Family and church family

We have had lots of fun the past few weeks!   Baseball is still in full swing, and the boys are LOVING it!  Especially Caden. Baseball is the first thing out of his mouth when he gets up and the last thing out when he goes to bed. 

We spent sometime this weekend doing a mission project with our church called Mission Spectacular!  We did some outdoor work at a camp to help them get ready for their summer campers!

The boys had a blast helping and serving with their friends. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing group of kids that my boys are growing up with. 

Chris and I also had a great time!  We also have amazing friends that are helping us through these crazy years of raising kids in such a hard world. We are very blessed!

We also spent a couple of days in Ohio with Chris's family for his cousins graduation party. I'm disappointed I didn't get many pictures but this one is priceless!

Austin is having to help his old man off the ground!!!  We found a spot Sunday morning to hide away and spend some time with The Lord as a family, BUT when it was time to go Chris was realizing just how old his body is getting lol

It was a great weekend. Very thankful for the time we had!  

Start of summer

We have had a busy crazy summer already... 

Beginning with a weekend of camping, and relaxation!

 

Austin lost his first tooth!!! Thanks to his older brother being willing to reach in and pull it out!!

Then we had lots of fun fishing and driving around in the country enjoying the view. 

Auntie nan and uncle Jacob graduated!!! 

It's been a fun start to summer! 

Life as a baseball player

Well, baseball is well underway. Actually, Austin is getting ready to play his last game this Thursday! This was his first year, and we were all a little nervous about the out come of the season... And while some of the season was spent filling the pockets of his baseball pants with dirt I would say all in all he had a great first season! His team was the River Cat, which he thought was great! He enjoyed being cheered on by all his grandparents every game and loved giving the guilt trip when they had to miss a game.... Haha.
Caden on the other hand was in hi 3rd year so we chose to move him up to the Pinto level. So, while he is only 6 he played with the 7 and 8 year olds.. I have to say he did a pretty good job of keeping up! He had a tournament in Maroa this past week and he got his first double! It was just myself and grandma Susie there to cheer him on because Austin also had a game that night, but as soon as he made it to second he turned around with a huge smile and arms raised and jumped up and down. He was very proud o himself, and I have to admit I was one proud momma!!! He is, no doubt our little athlete!
Our boys have had a great season so far and though it is coming to an end, they are still just as excited for their games now as they were for their fort one!

A fancy meal???

Well it has been a crazy couple of months! Christmas flew by! The boys had a great Christmas after which we spent a week Wisconsin Dells! We had a blast and the boys loved the waterparks. Most recently we spent a wonderful Valentines day together at the Beach House! The boys dressed up in their suits and ties and went out for their first formal dinner. I was a little Nervous about the looks we would get taking a 3 and 6 year old to a formal place but every one loved them! They of course didn't have kids menus because it isn't really a kid friendly place but they found Mac and cheese so that made them happy!

Just a lazy week

Well I don't have much to report due to the craziness of the holidays!  We did get to spend the evening with Chris's mom (Susie) at our Women's Christmas dinner this past Friday, which I was VERY excited about!  The boys enjoy her being around so much. I'm sure I will have lots to report after our annual Black Friday shopping in Chicago this next weekend!
Caden had a hockey game in Springfield this weekend and I am happy to report he scored not one, but TWO goals!  He was very proud of himself!  He has become quite the little hockey player. 
I'm sure there will be more to come this time next week with lots of picture updates.  Stay tuned!

The 31st!

Well halloween was rather uneventful this year! We had Batman ska Caden and Spiderman ska Austin. We didn't even spend a dime on costumes this halloween! We raided my siblings old costumes and found batman and had Spiderman at home all ready. We went to a costume party at our neighbors the Saturday before and Caden won 'best costume'!! Austin didn't attend the party but enjoyed a night to himself with mama Susie and Papa Ratts (Chris's dad, long story behind that one lol). All in all it was a great weekend!

Typical Wednesday as a Merritt

Austin's class took a field trip to the pumpkin patch today! What began as a laid back ride to the patch turned into complete turmoil when my mom realized she forgot her camera! So as we are driving down the highway I proclaim "oh we gave time to run home and get it and still get to the patch when the bus does". Lol so we were off passed the bus as the parents on the bus looked at us like "crazy women drivers!". Made it to my house where the camera sat on the couch and took off towards the patch. We took the country roads (which my mom is not use to) which I knew would get us there faster than the highway... But I don't think my mom took her hand off the door or took a breath the whole way lol. But alas we made it JUST as Austin was stepping off the bus :). He had a blast picking out pumpkins to carve this weekend with daddy and Caden. The drive home was much more relaxed and probably a little safer:).
I also posted a picture of mummy cupcakes I made for Cadens class. In Kindergarten all the moms take turns bring the daily afternoon snack. I hope I'm not the only mom that brings junk food:/