811254090567522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtsiJaoUQ1fktmbGNe7X9E_5L672VaSBUv14OgeBaxdNO_dUfZUN0TZo9ah5-4VVNQxgx6yotx0rsGrwUFtF8JQId0dpTzWNn4tZ5qc935IZyiO0egDTICDXErJP_sq-jMjJWwMG2TyE/s1600-h/IMG_9067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtsiJaoUQ1fktmbGNe7X9E_5L672VaSBUv14OgeBaxdNO_dUfZUN0TZo9ah5-4VVNQxgx6yotx0rsGrwUFtF8JQId0dpTzWNn4tZ5qc935IZyiO0egDTICDXErJP_sq-jMjJWwMG2TyE/s320/IMG_9067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322811259652145426" border="0" /></a><br />We went to see Nathan at 10pm and feed him. He is just so cute and I really hope he doesn't have to go. Just before the doctor left he held his breath a few times and his stats went low. If it happens more throughout the night then they will have to transport him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQSNh9K7XMgINwSW7akWemmMrIIxkaKhSc4O_Ol5699Ir4NqbHCoT4JPDHNozF6WYR-7Dy-_aSxe6ORL9j5Q3fi0xfEEVB0o46kX120u82BauGA4CN-hjhPmzjHT6MD08gTj_soWyYO4/s1600-h/IMG_9069.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQSNh9K7XMgINwSW7akWemmMrIIxkaKhSc4O_Ol5699Ir4NqbHCoT4JPDHNozF6WYR-7Dy-_aSxe6ORL9j5Q3fi0xfEEVB0o46kX120u82BauGA4CN-hjhPmzjHT6MD08gTj_soWyYO4/s320/IMG_9069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322812410965074210" border="0" /></a><br />4.8.09 They woke me up at 5am to go feed him and he had been doing well so far that night, which made me so happy. At 10am after feeding him, the doctor gave me an update and he gets to stay here! They will run the tests tomorrow morning and see where is he at.<br /><br />Robbie's parents brought the kids down to see the baby for the first time. Jared got to see him quickly before he went to preschool. Alex and I are watching shark tale while we wait for Jared to get back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTdErK1XyuDP082bzi17m89BnngCvtQIbl9r80mWCr0PVSaYK0SaAcjjGnOjmv6NLZ334dz84aX-q2T4dQopBB0l2s2f9gYNtUlG5xlFZ8iOAkr5Wb1OQ6UWmU7FOO3n20Bt3r4elK-o/s1600-h/IMG_9081_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTdErK1XyuDP082bzi17m89BnngCvtQIbl9r80mWCr0PVSaYK0SaAcjjGnOjmv6NLZ334dz84aX-q2T4dQopBB0l2s2f9gYNtUlG5xlFZ8iOAkr5Wb1OQ6UWmU7FOO3n20Bt3r4elK-o/s320/IMG_9081_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322814473937970562" border="0" /></a><br />Jared was very excited about the baby. Alex was a little shy about seeing his brother at first, but every time he saw him he got more and more excited. I wish they could touch him and hold him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTNduKm3vAfHQJyQOrFCYy_7j1JnfNDZuq_lSpAaKZADRpiCwIZwFA2INDDw6fXtgiWq5ZlbJA5VD8xks41eCG_z8KHZaH_2I8fh01yMWDZeRUTU8jcK0oh0bsQjlUgB7bNIzaDvlCn0/s1600-h/IMG_9088_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTNduKm3vAfHQJyQOrFCYy_7j1JnfNDZuq_lSpAaKZADRpiCwIZwFA2INDDw6fXtgiWq5ZlbJA5VD8xks41eCG_z8KHZaH_2I8fh01yMWDZeRUTU8jcK0oh0bsQjlUgB7bNIzaDvlCn0/s320/IMG_9088_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322814483346998130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Jared realized Robbie was taking pictures.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_zVsGHbhi5_gOgiEJNqTVfIhUpiCJmK34bhRZnDubU-iicwc5s0v8uDirSqzxPf8pbvK4tjw_uWDg1py1Gnc3GTzEFiPK6Rd7K1ltQczATHEk65k9jIPwLcaAg-OPzmw2eNJNXIuoNE/s1600-h/IMG_9086_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_zVsGHbhi5_gOgiEJNqTVfIhUpiCJmK34bhRZnDubU-iicwc5s0v8uDirSqzxPf8pbvK4tjw_uWDg1py1Gnc3GTzEFiPK6Rd7K1ltQczATHEk65k9jIPwLcaAg-OPzmw2eNJNXIuoNE/s320/IMG_9086_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322812420331650866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">El abuelito with his 6th grandchild.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMd_RDo5A1bHvTInNfQEVx34zNZHU58Ra_UMtbdE86PyrRWNDzbiF1Go2kwyoIrQhIz-8ZvTMAT70jAqrODEmTL2HOr-CahkIiuzWnFGXmwEiqbTBmNj5APLTySY7-t49DAALmWDJMm8/s1600-h/IMG_9089_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMd_RDo5A1bHvTInNfQEVx34zNZHU58Ra_UMtbdE86PyrRWNDzbiF1Go2kwyoIrQhIz-8ZvTMAT70jAqrODEmTL2HOr-CahkIiuzWnFGXmwEiqbTBmNj5APLTySY7-t49DAALmWDJMm8/s320/IMG_9089_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322816008417618466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Abuelita Ann with baby Nathan.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFG_VbmcicNwF7NerRUicLwCS55bs9eegdkc92AVC3S3qvEznvFN2Et50a-tVgE4drA2kTBfnRo4QUP8bLZYD9bJT_Sv78Ie6X1LXAKYxe0EkTUNyaFdICTmlOrxQ83eNUwyYWo7EbXE/s1600-h/IMG_9090.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFG_VbmcicNwF7NerRUicLwCS55bs9eegdkc92AVC3S3qvEznvFN2Et50a-tVgE4drA2kTBfnRo4QUP8bLZYD9bJT_Sv78Ie6X1LXAKYxe0EkTUNyaFdICTmlOrxQ83eNUwyYWo7EbXE/s320/IMG_9090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322812412980331090" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, we got a picture of Robbie with Nathan. He has spent the most time with Nathan as he accompanied the doctors as they worked on him.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">My cute boys!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6XoheTj9p35LQ-WiJDHTEC6IpXt7ycObHRSvLLPWZZsIltlX8EZqSvAUZ7FGtuiosrCZXaWWYgLCBA4UjDWalTjniNgUKOgS9yvcwdPBbH5LQwIdpEpSkEPR3l4Wk_yMTebuLKYRnI4/s1600-h/IMG_9095_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6XoheTj9p35LQ-WiJDHTEC6IpXt7ycObHRSvLLPWZZsIltlX8EZqSvAUZ7FGtuiosrCZXaWWYgLCBA4UjDWalTjniNgUKOgS9yvcwdPBbH5LQwIdpEpSkEPR3l4Wk_yMTebuLKYRnI4/s320/IMG_9095_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322814480209017970" border="0" /></a>4.9.09 Nathan is doing great, but he will have to stay here an extra day. I got discharged at noon, but we are going to board in another day and hopefully he will be able to come home tomorrow. The air is gone on one side, but still there on his left. He tested negative for an infection, but they need to take him off the IV and see if he still continues to test negative to rule out the pneumonia. We feel so blessed that he is doing so well and living up to his name. We chose Nathan which means, "gift", "given from God" and Andrew means "strong". He has been so brave through all of this!<br /><br />So yeah, the 3rd time has been quite eventful, but we are so pleased that things have gone so well considering Nathan's condition.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-90199841603902680672009-04-04T19:36:00.000-07:002009-04-04T19:47:21.002-07:001 Day to GoI'm due tomorrow but nothing is happening, which is normal for me. However, I came down with a cold Thursday night and it has been horrible today and yesterday. I have a fever, chills, cough, runny nose, sneezing. Luckily it hasn't gone above 100, but I hope I get over this fast, because with stitches having a cough and sneezing will not go well together. This has also squelched any nesting that I still wanted to do. The house was all clean Thursday night, and now it is a disaster, and I just feel too awful to do anything about it. Over the last two months I have been madly trying to get Alex's first year scrapbook done, but I have failed to finish that as well. Oh well, I will get it done though, it might just take me a whole lot longer with 3 kids instead of just 2. Well, the next time I post, I am sure I will be in a happier state as it will be a post of our beautiful baby boy!robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-34235681568813827732009-01-26T20:13:00.000-08:002009-01-26T20:25:21.049-08:00Back together at last!I know I have been known to not post for a few months, but this time it wasn't my fault, I swear! My computer started getting blue screens the week before Thanksgiving and basically stopped working. It took two months, many phone calls to HP's customer service, 2 sets of system recovery CDs which revealed the problem wasn't a software problem, which Robbie and I already knew, and finally sending in the computer over Christmas break, I have finally been reunited with my lovely laptop. They replaced almost everything, except for the screen, webcam, and hard drives, so we have been getting to know each other again this last week. I couldn't post because I couldn't get to my pictures, and what is a post without pictures? Now that we are back together I have been able to upload all of the pictures we took over the holidays and get my photoshop album all organized and photos tagged, and thanks to free shipping at Snapfish I was able to get most of the pics printed so I can get the kids photo albums up to date. I have just a little over 2 months to get that done and Alex's first year scrapbook, another reason it was such a huge inconvenience to be without my computer. I am so happy to have it back. "They" always say not to buy the extended warranty, but Robbie and I have decided to extend the warranty since practically everything was replaced and would have cost us more than buying a new computer.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-31857512410208896602009-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:002009-01-26T20:13:01.800-08:00Rah! Rah! Rah! Go Cougars!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">This year we decided to splurge and we bought All Sport Passes so that we could enjoy many of the sporting events BYU has to offer. We thought it would be a great way to spend time as a family and the boys loved it! The first few games we died of heat, but luckily none of the games were in the bitter cold. We got seats by my brother Brett, and occasionally my sister Melanie would come and visit us in our section.