Drive to Heber (October 2017)

We drove up to Heber back in September and the mountains were bursting with color. It was absolutely breathtaking. I can't seem to find any of the pictures we took that day but here are some from just a couple weeks ago when we went with Grandma Merrill to Midway and then on up to Heber. We waited too long to go to Midway this year and most stores were closed up for the winter. Next year we will have to go before Swiss Days when the stores are all open and have lots of inventory. Heber still has lots of antique stores though and Grandma went back without us and bought a couch and dresser. (The couch didn't fit in the basement though) ;)

St. George (October 2017)

I love this happy face! (and bling around his neck) ;)

This kid would be in heaven if he lived someplace warm like St.George and could drink pina colada smoothies every day.

Dennis did the St.George marathon again this year with Don. Jake and Hunter went down with him and rode their long boards, swam, shopped, and enjoyed treats. G&G Ralph had already moved back down there for the winter so they were there in the house along with Don's family and Dennis with these two rascals. The boys said they had so much fun and Dennis did great in the marathon. He said he seriously was at mile 18 or 19 and hadn't even broken a sweat. He could have gone a lot faster and if you combine that with the 8 or 9 bathroom breaks he took he could have qualified for the Boston marathon by quite a bit. But he took it easy and ran most of it with Don (who was having knee trouble). I guess it was quite the trip and they all had a great time.

The assessment (October 2017)

Lexi and Eli

Lexi is doing the Pediatric part of her nursing right now so she asked if she could assess Eli. Oh my! What a kid! I think Lex got more than she bargained for. ;) I heard her laughing and telling him what a good job he was doing. At one point I guess she asked him to draw a picture and he drew a picture of himself. She could see his arms and belly and legs and then asked "What's this below your belly"? She said he looked at her and said, "I'd rather not say". Where did this kid come from?? At least he gave Lex a good laugh and some insight into how 5 year old boys think.

Driving Permit (October 2017)

Proud boy in front of a cool backdrop at the Draper DMV.

Another boy is driving in our household! Jake passed his driving permit a couple of weeks ago. He drives home from his friend's bus stop every day now. I need to let him drive around the neighborhood too and do some practicing in the church parking lot. I am going to hate to see our insurance premiums next year when we have to add him to our car insurance. Who said babies are the expensive ones?!

Our 21 year old (September 2017)

I can't believe he is 21 already!

Twinners. Eli loves that he and Ethan have the same letters for their names. My bookends are both EDR.

Of course Ethan had some help blowing out his candles.

Ethan giving his siblings a ride in his new car. He decided to get a Ford Fusion Sport. We didn't even sign for him. He is definitely growing up!

Ethan turned 21 in September and we had a nice dinner and cake. He had been searching for a car since he returned from his mission. He searched and searched. He said he wanted something he would be happy with but not cost a fortune. He finally found this black Ford Fusion Sport and fell in love. ;) It has enough power to make him feel like he's not driving a gutless wonder (like our "Silver Snail"-Journey) but not too sporty to make his insurance sky high. It really is a nice car and he will have it paid off soon and not have any debt going into college. He recently told me he is going to work until Summer and start school then. Hopefully at UVU so he can live at G&G Merrill's or our house to help keep his costs down.
I love this boy so much! He is sensible, responsible, and a lot of fun. He seems to have good business sense. It will be fun to see what he does in this life.

Needing glasses (September 2017)

The look

I started having trouble reading this year. I had to hold books really far out to see the words clearly. I held off as long as I could but eventually I gave in and went to Walmart to find a pair of reading glasses. Of course Eli wanted a pair too but I told him he didn't need them. He then says, "I need glasses too mom"! and I look over and this is the face I see. Ha! What a kid! He still didn't get glasses.

Baby Adalae (August 2017)

Ava was so excited to get to watch Adalae for a few hours.

Jake LOVED baby girl and wanted to play and hold her the whole time

Adalae fell asleep on Jake. I think this is the cutest picture. Jake is going to be a great daddy!

