Comet

For Brad's thirteenth birthday he asked for a bearded dragon.  We went to the pet store and found "Sky". He was the cutest little dragon and had the sweetest personality.  He never tried to bite.  But he loved to jump from his tree and ended up breaking a leg and then refused to eat and so Dennis had to "take care" of him for Brad.  Brad of course was heartbroken and so we went and bought a new dragon and Brad named him "Comet".  Comet did not have the same sweet personality that Sky had.  He always puffed up whenever Brad went to hold him and was just more feisty. I guess we are not meant to be pet owners because once again this dragon stopped eating.  He didn't break a leg but he just stopped eating. Brad and I both agreed that bearded dragons are not as easy to raise as the pet store told us they were!

Backpacking

This was Jake's first backpacking trip with the Scouts.  I think he really enjoyed himself and it helped that Brad and Dennis were both there. I think they went to Goblin Valley (near Vernal?).  They have great leaders who want the boys to realize they can do hard things and to not give up just because something is hard.  I hope they get to keep these same leaders for a few more years.  It will be great preparation for their missions (hopefully they will remember these sayings and teachings that they can do hard things).

"The Smolder"

If those big brown eyes don't melt your heart, nothing will;)  I love his cute little pixie face and big chocolate eyes! So serious. I think he's an "old soul".  Actually, I think all of my children have older souls than their mom!

Easter Outfits

The two munchkins all dressed up in their new Easter clothes.  Such sweet babies!!

Two years old and Easter eggs too!

I am so far behind! The first picture was taken on Eli's second birthday back on April 15! He doesn't look very happy does he? I don't even remember what he got for his birthday. That's horrible!  The second picture is of the kids coloring Easter eggs.  Savannah Ralph came over too and they sure have a good time together.

Ava's New Furniture

Rachel sure is good at refurnishing old furniture.  She took Autumn's smoke damaged furniture and treated it and then painted it. I helped a little but she did most of it and we love it. We found the antique green knobs at Hobby Lobby and I love the lilac color that Ava chose. She's like her Grandma Ralph and loves purple!

Easter 2014

I am not even sure if this is Easter or not (that's what happens when you wait so long to record something). Annaka is here so maybe it was some other celebration? Anyway, it looks like everyone is enjoying the day!

Me and Brad

I think out of all my kids, Brad and I look the most alike.  (At least when I was young and thin;) I need to scan my 8th grade picture because it really shows our similarities.  Ellie sent me a text  that her kids thought Brad looked like Dean when they saw a picture of Dean flexing his muscles.  I showed my kids the picture on Ellie's blog and they thought it did too. Dean and I always looked quite a bit alike so that's not surprising. Of course, Brad has never had a mullet like his mom!!

The Mountain and the Wind

All weekend long and even last weekend at the Women's Conference I kept having the same thought go through my mind.  "No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it". (Mulan) I know it's not scripture but it is true nonetheless. Prophets and Apostles have never had it easy.  They are called to testify of Jesus Christ and his eternal commandments throughout the world no matter what the world thinks.  They have to face dissention, persecution, ridicule, hatred, mobs crying out that they are fools and outdated old men with no understanding or compassion.  And they take it with humility as did their Savior. They continue to show forth an increased measure of love for all. I love these amazingly strong men who cannot and will not bow to the demands and howlings of the world! I must continue to teach and testify to my children of the importance of listening and obeying the voice of the Lord that comes to us from his holy Prophets and Apostles!!

Priesthood Session-April 2014

Dennis was able to take not only Ethan and Brad to the Priesthood session but Dillan as well.  He wasn't sure he wanted to go at first but he went and it looks like he had a good time.  It seems many of the talks were about agency and not wasting their time or "sleeping through the Restoration" as President Uchtdorf said. Ethan also had in his notes, "Agency is your power to become . . . greater or weaker". Ethan said he shortened the quote.  After the session, they went to Arbys together;) Sure hope these men always remember who they are and will always be willing to bless others!

Funny Girls!

Oh my goodness!! The funniest thing happened today! Lexi was the first to show up around 9:50 for Conference. She and I and Ethan were sitting around talking when we notice it's after 10:00 and no one else has showed up.  I said "I wonder where they are, do you think they are waiting for you?" Lexi says, "I told Brittany last night that I would drive out here myself and she said 'ok we'll see you there'.  So then Lexi gets her phone and sure enough, EVERYONE had been calling and texting her wondering where she was at and if she was okay!  So when Brittany and Jesse come in we find out why.  Brittany had misunderstood and thought Lexi meant she would drive herself to Grandma and Grandpa's house and then go with them;)  When Mom came through the door I just had to tease her and ask where the heck had she been;)  Then I snapped this picture of the two miscommunicators and their Grandma.  We all had a good laugh!! (I think maybe Miss Brittany had other things on her mind;)

Conference Weekend

What a beautiful day for Conference! Brittany and her boyfriend Jesse, came from Idaho to go to Conference Sunday afternoon.  So we decided to all get together at our house for the Saturday morning session and then have lunch together as well. The kids were so wound up to meet Jesse and they all thought he was neat.  As soon as they met him they took off for the "duck pond" (which never has ducks on it;) and the rest of us tried to listen to Conference as best we could with little Eli, Ava, and Pip distracting us. It went by so fast and I was a bit late putting the potatoes on but it turned out ok. We had KFC, cheesy potatoes (Lexi style), coleslaw, rolls, raspberry jello salad and draft rootbeer. We also had brownies and ice cream but I think everyone was to full to have dessert;) Brittany and Jesse left after lunch to watch the last session together at mom and dad's. Lexi went back to her apartment to watch it with her roommate who was there by herself. And Mom, Dad, and Rachel stayed and watched the last session with us (as the kids played). It really was a beautiful day and it felt good to enjoy Conference as a family.

