Jake's 1st Day of 1st Grade!

Okay, so I'm only a month late in actually posting this, but, as you can imagine, things have been a bit hectic. Jake started first grade, Jon started preschool (pictures to come), both boys are playing soccer (again, pictures to come), and I'm coaching Jake's team...and so it begins.

Anyway, in typical Jake fashion, he was thrilled for the first day of school. I made him a #1 pancake with blue and yellow (school colors) M&Ms for breakfast, served up, of course, on our special "Celebrate" plate. Cheesing it up with his brother before heading to the bus stop
The Bus Stop Gang
The bus is actually supposed to stop across the street from our house, but Jake would be the only kid at the stop, so he asked if he could go to this stop to be with the other kids (it's only a 15 second walk through our backyard and our neighbor's side yard). I couldn't argue with that.

Jake picked out this cool Phillies backpack. Lizzie carried around Jake's lunchbox all morning calling it her backpack. I thought we were going to battle when Jake had to take it to get on the bus, but she gave it up without much of a fight.

My little man's first ride on the big bad school bus. He waves and blows kisses to me every morning. I love it!

While Jake was at school, Uncle Toe, Aunt Laura and Aubrey came down. They were on their way to VA to stay with Laura's family for a couple days before heading home. Andy's folks also came down for the afternoon. So, to greet Jake at the bus stop, it was Scott, Laura, Andy, Popsy, and I...a regular fan club! The bus stops, all the kids get off...except JAKE!!! The bus starts to pull away and I'm waving my arms saying wait, where's my son? Jake waves from the window, smiling. The bus drives on through the rest of our neighborhood. Fortunately, there's only one way in and out, so he had to drive right past us again. So, we flagged him down, he stopped, Jake got off. Jake said, "well, I started to stand up, but I took too long and the bus started to move, so I sat back down." Never a dull moment!

Here's the gang in the morning, day 2 of school. Scott, Laura, and Aubrey stayed the night and we enjoyed seeing them one more time, without all the hustle and bustle of the wedding.

Jon thrilled to hold his little cousin...for all of about 15 seconds. Then he was done.

I think we have the exact picture of Uncle Toe holding a screaming baby Jonathan.

Lizzie thoroughly enjoying the yummy chocolate cupcakes Jon and I made for Jake's first day of school (which we ended up eating the second day because Mommom and Popsy took everyone to Rita's waterice the first night after dinner. Aunt Laura was craving swedish fish italian ice!)

Jake eating his cupcake

This is the adorable bear Kristen game Lizzie for being in the wedding. Kristen made the dress that's on the bear to match Lizzie's dress. After spending time with Aubrey, Lizzie was carrying around all her babies, hugging and kissing them, and rocking them in her little rocking chair. This was just too cute!

I Now Pronounce You Husband and Wife

August 22, 2009

Kristen and Chris's Big Day

The beautiful brides-to-be...though Kimmy's wedding day is not until February.

She says this was the "practice wedding."
Jon looking handsome in his junior bridesmen's outfit (no that's not a typo...On Kristen's side were Kimmy, Andy, and Scott and then the boys; On Chris's side were his two brothers and his sister...very different, but really nice. It was pretty comical, though, when my husband attempted to fix Kristen's beautiful train!!!)

Jake also looking dapper

Because they live just right down the street, the Merkle family has always walked to church. Kristen wanted to keep the tradition going, even on her wedding day. So, here she is, walking to church.

The youngest (and best behaved) flower girl, Aubrey

Moments before the wedding, in the church nursery

They boys, patiently waiting

Can you say ornery????

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Aunt Kimmy and the boys in the limo. The boys were SO excited to take their first limo ride and Aunt Kristen and Uncle Bean were kind enough to allow them to join them.

May I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Nelson

Four kids and 36? years later, my in-laws still looking as happy as they did on their own wedding day.

The first dance as Mr. and Mrs.

About six years ago, Scott and Laura got married in a very small ceremony before Scott deployed to Iraq with the Army. They never had a reception or a first dance, so the DJ asked Scott and Laura to come out to the dance floor, told their story and finally, they had their "first dance" together. I was bawling. It was such and incredibly kind, selfless, and heartfelt gesture made by Chris and Kristen on their special day and I know Scott and Laura really appreciated it.

Muncle Don and Aunt Kimmy

You're next guys!!!! Take notes! We can't wait!

Quick funny...Chris said to Don, "Don't you know that I'm supposed to be the best looking guy here tonight?" I thought that was pretty funny.

Jon just adores his Muncle Don. They were hanging out together at the reception and I was out dancing. Don asked Jon if he wanted to go dance, too and Jon said "no thanks." Don said, "I think it would make your mommy really happy." Jon flew out to the dance floor as fast as he could. That's my boy! I love that kid!

Laura and Aubrey (and Jake trying to sneak into the picture ;-) )Aubrey was SO good the whole night! I was amazed!