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNYm6iFq7Z4LjDnkmmwErpypUZoVe9Zozr0c1xSZIawwTwwMKtZjRxCcJdjeChInL2rezvN7DNGAJpsieeSEITHoaNqEZEWnesiURqZJ-D7SF42yTL-fmFy5iMwAA1ngKRx1FY2vV9Pc/s1600-h/IMG_8217.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNYm6iFq7Z4LjDnkmmwErpypUZoVe9Zozr0c1xSZIawwTwwMKtZjRxCcJdjeChInL2rezvN7DNGAJpsieeSEITHoaNqEZEWnesiURqZJ-D7SF42yTL-fmFy5iMwAA1ngKRx1FY2vV9Pc/s320/IMG_8217.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295792524977640658" border="0" /></a>Our seats were in the North end zone and we enjoyed seeing a lot of touch downs scored there.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL2krVQJB2cAcHMthHiuHEn6cqifh9CBtmZHMK2UEX0LnqeNyUipL-emzXaLjulhFmZikLC6XWIre2u-m7bR2ZtpCWiy5_BKL4LSnJ5Gq9jmcetAPQAHYIDRFQevWKmPAkqLMCvfGVDc/s1600-h/DSCN0170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL2krVQJB2cAcHMthHiuHEn6cqifh9CBtmZHMK2UEX0LnqeNyUipL-emzXaLjulhFmZikLC6XWIre2u-m7bR2ZtpCWiy5_BKL4LSnJ5Gq9jmcetAPQAHYIDRFQevWKmPAkqLMCvfGVDc/s320/DSCN0170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295802834913468338" border="0" /></a>Jared, Alex, and Aunt Melanie<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g5F39rYPLwZiY4cxHDTB_uHHq7GOF7m8iwiwErKKKOaytnZ4gyh7jR3FVmfm0N8HqI6Ka9JEFn6hk7gMJvs0FXE5kqPLY9MLrk4_eO489WYWeVKdzguru0cuqX4sVCwCM_qE8vRi5C8/s1600-h/IMG_8113.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g5F39rYPLwZiY4cxHDTB_uHHq7GOF7m8iwiwErKKKOaytnZ4gyh7jR3FVmfm0N8HqI6Ka9JEFn6hk7gMJvs0FXE5kqPLY9MLrk4_eO489WYWeVKdzguru0cuqX4sVCwCM_qE8vRi5C8/s320/IMG_8113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295794739684674482" border="0" /></a>Jared belting out the fight song.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoqWe0A6V5jz-LDQY0glPDJBfHVJ-I3NWvy9aZ113P7sTyxCS2YuOV6cuNpWvosFr7O2Ph03arDVwuNSm71CUZ_jXBoYp_ayiTQDE6doUiLdp-dBHbbGUcGwtgAv6jXhh_pEOPdQuXUg/s1600-h/IMG_8109.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoqWe0A6V5jz-LDQY0glPDJBfHVJ-I3NWvy9aZ113P7sTyxCS2YuOV6cuNpWvosFr7O2Ph03arDVwuNSm71CUZ_jXBoYp_ayiTQDE6doUiLdp-dBHbbGUcGwtgAv6jXhh_pEOPdQuXUg/s320/IMG_8109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295794738449553570" border="0" /></a>Robbie and Alex<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSwycjFYagp0iuMpYBlmbeCL9tVhW8ETISM0GVGE3JhBRk5phpDJ_iMFw0dDPW8sDIWddoMz-yCFyOR_FFT6-VigJnEGDXIBzw-J19dKTrhf7fMgk5eIGG1x722u7OmOMSbjZ7ITIzmE/s1600-h/IMG_8155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSwycjFYagp0iuMpYBlmbeCL9tVhW8ETISM0GVGE3JhBRk5phpDJ_iMFw0dDPW8sDIWddoMz-yCFyOR_FFT6-VigJnEGDXIBzw-J19dKTrhf7fMgk5eIGG1x722u7OmOMSbjZ7ITIzmE/s320/IMG_8155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295794733622026530" border="0" /></a>Alex loves his brother Jared so much!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZHqJ0plVHTl85YjC6WSTgSHSJPiL8Ah2O9aT_2Ax5NoVhc0tQ5lZ40EEtpGYI8M_UmF_1PiqBO4cMq_3MEhgN56w1-qfV200K9tQHDFiHPJSUxXLMr_DmqD-p8DqSnDwJc1llXANx88/s1600-h/IMG_8373.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZHqJ0plVHTl85YjC6WSTgSHSJPiL8Ah2O9aT_2Ax5NoVhc0tQ5lZ40EEtpGYI8M_UmF_1PiqBO4cMq_3MEhgN56w1-qfV200K9tQHDFiHPJSUxXLMr_DmqD-p8DqSnDwJc1llXANx88/s320/IMG_8373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295794726146842354" border="0" /></a>We always had to sneak in lots of treats to keep Alex happy for the 3 - 4 hour games. If he wasn't eating he was flirting with whatever cute girls were sitting near us that week.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYtI_-_AFOr1r-Qa9KKWhkpKKC3PiEcJV4-A9X5Oor_svsO101pRBATHTXY5eNyLbllynWmVlOwFljbAz5quEecs9RMFvI0iGzI7yljrF8hhEXghyUzfsi7O7UMSwU-vlfETZvYaI_Y0/s1600-h/IMG_8376.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYtI_-_AFOr1r-Qa9KKWhkpKKC3PiEcJV4-A9X5Oor_svsO101pRBATHTXY5eNyLbllynWmVlOwFljbAz5quEecs9RMFvI0iGzI7yljrF8hhEXghyUzfsi7O7UMSwU-vlfETZvYaI_Y0/s320/IMG_8376.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295792541831115762" border="0" /></a>The whole fam enjoying the game!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinW6IuU-lb4jy-7Qgu3oYjP43dgDVaCWuhy03ts7GRa_sqGmGttZl92qS9PsDm1HSa2vRnOqCfqJ5ohLOW2HdZTyonLqe7-UkVyQRDLpMDRKO6_YVFWXOr8L8tEw53kFTfGMBVPbGWXXo/s1600-h/IMG_8387_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinW6IuU-lb4jy-7Qgu3oYjP43dgDVaCWuhy03ts7GRa_sqGmGttZl92qS9PsDm1HSa2vRnOqCfqJ5ohLOW2HdZTyonLqe7-UkVyQRDLpMDRKO6_YVFWXOr8L8tEw53kFTfGMBVPbGWXXo/s320/IMG_8387_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295792538876562402" border="0" /></a>Since a lot of the games were in the afternoon Alex would miss his nap. He would fall asleep in the last few minutes of the game sometimes and this time he fell asleep while sitting on Robbie's shoulders as we walked to our car.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzujw7Z7fP3h23RFkF0QtnFojNOqkOg0l25fc1bPamlBaxNz3I_7rz7oluBj0Br6_bnUs-95K5Onkutsg7_LXdClxh93MId-0czQMVlDhb9HZjTYf0d9WY7EP31Fgh0yvO4nXhwqWSU1o/s1600-h/IMG_8213.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzujw7Z7fP3h23RFkF0QtnFojNOqkOg0l25fc1bPamlBaxNz3I_7rz7oluBj0Br6_bnUs-95K5Onkutsg7_LXdClxh93MId-0czQMVlDhb9HZjTYf0d9WY7EP31Fgh0yvO4nXhwqWSU1o/s320/IMG_8213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295792535508146482" border="0" /></a>Alex and Robbie<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hM0kxTfUSBwfTT9k4Jl7rzpmFI97Vw4GAcJ_hirbSb46IuKeTBTh03t0ANVzSUTKJ7hbGzxLwURSjHHmv4PGjHaR6j7xQpTFB3VR4whOyiQqTAhJbfnFcAQm-izZfrZVQWGYfuOkt6s/s1600-h/IMG_8214.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hM0kxTfUSBwfTT9k4Jl7rzpmFI97Vw4GAcJ_hirbSb46IuKeTBTh03t0ANVzSUTKJ7hbGzxLwURSjHHmv4PGjHaR6j7xQpTFB3VR4whOyiQqTAhJbfnFcAQm-izZfrZVQWGYfuOkt6s/s320/IMG_8214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295792529026645826" border="0" /></a>Jared and Uncle Brett<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQjA-3olF-b6Dd133xgGihmV2jzEWiO1TLKo7TZ9ni5jY7-nm_uzrk_gWgkK-uARXdqozDYgsfj3Iy4zpVZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />Jared singing the fight song the first home game of the season.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzLGe-WqYC3VajBIaI0w1wY9zIZ0LoL4lcrhAkbCpLJkNHuAftcUDXvjTfE38icz8J2xyL3IzArnHmRhwVX' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />Alex finally caught on by the last home game and really started getting into it. He even joins in when the crowd cheers "First Down".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdFL5zVQq_ej95tCIq8wWR6HRo7HKgNlbZ8RNg3gBUz0Gj2Ib14G9kM9DlN7MYKl3vrNm6xgvlkrZLOqDmNlc39oXqhFuvxMdcJuXiJQkVmByLpOm-nVUOzcBXn8aQqf3byv_1hkzK70/s1600-h/IMG_8440_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdFL5zVQq_ej95tCIq8wWR6HRo7HKgNlbZ8RNg3gBUz0Gj2Ib14G9kM9DlN7MYKl3vrNm6xgvlkrZLOqDmNlc39oXqhFuvxMdcJuXiJQkVmByLpOm-nVUOzcBXn8aQqf3byv_1hkzK70/s320/IMG_8440_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295815692670911330" border="0" /></a>Jared loves, I mean LOVES, singing the Cougar Fight Song! He will break out in song daily. Over Thanksgiving he would run around Robbie's parents' house with his hand in the air, as if he were carrying a flag shouting the song. The good aunt Aimee is, she made Jared a fabulous flag for him to run around with.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts-t5ZHNSO1T9rtq3d54tbm3FgAiQkIW94qBwwH4SNzEfB3bcDiR0SrhrZrlkpPm9wpG7yCLaPvkgrA_ZT4KLNrSU8dYG7T8ipIlNhSyMVPylCBQWDVdMylwgECZxm4uhv1vkkCtRYeo/s1600-h/IMG_8441_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts-t5ZHNSO1T9rtq3d54tbm3FgAiQkIW94qBwwH4SNzEfB3bcDiR0SrhrZrlkpPm9wpG7yCLaPvkgrA_ZT4KLNrSU8dYG7T8ipIlNhSyMVPylCBQWDVdMylwgECZxm4uhv1vkkCtRYeo/s320/IMG_8441_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295815696251592962" border="0" /></a>However, after he saw a BYU quilt that Grandma and Grandpa have he noticed that the B-Y-U letters she had made with duct tape were not exactly the same font as the ones on the blanket and we had a meltdown. She did her best, but it was still not good enough for him. There was no consoling until Uncle Josh made him one on the computer.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzNckn1w_nxe_kzRflk1YO4HBDIE67g_BfU4dg8VmC7rJMaoj_c-NfdX5HOBkSBKK_9UceSkQ1IOvaOr9Uq' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-77179356539541941762008-11-17T16:38:00.000-08:002008-11-18T17:15:40.482-08:00Sittin' Pretty, Ready to Go<span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">We went to the doctor today and we are over halfway to having our very own basketball team. That's right, another boy! Yes, I was hoping for a girl, everyone knows I did everything to have one, but apparently God wants us to have another boy right now. And it's probably a good thing, since Robbie still has two years of school left, and I wouldn't be able to properly spoil her like she should be. The next time we have a baby, Robbie will have a full time job and I will be able to pay for cute girl clothes and not dress her in her brothers' hand-me-downs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">So yeah, I have nothing to do to get ready. We have sizes of clothes for all seasons since Alex and Jared were on the opposite ends of the spectrum. No burp cloths or blankets need to be made, so I can just relax until he comes, right? Not! I have plenty to do, like Alex's first year scrapbook, or catch up on the kids' photo album, or do the scrapbook for Robbie and I that I have been trying to do for years. Oh, and we also have to get rid of a lot of stuff to make room for one more in our little apartment.