Our Baby Turns 3!

Today Ava turned three!  I can still remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  She was a big surprise and has brought us nothing but laughter and a lot of patience!  Her smile continues to light up a room (see above).  Ava May had such a fun "Ariel" birthday.  We had it outside at our house and I made the Ariel cake.  Ava's favorite part of her birthday was the cake (could it be the bowls of frosting she ate as I decorated it?).  Happy Birthday Ava, we love you.

  

ASU Girl's Gymnastics Meet

We had a "girl's night out" last Friday.  Cat, Ava, and I along with two friends from preschool (and their moms) went to dinner and to the ASU girl's gymnastics meet.  It was really cool to watch, lots of action, and the girls enjoyed it too (Cat's eyes are glued to those girls!).  What do you know, Sparky came around to to see us.  Cat has never come close to him before (well, maybe a high five once!).  She said hi to him and let me take her picture.  I was so proud of her! And here is a little secret....there are 7 Sparky's...and this Sparky I knew...it's Cat's gymnastics teacher!!  She did not know that, but how fun!  Ava just hid behind me, she's not ready for Sparky yet!

This is Sophia, Tabitha and Catalina.

The girls are making lemon chicken...a favorite at the Merrill's!

4th Place Ribbon

Murray was in another competition this weekend.  He received 2 qualifying ribbons and one 4th place in Pairs.  He had quite the proud dad!  Someone took these pictures on Saturday afternoon during the competition.  Great job Murray and Todd!

Sledding in Flagstaff

We spent President's Day weekend in Flagstaff, AZ.  Flagstaff had a lot of snow and temps in the 30's.  I don't know who had more fun, the girls or the dogs!  On Sunday night we lost electricity for 6 hours and fell asleep by the fire.  Todd cooked dinner on the grill using his cell phone for light!

W

Who taught them to play poker at this young age?

Jewelry Boxes

What fun at Home Depot today!!  The girls made cute jewelry boxes with Daddy and Papa Bill.  Catalina brought the box home, put it in a special place and put all her jewelry in it!  Catalina also did both her and Ava's hair today (I was gone before they left).  This is such a great picture of Papa Bill and the girls.

ASU Basketball Game

Todd took the girls to their first ASU basketball game and they loved it.  They are becoming quite the little ASU fans.  Go Devils!

Tongue Anyone??

Well, after a week of searching, I finally found Grandma Dorothy a big, ole beef tongue from a butcher shop nearby (owned by a family from MN!).  She had the taste for tongue and could not seem to find one.  Disgusting...or what??  Anyway, I called her from the butcher shop and she beat me home to my house to pick it up.  It was huge and frozen.  I did not ask how she was going to prepare it, I really did not want to know.

The following day Catalina asked me about the tongue.  Could she call Grandma and ask her to bring some on Weds. so she could taste it?  And so Grandma did...she brought a tupperware container FULL of cooked tongue (I tried not to dry heave).  Catalina and Grandma finished the tongue off.  Catalina thought it was delicious.  At that point, I think I dry heaved.

The good news is...I know where to buy Grandma Dorothy and Catalina tongue, just in case they have to have it again.