Astros Exhibition Game

We had a ball at the Astros game last night vs. the Kansas City Royals. Olivia and McIver learned a few baseball tips, but their favorite part was the fireworks show at the end. Final Score: Astros 4, KC 2. Game-winning run was hit by Luke Scott which is McIver's new favorite thing to say: Luuuuuuke!

Visit with Isemans

While we were in Columbia for Papa's funeral, we stayed with our friends Elizabeth and Tupp Iseman. The children all had lots of fun playing with each other. Olivia especially loved playing 'big sister' to Mary Frances. McIver loved all of Morgan's toys, but especially the huge workbench and all the tools.

Meeting Amelia Grace Merritt

Although we were in Columbia for Papa's funeral, there were many reasons to celebrate. Along with remembering stories about Papa and celebrating his life, we were glad to be able to meet the newest Merritt - Amelia Grace.

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I overheard Olivia telling McIver: Well, McIver, I have some good news and some bad news.
McIver: What's the bad news?
Olivia: The bad news is that Papa died and has gone to Heaven. I guess that's good news b/c he won't have any more wrinkles. But that's not the really good news.
McIver: What's the good news?
Olivia: (shouting) We get to meet Baby Amelia and we can both hold her!!!!
And hold her, they did!


Kelli heard McIver say: Oh, she's crying, she needs me.

Remembering Papa

We all loved Papa so much and were so sad to learn of his death last week. But, we are fortunate to have been able to visit with him and Mamoo, as well as Will's Uncle Bobby and his family, on Isle of Palms in January. It was a beautiful day - the kids played in the ocean and ran around on the beach - and Olivia and McIver have good memories of that day. We took a few pictures with Papa, but this one if my favorite.

St. Patricks Day Party at the Stricklins'

McIver hogged the trikes.
Lining up for the bike parade.
Olivia showing off all her leprechaun finds.
McIver enjoyed a skate boarding lesson with Mrs. Hardie.

Olivia & Abby prepare for the bike parade.

Our friends Gay & Don Stricklin host a St. Patricks Day Party every year. This year was another great time. The Little Leprechauns enjoyed a bike parade and leprechaun hunt.

Rodeo

After our whirlwind tour of New Braunfels and San Antonio, we braved the Rodeo on the last day of Spring Break. Olivia and McIver had gotten good at standing in line waiting for rides. I can't even count how many they rode. They loved the Dragon Wagon roller coaster the best, I think.

Alamo & Sea World

Our trip to The Alamo was quick. Just long enough to take a quick peek around and have a few pictures made. The weather wasn't super cooperative, but I don't think Olivia & McIver could have lasted too much longer anyway. We got the required pictures of the kids in front of The Alamo, though.

The skies cleared by the time we got to Sea World! The kids had a BLAST. They loved the Shamu show - but we were all glad not to be sitting in the 'splash zone.' McIver rode his first roller coaster (the Shamu Express) and held his hands in the air the entire time. We all rode the water log ride as our last ride of the day and got soaked.

Spring Break - New Braunfels & San Antonio

We had a WONDERFUL Spring Break in New Braunfels & San Antonio, despite the rainy weather. Enjoyed a delicious meal at the Grist Mill on the Guadalupe River one night. The kids loved eating outside. Our tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns was great fun. We felt very Griswold (National Lampoons Vacation) when taking this picture of the kids on the dinosaur. I can't even imagine how many kids have had their pictures made on this very dinosaur.

Trail Riders 2007

Los Vaqueros Trail Riders visit WMDS
Sydney and Olivia waiting for the Trail Riders to arrive

McIver wasn't interested in the horses, but he climbed up on the motorcycle as fast as he could.

He wanted to help water the horses.

Our little Grease Monkeys

Olivia inherited a "princess" bike from her friend Abby. Here are a few pictures of Will with his 'helpers' changing out the tubes in the tires. McIver, true to his wish not to be a boy anymore, was super-helpful with the wrench as a construction worker.

Will and I, along with three other couples from church, hosted an Oyster Roast last weekend at our house. We had a great time with almost 35 guests in attendance.

I got home from my first Vestry Retreat last night and went in McIver's room to tell him goodnight. (It was almost 10:00 so he should have already been asleep.) Anyway, I turned off his light and leaned over to give him a kiss. He sighed and said, "But, Mommy. I just don't want to be a boy anymore." I wasn't really sure how to respond so I just said, "Well, Bud, what DO you want to be?" He turned over and tucked his knees up under him and said, "I just want to be a construction worker." I assured him that, in the morning, he could wear his hard hat and carry his tool box and be a construction worker.

Welcome to The Merritts in TX Blog. I hope this will be a way for us to keep our friends and family up to date on things going on with us. Please add us to your "favorites" and check in every now and then to see the latest Merritt news and pictures...

Rodeo & Trail Riders 2006

Olivia's rodeo outfit our first year in Houston

McIver had a matching outfit

Yea - The Trail Riders are here