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">It will be interesting to see what he looks like, since Jared looks more like me and Alex looks more like Robbie. We just have one problem...coming up with another boy name. It is so hard for us, and it doesn't help that people seem to always be stealing good boy names for their girls. It will probably come down to another long last night in the hospital debating what the little guy's name should be.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">So no one can get mad at me that there aren't enough good worthy young men for their daughters to marry, because I'm certainly doing my part. It made me think of a quote that was in the Visitor's Center on my mission about how sister missionaries were important because they would be raising up righteous young men, Elders, in the church. If anyone has this please send it to me. I tried to find it on </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lds</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">.org, but couldn't.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">Ultrasound pics to come...</span>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-77516540564261649702008-11-13T10:12:00.000-08:002008-11-13T10:22:00.522-08:00Free Snapfish ScrapbookMy friend sent me the following email and it's true, so everyone enjoy it!<br /><br />Oprah is giving coupons for a free snapfish scrapbook. You have to get the coupon by Friday and use it by Sunday. So hurry at take a look at it. I thought it was so exciting and that every one would like to take advantage of it! I hope this link works.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7">http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7</a>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-69547181055009816412008-11-06T12:36:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:09:56.577-08:00HalloweenWe had a fun Halloween. Jared got to wear his costume to pre-school and he got some goodies there too. On Wednesday they got Halloween cupcakes. His had an eye ring on it and he is obsessed with it. He wears it all the time, except for when he sleeps because he doesn't want to lose it. He tells me, "I love my eye, Mommy". Jared sure was a cute monkey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuDqJU8sOf9eGXSlwGVJThecHuM9eBQR-PmPApx31YsKW4rYQVOrErkh_IYH-_ianK4tBjM1HF_ejj8juSGXbtnBAlx3kmVze0EEYSvLRw4Xkji7dnHI2hF-li5knNxsgpq9M5gZU2RA/s1600-h/IMG_8274.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuDqJU8sOf9eGXSlwGVJThecHuM9eBQR-PmPApx31YsKW4rYQVOrErkh_IYH-_ianK4tBjM1HF_ejj8juSGXbtnBAlx3kmVze0EEYSvLRw4Xkji7dnHI2hF-li5knNxsgpq9M5gZU2RA/s320/IMG_8274.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265646999365473154" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Choka's daughter Zayaa goes to preschool with Jared and so we have started carpooling. Her husband Dan works in the same lab as Robbie, so she took the kids to see them after school in their costumes and Jared thought that we pretty fun. Here are our cute kids. (Alex and Ariuna were napping.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bt7xjCH9LVk9V4v52icxGdijtjX5XgCyti1HEsvp-zG2mxoEqvnRRaTr1QEcGdFIrEcah4BZ80xncsZFzkRtiQNTcbFF20g5RWDFJXlO7JwDYoZTT5n6NOWNTbQBfOamXmCU8P9WFJw/s1600-h/IMG_8269.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bt7xjCH9LVk9V4v52icxGdijtjX5XgCyti1HEsvp-zG2mxoEqvnRRaTr1QEcGdFIrEcah4BZ80xncsZFzkRtiQNTcbFF20g5RWDFJXlO7JwDYoZTT5n6NOWNTbQBfOamXmCU8P9WFJw/s320/IMG_8269.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265646997191361586" border="0" /></a><br />Jared before we left for the ward Halloween party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2_SDWRfJa87DbK9VokbCp0jjrHORX7deTrVeKA20yOuGXZMoBhmAHzkv18hApPMDWjt_eOuXjkorWoEQ-0XigI0EyduvFQxgNoDy4VpWvOsv9aiHvIYYQM6pX0lZa07qPyB8G8ZD_ws/s1600-h/IMG_8303.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2_SDWRfJa87DbK9VokbCp0jjrHORX7deTrVeKA20yOuGXZMoBhmAHzkv18hApPMDWjt_eOuXjkorWoEQ-0XigI0EyduvFQxgNoDy4VpWvOsv9aiHvIYYQM6pX0lZa07qPyB8G8ZD_ws/s320/IMG_8303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265647007009263122" border="0" /></a><br />The only way we could Alex to take a picture was to give him his pumpking with some candy already in it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYcJAtBOUlIiIEP1BHHm_7QJXCJLBdfYTJGK9G4wa9V4DO-WTVNlvXRAvfVNLhBj9zRFzaOh_5l5tCVy1q-9uhbEbrdL0WTCRfT6jLcYpL8xerq1H3iTx08P84XjazX02terk33-4nYs/s1600-h/IMG_8305.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYcJAtBOUlIiIEP1BHHm_7QJXCJLBdfYTJGK9G4wa9V4DO-WTVNlvXRAvfVNLhBj9zRFzaOh_5l5tCVy1q-9uhbEbrdL0WTCRfT6jLcYpL8xerq1H3iTx08P84XjazX02terk33-4nYs/s320/IMG_8305.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265647015832528674" border="0" /></a><br />The ward had chili and baked potatoes first, followed by trunk-or-treating. Robbie decided this is the way to go. We got the church at 6:30 and were done and leaving by 7:30. No one was cold or tired. It was great.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bt7xjCH9LVk9V4v52icxGdijtjX5XgCyti1HEsvp-zG2mxoEqvnRRaTr1QEcGdFIrEcah4BZ80xncsZFzkRtiQNTcbFF20g5RWDFJXlO7JwDYoZTT5n6NOWNTbQBfOamXmCU8P9WFJw/s1600-h/IMG_8269.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7nB7zTvb0Ycl-3mxsXl7sm5ziTZi-JgH-S3tIfHVvEmXW7pzWSUMFpeaXhL6Sual463A8hfaYcvTLES-h8hVBQmpU38ISpz_xu2zDv76RDDOHDu-NsNJp77gvt2LFkmIAFHihnUfPII/s1600-h/IMG_8313.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7nB7zTvb0Ycl-3mxsXl7sm5ziTZi-JgH-S3tIfHVvEmXW7pzWSUMFpeaXhL6Sual463A8hfaYcvTLES-h8hVBQmpU38ISpz_xu2zDv76RDDOHDu-NsNJp77gvt2LFkmIAFHihnUfPII/s320/IMG_8313.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265649348199573986" border="0" /></a><br />Alex loved it!! Don't touch his bucket though or you will get a terrific tantrum. He had to be the one carrying it. It was so cute when he asked for candy from the people next to our car and I heard him say "thank you" so clearly. He always says "gracias" with me when I tell him to say "thank you". Robbie, who took the kids around, said he had been doing really well with saying it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRTsTYMb46GqCSO859D9hwua-AKcn5ILvQIM_f4CXm3tUuR0I3wLS_OSSulCgJyrMtHU2LdSqCqra1Q-zigpmG8FfltvL_-0-czLR8GL1INN76v-fXvKquYVaLaNOMiR66bhYW54vnTc/s1600-h/IMG_8316.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRTsTYMb46GqCSO859D9hwua-AKcn5ILvQIM_f4CXm3tUuR0I3wLS_OSSulCgJyrMtHU2LdSqCqra1Q-zigpmG8FfltvL_-0-czLR8GL1INN76v-fXvKquYVaLaNOMiR66bhYW54vnTc/s320/IMG_8316.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265647018173698578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW7lQsELXEotDJpWLNwUPEPV_SGBKQuzXtaK06YlPOJrkmEzR8f13shLPbHWBiTfwEkQtoqpRHom1bqqPosTnwqeXM-g7_mh8WAGRv2zmngyRn7DUt-EwFnN4HQaLX2nXRH7NtP0bSR4/s1600-h/IMG_8321.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW7lQsELXEotDJpWLNwUPEPV_SGBKQuzXtaK06YlPOJrkmEzR8f13shLPbHWBiTfwEkQtoqpRHom1bqqPosTnwqeXM-g7_mh8WAGRv2zmngyRn7DUt-EwFnN4HQaLX2nXRH7NtP0bSR4/s320/IMG_8321.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648347030511394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rs2aMvUX4D7jGbEE70wi8w_djVoSx00BXEC5UIfavlho76jItbJ8N7lVDl6MuKhyphenhyphen4pRb0LPhCAVab961JZyrYUwz4l4yKXBrjhS82SeOby18z6WC8IlFcufvv_lPpBjVBJOiFQjOt-w/s1600-h/IMG_8318.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rs2aMvUX4D7jGbEE70wi8w_djVoSx00BXEC5UIfavlho76jItbJ8N7lVDl6MuKhyphenhyphen4pRb0LPhCAVab961JZyrYUwz4l4yKXBrjhS82SeOby18z6WC8IlFcufvv_lPpBjVBJOiFQjOt-w/s320/IMG_8318.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265649351869240226" border="0" /></a><br />When we got home Alex looked through his bucket for a piece of candy to eat and he pulled out a little box of Milk Duds and started "oohing" and "ahhing". He had never had them before but you couldn't tell from his excitement. I asked him if I could have one and he responded with an emphatic "Nnooo", his favorite word lately. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgov93VR8Wvim90rpOIKklRmSQMS4DuRS-DAyPM04dvMov-UTdyR6N67puItaY6GEO4N1R1jSQGdyvDRU-PQn84K7CHYYzPUSplEBte17f20DwXe9MB5tMtD4Mm5eoKfsNt-Kxm7ggJgrA/s1600-h/IMG_8324.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgov93VR8Wvim90rpOIKklRmSQMS4DuRS-DAyPM04dvMov-UTdyR6N67puItaY6GEO4N1R1jSQGdyvDRU-PQn84K7CHYYzPUSplEBte17f20DwXe9MB5tMtD4Mm5eoKfsNt-Kxm7ggJgrA/s320/IMG_8324.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648356225453154" border="0" /></a><br />Jared dumped out his bucket of candy and couldn't believe how well he had made out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkq6Nn1GG_-fCEKtLW7YYZbKPkETml3i7aewbzIRkpDoJwG-y1vbPDjktH64-y3gOshn2pJUPaUNg-lL7T6OqOQP3nsBrXe90Q5VCmQ-GOH5rbl6sb0_HWlmhVG0yM2Y72xjKN-U11D0/s1600-h/IMG_8329.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkq6Nn1GG_-fCEKtLW7YYZbKPkETml3i7aewbzIRkpDoJwG-y1vbPDjktH64-y3gOshn2pJUPaUNg-lL7T6OqOQP3nsBrXe90Q5VCmQ-GOH5rbl6sb0_HWlmhVG0yM2Y72xjKN-U11D0/s320/IMG_8329.