If you can't read the sign under the 'Paradise Pier', it says Fun in the sun for everyone. Well on Wedneday, Dec 17, it rained a constant and continual rain all day. They closed the park early due to the rain, cancelled the parade, and many stayed away from Disney so there were NO lines. We left the park soaking wet from the knees down (we could of wringed out our socks with a gallon of water). Needless to say, we had a great time and will always remember Disney in the rain.

Our 3 wet rubber duckies (notice Kayla's eyes, she was exhausted as we left the wet Disney park.

Dec 27

Well the tree is down, and we're trying to make room for the new toys as some old are sent to the DI. All in all a very good Christmas. We tried something new and went and saw a movie on Christmas day. We'd chosen Marley and Me thinking it would be a good family movie. Well we were all moved with this movie. It reminded us so much of our family and our 'dumb dog' who we love so dearly. The following day Steve got the camera and recorded the kids playing in the snow. If you are debating about seeing this movie and you are a dog lover, I recommend it. I just loved it.

Anyways, the kids have updated the music list (so did Steve and I). Here is what we liked best about Christmas:

Kayla: getting my princess snowglobe, my first barbie and car, my babies and getting two hair cuts. First was before I decided to cut my hair, second was after I decided to cut my hair.

Eric: getting my ripstick, getting presents from our neighbors

Trevor: getting my ripstick and also liked giving presents

Dad: Watching the kids open the presents

Mom: watching the snow fall from 'inside' the house and going to the movie.

We made it!

Ok there is no place like home. We are glad to be home. Now if only our good friends (Natalie and Landon) can make it home safely and have (what's left) an enjoyable trip. You are in our prayers. May those thieves rott in hell.
Anyways on a positive note, I asked the fam of what there favorite thing about the trip:
Kayla: lunch with the princesses at Ariels Groto and also going on space mountain
Trevor: tide pools, the new toy story ride at Disneyland and the panda bears at San Diego zoo
Eric: swimming in the pool, Buzzlight year, new toy story ride and Nemo ride.
Steve: not having to wait in lines at Disneyland or Disney California thanks to two days of rain.
Heather: Dana Point (as always) no lines (although I don't want to see a poncho for a while) at Disney.
More than anything we enjoyed the time together. This has definitely been a learning year that what matters most is family and I'm glad for mine.

Dec 19

We're are on our way home after another splendid trip to southern California. I will post pictures once we're home safely and out of winter storms way. Wishing you all a splendid Christmas. We love you.

With Thanksgiving looming, I wanted to share this post of what we are most thankful for. Everyone typed in the first three things that came to our mind.

Steve: 1. I'm thankful for children. The smiles on my children's faces is what makes my day. 2. our new downstairs that is done! 3. drums
Heather: 1. my children. my three here on earth, and the two that have gone on before me. 2. the love of my life (my husband) 3. a new president elect (I can say this now, because I may regret it in the future)
Trevor: 1. I'm thankful for my family. 2. My queen size bed. 3. our nice big house (with my own room finally!)
Eric: 1. My family 2. clothes 3. my Yu gi Oh cards
Kayla: 1. my princess room 2. my friends Elle and Sydney 3. my whole family

Dad H treated the grandkids 8 and older to an air plane ride. I was a nervous wreck about Trevor going up. Only small planes crash. Finally, he allowed Steve to go up with Trevor and his cousin Brandon. I felt a little better about that. If I'm going to bury another son, one of us are going with them. Anyways, they tooks this picture of our home from the plane. Isn't our yard neatly manicured? Thanks dear.

One of my new favorite family pictures at Yellowstone

Truly, these are the reasons worth living for.

Preping for the holidays

Seasons greetings from the Merksters.
Heather says Since this has been a rough year for us, I will not be saying Merry or Happy anything, so seasons greetings to all. Yesterday was filled with conferences and fundraiser events, too busy. If it happened more than once a year, I'd quit my job. Nothing is worse missing out on seeing my kids grow.
Eric says, I had parent teacher conference. I like my second grade teacher. I'm excited about going to my friends birthday party today and his name is Jacob W.
Trevor says I liked doing the parent teacher conference and earned a new book from the book fair, I liked drinking Sprite and eating halloween candy for end of quarter party and then after school got to play with my friend Hudson.
Kayla says, I liked doing back hand springs, I had three field trips at school. We got to go to the fire station, dinosaur museum (at WSU) and hunt for dinosaur bones, and going to my best friends Mom's dance class.
Steve says, I am a little bit excited that we are going back to California. This week we reserved a condo in Capastrano (my most favorite place to go). Heathers parents are joining us on this adventure, which will be very exciting. I am principaling at two schools this year Odyssey Elementary and James Madison Elementary which at times can be trying but I am enjoying every minute of it. I just had the opportunity to take over 100 kindergarten students to Discovery Zone in Salt Lake City. Yes, I am twitching a little but seeing the excitement in the eyes of the children was well worth it.

the folks

Dad:
Age: too young
Favorite movie: Some Kind of Wonderful
Favorite music group: U2
Favorite church song: Jesus wants me for Sunbeam
What do I want for Christmas: new drum set, rifle 22, wii, dress shirts, ties, apple i-pod
Favorite places: Dana Point, California
Favorite food: pizza
Favorite book: The Davinci Code
Who I like best: Mommy

Mom
Age: too old
Favorite movie: Overboard
Favorite music group: little bit of everything (but mostly country)
Favorite church song: If the Savior stood beside me
What I want for Christmas: HDTV for bedroom, surround sound downstairs (cheap kind), key chain with Keith's name on it, MP3 player (cheap kind-you know I'm going to loose it!), trip to California, dvd to Overboard
Favorite place: Dana Point, California
Favorite food: corn on the cob (fresh)
Favorite book: Big George by James Jennings (I think everyone should read this! It is beautiful.)
Who I like best: my honey and all five of my children

The kids

Name: Trevor James
Age:9
Favorite TV shows:Yu gi oh gx
What I want for Christmas: bb gun, mew two tin, apple i-pod
Favorite places: San Diego, in front of the tv, camping
Favorite food: gelata's (drink w/custard)
Favorite school subject: math and reading
Favorite book: Geronimo Stilton
Favorite Primary song: Latter Day Warriors
Who I like better Mom or Dad: None of the above
Grade from Mom and Dad: F

Name: Eric Steven
Age:7
Favorite TV shows: Yu gi oh gx
What I want for Christmas: Pokemon tin, football, yu gi oh gx cards
Favorite places: Goblin Valley, Cherry Hill, Disneyland, Dana Point, California, in front of the tv
Favorite food: Swedish pancakes
Favorite school subject: P.E. and recess
Favorite book: Magic Treehouses
Favorite primary song: If the Savior stood beside me
Who I like better Mom or Dad: NONE
Grade from Mom & Dad: F

Name: Kayla Judith
Age: 4
Favorite TV show: Dora the Explorer
What I want for Christmas: you know girl stuff, barbie, cell phone finger nail polish
Favorite places: California and Goblin Valley
Favorite food: hot dogs and peanut butter and jelly
Favorite subject in school: doing The Chicken Dance and playing with the babies
Favorite book: Dora the Explorer and princess stories
Favorite Primary song: If the Savior stood beside me
Who I like better Mom or Dad: Both of them the same
Grade from Mom & Dad: A+++++++

Hi, This is the Merkster family. Steve (Dad) and Heather (Mom). Three awesome children: Trevor (10), Eric (7), and Kayla (4). They are watched over by two siblings that have are soaring through the clourds (Baby Angel and Keith). We're happy you have joined our blog. Welcome.