Wonder Woman

I found this photo of Ava on an old SD card. We were at Jill's parents house and Ava and Reagan took turns dressing up. The little pup, Rocket, belongs to Don and Jill. This was right after Don and Jill moved back from Nevada and we went up to help with some yard work.

Change!

It's just amazing the change that takes place with kids in just a couple of years! Each one of these kids looks so different today than what they looked like just 2 and a half years ago.

Family:)

It was so nice to have visitors in the hospital to celebrate Eli's birth. I realized as I was loading these photos that I didn't get a picture of mom and dad at the hospital. (Dennis had taken the kids home and they were the ones taking the pictures). Even ol' Dave held Eli for a minute and we had a nice visit Sunday morning. They even brought us sacrament so Dave got to have that with us there in the hospital. Rachel and her kiddos came shortly after that and then mom and dad came and Dean and Alisa and girls came later on. It was a great day! Clair and Joan didn't come to the hospital because Clair had a horrible cold but they came to the house yesterday to see the little bug and Darin and Sunny came by a couple of nights ago to visit as well. We sure are blessed to have such loving, supportive, family members!!!!

He really does have Hair!

When I describe Eli to people over the phone I always say he has a lot of hair. My sister, Ellie, was wondering where all that hair was since the photo she saw was a face on shot and it doesn't look like he has much at all. But here is the proof. It looks really dark in these pictures but really is more golden brown (must be the lighting in my room). Anyway, we all think he's beautiful and are so in love!

Eli and his Siblings

Dennis went home, Sunday, the 15th at 6 am to get the kids and bring them to the hospital. Oh my goodness! They were all so excited to see and hold their new baby brother. They are amazing helpers and have been wonderful at running errands for me this whole week. Dennis and I love our kids so much, even if we are a bit shocked that we now have 5!!

Proud Dad and Mom!

Here we are with our little newborn baby boy. Dennis looks as young as ever but I was shocked at how old I look when I saw this photo. I should have had my hair cut and colored-that would have helped me out a bit. We are just so happy that he is here and that he is healthy! So worth all the pain and discomfort that go along with getting him here:)

Eli Dennis Ralph

Eli Dennis Ralph was born April 15th at 1:16 am. Here's his story. We all decided to get up early on Saturday the 14th and get all the housework and yardwork done. Then we thought we'd go to the movies together. Of course half way through the movie I started contracting quite intensely but we waited it out and took the kids home. At 8 pm I decided I'd better go to the hospital since the contractions were still coming every two minutes and were still intense. Dr. Lamereaux happened to be there and decided that since I was in early labor and had high blood pressure it would be best to break my water and get little Eli here. I got my epideral around 10pm and of course the contractions slowed to every 3 or 4 min. They decided to give me a bit of pitosin at midnight and when the nurse checked me at 12:50 she was shocked that I was completely thinned and dilated over a 5. She came back at 1:10 and immediately called the doctor and Eli was born 6 minutes later! He is a beautiful little boy, weighing 7 lbs and 13 oz. and was 19 and a half inches long. He has lots of hair and a cute little pear-shaped head with the fattest little cheeks. He has a cleft in his chin and ears like his dad. And just recently we discovered he has dimples like Dennis as well. We are all so in love with this little guy and the kids have had a hard time going to school because they want to be with him.

One week before Eli

This is Easter day, one week exactly before Eli makes his appearance. We have a similar photo of us right before Ava was born.

Easter

We celebrated Easter with Grandma and Grandpa Ralph this year. The Merrill clan got together the week before. We were the only ones who could make it this year but we had a great visit and wonderful dinner. The bottom photo is of the shrimps in their Easter outfits.

Who the Heck is Joshua Chamberlain??

Brad had to read a biography and do a poster on the book he chose. He chose to read about Joshua Chamberlain, a teacher from Maine, who became a great leader for the North in the Civil War. Being from Maine you'd think I would have heard of this man but I cannot remember ever learning about him. Brad and I loved reading about his character and bravery and how without him the North would most likely have lost the war. He was saved many times in unexplainable ways and it really was neat to read of this remarkable man. The Lord was definitely mindful of him!!

Look Out Utah!

It's hard to believe that a kid can study a few pages in a book about driving and take a test and then be trusted to get behind the wheel! But ol' Ethan is just one of thousands now on the roads of Utah who did just that. So far I've taken him to the church parking lot to practice parking and backing up and around our block and park. He has done well so far but I think he was surprised that it wasn't as easy or natural as he thought it was going to be. So now, he'll have to take a driver's ed course this summer and drive for 40 hours before getting his license but he's pretty excited to have even this permit:)

Another Party!!

Ava was invited to yet another birthday party. This one was right next door at "Ava Nichole Welch's" house. It was a "My Little Pony" party and had pony rides for the kids (our former Bishop, Bishop Webb had his two oldest girls take them around on their little Shetland;) Ava went around and around and loved it! She also got a pony painted on her face and had her nails done. Perfect day for her!!

Our Lacy Girl

It seems the Ralphs are just not meant to own a dog! Lacy has been such a good dog for the kids but was so aggressive with other dogs. We decided after her fourth attack (which happened to be mom and dad's little dog, Tess) that we couldn't trust her. The vet agreed that she was too dangerous to have around little kids and if she ever hurt one we would be held responsible. It really was the worst day and I never want to have another day like it. The animal hospital let me order extra molds of Lacy's paw for each of the kids and I finally filled my empty frames throughout the house (going on 5 years) with pictures of Lacy and her kiddos. Ava's been carrying her little photo book with a newly added photo of Lacy kissing her and has been saying "Lacy where are you?" and has taken it worse than the boys. I hope the photos will help!

Brad turns 11

Our Bradie-Boy turned 11 on February 26th! It happened to be on a Saturday and Don and Jill came down with their kids and we went to "Jump on It" and then had pizza, cake and ice-cream and watched movies. Brad really wanted the "Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots" and it was a big hit with all the kids. He had a fun day!