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648348324665954" border="0" /></a><br />I overestimated how many kids would be at the party and we were left with 2 huge bags of candy from Sam's Club that were still half full. I guess we won't be needing to steal from our kids stash like last year. ;)robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-31251090992863155482008-11-05T21:48:00.000-08:002008-11-05T22:09:06.558-08:00Halloween Birthday PartyWe got to go to a Halloween Birthday Party for my friends' little girl on Oct. 25. The boys were so excited to wear the monkey costumes.<br /><br />Alex really enjoyed the punch and cupcake. What a surprise! He has such a sweet tooth.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV41p9rIOkqlsnHucgp97_EIyD9wpLMxhLVQ2DpmkKKz66DLorcWnZna0f8h6GKliBm2OFGfGSxMZrDfhIdWXhmXyF7vJ5ilysARyGacYR719pq7etLFS370GdLCY72Gbu59UmTa5SHhQ/s1600-h/IMG_8247.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV41p9rIOkqlsnHucgp97_EIyD9wpLMxhLVQ2DpmkKKz66DLorcWnZna0f8h6GKliBm2OFGfGSxMZrDfhIdWXhmXyF7vJ5ilysARyGacYR719pq7etLFS370GdLCY72Gbu59UmTa5SHhQ/s320/IMG_8247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265418596399007330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My little monkey.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFKEQLyyKZk9FWemKX3PYqX31cjPzlw30AKnH7yD-pyiFU2SVGMDo4PyNVskEur86nmdEpRTtzIVydmRNtM9ttWMNdKjOOCuboSKqP2Os1N0_dWAIHisNAulu8NIdbn8JgMyvKM-IrDY/s1600-h/IMG_8249.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFKEQLyyKZk9FWemKX3PYqX31cjPzlw30AKnH7yD-pyiFU2SVGMDo4PyNVskEur86nmdEpRTtzIVydmRNtM9ttWMNdKjOOCuboSKqP2Os1N0_dWAIHisNAulu8NIdbn8JgMyvKM-IrDY/s320/IMG_8249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265418603233336130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My other little monkey, Jared, enjoying his cupcake.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0WBLdkaOhGqsh7V0DM9DJmRVchbodk-unObSM_Kwz6SqfYKm51w_B5oAeIewOq-9hRlnQgKOujUgfouvc94TBzHuEJV_zosR0R6rDMWk527jSis-o3wFD0ZUDdemFUlJGD-it0kpzIw/s1600-h/IMG_8245.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0WBLdkaOhGqsh7V0DM9DJmRVchbodk-unObSM_Kwz6SqfYKm51w_B5oAeIewOq-9hRlnQgKOujUgfouvc94TBzHuEJV_zosR0R6rDMWk527jSis-o3wFD0ZUDdemFUlJGD-it0kpzIw/s320/IMG_8245.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265418590122086626" border="0" /></a><br />They had a pinata and Alex loved it! It was so cute to watch him. Every time he would hit it he would yell. I thought it was so cute. Alex was very excited about all of the suckers that came pouring out when the big kids finally broke it open. I helped him get some starbursts and jolly ranchers. ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpkZQHaO4ksKTfzS7rwkDDllx4uOXx1BCEM4AywqSW7QPSpgliUKmv4Lx7GO44o7fYDXWpcfJxbVKusP9a4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Thanks for a fun party Ana and David!<br /></div>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-1329555082187915012008-11-05T21:22:00.001-08:002008-11-05T21:47:46.375-08:00Gettin' Ready for HalloweenWell, I don't get much into decorating for the holidays, but since Jared is getting older I think it is important to celebrate and have some family traditions. So we picked out some pumpkins from Wal-Mart (not as fun as going to the pumpkin patch like we did growing up in St. Louis. Do they even have that here in Utah?) and we carved them the Friday before Halloween. We saw on the Today show to attach a whisk to your drill to clean out your pumpkin and so Jared wanted us to try it. It worked out all right, but not as good as we saw on T.V. Jared didn't like touching the guts and was done after pulling out seeds once. I don't blame him. I had my dishwashing gloves on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMGeiA90CWRuWYTirReCLS_hakMvXbY5jRWD8u4qvRdYvRdqvbBEDBBoEqxsi1JXSVLDYdbHxf_16_00taclTUf3T8NfBFPPX-_MZ6M2KVYI40d0nLnWyFBQX8SZ8bJHNtmJgMpXaV90/s1600-h/IMG_8242.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMGeiA90CWRuWYTirReCLS_hakMvXbY5jRWD8u4qvRdYvRdqvbBEDBBoEqxsi1JXSVLDYdbHxf_16_00taclTUf3T8NfBFPPX-_MZ6M2KVYI40d0nLnWyFBQX8SZ8bJHNtmJgMpXaV90/s320/IMG_8242.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265411657237338418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNuZ5zEZ8ECOfcCuj5V5DCpxG_29rTjKftuX5_6Sf7gujhjNxWyuFxWPpYnq6Rz8RepfHBPAVLA4TSI_jDb7mp5PQcyYLrnZiTcDZfdSIt3k89gctVNJFuOyAEDY57GcAauInjuLPmck/s1600-h/IMG_8244.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNuZ5zEZ8ECOfcCuj5V5DCpxG_29rTjKftuX5_6Sf7gujhjNxWyuFxWPpYnq6Rz8RepfHBPAVLA4TSI_jDb7mp5PQcyYLrnZiTcDZfdSIt3k89gctVNJFuOyAEDY57GcAauInjuLPmck/s320/IMG_8244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265411669685868002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUIkecCIfliyqbAU3OCZY0EVdkUxaV9InX11vutizXMaKX1aR60xMOZiPXiZtbJ_zYiLYtHhdnAQ3L9nZjEuj4kkiEB4Pk-gHOL_sBSIeYumKNww8RKsj1OGJTuaQrqkOHSornWw9pw8/s1600-h/IMG_8243.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUIkecCIfliyqbAU3OCZY0EVdkUxaV9InX11vutizXMaKX1aR60xMOZiPXiZtbJ_zYiLYtHhdnAQ3L9nZjEuj4kkiEB4Pk-gHOL_sBSIeYumKNww8RKsj1OGJTuaQrqkOHSornWw9pw8/s320/IMG_8243.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265411660624912370" border="0" /></a><br />Here are our Jack-O-Lanterns. And let me tell you. There was a tantrum about the square eye. I made the first triangle eye and asked Jared what he wanted the second one to be. He said a square. I asked him twice if he was sure that he didn't want another triangle. He was sure he wanted a square until he saw it. He wanted me to fix it, which you can't. He threw a tantrum and ended up in time out. When he came out he came over to me and said, "Ok, mommy, say your sorry." I was like, excuse me, you need to apoligize to me. He said, "but you did a square." He really thought I was in the wrong. I told him I was sorry for the misunderstanding, but that we can't behave this way. He apologized and we hugged and kissed, but he was in no mood for pictures, so I took this picture a few days later.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzvECTDK09rcG7XJIGzShP-3_YbQvW3wCi92RDNcX-dzDAtTssygUS-bOv1OvaUAm3Ma78Ahw3ZdCi-E7Dnw7nLBoO1Dl_Ho-5m0KK0oxxghFnfDZ7M7OjJXZg2bw-1J8KCtHTdrYe9o/s1600-h/IMG_8257.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzvECTDK09rcG7XJIGzShP-3_YbQvW3wCi92RDNcX-dzDAtTssygUS-bOv1OvaUAm3Ma78Ahw3ZdCi-E7Dnw7nLBoO1Dl_Ho-5m0KK0oxxghFnfDZ7M7OjJXZg2bw-1J8KCtHTdrYe9o/s320/IMG_8257.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265411677771067106" border="0" /></a><br />For FHE we decorated sugar cookies. My mom always made these and Halloween just isn't Halloween without them. Jared decorated his first one, and ate it, and was ready to play Wii. He decided he wanted to decorate a few more after that though and was pleased with his creation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1xRKs9BFJOw99agzbDVhmMIBvkMqa-qX61wSFFnsxUDzc6gFiPBxjvLVKts9FaerxzXH299URVGbwqcJvbajO20eYKrem0BcokHu-ChbArU2Fo0aB1I8Zqfc74-cxDDocp1kNmj4_54/s1600-h/IMG_8254.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1xRKs9BFJOw99agzbDVhmMIBvkMqa-qX61wSFFnsxUDzc6gFiPBxjvLVKts9FaerxzXH299URVGbwqcJvbajO20eYKrem0BcokHu-ChbArU2Fo0aB1I8Zqfc74-cxDDocp1kNmj4_54/s320/IMG_8254.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265411683014829362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1p5aOYsHv_nR4vHGBuWd4RrsEtPruEMd3v8B2Ztqm4u-Xuz4ZzLLiz1ek8pJ3qwmR_k0VWKJWqfF6Xh5Nw3U6S6aFNs-GrDyULutclTZoi-rFhKQtdBcjF3rrJr17gUwmBPJevbIyys8/s1600-h/IMG_8255.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1p5aOYsHv_nR4vHGBuWd4RrsEtPruEMd3v8B2Ztqm4u-Xuz4ZzLLiz1ek8pJ3qwmR_k0VWKJWqfF6Xh5Nw3U6S6aFNs-GrDyULutclTZoi-rFhKQtdBcjF3rrJr17gUwmBPJevbIyys8/s320/IMG_8255.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265413288835114690" border="0" /></a><br />His had noses and hats. I only put eyes and mouths on mine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmlRriE36ukwmHH1HqUnDGQcQRSzG4gU4r_nL8-ySFKhqkn-CCrjBPKfA_QF2yIAImvV0FmCl63VOt-bADX1X5_11pqmXkKXlU77EXpKxREAy99i3zXP7PvL3eHbMldOgEauZEm5o8Jg/s1600-h/IMG_8267.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmlRriE36ukwmHH1HqUnDGQcQRSzG4gU4r_nL8-ySFKhqkn-CCrjBPKfA_QF2yIAImvV0FmCl63VOt-bADX1X5_11pqmXkKXlU77EXpKxREAy99i3zXP7PvL3eHbMldOgEauZEm5o8Jg/s320/IMG_8267.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265412247580613874" border="0" /></a><br />Alex eats his pumpkin cookies by eating all of the chocolate chips first and then he eats the cookie. I like having a chocolate chip in every bite, but to each his own.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMJe2qunAkP_OAbVJ8W5gP_WtEQJ191idOpE7d8yNhESXFC_OnBCXS_QAQavq9kcW0GnSgOMKbN38a9jXiA1xAg6d_a2TV7NU6dsBUsz3oGtGTehd_oGcoSbOb5qcRAfxwpm-Yyj297g/s1600-h/IMG_8262.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMJe2qunAkP_OAbVJ8W5gP_WtEQJ191idOpE7d8yNhESXFC_OnBCXS_QAQavq9kcW0GnSgOMKbN38a9jXiA1xAg6d_a2TV7NU6dsBUsz3oGtGTehd_oGcoSbOb5qcRAfxwpm-Yyj297g/s320/IMG_8262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265412238527084610" border="0" /></a>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-26598097312951007322008-11-05T20:55:00.000-08:002008-11-05T21:21:54.760-08:00Raspberry Pickin'Thanks to my mission companion Janae, my sister Melanie and I and Jared and Alex enjoyed an afternoon in Payson picking raspberries. After seeing all of her homemade jam I decided I just had to go and we had a great time. It was a little late in the season, we went Oct. 16, and there had already been a freeze so we had to look a little harder for the berries and my quads were so sore the next day from all of the standing and squatting as we looked for and picked raspberries. It took 2 hours to get there because of the road construction, so we got there when I thought we would be leaving. But boy, oh, boy after eating that jam on some french toast, it was so worth it.