Christmas with Merkleys 09

We spent Christmas in Vernal this year with my family. It went by super fast just like it always does with a lot of family time,family pictures,food,games, parties, pictures,staying up late talking with each other and very little sleep.
It also was Nates farewell for his mission. He did a wonderful job on his talk, he has such a strong testimony and we know he will do a wonderful job out in the field. Good luck Elder Merkley!
We are so grateful for our families and the time we get to have with them, although it is sometimes hard to remember when were all stuffed in a very small home!

My dad also made his famous fudge. I had to document it so next year when I try I have not only the recipe but pictures to follow

Christmas Eve: Autumn, Meg, Me and Melissa
Dave and I
Me, Ash, Michelle, Mom, Meg, Jodi
Gma and Gpa Merkley
All the guys
All us gals
Lincoln and Mylee... this is the best picture we could get if one was looking the other wouldn't
Barsie and Ash crafting it up!
Mylee the read nose reindeer

Above: Dad sleeping while we sing Christmas Carols Below: us singing(sid even did hand actions)
Koko had a great Christmas she made lots of new friends and got lots of presents. (not pictured Koko and Tramp) Koko and Bella
Sophie and Koko aka BFF
Koko opening her gift
We also played the Amazing Family Race with the Merkleys. Although I majorly screwed up one clue I still think everyone had a great time.

Autumn and Alex (white team), Nate and Barsie(orange team), Lisa and Makall(black team), Melissa and Michael(purple team), Sid and Michelle(yellow team), Mom and Dad(red team), Ash and Justin(green team), Jesse and Jodi (blue team), Jeff and Meg(pink team). Thanks everyone for playing!!
Me and Melis
Merry Christmas!!

Their not dying just going away for a little while.

This is what I had to keep telling myself because today was one of the best worse days. We drove Daves parents down to SLC to leave on the mission. It was a bitter sweet goodbye (I think they always are with missionaries) we really are excited for them and the adventure they are starting. The spirit the missionaries carry with them is just amazing and you can feel it so strong! Im a little jealous of them, but you know everyone says the family is also blessed so were excited to see whats in store. But I think tonight was even a little harder on me cause I know I have to do this again in a few weeks with my younger brother which for me is going to be so much harder! I think its harder sending the young boys out on their own vs. parents that get to go together. Either way were so proud of them and the sacrifices they make to go serve the lord. But as for us the ones they leave behind we just have to remember that they're not dying just going away for a little while!

Dinner before we took off.

This was the hardest goodbye for susan.

Thanksgiving and Farewells

We had a way fun Thanksgiving this year with Daves side of the family it was very busy and crazy. We had a house full of 10 adults, 9 kids and 3 dogs so it was a lot of togetherness and family time.We had lots and lots of food, fun and games in fact on night Dave and I put on the Amazing Family Race for the family which was really fun. We just made up the clues and told them what to do, it turned out great and they had an awesome time.
Homebase team

Red team
Orange Crush
Pink chilllaxers
Alan, susan, lisa, bryan, greg, jake, tiff, morgan, lori, josh, kimi, amerbly, zach, and alli
Bryan and Lisa took first, Jake and Tiff second and The parents came in third.

I think this was our third turkey dinner..

Me and Morgan


Then on Saturday we took family pictures. I think they turned out great!! and dont mind how happy Greg looks he was just so happy to be there he couldnt contain himself.







And on Sunday Alan and Susan had their mission farewell which was great they gave wonderful talks we are so proud of them!
Josh and Lori

Greg, me and Dave kimi, bryson, caden and dave
Me and Dave Our missionaries


Plus sometime in this crazy weekend I found time to put up my Christmas tree and decorations so bring on Christmas and the craziness with the Merkleys!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am grateful for..

Its that time of year, when you look at your life and reflect on things your grateful for. As I have been doing this for the last couple weeks I dont know where to start; I have SO much to be grateful for. I know you can always find something to complain about and Im pretty good at this when I want to be. So in the holiday spirit Im going to put this bad habit at bay and make my list of things that bless my life:

• the most important, Dave my wonderful husband! He truly is the BEST husband for me.
• the Gospel
• missionaries (especially when they are members of your family)
• family
• health
• jobs
• exercise and running
• my sewing/surger machine
• tv
• sweats
• laughter, people that make me laugh
• friends
• food, especially junk food
• shopping (clothes, not grocery's)
• Hawaii
• traveling
• living in the USA
• our troops
• toothbrushes
• nail polish
• hot baths
• running water

any many many more things. We hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Disney on Ice

Last weekend we went with Daves family to Disney on Ice and it was Awesome. Disney always gives 110% they have the best costumes, skaters/dancers, and just do a all around good job on anything they do. Kimi was so nice and got a suite for all of us to sit in while we watched the show which made it even more fun, I think I enjoyed the show just as much as the kids did. Thanks Kimi! your amazing!


Dave and I
Grandpa and the Grandbabies
Dave and Josh
Watching the magic
Kimi, Lori, and I
Cinderella
Cinderella
Snow white and the seven dwarf
All the Princesses
Bell (the best)
Seven Dwarf
Little Mermaid
Fairy Godmothers
Aladdin