The Reason for the Season

I'm sure like everyone else we had a great Christmas. We were able to spend time with the family, play games, relax,and eat and eat and eat.
My sister in law Kimi told me she was expecting me to have some fun activities planned to keep her entertained since the grand kids weren't coming this year so in case you ever have to entertain a 27 year old girl here are some ideas... make a gingerbread house, take her sledding, build a snowman, act out the Nativity scene, and have plenty of board games on hand. I think she along with everyone else had a great time this week, I know I did. Although we were glad to see the kids when they did come. We let them play Rock Band which they loved and they were really good at it to. We are really grateful for our families and love that we got to spend time with them over the holiday.
All in all we had a fun filled holiday and got everything we needed and wanted.









Like I said we all had our wants and needs met... who's was a want and who's was a need Im not sure.

Tis' the Season

So the other night we had our annual Christmas Sweater party. We had dinner, played games, did the white elephant gift exchange (Some of the gifts were more kid orientated and others more adult) it was funny to see everyones reactions to the gifts.

We had a great time with everyone and hope to do it again soon.

I know we aren't wearing sweaters but it was the best I could come up with, plus I think they were cute

Eating dinner and relaxing

Jons prize

Trevors prize

I think both boys will get use their gifts.

Many Many Merkley's

Here are the family pictures we had taken over Thanksgiving I think they turned out pretty cute.

The gangs all here...

All the girls

I think our family makes up half the group

Just playing around, why is it that these ones always turn out so cute?

Just the two of us

Turkey Day...

So I know Thanksgiving is over but before I jump into Christmas I just wanted to write a few things I'm thankful for...
1. My WONDERFUL husband he is the best thing that have Ever happened to me.
2. Our families they are so fun to be around and so supportive of us.
3. The gosple I dont know where I would be with out it.
4. My health I hope I can say that in a few months when the sick kids hit us at work.
5. Shoes, Clothes, Food, Shelter, Sleep, Movies, T.V., Internet,My job, My friends, Vacations and many other things...

So anyway this year we spent Thanksgiving with my family in Vernal, we had a very fun but busy holiday. We started off Wednesday night seeing Twilight with all the girls, then the boys had the famous turkey bowl on Thursday morning
Then we had dinner at my grandma rose's (she does a Wonderful job) and right after headed off to meet the other side of the family for our family pictures. After pictures headed back to grandmas for dessert and games. (Im still waiting to get our family pictures)
Friday woke up early (thanks to Jett) so we got a jump start on the day concerting we had two baby showers one for my cousin Jill and then after one for my sister-in-law Michelle

And ended that night with a big family poker game. Saturday we had a little break during the day but sent the family on a wild goose chase that night, literally. We played the "amazing race" which even though they all had something to say about how they would have changed it they had fun and all want to play it again. And to end the holiday weekend we had a candle lit game of phase 10 not because we thought it would be fun but because there was a black out. So all in all a great fun weekend. Now bring on Christmas...

Welcome back to the blogging world.

WOW how Ive missed you guys haha.. So for those of you that don't know Dave and I moved about a month ago and since then we have been without the internet and as pathetic as it sounds I have been going through withdrawals. So after much nagging my wonderful husband got our internet up and running:) So as for what we have been up to...

First Carving Pumpkins and the Pumpkin walk with the family

Next HALLOWEEN
(I Love this holiday)
We were able to dress up for work it was so fun!


Halloween Night



Plus we went to our first Mystery Dinner put on by our great friends which was very fun

And last but definitely not least
The Happiest place on earth where dreams come true!!
Thats right we took a much needed vacation to Disneyland with the family last week and had a wonderful time. It was so fun watching all the kids and seeing how much they enjoyed it(by "kids" I mean daves mom)every ride was totally awesome or so cool and even went as far as mind blowing... I think my favorite ride was toy story and for Dave hands down Pirates which we only rode like 100 times. All around we had a great time. Thanks everyone for coming and for planning it. We love you guys!

ps these arent all the pic of our trip but I dont have time nor room to but them on so Ill get a slideshow on here shortly (kimi if you need any of them just let me know and I will email them to you cause I know how many pic you took haha)

MEMORIES!

As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot...anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you!

Tripping with the Merkley's

So this last weekend we went to St. George with my family. My parents own a time share and are kind enough to share it with the family.We stayed at a beautiful condo that was huge, had a very comfortable bed that you had to pull out the wall and smelled like roses...haha I cant say I felt bad when I got voted to stay in a extra room:) No but really we had a great time with the family just like we always do, we went to the pool, shopping, movie, played games and of course went hiking (my little brother requests that on our next family vacation we do NOT do any physical activity) We really enjoyed watching my dad nearly have a heart attack after I jumped out at him from a crack in the wall while hiking (sorry dad your just an easy target.) also watching him almost go the round with an officer after the cop cut in line...Do you have a problem Sir?Everyone knows it wouldn't be a real Merkley vacation if we didnt come home with a few funny stories. Thanks Mom and Dad for planning it we had a great time! Love you guys so much!

SLC

This weekend we drove down to slc and meet up with some of my family. We all went to dinner together and then some of us headed to Nightmare on 13th street. It was really fun to see everyone and get together although I will not go back to that haunted house again, for how much money they charge it was not worth it. I was very disapointed. Thanks to everyone who came it was fun to see all of you, love you guys!


Dave and I at dinner

Everyone at dinner

Dave, Alisha, Michelle, Sid, Barsie,and Nate

(we were the only one who dared go the the haunted house)

Just the girls

Good Old Vernal

So this last weekend Dave and I took a trip to Vernal to spend a little time with the family. We were able to watch my little sister preform at the football game where she looked AWESOME! I'm so excited to see how the drill team does this year at state. If all their hard work pays off they will sweep it again like they did last year:) Keep up the good work Meg your so good at what you do. I love you!!

Also I was able to learn how to can salsa. WOW that was... well to be honest, not fun I mean I loved spending time with my mom and learn a good life skill but I don't know if it is something I will be doing again next year. Haha I felt like a duck out of water my mom was asking me to "blanch" the tomatoes and "water bath" the jars! I had to look around to make sure she was talking to me because I had NO idea what she was talking about. But we had a great time with each other and I now know what blanching and water bating are plus we made a lot of salsa. Thanks again mom I love you so so much and am so greatful for you!


Check out daves sweatshirt he said it made him fit into Vernal

(It was opening weekend for elk huntin')

Me and my little dancer (she the best)

Mom and I just staring our 7 hr canning experience

A job well done!