Farrell G. Merrill

After Christmas, we found out that Mike's Grandpa Merrill had cancer that had spread all over. We were told he didn't have much time to live. Hospice soon stepped in and the last few months he slowly went downhill. On April 28th, 2009 he passed away at the age of 85. This picture was taken in January and every time I look at it I am amazed at the fact that all of my children are looking at the camera and it only took one shot. It was like they knew this picture had better be good.

Mike was asked to speak at his grandfather's funeral today. I am always amazed at Mike whenever he gives talks. I think he had the entire place in tears.

We have been so blessed to have had Grandpa Merrill in our lives for as long as we did and look forward to the day when we will see him again.

Blue Lightening

After trying to force Gage to play soccer when he was 4 (and it not working out), I bribed him into taking another shot at it. I was his coach and we named our team Blue Lightening. Coaching has been an interesting experience. I need to call all my coaches I had over the years and give them a big thanks because coaching isn't easy (thanks dad). I had the cutest kids on my team and they would say the funniest things. One kid came up to me and said, "Coach, my mom said that if we score a goal we get a point!" I couldn't stop laughing.

We had a rough season not winning a single game and tying one. All I cared about was making sure the kids had fun and I think they did. Gage especially had a blast. He really enjoyed himself and I am so proud of him. I think he did a great job for never playing before.

Gage is number 7 and I didn't realize how much taller he was than everyone.

I had Mike coach a few games so I could actually get some pictures. You can see Gage running with his eye on the ball. Gage was great at cutting off the breakaway.

Gage taking a much needed break.

Tanner's Latest Obsession

Tanner has a new obsession. A new house is being built across the street from us and everyday Tanner has to look out the window to see what kind of truck or tractor is currently there. He spends a lot of time watching the action. He is way more entertained with this than he is with tv.

Today, there wasn't any machinery.

Wishin For Summer

We have had some nice weather this week. It has maybe reached 80 degrees at one point. The kids have been really looking forward to getting out the new swimming pool and playing in the water. I tried to explain to them that it wasn't quite warm enough. We did turn on the hose and let the kids jump on the tramp with water. They still were wanting some pool action so here is what we ended up with.


My kids are definitely spoiled. In our last house, they would always want to go play in the water. After setting everything up, they would barely go in the water because it was so cold. In this house, I made Mike put a hot and cold hose bib in the back so the kids could swim in warm water. So the tub they are sitting in is more like a hot tub. Benefits of having a plumber for a husband. Of course, my kids will have a reality check whenever we go to Lagoona Beach this summer. That water is freezing!

Speech Homework

So Gage is in Speech at school to help with the articulation of his words. Everyday (well, we try everyday), we do what I call Learning Time with the kids. For Gage, this consists of a homework page from school, reading a short story, practicing writing his letters/words, and doing speech homework. All of this can turn into being extremely frustrating especially his speech homework for both Gage and I. I have to give Gage credit though. He works really hard and tries his best to do everything correctly. I have seen such a big improvement in the way he talks. I am really proud of him. I have to tell this funny story of our conversation while practicing speech the other day.


Gage is working on the "th" sound. He is getting really good at it. He started by saying things like "feader" instead of "feather." Gage is on the sentence level where he has to repeat a sentence after me 5 times that has the "th" sound in one of the words. Here's what happened.


Me, "Gage, here's your next sentence. "My father reads to me."

Gage, "My thather reads to me."

Me, "Gage, you are saying the "th" sound right, but the word starts with fa."

Gage, "My thather reads to me."

Me, "No, Gage. Say fa, fa, father."

Gage, "Fa, fa, thather."

I try not to laugh, but I was. He was saying the "th" correctly, but he just couldn't get the beginning of the word right.

Me, "Good try Gage, but it's fa, fa, father."

Gage, "Oh why can't I just say 'My dad reads to me'?"


Leave it to Gage. We both were laughing.

Easter Weekend 2009

We started out Easter Weekend with an Easter Egg Hunt of course. Syracuse City puts on a hunt every year. You have to be there by 9am sharp because it is over in less than a minute. They section off squares each devoted to a different age group. I took Tanner to ages 0-2 and Mike took Gage and Landen to their spots.

We got there a little early so Tanner wasn't very happy he had to wait. He could see the eggs, but I wouldn't let him touch them. So he sat down and started pouting.

They start the hunt with a horn blast from a firetruck which just so happened to be right by Tanner and I. Needless to say he was a little scared.