<br /><br />Jared and Alex helped pick the first hour and then ran around the patch the second hour. Alex was very tired, since this was during his nap time, by the time we finished.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBxY226dbVN06GZUFmIdAWZZ1i25RRl1b3pcq84LNe_L5ny7EqYIqnysnZKIlCsP1mmnM-z5XrsVBhOwr_CGDmJQlvC3rCC33E7eSnNuZ9WLLQ8XE6FpPRbiPvCQn5yrf_xLmpvbw91Y/s1600-h/IMG_8225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBxY226dbVN06GZUFmIdAWZZ1i25RRl1b3pcq84LNe_L5ny7EqYIqnysnZKIlCsP1mmnM-z5XrsVBhOwr_CGDmJQlvC3rCC33E7eSnNuZ9WLLQ8XE6FpPRbiPvCQn5yrf_xLmpvbw91Y/s320/IMG_8225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265404697579454082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsmFvuYwRtM8NhEZSvAau4HzFrnzrE0bjWcNpi__xEkUKsOZhMBkmcUnQoRWLCrVWM4-CMlv64s1I2QF6ujbPPLWS1PtSecKCi9qRA8ek6TUiqpLr3evMGEHEeogZ8SDfXBoPM6RVfMg/s1600-h/IMG_8224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsmFvuYwRtM8NhEZSvAau4HzFrnzrE0bjWcNpi__xEkUKsOZhMBkmcUnQoRWLCrVWM4-CMlv64s1I2QF6ujbPPLWS1PtSecKCi9qRA8ek6TUiqpLr3evMGEHEeogZ8SDfXBoPM6RVfMg/s320/IMG_8224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265404687678884306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOqOJcRpmIBXxF0BhcLZD5Ud7vmYhUU8cv6eCmRI2r1U1KORCNazeDydCoWF1bGWtwXEjC39riHl1MvIs8lsygJvNjZrZnTaP7Zlgryj4EGNnRLDkUlbkiJl_LGqbb-OZ8borCTyrje4/s1600-h/IMG_8226.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOqOJcRpmIBXxF0BhcLZD5Ud7vmYhUU8cv6eCmRI2r1U1KORCNazeDydCoWF1bGWtwXEjC39riHl1MvIs8lsygJvNjZrZnTaP7Zlgryj4EGNnRLDkUlbkiJl_LGqbb-OZ8borCTyrje4/s320/IMG_8226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265404705410775410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82BPuLym8uuQ0XKMOX9j5RWYcM2Fn827bd3wCx20Qwv4yaIm5vNuqg16-bUXjEAZbLgBIJ9-FBKRHKImLODSLUxv0OhM7lnlZ2GS6_MeYYVNAjeHubkj0R7BhUGIQ3_FBGArOg17WGqI/s1600-h/IMG_8227.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82BPuLym8uuQ0XKMOX9j5RWYcM2Fn827bd3wCx20Qwv4yaIm5vNuqg16-bUXjEAZbLgBIJ9-FBKRHKImLODSLUxv0OhM7lnlZ2GS6_MeYYVNAjeHubkj0R7BhUGIQ3_FBGArOg17WGqI/s320/IMG_8227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265404717801565586" border="0" /></a><br />My sister Melanie, who is a freshman at BYU, came with us. I am so glad she did. It has really been fun to have her close and the kids loved having her there. She made some raspberry peach jam with her raspberries. She made some rolls and she said they were quite the hit with her friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhCFwej6vPXZzuoio2DdLE0PmKOSEgnUgNzGl6ybJRD8g1Bko4AjKrRmTAN50L4F5afT64hjmaRCvOfMHlPOO-S-gc0uoQf4A6AXU55T1Gn-Pqg7xyd4V4IKmP3ZAdwIrcYi4DqqRtx0/s1600-h/IMG_8228.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhCFwej6vPXZzuoio2DdLE0PmKOSEgnUgNzGl6ybJRD8g1Bko4AjKrRmTAN50L4F5afT64hjmaRCvOfMHlPOO-S-gc0uoQf4A6AXU55T1Gn-Pqg7xyd4V4IKmP3ZAdwIrcYi4DqqRtx0/s320/IMG_8228.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265407895736857666" border="0" /></a><br />It was so sunny out and we couldn't get a picture without whitening our faces. Jared I guess is practicing for his upcoming debut as a monkey for Halloween this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNs5Fvw1hxNBqRLRKUJQbhhm4wZGErLiKKj_nIavv6EMPcW9Y1ZmSDPVk_MwftsojT4vMkJt2qEpJnh94966QLosOU230opxQbxp6l5wzSJhUfBlbFJqvkTIfDQw1IacJw5bfNy7DJOw/s1600-h/IMG_8231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNs5Fvw1hxNBqRLRKUJQbhhm4wZGErLiKKj_nIavv6EMPcW9Y1ZmSDPVk_MwftsojT4vMkJt2qEpJnh94966QLosOU230opxQbxp6l5wzSJhUfBlbFJqvkTIfDQw1IacJw5bfNy7DJOw/s320/IMG_8231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265404682052344306" border="0" /></a><br />I highly recommend this activity for everyone and I plan to do it every year while we live here. My mom would take us strawberry picking when I was little and I just loved it, so it was fun to do it with my kids. For more info, click <a href="http://www.westmountainraspberries.com/">here</a>.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-28251471238942328992008-11-05T20:20:00.000-08:002008-11-05T20:52:23.229-08:00Drastic Times Call For Drastic MeasuresI am in mourning and I just had to do something, so I cut off all my hair. Pretty symbolic, huh? I have posted some pictures for those disbelieving friends and family.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is how long my hair was before:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbWuWjydDT4lBDCuPG3PuuVm7bndqXlOTQ2IjX2yOnEJwjxDj4Hds_rc4HWEnqVzUUPDKrFa9l-k890s4NoebU3l6nbUfZlfDM_qhdC6taEz_HxnTYZph4Py4bocvGowLbgRYCUEr6Zw/s1600-h/IMG_8239.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbWuWjydDT4lBDCuPG3PuuVm7bndqXlOTQ2IjX2yOnEJwjxDj4Hds_rc4HWEnqVzUUPDKrFa9l-k890s4NoebU3l6nbUfZlfDM_qhdC6taEz_HxnTYZph4Py4bocvGowLbgRYCUEr6Zw/s400/IMG_8239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265396858346575266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is how short it is after:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52qe0wm4fZZAAa5ACOMwIopt95X2S-bM-v0ZOm0rOHHhdb43RAkqhMQ7TnPIKOTPMi-bDN36yg2BP6cwuD4AhsXBr57qqWi2ToBBlVPbB9s6ZyDLhqHpEObAIz9sVNEhwiaSprXANWkg/s1600-h/IMG_8333_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52qe0wm4fZZAAa5ACOMwIopt95X2S-bM-v0ZOm0rOHHhdb43RAkqhMQ7TnPIKOTPMi-bDN36yg2BP6cwuD4AhsXBr57qqWi2ToBBlVPbB9s6ZyDLhqHpEObAIz9sVNEhwiaSprXANWkg/s400/IMG_8333_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265395101788234130" border="0" /></a><br />My hair is still wet. I went to get it cut at 8pm tonight and didn't have her style it since it was so late. I will put up more pics when I actually style it.<br /><br />Although I am disappointed that Obama won, that is not the reason I cut my hair. I realized that my hair had gotten really long about a month or so ago. I have always wanted to donate my hair to Locks of Love, but since I am not blessed with fast growing hair like my cousin Camille or Robbie's sisters, I have never done it. I didn't want to just get my hair cut and have 8 inches thrown in the garbage, so I decided now would be the perfect time to make the sacrifice and take the plunge. If I hate it, being pregnant, my hair grows a lot faster than normal, so by the time I have the baby my hair will have grown out somewhat.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-2465364200392338112008-10-18T18:34:00.000-07:002008-10-19T17:06:15.469-07:00I've Been Tagged!For the first time ever I've been tagged by my sister. That's probably because I'm not the best or most consistent blogger. Anyways, here it is...<br /><br />8 TV shows I love to watch:<br />Heroes<br />House<br />Smallville<br />ER<br />The Biggest Loser<br />Hannity & Colmes<br />Today<br />The View<br /><br />8 places I love to eat:<br />PF Changs<br />Tepanyaki<br />Carraba's<br />Wingers<br />Cafe Rio<br />Apple Bee's<br />My mom's<br />Houlihans (however, my sister just informed me that they got rid of their potato skins, what's up with that!?!)<br /><br />8 things that happened yesterday:<br />Hung out with friends and chatted while kids played<br />Took a nap<br />Played with the kids<br />Went grocery shopping<br />Made dinner<br />Washed dishes<br />Washed and mashed raspberries<br />Watched Smallville<br /><br />8 things I look forward to:<br />Finding out what we are having (Nov. 17th)<br />Making baby blankets and burp cloths for a girl hopefully<br />Not feeling sick anymore<br />Getting Alex's first year scrapbook done<br />Date night with my hubby<br />Time spent with family<br />The holidays<br />Robbie finishing his Ph.D.<br /><br />8 things I love about fall:<br />BYU football<br />The leaves changing colors<br />Cooler temperatures<br />Crispness to the air<br />The red all over the mountains<br />TV shows are back on<br />Halloween<br />Thanksgiving<br /><br />8 things on my wish list:<br />New maternity jeans that are long enough<br />New shoes (all of mine have worn out at the same time)<br />2nd honeymoon to Cancun<br />Bring the kids' photo albums and scrapbooks up to date<br />Buy and furnish a home<br />Peanut M&M's<br />BYU beating Utah<br />Getting through school loan free<br /><br />8 people I'm tagging:<br />Ann<br />Aimee<br />Sherrie<br />Melanie<br />Hannah<br />Jennifer<br />Ruth<br />Annarobbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-28197442491184733162008-10-08T20:02:00.000-07:002008-10-08T20:36:17.107-07:00Music and Dancin'The last few times we have gone to Grandma's house, Jared has loved playing the harmonica. Alex always wants to do what his brother is doing and soon we found him blowing out tunes on the harmonica and shaking his hips.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyafqeb607wjcReVwKGWk09a1BZ6WkHBJ_7mMhKZ2IodkaosPkuhz-VqwonBpiO0gk5iIm1SvLOcdNspKY_EQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Brothers jammin' and dancin'...