This is probably 10:30 at night, and all three kids were still out on the dance floor rockin'! Lizzie had her meltdown at dinner, where for a half hour, I was wishing we had gotten a sitter, but after that, she rallied and danced all night (or at least was in someone's arms as they danced!)! The boys did an awesome job, start to finish. They received so many compliments from various friends, family members, and even the waitstaff at the banquet hall. That makes mama happy. Daddy, the best bridesman, looking dapper, as well. Now we know where the boys get it.

Lizzie enjoying some cake...very much!

Dancin' with mommy

Jon finally crashed...but only for a couple minutes. That song, "come on ride the train..." came on and Andy said, "Hey Jon, wanna dance to the choo-choo song?" "Yes please!" and up he ran to the dance floor yet again!

What a beautiful wedding and incredibly fun reception. Congratulations Chris and Kristen. Welcome to the family, Uncle Bean. May your marriage

be blessed with a lifetime of love, laughter, and pure joy.

A Fabulous New Merkle!!!

On July 18th, Aubrey Lyn Merkle was born to her proud parents, Scott and Laura Merkle...aka, the Tennessee Merkles! Yes, finally a baby born in this family to someone other than us!!! ha ha! Congratulations, Toe and Laura. Aubrey is beautiful and we are so blessed to have her in our family. Nice to meet you, sweet Aubrey!

Lizzie was fascinated with Aubrey! She wanted to touch Aubrey's eyes, nose, toes, fingers...she wrapped herself in Aubrey's blanket. It was funny. "Gentle, Lizzie" we kept telling her. Ever since we spent the weekend with Scott, Laura and Aubrey, Lizzie has been carrying around her baby doll, snuggling with it, rocking it. It's too cute!

Quick Trip to the "Poke-A-Nose"!

As summer was winding down, we realized we hadn't been to the Poconos yet! Aunt Kristen was coming into town with "Muncle" Bean about a week before their wedding, so we decided to head up for the weekend. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time, as always! Mommom found a little Disney sandwich press that was one of Aunt Kristen's favorites when she was a kid, so Mommom brought it up for the kids to do. Well, they thought it was the best thing since...well, sliced bread ;-)! Ha! Look closely and you can see Mickey's head on Jon's piece of bread.
The kids hangin' out with Aunt Kristen on the couch

"Muncle" Bean (the kids always called him Mr. Bean until he and Kristen got engaged. Since he wasn't yet an uncle, but more than a Mr., he became Muncle!!!) and Jon built a cool lego spaceship together. Aunt Kristen and Jake worked on the pirate ship.

Lizzie hangin' out with Daddy and Popsy on the deck drinking coffee?

We had a great time swimming in the lake, playing in the sand, tubing, playing games, and just hanging out together. Thanks, Mommom and Popsy, for a fun weekend!

Go, Jonny, Go!

Jon asked if Daddy could take the training wheels off his bike. Andy did, but we didn't think Jon was actually ready to do it. Well, just like his big brother, it only took about three times of Andy holding on for a few seconds and letting go for him to actually do it! He was so excited! "Yes! I did it!," he shouted. It was so cute! Good job, buddy! We're so proud of you!

Aunt Laura's Summer Camp, part 2

This time, the camper was Darnel, my 14 year old nephew. No homesickness, so all was well. We went to the library, to the DE State Fair, to Killen's Pond's Waterpark, to the beach, to "Rocket Ship" Park in Smyrna, and then stopped to visit Gram before taking Darnel home for football practice. We had a great time having him visit us...though I'm not sure we can afford to feed teenagers ;-) Wait, what am I talking about? Jake and Jon already eat like teenagers! ha! We're in trouble!

The boys relaxing on the couch watching a cartoon
Beach Day

Darnel is certainly not built like the Merkles...tall and skinny, what?

We met Andy for lunch on base out at the park by the flight line. C-5s taking off and landing provided some exciting entertainment for us.

Jon was so excited to try on Daddy's hat. Looks good on ya, buddy!

The kids under a tree at the park on base

Darnel did a little rock climbing at Rocket Ship Park

All the kids, yes, even Liz, climbed up the huge rocket ship and had a blast! Lizzie actually went down the tunnel slide that goes down from the very top all by herself and got mad when I took her over to the little kids version of the rocket ship. She's a climber!

We surprised Gram with a visit. She was THRILLED to see us and just tickled that Lizzie ran right over and climbed up into her lap and just sat like this for a couple minutes. Of course all the other ladies were making such a fuss, so that probably made Gram feel even happier!

I think she got a kick out of showing us all around her new place and just hanging out for a little while. And Darnel fixed her cable, so she was happy about that, too.

Thanks for coming, Darnel! It was an absolute pleasure to have you (aside from your barneys

;-) )and we would love to have you come again any time! We love you!

To the Beach!

Makin' Mama proud...working so nicely together
This looks like it should be on the front of a greeting card or something


Hard at work Jake

Monkey see, monkey do...

Love it!

Jon lovin' the waves...and apparently the taste of the salt water



A great day at the beach for the Merkle family, followed by Grotto's pizza on the way home. Can't beat that!