Making Cupcakes

Ava, Cat and I made cupcakes for Kathleen's birthday.  The girls are a big help and love cooking in the kitchen.  We made and decorated a 18 cupcakes!  We also had to wash our hands about 18 times.  Here they are eating their favorite cupcake!

Tasting the batter!

The girls are really enjoying the weather and spending hours outside (sorry Midwest friends!).  Here they put every sandbox toy on their "airplane" that they are taking to see Grandma Dawn.  They also also like to ride their bikes around the pool.  Cat gets a flat tire and Ava jumps in her red car and takes off to help fix the tire.  They are so fun to watch!

Ava's first REAL haircut

Ava and Catalina went for a haircut on Monday.  They both had their hair shampooed, cut and blown dry.  Ava loved the attention.  Beth even "straightened" her hair.  She looked about 14 years old!  

Cat Graduates from Silver to Gold

We take a family picture in front of the tree every year.  This year it was in our pajamas te night before we took it down.  Our tree was small, but we were happy to get one up this year!  

Catalina just graduated from Silver to Gold gymnastics.  Gold is the top class and she is doing well!  She loves the challenge and is learning new things.  

Ava is in Gymnastics too.  Ava is following directions and listening in class so much better.  She must be getting closer to 3!  Sisterly love....

Ginger is getting bigger!  She is so sweet.  She has managed to get the potty training down and is using the doggy door.  One less thing to worry about!

Murray's First Show & Hula Hoopin'

Todd entered his first dog show this weekend.  Well, it's not a "dog show" it's an agility show.  Murray is an athlete, you know.

Running the weave poles.

Before the "jumpers" run.  Murray did not place because he hit one jump and the pole fell.  DARN!

Apparently, Catalina has been hula-hooping at school during recess.  Todd and Cat bought hula hoops this weekend and boy is she good!  This is how she spent her time at the show!

Look at those hips move!

Ava and her new bike from Santa.  It's a big girl bike and she is getting pretty good on it.  Remember, she is only two.....

Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas at the Merrill's.  Here are the girls helping mom bake cookies in the new kitchen.

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Todd's family.

Todd always makes baked french toast for breakfast Christmas morning.

Celebrating Christmas brunch at the Tolars.

A Visit with Santa

We went to visit Santa at Cox Media today! The girls wore very cute Christmas dresses made by Grandma Dawn.  Catalina was concerned about Santa's reindeer and sleigh..."where will he land mom?".  Ava wanted Santa to come home with her...."come home me Santa."  What a fun Christmas it will be at the Merrill's this year!

New Refrigerator Today!

The new Sub Zero frig was installed today.  And it looks great...really finishes off the kitchen.  I posted a couple of pictures just in case you were wondering what the finished product looks like (okay....ALMOST finished product).

Here is Ava in a cute dress that Grandma Dawn made.