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfb6nwgbpvxc5WoVsVi6bPsT76LuUAjcSbppF7YudQOs5GCFUBQN_PMh-qaqwP209vhhAWhSQNX-dtRmVTVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-91780176097025392362008-10-08T19:05:00.000-07:002008-10-08T19:36:36.431-07:00Is Running in the Genes?There are a lot of runners in Robbie's family and it seems that Alex might have the gene or at least the desire to race. Jared really likes to run too. We went to watch Aimee's race at UVU on Friday and the boys had a lot of fun running around and getting muddy. Alex's starting position for racing is a little unusual. Check it out...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtQBB4C6i08I8yBsjq-06OjAShP_zT-Ul7CdvF9s9EKhfbvakLIUcxviT3h85-5rkAqypFjD-F0LNY4Zqqdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Now he takes off...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhynY-nXyFgyIXAERicQJuD4zhHdO0fpkEKy5facKvHcZRLSpuD9nQgunRtKFQERior-ax6OWmDS15NR_NZg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-54283104104908778732008-10-01T19:28:00.000-07:002008-10-01T20:10:42.345-07:00My Baby is in Preschool!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EOvO3vynUanvp0e3ScPjspzx9TG0AruYie1XFEbdcrzk6_EE366Pg9u6W5TcWMoKq1rZ7hGSJx1_D72mJycjOItE05XAJsvnlrBqJ2Es1OIDd9v6Esr_xijHMwopoyOjXoZWYWljtLk/s1600-h/IMG_8178.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EOvO3vynUanvp0e3ScPjspzx9TG0AruYie1XFEbdcrzk6_EE366Pg9u6W5TcWMoKq1rZ7hGSJx1_D72mJycjOItE05XAJsvnlrBqJ2Es1OIDd9v6Esr_xijHMwopoyOjXoZWYWljtLk/s320/IMG_8178.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252379623466520722" border="0" /></a><br />Jared had his first day of preschool today! He was soooo excited and had no problems with me dropping him off and leaving. We went and bought his backpack on Monday. Robbie took him to Wal-Mart Saturday night, but they didn't have any kids backpacks which he was very upset about, so when we found the Spiderman backpack he had been asking for at ShopKo he was ecstatic. And all I have been hearing since then is the following:<br /><br />"Mommy, I love my Spiderman backpack."<br /><br />"Mommy, I love backpacks."<br /><br />"Mommy, my Spiderman backpack is so cool."<br /><br />"Mommy, thank you so much for buying me this backpack."<br /><br />I have heard this about 10 times every day the past three days. He insisted on bringing it last night to the open house and was disappointed no one else had their backpacks. So when I picked him up today he was very excited to tell me that all of "my kids" had backpacks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xD3oPYFtyzBFrJruYELjfXAfKbLsISGkIbjNF6urxoQG8koK_Hq01RTKczdpBCL2xOp1D9EmFykT4JlDP4GJWB5925sFe3YT84sf6Z6U1LzC8WKR8LkQ_8EXgnax-RwDnbkwdDGt4vQ/s1600-h/IMG_8179_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xD3oPYFtyzBFrJruYELjfXAfKbLsISGkIbjNF6urxoQG8koK_Hq01RTKczdpBCL2xOp1D9EmFykT4JlDP4GJWB5925sFe3YT84sf6Z6U1LzC8WKR8LkQ_8EXgnax-RwDnbkwdDGt4vQ/s320/IMG_8179_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252379626750937810" border="0" /></a><br />He brought home his first project, a "J" he had decorated. He said they read stories, ate cheese and elephant ears, and a kid wearing a yellow shirt cried. He loved school and is excited to go back. I can't believe my baby is old enough to go to school! It was weird just having one child for a few hours and I think Alex enjoyed having me all to himself.robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-88210000315598363012008-09-17T19:20:00.000-07:002008-09-17T21:30:15.512-07:00Here we go again!You may have noticed I haven't been blogging lately, and well I actually have an excuse this time. I have been sick morning, midday, and night for the past 7 weeks. Luckily it's nothing too serious and I'm hoping it will clear up in the next couple of weeks, but for sure in the next 6 months. That's right, we're expecting baby #3 and are so very excited! <br /><br />We had our first appointment today and they moved my due date up to April 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> from the 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>. That's always great news. I was excited to hear the baby's heartbeat and see her (positive thinking) on the ultrasound and to know everything seems to be progressing as it should be. Here is a picture of our little peanut from our visit today:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbl9TmBhQnN9LUpenHGiXoW1W2cs6wWXcnZqC6PqsIkSyTCxvG3hyphenhyphenisN_bPmsCUsxN7dlN7wC6Y_TYI9CBFU2Ds_eb2XyAhmAOfvlTFtqRGM35WBCM6pT3lBFFVmgparvGy-6j0Ti39s/s1600-h/ultrasound.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbl9TmBhQnN9LUpenHGiXoW1W2cs6wWXcnZqC6PqsIkSyTCxvG3hyphenhyphenisN_bPmsCUsxN7dlN7wC6Y_TYI9CBFU2Ds_eb2XyAhmAOfvlTFtqRGM35WBCM6pT3lBFFVmgparvGy-6j0Ti39s/s320/ultrasound.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247180734598949602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Only 8.5 weeks until we find out the sex of the baby, and yes I'm hoping for a girl. I love my boys and would be fine having more boys, but I just want to experience having a girl.<br /><br />So we told Jared and Alex Sunday night that I was going to be having a baby. Alex doesn't understand, but Jared is so excited, and talks about it several times a day. We asked him if he wanted a sister or a brother and he told us he wants a sister like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mylah</span> (his cousin who is 8 or 9 months). We explained that I had a baby in my tummy and that that is why I have been feeling sick. So he asked, "so there be two baby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mylah's</span>? One for Jennie and one for us." We were like, "well yes, but our baby will probably have a different name" (especially if it ends up being a boy). So he calls the baby, baby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mylah</span>. It's funny how he understands it. We are glad he is excited.<br /><br />It has been hard feeling so sick all the time. This pregnancy is not as bad as Jared's, but worse than Alex's. I think it's because I am having a girl (thinking positive again), because I read in a book that many first time moms are sick because their body has never done this before and produces too many hormones, making them sick. Then the second time they aren't as sick because their body is like "Oh, I've done this before. I know what to do this time." That was my experience from Jared to Alex. Well, your body I assume would be producing different hormones when you have a girl versus a boy. So my body, never having a girl, is in shock again. Let a girl dream, right? Right...<br /><br />So Robbie has just been amazing taking care of the kids in the mornings and playing with them in the evenings, doing the dishes, and then being a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ph</span>.D. student on top of all of that working hard all day and getting little sleep at night. I am so grateful for his love and service. Robbie's mom has also helped out a lot. We have gone up there the last several weeks for a few days at a time, to lessen the load on Robbie. She has taken care of the kids in the morning, played with them throughout the day, fixed us meals and just been so great. I am so grateful to have family that is always there to help us. It has been hard on Jared. He will ask me if I feel sick and I unfortunately always respond yes and he will cry and say, "no, don't be sick mommy". So hopefully this pregnancy will go like Alex's and I will get better in a couple of weeks when the first trimester is over. <br /><br />Anyways, I'm glad we can finally announce this since I have been showing for a few weeks now (depressing), and people may have noticed me snitching my kids' snacks at church. So, there you have it. Baby #3 here we go!robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-90133634154421194972008-08-07T18:50:00.000-07:002008-09-26T18:57:43.450-07:00Rosarito Mexico 2008<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Last week we spent the week in Rosarito, Mexico with Robbie's family. We had an amazing time and are so grateful that Robbie's parents treated us to such a fun family vacation. We drove the 12 hours over 2 days so it wasn't too bad. The kids were actually quite good, and it helped that we had Josh sitting next to Jared, since Josh is his favorite. You can see all of the pictures from our trip by clinking the link "Family Photo Gallery" on the top right of the screen. Here are some of the highlights of our trip.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdZ6t9npNN04aMIF_pT33YqIR6Kg_pc2yY8Qli1RsGAo2bbhRueF2rlcXFaEPFqKNlT-cVqp3cBFz_PVjUsfVsjCIi5ZlXIeaAlLNVpPvZWCdzg_8_LIeUin1qzygqrTlh3AdFLTseAI/s1600-h/IMG_7630.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdZ6t9npNN04aMIF_pT33YqIR6Kg_pc2yY8Qli1RsGAo2bbhRueF2rlcXFaEPFqKNlT-cVqp3cBFz_PVjUsfVsjCIi5ZlXIeaAlLNVpPvZWCdzg_8_LIeUin1qzygqrTlh3AdFLTseAI/s320/IMG_7630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232365302833387186" border="0" /></a><br />As we traveled south on I-15 we saw the most vibrant rainbow I think I have ever seen. It was gorgeous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYZmMnPZtkB1EFuzDshN7fCNnbIFQEVI-nNT1kds6guflwh2TJf0pEfaov_zfS8YdmvIZhP1cKMkjU4pgiY32JQKN5HeCGHYqvUogRfotmiWOw5on2oiKVhR3w1GKHcuyCOhTL1OD298/s1600-h/IMG_7639.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYZmMnPZtkB1EFuzDshN7fCNnbIFQEVI-nNT1kds6guflwh2TJf0pEfaov_zfS8YdmvIZhP1cKMkjU4pgiY32JQKN5HeCGHYqvUogRfotmiWOw5on2oiKVhR3w1GKHcuyCOhTL1OD298/s320/IMG_7639.