Sunny St. George

So we're not dumb, we know what to do during the first snow storm of the year; we get the heck out of dodge. Last week we headed south and just in time too, we spent a week in St. George with my whole family, and if you've ever seen the show Brothers & Sisters it would give you an idea of about how the week went in our little condo. Minus the gay brother and the dead unfaithful dad of course! I know it's kinda a schmuck show, but almost every week I laugh my butt off because it is SO my family. It wouldn't be a Merkley family vacation without a few disagreements (to put it nicely). We went go-carting, hung out by the pool, went hiking at Zion, did a little mini golfing, shopping, a little relaxing and a lot of eating as always. I love my family so much and love how close we are. I'm so glad my parents take the time to plan trips for us to get together. I love spending time with them.

~ Memo To Mommy ~

I found this on a blog it is so true. Number three has been hard for me and I feel like I'm always trying to keep everything and everyone in order and I fail every day at it! The days I find most enjoyable are those that I just chill out and relax a little, my mom always tells me "the laundry will be there tomorrow." But I might not have the opportunity very much longer to sit down and play tumbling monkeys with my kids. I need to read this three times a day!!!

*Stop freaking out about the mess!*
there's always time to clean-but how often do we get to make mud pies?

*Love me,*
even when I'm naughty. I'll only be this age once.

*Be patient.*
I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation.

*Let me do it.*
I know you can do it faster & better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher.

*Don't expect too much of me.*
I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little.

*Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum.*
Trust me-I can't hear you over my own screaming.

*Keep your promises.*
It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important.

*Don't keep asking me if I've been good.*
I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it!

*Don't let me think that you're perfect.*
I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes.

*Set limits.*
I can't actually eat a whole box of cookies-I just want to see if I'd get away with it."

Grand Slam!

Usually it's the parents that get to brag on their kids, but I have to brag on my Dad a little. This summer he did what is called a Grand Slam, which is the 4 major Utah marathons, plus one extra one just for training? He has been telling us for a few years he is going to be done marathoning, he says he just getting to old. Last year he decided he would go out with a bang and do the triple trail challenge [three races]. He was for sure going to be done after that. Apparently that wasn't a big enough bang, this year he decided to do the Grand Slam. He took 3rd place overall in his age division! and ran the last race the fastest he has ran one in years [3:39]. Too old? sounds like your just getting started :) I just think he is so awesome, and such an inspiration to me. WAY TO GO DAD!!! I Love You!

My Exciting Weekend!

This weekend I had the opportunity of hosting the quarterly Tecmo Bowl Tournament Yeah! "Quarterly" (they call it) Justin and his buddies get together and have a Tecmo Tournament (apparently its some game from highschool they use to play, it is so old school) It makes them feel like their 16 again I guess. They've been doing it forever, and just take turns at each others houses so they end up at our house once a year or every other. I try to be in Vernal or get out of town when its at our house but this year for the first time I got to attend. They are pretty serious about the whole thing the furniture has to be rearranged, there has to be plenty of food and it goes until there is a final winner. Which in this case was three o'clock in the morning, sometimes it later. I know its kinda crazy, but I really am okay with it. Justin has been working so much lately he really needed a break and I think its great Justin keeps in touch with his highschool friends, some of them live out of the valley now and they even make the commute. There such awesome guys, and are always welcome at our house. Plus it doesn't hurt when I want to go to dinner or a movie with the girls. I just have to remind Justin his Tecmo Tournaments are worth like two girls night outs :)

The Circus!

We went to the circus for Jett's 4th birthday with our friends the Halls. Jett chose to eat at The Mayan before, it is his favorite place, he calls it "where that guy dives in the water". He had remembered it from along time ago and wanted to eat there. What a fun night!



The Mayan!

The Circus!


Taya, Jett and Davis!

Jetts 4th Birthday

Last week Jett turned 4 yrs old. He is getting so big. We took him to the Circus for his birthday. We had never been to one and the kids loved it! It gave me this grand idea to have a circus party for him... and it was a "circus" complete with popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, music, games, and eleven 4 year old boys!!! My parents and grandparents got to come up for his birthday, it was so fun to have everyone here and was really good to have all the help! Thanks to all my family who helped me out!

Jett was in full character all day. Every time I told him to smile he would roar like a tiger!

I can't take credit for this cute cake. My sister-in-law just started a cake business and asked if she could make Jett's cake. It was so cute and soooo yummy! Thanks Heidi!

...and this is what happened 10 minutes after she dropped off the cake!

Jett and Taya

Pin the nose on the clown.

Braden, Britain and Davis. YUMMY!

Ice Cream Cone Clowns. Trey, Braden, Jett.

Hayden wanted to paint my sisters face after all the boys had got theirs painted. He wanted it to look just like Tayas, he really took his time to get every color exactly the same. It was so cute!

What do ya think? Identical huh?:

Taya painted my moms like a Zebra. My mom and sister were such good sports!

Great Grandma Bev and Grandpa Pudge

My little brother, Nate, testing out Jett's new toys. I had to take this pic. I thought it was so cute, this is how I remember Nate 10+ years ago playing with his legos. He use to love them. Sorry Nate:)

Our little guy, all birthday'd out! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Buddy, We Love You!

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