Thursday morning the kids and I went to Phoenix. We first stopped at aunt Kristie's for haircuts. She cut everyone's hair including mine. She did a great job. This was Adam's first hair cut and he sat very still and looks like a big boy now.
Thursday night my mom and I went out for our birthdays and Mother's day while Dayson stayed home with the kids. It was his time to be alone with all seven. We got pedicures and did some shopping. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my mom. Happy Mother's Day!
Friday morning was the final Flag Ceremony and "swearing in" for Dayson. The kids and I arrived around 7:30 am. Thank goodness it was early because the sun was shining pretty good.
This was our first time to see Glenn since he got home from his mission. The kids were really excited and Adam wasn't to afraid.
We waited for about 30 minutes (in the shade of course) for the ceremony to start.
The men started by walking in formation with Flags in hand.
It is very quiet, except for the one who is directing the men to their positions. I don't know military talk, but I'm sure there's a name for it.
Dayson is the only one in tan. He is raising the Arizona flag. The men stayed in this position for about 10 minutes maybe less, but it felt like forever.
After the flags were raised, the judge had them raise their right arm and repeat after him. They are now officially law enforcement officers.
After the ceremony we were able to go down and congratulate Dayson. We met his Sergeant and his RTO's. This is officer Miller. He was Dayson's biggest pain in the neck, but later became a good friend.
This is a dummy used in the OC Spray qualifications. He was beat up pretty bad. Clayton, Carson and Harly thought they could take him too.
Before the graduation I took some pictures of some of the men standing out in the foyer.
On the far left is Dayson's car pool partner Andrew Williams. He was Dayson's bestfriend throughout the academy. He pushed Dayson and kept him going. We are very greatful to have Andrew apart of our family now. The other two men I think are Colburn & Schichilone (or something like that). I will have to double check with Dayson.
Dayson and the boys. The other kids stayed back home with Zach, Courtney & Jenna.
The graduation finally started and there were only 11 men in their class.
Dayson was presented with his badge by his cousin Troy Merrill, DPS officer.
And I got to pin the badge on Dayson. I barely found out 30 minutes before that I would be doing it. I am very proud of Dayson and all the hard work he has done for the last 18 weeks.
Deputy Dayson Merrill
After the ceremony was over we took a lot of pictures.
Sheriff Dedman and Deputy Merrill
Sgt. Webb Hogle, Deputy Merrill, Chief Deputy Brannon Eagar
Deputy Merrill and Flavio
Deputy Merrill with his family.
"Sweethearts"
Report writing instructor (?) & Deputy Merrill
Moreno, Shaddow, Merrill and Morley
Merrill & Colburn
After the graduation we went to Garcia's mexican restaurant and these are the people who came with us to celebrate.
Grandma Slade, Flavio, Marsha & Robert Wellman
Rachelle & Aarron Palmer
Andrea & Chris Slabaugh
David & Andrea Archdeacon
Kristie & Adam Merrill
Aunt Judy & Anna Merrill
Gary & Sharlene Merrill
Amaron & Satya Merrill
Glenn Merrill
Carson Merrill who had a headache and is very grumpy.
It might have something to do with the fact that his older brother was bothering him.
Clayton was the photographer for the evening and he forgot to take pictures of Amy & Troy Merrill and Megan & Rusell Stewart who were also sitting with us at our table. We had so much fun talking and catching up. It was like the good old days. When we were newlyweds and no kids!
Dayson and Me
To finish off our weekend we slept in on Saturday morning. Dayson until 6:00 am, whoa! And myself until 7:00 am. We had chocolate chip pancakes with my mom and dad. They didn't like 'em to well. I don't like them either but my kids have to have them every morning, thanks to the Udall's. After going to the store for more milk, Dayson and I went to Andrew's (Dayson's carpool partner from the academy) apartment and helped him move to a new apartment. Then later that night we went out to eat at Black Angus, Andrew's treat. That was really awesome of him. We can't wait for him to come up and visit us in Springerville.
The next morning was Sunday and we packed up to go home. But before we made the trip we went to church with the Merrill's. Glenn was reporting home from his mission and he did a very good job on his talk. After church we went back to Dayson's parents and had barbeque beef sandwiches with all the trimmings. Thank you Sharlene for making such a great lunch on your special day. You are an amazing mom. Happy Mother's Day, we love you!
We finally headed home but not without an adventure. When we finally got to Show Low, Dayson noticed I had a flat tire. So we pulled over and he put on the spare. Of course nothing can go right and it was flat too. So after pumping it up at the gas station we headed home,it was 10:30 pm at this point and it was all I could do to stay awake. I probably would have been pulled over for drunk driving if seen by a DPS officer. We finally made it home and realized Dayson forgot his work boots that he needed for the next day. So he polished his brown boots with black shine and made do until we can get them from Anna who is bringing them to Show Low on her way home. Thanks Anna your a life saver! Cammie, my niece is picking them up from Show Low, because she was already going there, and bringing them back to us. Thanks Cammie you're awesome too. I have such great family. We also had a message on our phone that Dayson would start work tomorrow at nine unless they got called out in the middle of the night. So here it is 11:50 and we aren't in bed yet and there is a chance that Dayson could be called out in the middle of the night. The phone never rang and Dayson and the boys got up at 5:00 am to start and finish Carson's science project. They returned home at 7:00 and got ready for school. These boys are going to be tired for baseball tonight. Oh well, that's our life, always something!
I also want to thank everyone for all of the nice cards and gifts that were given to Dayson. It means a lot to Dayson and I to have such good support from our family.
After that we dropped Carson off at his baseball game we than headed to MacKenzie's preschool graduation ceremony. She did such a good job on performing her songs. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up she said a "cop". I thought that was pretty cute. Dayson is a proud papa. 
