Spring is here – for now. 75 today but 50 tomorrow. 
( So – we got out and enjoyed the day in the backyard, in the frontyard, with friends and neighbors. This should hold us over until the next spring-like day!
So excited to play today!
The Hinkels made the journey to the great state of KY. I guess Craig lost a bet to Brian – something about if Xavier wins we go to their house – if they lose they come here. So – Brian won and dinner at our house. We couldn’t pass up the chance to take some jammie pictures of our cuties. I will have to dig up some pictures from Kim and I when we were this age…. Enjoy!
Maisie, Kathleen, Carson and Max
Two of my dad’s brothers live in Columbus and are OSU Buckeye fans. Brian is also a Buckeye fan – so I called Ross (my cousin in Columbus – OSU student) and asked him to find a jersey for Max. Ross came thru with a jersey and pants set – it is too cute. Here are a few pics of Max in his OSU best.
It was a very merry, and busy, Christmas for the Merz family. We hosted the annual Merz Christmas Eve party – our first – Brian’s parents have hosted it the previous 35 years. We spent Christmas day with the Grogan family at Rae and Andy’s house and back to our house on the 26th for Christmas with the Gruenwalds. Very busy but so much fun! Here are a few pictures from our holiday…
Today Maisie had her Christmas program at pre-school. I was a little afraid that they weren’t going to have their program due to the weather. But the snow held off – until her program started – and the show went on! They started out with the three year old singing a few songs. Then the 4 year olds came in and did the first Christmas in their costumes. The 4 year olds then treated us to a few Christmas Carols – like Jingle Bells, How on Earth can God’s Baby Sleep and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Maisie sang her heart out – it was priceless!
Just a quick shot of my babies – warm and cozy in their new sweatshirts. I am more than a little biased but they are so cute!! )
Nothing quite like sibling love - rivalry either - but for now we will stick with the love.....
While Maisie was at pre-school today Max and I took the opportunity to have some “us” time and play with my new speedlight – a sweet birthday present from my husband and kids and parents. Here are a few from our fun time together.
How freakin cute is he?!?
Brian surprised me with a fun weekend away with friends – a trip to Gatlinburg with the Doxseys. We haven’t been away for the weekend without kids since Maisie was a baby. So we packed up the car, dropped the kids off at his parents and off we went. We did some shopping, had some great meals, played some cards – all in all, a great time. Sara decided that we needed to go on a hike and Chimney Tops was her choice. We would have preferred that she choose a trail not described as “strenuous” but off we went. Brian, Barrett and Sara made it to the top – me almost. Brian has suffered a groin injury – if you ask him the muscle is torn away from the bone, ask Sara it is a muscle strain – that he may or may not recover from. Next time, I will be taking pictures before we go on any hikes – there are so many that I wanted to take and so few that I actually took. We shouldn’t wait 4 years to do this again!
One of the few pictures I took while catching my breath on the Chimney Tops hike
It is one of our yearly events to go to the pumpkin patch with the Doxsey family. This year with all of the things we had going on in October – we couldn’t get a good weekend together. So, we decided to head to Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods on Saturday night. The weather was perfect, the kids were excited and Parky’s Farm was – closed. Yup – closed. So, we had to take their picture anyway. Maybe next year it will work out better….
Maisie, Josie, Max and Mac
Halloween is a favorite holiday on our street. Some neighbors go all out with decorations and costumes while others just enjoy watching the kids have a great night. Every year we drag the fire pit out into the cul-de-sac and stay until the wee hours of the night – long after the trick or treaters are sleeping – enjoying the company of good friends (who also happen to be neighbors) and a few beverages. I couldn’t imagine spending the holiday any other way.