Fun Weekend

Don and Jill's kids had their Spring Break the last weekend of March.  They only got Friday, Monday, and Tuesday off so they decided to come play with us Friday night and Saturday.  My kids were so excited to have their cousins spend the night! Don and Dennis went to the legacy to get a work out in while Jill and I visited and the kids played.  The next day, Dennis and Don went back to the legacy for a long swim and when they came back they decided to take the kids swimming too.  Even Eli went and LOVED it! Jill and I went window shopping and out to lunch.  Then David and Carolyn came over and we all followed them to the model home of the house they are going to be building.  Don and Jill went home from there and then I went to the Women's Conference with Mom and out to the Olive Garden afterwards.  The Conference was absolutely amazing and I was truly touched with the Spirit testifying of the importance of womanhood!!

19 years!

I really can't believe that we have been married for 19 years! It really has flown by (at least for me;) I love this man more than I can ever express and I know Heavenly Father sent him to me at the absolute perfect time in my life.  I always wanted to marry someone who loved Heavenly Father and all people and I found that in Mr. Dennis Ralph.  He inspires me, helps me, and just loves me the way I am which makes me adore him.  I love that he puts the Lord first in his life and I also love the way he loves our children.  We are SO not perfect but we ARE perfect for each other!! (oh and I usually don't put pictures of us kissing in print but I wanted to have at least one for my book;)

Cookie Cakes

Chelsea (David and Carolyn's oldest daughter) was so cute to make these huge cookies for Brad, Whitney, and Reagan for their birthdays.  Brad LOVED his and ate most of it himself (which is surprising because he's not one for sweets normally). I think he felt special and enjoyed this cookie cake:)

Longer Hair

Ava has been growing her hair our since we went extremely short on our last hair cut.  I love it short but she wants to be a princess and all her friends have long hair.  Her hair seems to grow very slow but we can finally put it into piggies so she's a happy girl.

Broken Hand

I'm not so sure this boy should play basketball anymore! Last year it was his ankle and this year it's his hand.  He broke the ring finger bone in his right hand (good thing he's a lefty). He chose a purple cast the for the first 4 weeks and then a lime green for the last 4 weeks and he just took off the black brace that he had to wear for 2 weeks for support. Crazy!

Pipster

How can anyone look at this precious face and think he's ugly?  Grandma Merrill thinks Pip is a homely pup but we love his quirky looks. They match his quirky personality.  Today, Rachel pointed out that he has a Mohawk going all the way down his back with the hair on his sides laying down flat.  He is a trouble-maker and so naughty when he gets outside without a leash. He's hyper and loves to wrestle and play. And you CANNOT pet this dog. He still play bites constantly when you try to pet him BUT he is lovable and gentle with Eli and is so smart.  He almost plays soccer with the kids, loves to play fetch, and will stand on his hind legs and keep a balloon in the air with his front paws and nose.  So calm, no but a lot of fun and energy, Yes!

Our Model

Seattle Talent announced they were coming to Salt Lake again this year and Jake loves the idea of being a t.v. star.  So I told him we would take him to listen to what they had to say. He had to read a part in front of one of the agents and sure enough we got a call later that night that they wanted Jake to come back the next day (Sunday). I've never wanted any of my children to get into acting because all childhood stars end up a mess. They told us at that first meeting that we would have to go to Seattle and L.A. a few times each year to train and meet agents so that pretty much did us in. Whew!! But I am so glad we took Jake and was so surprised to see him so confident. I hope he can find something he's passionate about that we can afford to support;)

Dennis' new car

Well, we did it! We bought a new car.  Dennis has been talking about how he would love to have a car that he could go around in that wasn't a work truck.  We looked on line for a few months and found this dodge journey for a great deal.  It was only a year old and had 17,000 miles.  It will seat 7 and gets pretty good gas milege. The kids wanted to drive to school the first few day in it and kept asking if we could take "Dad's" car any time we went somewhere:) I guess it's a hit with everyone!

Christmas tree time!

I forgot to post this one before the Christmas Eve post!  We went and picked our tree (it was actually Brad's turn) the first weekend of December.  I think the poor thing was already almost dead because it only drank the first few days and then just turned brown and lost a ton of needles. We let the kids take turns picking out the tree they like best.  This year Brad picked but I think next year we need to go as soon as they get them set up on the lot.  We were about two weeks after they put them out so they were really dried out.  (Eli was asleep in the car so I stayed with him and just got out to have my picture taken with the fam). Oh, and the kids made sure to remind Dennis to not drive into the garage because there was a tree on top of the car! (Last year he forgot and almost ruined the tree;)

Presents from Santa 2013

I always try to take a picture of each of us opening up or holding the present from Santa each year.  This year Santa brought Eli a train table (which is still not set up), Ava a "Doc McStuffins" doll, Jake a realistic doll (it even breathes), Brad a card with a 100 dollar bill, Ethan some headphones,  Mom a pair of running shoes, and Dad an ironman watch.  Everyone was excited and very happy with their gifts this year-just like every year;) After opening our tree, we got ready for the day and then went to Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's and had Christmas dinner there.  It was a magical day!