Phillies Fever!!!

1980. The last time the Phillies won the World Series. Andy was 4 and sat on his dad's lap at Game 6 and watched the Phils clinch it. 1980. Did I say that already? Needless to say, the Merkle family is THRILLED!!!! 2008 World Series Champs, BABY!!!!

Each night of the Series, Andy let the boys stay up to watch the first couple of innings. I think he was so happy they were so interested in baseball...finally!
Celebrating after a fantastic play. Game 5, part 2, Jon tried to hang in there til the end. His eyes kept getting heavier and heavier and we kept asking him if he wanted to just go to bed. "No thanks." It was like he thought, "hey, if they're going to let me stay up, by George, I'm gonna do it!" Finally, after a few super long blinks, he said, "Daddy, can you carry me upstairs, please?" He was out. Jake stayed up til the end and watch the celebration! Fantastic. "Phinally," as the shirts say.

I couldn't resist making this.

Jonny's Got a New Set of Wheels!!!

Well, after trying out Jake's bike with the training wheels back on it and taking right off, we decided it was time for Jon to get a bike of his own. Mommom and Popsy got Jake his bike when we first moved into this house, so they took Jon to pick his out, too. Jon picked a red one...like the Phillies. Popsy got it all put together and it before long, Jon was on it and riding around the driveway and then the block! He's doing a great job! Way to go, Jon!!! And thanks, Mommom and Popsy!

Pumpkin Carving with the Morris Family

On Saturday, October 25th, we headed to the Morris Family's home for a pumpkin carving party. We were supposed to get dressed up in our costumes, but as you'll see in a couple posts, the boys' costumes were pretty bulky, so we opted to go as Phillies fans....not to mention we were all PUMPED that they were doing so great!!! But, we couldn't resist putting Lizzie in the cutest little ladybug costume Aunt Kristen sent her. She just wore her Phillies onesie underneath and the hat, too.

Yup, she's taking steps easily when you hold onto her fingers....though still not actually crawling on hands and knees! She's still doing the inchworm thing! Too funny!



And she's got one tooth through and another making it's way, so she's discovering her tongue and finds it fun to stick it out!!!I can't remember carving pumpkins as a kid and this is the first time I've ever done it with the boys. We had such a fun time! I helped Jon, but Jake wanted to do his totally on his own. Not too shabby, guys!

Thanks, Morris Family, for a really fun night!

Introductions and 30th Birthday Bash for Kimmy and Don

Oct 18: Aunt Kristen finally gets to meet Elizabeth!!!!!!

Mommom, Aunt Kristen and Great Mommom put a shiny star garland crown on Lizzie's head and had her doing the can-can on the table! Poor Lizzie!!! She didn't seem to mind too much though! What an easy-going little baby!

Wonderful Ed and Great Mommom Dickson (Andy's mom's parents) meet Lizzie for the first time. They surprised us with a visit on their way home from a European vacation! So nice to see them and hear their funny stories about their trip...like Mommom telling Poppop to wear his shorts (the weather had been beautiful the whole trip and he had worn only his pants). Of course the day he finally wore his shorts it was like 40 degrees outside so he was freezing cold!!!
Lizzie giving her best smiles for Great Mommom

Jake in the tree at Kimmy and Don's house

Jon in the tree at Kimmy and Don's house

A family of monkeys!!!
(Andy, Jon, Kristen, and Jake in the tree)

Andy, Kristen and Kim celebrating Kimmy and Don's 30th birthdays!!! We all had a great time...though the weather was a bit chilly!!!!!

Aunt Kimmy took care of her favorite nephews, as always. They had a blast painting pumpkins and little ghost masks and just flat out making a mess!!! Every little boy's dream!

Happy Birthday Kimmy and Don and thanks for a great day!!!

Fall Fest at Fifer

Our little playgroup met at a local orchard for their Fall Fest activities. We had such a fun time! KB, I know you're missing it...and we miss you!!! Hope you got the apple cider donuts...YUM!!!

Jon riding the John Deere through the straw maze
The three of us on the hayride

Jon loved making "soybean angels" in the sandbox filled with soybeans

"Weee!!!" Down the big slide atop the straw pyramid

Visit with Gram

On Saturday, we drove out to Oley, PA near Reading to visit mt Grandmother at my Uncle Bill's house. Gram moved there this summer. It was so nice to visit with her and my aunt and uncle! I really miss seeing you, Gram!

Getting big smiles from Lizzie
Gram turns 81 on the 21st of this month, so the boys made her cards.We also framed a photo I took this summer of all Gram's great-grandchildren on my couch. She loved that! I know she really misses seeing all of them.
The boys had a blast playing baseball and football with Uncle Bill and Andy and climbing this huge dirt mountain next to my uncle's newly-constructed house.
Aunt Chris and Uncle Bill in their beautiful home
Gram and the kids

Love you, Gram!!!

Xbos with the Gebharts

Evan
Drew
Melissa, Drew, Anna, and Evan
Jon
Anna
Jake
Andy and Lizzie

On Friday evening, we took the kids to a place in Smyrna (about 20 min from here) called Xbos. It's one of those cool indoor fun places with a huge climbing structure, video games, etc. We took our friends, the Gebharts for their kids' birthday gifts. The kids had a ball. Then we all went out for pizza.