It was pretty much over for Tanner after the horn blast. He wanted nothing to do with the eggs. I shoved one in his hand and put a few in his basket.

Gage and Landen made out pretty good.

They always have firetrucks and police cars for the kids to look at. We of course always have to get pictures by them.

Next I took the kids to Baby Animal Days. See the separate post below. It was so much fun! Then it was off to Nana's house for Egg Hunt #2.

Here's all the grandkids minus Holden all lined up ready to go.




Saturday night, we dyed Easter eggs. Tanner was pretty fussy from not getting a nap earlier in the day so he was put to bed.

Works of art.

The finished products. There are plenty of pink and purple thanks to Landen.


The next morning the kids were up by 7:30 to see what the Easter Bunny had brought them. The Bunny had made a trail of eggs from their rooms leading down the stairs.

Tanner found one egg and wanted to sit and just eat the candy from it. He watched the chaos unfold until he was a little more awake.

When Tanner finally got around to finding eggs, he somehow managed to only find the real ones. I had to keep taking them from him so he wouldn't crush them.

The Easter Bunny was very nice and brought the kids a new swimming pool and some paints. They also each got a small individual toy. Gage got some Bakugans, his latest obsession, Landen got cars (of course) and Tanner got some Toddler paints.

After church, the kids had to check out their new paints. Gage really concentrated on his artwork.

Gage painted an Easter Egg.

Landen really enjoyed painting as well.

Landen does what his big brother does so he had to paint an Easter Egg too.

Here are the toddler paints the Easter Bunny brought Tanner. The Easter Bunny was really excited about giving these to Tanner because of the neat commercials she had seen. They are made especially for Toddler hands. The Toddler only has to push the ball brush down on the paper to reactivate the paint and they never dry out. The Toddler's mommy doesn't quite know if she thinks they are all that great.

The Toddler soon discovers that the paint ball fits nicely in his mouth.

The Toddler is now a mess! I don't know if I would recommend these. They were really easy to cleanup at least.

Then we were off to Grandma Pedri's house for Easter Egg Hunt #4 and for a yummy Mexican dinner. Brandy and Jeremy celebrated Easter with us via webcam. Ava felt bad that she wasn't able to join in on the egg hunt so my mom told Cami she was to play Ava and she would find Ava's eggs for her.

Here is my mom following Cami around to let Ava be in on the hunt. Brandy sorry you missed it. Mom and Cami looked pretty funny.

Yummy pudding!

We had a great Easter weekend. I am so grateful we were able to spend it with family. My kids had a blast and thanks to both our parents for all the yummy treats!

Baby Animal Days

Today we went to Baby Animal Days in Wellsville. My friend Laura invited us and we almost didn't go. Mike said it wasn't his "thing" and Laura's husband Dan hurt his ankle and wouldn't be able to go either. The thought of taking 5 kids to a crowded farm was a little overwhelming for Laura and I, but I am so glad we did it. Baby Animal Days turned out to be so fun. I think we will definitely be making it a yearly tradition.



We started out the day with the Candy Cannon. Kids 5 and under were able to to pick up candy after it was shot out of cannons. Peyton and Landen filled their bags. Gage was able to do a treasure hunt where he won some candy as well.

The kids were treated to a free pony ride. My kids have never done anything like this. Gage loved riding!

Finally Landen was able to ride like a real cowboy! Soon he slowly started slipping off the horse. I was looking at Tanner when it first started to happen. Landen didn't even say anything. He just kept tipping to the side. Thankfully Laura rescued him before he fell off the horse.

They have tons of baby animals that the kids are able to pet (maul, poor animals). Tanner went nuts. He learned how to say baby and would run from animal to animal saying "baby, baby!"

These poor goats were tied to the fence. They tried to run the instant they saw Tanner come running but they couldn't go anywhere. Tanner got a hold of one of them and gave him a massage. He kept rubbing the goats back. Tanner was loving the baby animals. I don't think I can say the same thing about the animals towards Tanner.

Gage loved holding all of the baby animals.

Landen was nervous about holding any of the baby animals. He was happy just petting them.

Quite the bike. Gage climbed up all by himself.

Our last stop was to see the reptiles. Reptiles are Gage's absolute favorite. Here he is holding a baby turtle.

I was so proud of Landen. He held a baby turtle. I don't know how much Landen enjoyed it by the look on his face.

Now that's a big snake!