Morning wake up call

I tried to add this to Avila Beach but couldn't get it to go where I wanted it to. Anyway, on Friday morning, I woke up to "Grandma, we're going to the beach today!" I pry open my eyes and there's Rachel beside my bed in her bathing suit! I convinced her to get in bed with me and she was very cold! We cuddled for a bit then I took her upstairs to get some other clothes on her and saw that she had made her bed. What a little sweetheart! I love you, Rachel.

Bye

Mandi is helping Rachel into her carseat while Michael is looking on.

Austin is all ready to go!

There's Mitchell all buckled up!

Bye! See you at Disneyland next week!

Avila Beach

I got these pictures of Mandi snapping pix of her family.

Rachel, Mike, Austin, Mitchell and Mandi

Mitchell enjoying the warm sand (Mandi's foot)

Mandi and Mike

Austin burying Mitchell

Austin and Rachel burying Mitchell

Mandi and Mike are coming in from a dip. Just try to pick them out! (Sorry about the black parts. I didn't know that my shutter didn't open all the way.)

I really thought John would enjoy this shot of Avila. sorry about the blackout.

Family time

Michael, Mitchell, Austin and Cody after baths and ready for scripture reading and prayer

Mitchell loves the comic strips and Rachel loves Uncle Cody!

Watering the plants

Rachel had to be outside helping Grandpa water his trees. These are on the east side of the garage.

For some reason she went to the west side of the house and when she came back she was singing "I'm helping Grandpa water his pla-a-a-ants" and watching herself in the atrium window. It was so cute and I wish I had that on video!

Dinner at Cool Hand Luke's

this is how much Austin loves his dad.

Austin's steak dinner off the kids menu was bigger than mine and a better cut! He ate every bite!

Mitchell's Shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp!

Rachel and Austin by the "fire" which was right next to our table.

Grandpa and Austin

Michael, Mitchell, Cody, Rachel and Mandi waiting for dinner.

Danny's shirt

Danny had to buy a new shirt for his wedding. It's tailored with French cuffs. Isn't he handsome?

Jenny

Regina, Jenny's mom, and Mandi are "bustling" Jenny's dress with Austin looking on. He had to be as close to Jenny as possible all the time.

Favorite day!

This day will long live in my memory as my favorite day. Thank you, Danny and Jenny for making it such a great day! Live long and prosper.

Danny's wedding

September 5, 2008-what a wonderful day! Here we all are getting ready for pictures at The Victorian in Layton, Utah. The photographer called for everyone related to Danny to step forward and as we did, he asked us all our names. Then he used them as he progressed through the different poses! Heather, one of Jenny's bridesmaids, graciously consented to take pictures with my camera. Thanks again, Heather!

Loving Rachel

At Danny and Jenny's rehearsal dinner, Rachel cuddled with Grandpa Kevin after swimming. I got the cutest picture. She also kept telling everyone that I was her Grandma. So sweet!

For Danny

sorry its taken me so long to post this but here it is the annual Merritt family BBQ.

That's Brianna Griffith sitting with her sister Tara who is holding Hope Merritt.

Shawn is cutting his cake. The frosting said "23 days til 30 years old".

Shawn and Chelsea sitting with Kathy Griffith and Lillie overseeing the whole party.

Last month Kevin and I went to the annual Merritt Family Barbeque at Shandon Park. This is Loretta, Shawn's cousin, with her baby Franklin Junior and her husband, Franklin, standing behind them.

Reception

For those of you who know Nathaniel Major, you might think he isn't old enough to be married, but he is! Kevin and I went to his reception on Saturday. It was a very nice party with delicious barbeque grilled by Ken Smith and cohorts. The cake was cheesecake made by Alyssa (Dalton) Bright. It was yummy! Oh yeah, his wife's name is Rebecca.

Labor Day

Do you know what day it is? Well, its Labor Day and guess what that means? Kevin, Mandi and I moved to Paso Robles 30 years ago today! We lived in a 12'x60' mobile home for that first year and that's where Danny came home from the hospital to. It was a pretty leaky home (windows) and very cold. Sometime in the next September we moved into an apartment on Olive Street and lived there for 4 years while Kevin built our house out in the "country". Haha