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232365279910521154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvldXzVoYfKt91cCTqiZW8UqgkBxVRrk7fTHej7Jeul_ThQAyy9gccV_uuSpKJQ690218ETL99p0nXOGBEgoM40P5TGlCMM_8qQYeK_Srum1CygV-FYKet0aXw1CQk71e12BS3QZk9KY/s1600-h/IMG_7631.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvldXzVoYfKt91cCTqiZW8UqgkBxVRrk7fTHej7Jeul_ThQAyy9gccV_uuSpKJQ690218ETL99p0nXOGBEgoM40P5TGlCMM_8qQYeK_Srum1CygV-FYKet0aXw1CQk71e12BS3QZk9KY/s320/IMG_7631.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232365286280125858" border="0" /></a>The boys were great on our 12 hours journey to Mexico!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuRnUAInIDtweG-7Yx03Jktoq9wX_VLPOnC4i7FHfqqUESJHgf2jkkWIikXzFBJTkDcA_bMdHMR_VnBmRQQIEVatTKthHcQnniqqrGduGfCbrnXYZbHrIjU0YZIihZo4xq-Zo0Up5iaA/s1600-h/IMG_7648.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuRnUAInIDtweG-7Yx03Jktoq9wX_VLPOnC4i7FHfqqUESJHgf2jkkWIikXzFBJTkDcA_bMdHMR_VnBmRQQIEVatTKthHcQnniqqrGduGfCbrnXYZbHrIjU0YZIihZo4xq-Zo0Up5iaA/s320/IMG_7648.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232365296871876338" border="0" /></a><br />Here we are about to cross the border. It took a few seconds to cross into Mexico, but coming back it took over 2 hours! I wonder why?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cOFaR2l7kBUFuoBsqiqkPZYHYGZ0RFUthjWvBOiPkzG-XdIVY3d3FNEJ_4wns7vDBS2VVs8w2aDBCDZd2A94q9hj_fFGfVOy5hKCltzBJU6IbKiVKAyfRfXcch6nm3I9aqbcVaoOBa0/s1600-h/IMG_7667.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cOFaR2l7kBUFuoBsqiqkPZYHYGZ0RFUthjWvBOiPkzG-XdIVY3d3FNEJ_4wns7vDBS2VVs8w2aDBCDZd2A94q9hj_fFGfVOy5hKCltzBJU6IbKiVKAyfRfXcch6nm3I9aqbcVaoOBa0/s320/IMG_7667.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232363468885209154" border="0" /></a>Alex loves jumping off the ledge. We have to make sure though he is close to it, because often times he will be too far back and just start falling forward. He loved swimming and would ask to go whenever he saw the water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4nDf87_COp7skKQf9Uw9TAWrqK_GfAvlZSRzmviU0vX8E6p0brNkqbMpxP5sEGeBOyCTKxXlh-qGCRadjzoSIPZrjB2nt-QhvnWg25qSUuxvEOIr3vXHtddPs-rrLtplzQXEz4pfEI8/s1600-h/IMG_7673.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4nDf87_COp7skKQf9Uw9TAWrqK_GfAvlZSRzmviU0vX8E6p0brNkqbMpxP5sEGeBOyCTKxXlh-qGCRadjzoSIPZrjB2nt-QhvnWg25qSUuxvEOIr3vXHtddPs-rrLtplzQXEz4pfEI8/s320/IMG_7673.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232363478179008130" border="0" /></a>Grandma Ann got Jared these "chido" (cool in Spanish) dolphin "googles" (how Jared says goggles). He wore them all the time, even when we weren't swimming.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JJ5ZhfYR6i2nALWFSbEEMdVlLju70r_-3KAMt0imPoau6tzp242E8tesRJ3jp1WSD9VTj_U-QBsGcQqJGagylvZETAXaZBD0WulFe0gp5VtCbuL56KCOq1szdykVBni_ciVdDGO9yOQ/s1600-h/P1070559.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JJ5ZhfYR6i2nALWFSbEEMdVlLju70r_-3KAMt0imPoau6tzp242E8tesRJ3jp1WSD9VTj_U-QBsGcQqJGagylvZETAXaZBD0WulFe0gp5VtCbuL56KCOq1szdykVBni_ciVdDGO9yOQ/s320/P1070559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232363481331504162" border="0" /></a>And of course, the boogie boarding. I don't participate in this. The Pacific is way too cold for me. I thought about getting in for a second when Robbie's mom and dad got in, and I have never seen them get in the other 2 years we have come here, and Robbie's mom doesn't even get in in Cancun. But then, when I was taking pictures the water cam up about mid-calf and it almost took my breath away it was so cold, and my feet ached because of the cold. I have no idea how Robbie and his family can do it. They say you just go numb after awhile. Anyways, Robbie had a good time trying to catch a wave in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXhnfqRLkCpf_015Rsvy2aPVeqJ1XBByjBK0BDLWbjTlyqM3EwxZvHaqD14ER0FK4SEXnGUIEFVmw8cK3NfznPtZ-SUKtb7W7D1frnWbGr-6Ggt1ciA3YNb89FJ9WmWmNZEuI2ClbAA8/s1600-h/P1070634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXhnfqRLkCpf_015Rsvy2aPVeqJ1XBByjBK0BDLWbjTlyqM3EwxZvHaqD14ER0FK4SEXnGUIEFVmw8cK3NfznPtZ-SUKtb7W7D1frnWbGr-6Ggt1ciA3YNb89FJ9WmWmNZEuI2ClbAA8/s320/P1070634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232361441107790930" border="0" /></a>Jared loved playing in the sand and making animals and temples (sand castles).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae_6rBtDNAN05JfMZ7hnKW8pnhBUP5MJo5c7P0a2XhNHWgz9AW8vO6UNegRc7V7J7by4ZVh3mjnhEZh6N3oo0_skLjYtW4uFgGI-0sIRwB8ngzzhQAT2ZAlmLYWDioGH_k2rIXBATT1g/s1600-h/P1070603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae_6rBtDNAN05JfMZ7hnKW8pnhBUP5MJo5c7P0a2XhNHWgz9AW8vO6UNegRc7V7J7by4ZVh3mjnhEZh6N3oo0_skLjYtW4uFgGI-0sIRwB8ngzzhQAT2ZAlmLYWDioGH_k2rIXBATT1g/s320/P1070603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232358636363479938" border="0" /></a>Jared and I made a sea turtle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincPEhQC8HuZvzEn0zl6Gxsv0DwOxkqlGf6rfrom3xTC_8b_paMsMmGtmRD9GNCkH5JdSn4kkUH2_o5Rr6TxevbgG6iGo5jpjCDqW9XNCNhhPIcey4pmUIT-CdJSPyH7RdnTY1S9R_G3A/s1600-h/P1070624.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincPEhQC8HuZvzEn0zl6Gxsv0DwOxkqlGf6rfrom3xTC_8b_paMsMmGtmRD9GNCkH5JdSn4kkUH2_o5Rr6TxevbgG6iGo5jpjCDqW9XNCNhhPIcey4pmUIT-CdJSPyH7RdnTY1S9R_G3A/s320/P1070624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232361449896557778" border="0" /></a>Alex shared the same sentiment I did on the ocean. This is him running away from the water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88F5msTUtzld3q8kDSqs-v7xr4EIfI0k1b8eJUTN77xMBSnR7zUEY7QnQ6LLn8YDdYvgXlNhzNOYxLFNx5J0Bt3Aoff2MPh3z3JtjpBWxZcTmVBC4CVYVQPj6MaZaLXNlc5QMsbfkCq0/s1600-h/IMG_7810.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88F5msTUtzld3q8kDSqs-v7xr4EIfI0k1b8eJUTN77xMBSnR7zUEY7QnQ6LLn8YDdYvgXlNhzNOYxLFNx5J0Bt3Aoff2MPh3z3JtjpBWxZcTmVBC4CVYVQPj6MaZaLXNlc5QMsbfkCq0/s320/IMG_7810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232363458560720274" border="0" /></a>It is a family tradition to go to this great restaurant called La Fonda. They have these great flour tortilla chips and salsa and a view of the ocean where we always see dolphins.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinubCVHbVIsItA1vB4MQyrvVj5MurJQ0LgygVqkgWgUQfn-J_X14Tl0NXuK5EgNVxTl3NBisf_-Ifhi8Rk9hg714bJ2OnqrqmTpGa0qWBnkNP5UkHK0zz1ObqozDPt4yvSGYdOp_a9Yzs/s1600-h/IMG_7816.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinubCVHbVIsItA1vB4MQyrvVj5MurJQ0LgygVqkgWgUQfn-J_X14Tl0NXuK5EgNVxTl3NBisf_-Ifhi8Rk9hg714bJ2OnqrqmTpGa0qWBnkNP5UkHK0zz1ObqozDPt4yvSGYdOp_a9Yzs/s320/IMG_7816.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232363465847085746" border="0" /></a>This year the dolphins really put on a show for us swimming in the waves and jumping out of them. It was great and screamed like a little school girl it was so exciting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1bjM7xL6mpJVyQOuaOYndFPuE2HJfrVTo2DWiIkUf3rr0QqZ7XLZNDQdTRMNlyVwNqBP0PMoudsFL0pPqX96Ii-Rym7ZhjUjGTFFTKLE7Z3G4JsORqrhhF_bzyQxm0C0v0a5Ivvozz8/s1600-h/P1070630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1bjM7xL6mpJVyQOuaOYndFPuE2HJfrVTo2DWiIkUf3rr0QqZ7XLZNDQdTRMNlyVwNqBP0PMoudsFL0pPqX96Ii-Rym7ZhjUjGTFFTKLE7Z3G4JsORqrhhF_bzyQxm0C0v0a5Ivvozz8/s320/P1070630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232361460273447234" border="0" /></a>All of a sudden all of the boogie boarders got out of the water. JAWS had appeared. Robbie's dad and sister Aimee both thought they saw a shark. It swam straight and never came up for air, so let's just say no one got in the rest of the day and the next day they got it after they saw some dolphins swimming nearby and deemed it safe to go in. No one wanted to watch Jaws then until after we left Mexico. I can't imagine why.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAReUbUbLC6w5IRreYqxN1KFsxVXIbMWiqTQtVtOFCKxdviXMPPYIy56T3G4HYzZwqXNekpRLrBYPFaZPxFqiIgEiXk3Ln5ZVAuemvK7ks0dAyKZyLJ061ndnSFJDHe0jbIhDK1GiwJ8/s1600-h/P1070669.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAReUbUbLC6w5IRreYqxN1KFsxVXIbMWiqTQtVtOFCKxdviXMPPYIy56T3G4HYzZwqXNekpRLrBYPFaZPxFqiIgEiXk3Ln5ZVAuemvK7ks0dAyKZyLJ061ndnSFJDHe0jbIhDK1GiwJ8/s320/P1070669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232361479616982514" border="0" /></a>Alex usually spent his beach time taking a nap. Isn't he precious?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs0B8V1NXW9pshfgCqE8gA4R7zzwtsUPORhUu_2_pD0wmlczG_7haQVauQ-SbBU_vwl51HUdjL5Rq_i9ncnP__-v44sCOHwaglYUMGajcKhhrOdjRTDH1QSj_hqPuW0UcKtGJTQ890KY/s1600-h/P1080026_edited-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs0B8V1NXW9pshfgCqE8gA4R7zzwtsUPORhUu_2_pD0wmlczG_7haQVauQ-SbBU_vwl51HUdjL5Rq_i9ncnP__-v44sCOHwaglYUMGajcKhhrOdjRTDH1QSj_hqPuW0UcKtGJTQ890KY/s320/P1080026_edited-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232361487793925410" border="0" /></a>Jared and Robbie watching the boogie boarders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XxZ8kI55rZ8-JlsmZRaWXcCqVfbdjH9K9LlUfxRvXiD7S4uYq5k9pJyi5QPv46NnWMyRVb2mQcOJHvlzhD6jN2OSe_clg46WNbRK99jFxaPSzBw1K-vBBWGBTM1hPX6BYo7XGHna_yY/s1600-h/P1070855.