I think Adalae was a little nervous about this boy but she sure loves him now. She always tries to hold his face whenever she sees him.

We got to spend a few hours watching baby Adalae (Brittany and Jesse's baby) when they first moved to Utah from Idaho. They both had to attend a meeting with Jesse's new company so we got little squirt. She is the most adorable baby and my kids were loving on her from the moment she got through the door until she left (Grandma Ellie and Grandpa Scott came and got her for a bit too).

Scouts (August 2017)

Dennis was able to go with his boys and the other Scouts to Idaho to a place called Crescent Lake. I guess it's a glacial lake and they said it was freezing cold water. But they had a blast just the same with the kayaks and paddle boards. They also played ball in Bear Lake and got the famous shakes. They said all the nights were super cold but one night in particular the wind roared all night along with thunder and lightening. They didn't get much sleep that night.

Jake loves paddleboarding

Brad playing a little water baseball

Brad and Mitchell with two of the younger boys

All the boys getting ready for a little kayaking and paddleboarding

Crescent Lake in Idaho

Ready for some food

The boys and Dennis and Matt Tryon after they helped Brendan Russell (in tan shirt) work on his Eagle project.
Brendan is severely autistic but loves Scouts. I'm so glad he earned it's highest award.

First Day of School (on Jake's bday)

Brad off to 11th grade

Jake in 9th grade

Ava girl starts 4th grade

Little bud was sad he didn't start Kindergarten at the same time the other kids started school.

He sure was happy to start school the following week though!

Eli with his school mascot, the Owl

Eli making friends. He didn't even look back when he followed his teacher through the door.

Jake's 15th bday (August 22, 2017)

Jake picked a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and peanut butter cups.

Man! I love this group!

He really is such a handsome boy!

Jake didn't really get anything for his birthday this year because we went to St. George and spent way too much money on new school clothes, shopping, and going out to eat. He said that's all he wanted for his birthday so that's what we did. I did make his favorite cake though and we all had dinner together too. He is such a good kid with a kind heart and is always helping me. I don't know what I would do without him!

St. George (August 2017)

I promised the kids I would take them to St.George before school started and we barely made it. Summer was so busy that we just didn't find the time to go. So, the week before school started we went down. We visited the temple, went out to eat at different places than we had been before, swam a ton, got haircuts, went to the movies and just had fun together. I'm glad we made it before school started. Jake was a very happy boy!

Jake really wanted to go to the temple grounds and walk around and take some photos

I couldn't get Eli to hold still. I love how the camera focused on the tree and the kids are in the background

The girls

These two always have a blast together

Mr. Photogenic

Poor Ava. She had an allergic reaction to the sunscreen I put on her face. She had blisters for a few days even after we got back home

The boys. (Brad and Eli got twinner haircuts)

Showing off their new haircuts

 

So happy

Jake has to capture a few palm trees every time we visit St. George

Elder Ralph Comes Home! (August 201

So happy to be reunited!

G&G Merrill, Elder Ralph, G&G Ralph

Eden, Kate, Elder Ralph, Alisa, McKenna, Dean
Meg

Lexi, Elder Ralph, and Levi

Elder Ralph and Jesse Bear

Elder Ralph and David

The whole group

standing next to the banner that Jake (and Ava) made

I have no idea where Eli is. Probably off with friends already

Jake and Ava with Elder Ralph in front of their banner

Right after his homecoming talk. Now he is back to Ethan Ralph.

So many people came to hear Ethan's homecoming talk. Even Rachel's boyfriend, Scott Peterson and his kids came.
Deborah and Geoff and Taylor and Ashley came as well. And Ellie and Tanner were there to give support too. It was a wonderful day.

Our Ethan came home in August! It was such an exciting day! We had so many loved ones there at the airport to see him off the plane and then we went to the Olive Garden for lunch. He was then released by President Webb. I'm sure it felt strange to Ethan to no longer be a missionary. He then gave his homecoming talk and again had so many loved ones there. He spoke powerfully and I loved his testimony and strength. It was amazing to see how much he had grown in his confidence and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.