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XxZ8kI55rZ8-JlsmZRaWXcCqVfbdjH9K9LlUfxRvXiD7S4uYq5k9pJyi5QPv46NnWMyRVb2mQcOJHvlzhD6jN2OSe_clg46WNbRK99jFxaPSzBw1K-vBBWGBTM1hPX6BYo7XGHna_yY/s320/P1070855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232358601692639218" border="0" /></a>Uncle Josh bought Jared a popsicle which he thoroughly enjoyed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPQbSwEKVW7mj3AeIHLpNJ8MPEQvdekjpaQMeWCPYba5GMHAmMss_BEbuv7y7WAyU3kj2g7IGd_HgFD5dhbpFp5DRuv7nrRxxK1KGmh3HeFdCL88wxN88vP8IWQ1f2xM64soYkjasIqQ/s1600-h/IMG_1095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPQbSwEKVW7mj3AeIHLpNJ8MPEQvdekjpaQMeWCPYba5GMHAmMss_BEbuv7y7WAyU3kj2g7IGd_HgFD5dhbpFp5DRuv7nrRxxK1KGmh3HeFdCL88wxN88vP8IWQ1f2xM64soYkjasIqQ/s320/IMG_1095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232358610354994994" border="0" /></a>My niece Mylah (with her mom Jennie) is tougher than me and absolutely loved playing in the ocean. She would get so excited and jump and kick her legs when the waves came. Look at that bathing beauty!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cvu4Amv4sHJaUnaDx3Aat75zS2y5kexbiLv7EQ2d5AVWuBAqBr_nZ3ccyQC6PNfBhF4FAni5khaqxdTKTwiX16iPX6HxVybI3q8gvFQqxHHgkb6oKTasDaJR01eJUSBzO9zvsmSZnIg/s1600-h/IMG_7683.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cvu4Amv4sHJaUnaDx3Aat75zS2y5kexbiLv7EQ2d5AVWuBAqBr_nZ3ccyQC6PNfBhF4FAni5khaqxdTKTwiX16iPX6HxVybI3q8gvFQqxHHgkb6oKTasDaJR01eJUSBzO9zvsmSZnIg/s320/IMG_7683.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232370863015495922" border="0" /></a>She also loved the sand and decided to try some. Every day though she would eat less. Here she just ate some sand and thought she would follow that up with her cousin Alex's toes. She is such a cutie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLj87ejSo6IYpCLjFZIrc6qYloL1oy44ISS0pFEZQ_o-qSJB3nx_9rtP-G7hF6zrrQkGQfiCwaq7FGb4b4Jm7ozD4W8v-B4RuOsZMew2L03HrYIWpPdwpDp2A6wCwrEHw3dxEVqk337Q/s1600-h/IMG_1114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLj87ejSo6IYpCLjFZIrc6qYloL1oy44ISS0pFEZQ_o-qSJB3nx_9rtP-G7hF6zrrQkGQfiCwaq7FGb4b4Jm7ozD4W8v-B4RuOsZMew2L03HrYIWpPdwpDp2A6wCwrEHw3dxEVqk337Q/s320/IMG_1114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232358618751728450" border="0" /></a>The boys had fun playing frisbee. And they say white men can't jump...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8oEjMPVSsCEuojO47V81Iaf-Ilgtr5Vq-m-xXzw6iiVQS2ZoIE-Smd0aJIYJ3THGAjQNfRTrsnXtstTZbG7va_IZkiXUoF_JF6h0r9ymOtVI6vpBeW5-TUmrz4mphY9JDuO5DIkootM/s1600-h/IMG_7885.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8oEjMPVSsCEuojO47V81Iaf-Ilgtr5Vq-m-xXzw6iiVQS2ZoIE-Smd0aJIYJ3THGAjQNfRTrsnXtstTZbG7va_IZkiXUoF_JF6h0r9ymOtVI6vpBeW5-TUmrz4mphY9JDuO5DIkootM/s320/IMG_7885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232358623268179810" border="0" /></a>We finally got Jared to run out of the ocean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjy7PNBn73dyQfsIBYGVLmMOVyk8GxKyZ9KgtngWNzaWKEdOW_f22j-aP6N2LzWYUVd24ZbrsmjNfUPISF3Ut8fJ8hJM8XKfGqKDfQQnKl-aP0jNovtI0H2nJJ89nlX9UyYaBlBFhOSs/s1600-h/IMG_7871.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjy7PNBn73dyQfsIBYGVLmMOVyk8GxKyZ9KgtngWNzaWKEdOW_f22j-aP6N2LzWYUVd24ZbrsmjNfUPISF3Ut8fJ8hJM8XKfGqKDfQQnKl-aP0jNovtI0H2nJJ89nlX9UyYaBlBFhOSs/s320/IMG_7871.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232356209939833810" border="0" /></a>The family on our morning walk.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcM0T3IB1gJuoc3AOhGiUWPS7o_uAQxvfSrTQcrWEiZ9S_4QyHnCkBEwZvaMEODIRaYvAp40K6vr_HVjOiu6MmwOUj4eIi-Hzt_j1_y7IqwoiDJvdac8_MUw7YunWzJUoj5AiLPYAJ1Y/s1600-h/IMG_7917.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcM0T3IB1gJuoc3AOhGiUWPS7o_uAQxvfSrTQcrWEiZ9S_4QyHnCkBEwZvaMEODIRaYvAp40K6vr_HVjOiu6MmwOUj4eIi-Hzt_j1_y7IqwoiDJvdac8_MUw7YunWzJUoj5AiLPYAJ1Y/s320/IMG_7917.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232365307505285842" border="0" /></a>Our last morning walk on the beach. This year was a lot better since Jared would actually walk on the sand. He really enjoyed the beach. Alex liked riding on Papi's back and would get the backpack in the mornings to tell us he wanted to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQwr9sSmrgRzjJ5_Ge58h4wbc8qF3wyaI2mKSngOJ2kOoX2QT7z2dboiWLmpqakvXpdQ-NmZiMyiUbsnI2Y58Vw9LVTkuYJil4IjYe0NALZIhl93wS9LscbWqyF9tZfru_wHZgPFXH2U/s1600-h/IMG_7855.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQwr9sSmrgRzjJ5_Ge58h4wbc8qF3wyaI2mKSngOJ2kOoX2QT7z2dboiWLmpqakvXpdQ-NmZiMyiUbsnI2Y58Vw9LVTkuYJil4IjYe0NALZIhl93wS9LscbWqyF9tZfru_wHZgPFXH2U/s320/IMG_7855.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232355962253079506" border="0" /></a><br />The gorgeous waves we enjoyed for a whole week in Rosarito, Mexico. It was a great year for dolphins. We saw them every day. I absolutely loved it!</div>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-91108997460328875462008-06-29T19:32:00.000-07:002008-06-29T20:52:09.914-07:00Fun at the Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NJ5XA0P9jprOxrfoQeObgWxiVMZPyAp4y2Ks9GnvP35E-JlHB3Wvoke9iDhnpYYRu20MxD6bn8Vr_2t2yEhnvqVTdiUNSi1kGPWbIKU9wSLn2Hbamwgm5fssms1tpwR7MwT2KCsluD4/s1600-h/IMG_7404.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NJ5XA0P9jprOxrfoQeObgWxiVMZPyAp4y2Ks9GnvP35E-JlHB3Wvoke9iDhnpYYRu20MxD6bn8Vr_2t2yEhnvqVTdiUNSi1kGPWbIKU9wSLn2Hbamwgm5fssms1tpwR7MwT2KCsluD4/s400/IMG_7404.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217517140549896994" /></a><br /><br />April 25, 2008 It was Robbie's last day of the semester and so he got off early and we all went to the park. Alex had so much fun going through the tunnels, he even went down the big slide with Jared. We thought it was pretty cute when he then tried to start crawling up it.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyD9-IrOv3SUX4DK82wHfa8cLE9rXer5Y2uqe3YY6D1Y31dhDT1ZMVu4L_dlyF1mgcybOncHAK5VGqu5zas_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454076629433216564.post-1801315058477945452008-06-29T18:50:00.001-07:002008-06-29T19:32:22.995-07:00Let's Go Fly a Kite meets Let's Go to the E.R.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJP6MP-zt4n5yEw5kudnOYyuOKx0bQJJ8AkOfRMjc4ghrosXUvIVS9O1kwhDELapyJs-u-sbe2Q9tsSTsYcdc9pbVmZYENIiOWZqTdjp35TO0GliAzJ8ld9h9We-1e3eiV_18DVao6e4/s1600-h/ER.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJP6MP-zt4n5yEw5kudnOYyuOKx0bQJJ8AkOfRMjc4ghrosXUvIVS9O1kwhDELapyJs-u-sbe2Q9tsSTsYcdc9pbVmZYENIiOWZqTdjp35TO0GliAzJ8ld9h9We-1e3eiV_18DVao6e4/s400/ER.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217487018805383778" border="0"></a><br />On Saturday May 17 we were about to go fly a kite and Jared, having just learned how to unbolt our front door, opened the door and Alex raced out so excited. I hopped up and was 5 feet behind him, his little legs were getting faster and faster as he was so excited to be outside and I knew he wasn't going to be able to stay up. I saw him go down. His forehead hit the corner of the cement stop. I finally got to him and and picked him up and his head was spurting blood. I started crying and Robbie came out and took him and I ran inside to get a rag to put pressure on it. Robbie said he couldn't see where the hole ended. Alex was screaming. This was so not good. Jared started crying, and was worried about Alex. When we told him he was going to be ok, then he started crying because he wanted to go fly his kite. So, it was bad enough that we needed to have it looked it, but I didn't know if we should have a plastic surgeon sew it up or not. We had to take Jared to the ER three weeks before this because he woke up just before midnight, barely able to breathe because he had a severe case of the croup. He had gone to bed perfectly healthy. It is frustrating, because I knew what he had and all he needed was some steroids, but since it is after hours it ended up costing us $150, what would have cost us $15 if he would have gotten sick during the day. We were like we can't afford to go to the ER twice in one month. So I call my dad, no answer, my mom, no answer, my aunt (whose kids have had a few visits to the ER), no answer. We got a hold of Robbie's mom and she thought we would be ok to just go to urgent care. My dad called me when I was on the phone with her and he said since it was less than a cm in length they would just glue it, since he is so young. So we took him to urgent care, and by the time we got there he had stopped crying and when we walked in there was a big train set and all he wanted to do was play with that. Surprisingly, the bleeding had almost stopped. And can you believe that before we are seen we have to spend 10 minutes filling out paperwork? I just feel like it is so ridiculous that I have to call around and figure out where we can afford to get care for our son? Healthcare is just really screwed up and very frustrating. Anyways, they were thinking they would put 2 stitches in, but I asked about the glue, since my Dad said that is what they usually do, and the doctor was able to do that since it was straight and had almost stopped bleeding. So they glued it shut and put the tape on it and he was as good as new. We went to the park after that and we all had a good time flying the kite. Aunt Rebecca even came along for the fun.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvilhuOwB5IsNKv1I1ZwDGWU6kIZ6wbxFuRa7mYFtZcwHfwjMSTBffonL4VANFhpITPPCTk4yvml3KJigVLA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>robbienmerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580283882713377851noreply@blogger.com1