"Dead" Asleep

Last night we were all sitting around watching t.v. and Dayson pointed out to me that MacKenzie had fallen aspleep in a weird position. It was so freaky looking that I had to take a picture. She looked like she was dead!

After I took a few pictures for memories, I carried her to bed. We showed her this picture the next morning and she thought it was so funny!

Happy Fathers Day

Dayson and I took this picture in Alpine before the evacuation was lifted. The elk are all over the place and just minding their own business. We took a lot more pics but I will post those later.

Dayson had to work on Father's Day but was able to go to Sacrament with us first.

The kids had a good time giving him presents before church.


Dad with his new hi-tech law enforcement flashlight.

And his "cool" sunglasses...gotta make sure you look the part!

Thanks for being such a great dad and always taking care of our family.

We Love You!!

MacKenzie's 7th Birthday

A dream come true for a 7 year old! What better way to spend your 7th birthday than at a resort. MacKenzie had it all. The suite, the decorations, the pizza, the pool and the family!

I guess the birthday fairy comes to hotel rooms too!
MacKenzie was so excited to wake up to see presents for her birthday. I think she was a little worried about how she was going to spend her birthday.

Birthday party with the family

Lucky Girl!

Swimming at the pool with her cousins

Adam and Aarron enjoying the evening swim

Grandma & Grandpa Merrill even showed up

Adam wore himself out!

Stopping to Smell the Roses

Our big NIGHTMARE has turned into a little DREAM!

I can't believe how sitting by the pool all day can take away the anxiety and stress of being forced out of your home. I'd rather be at home with Dayson and living a normal busy scheduled life, but if I can't, than this is the way to go! The mornings and evenings are gorgeous! The afternoons are HOT!! Just like I remember...but at least we have the pool and umbrella's.

Our front porch is filled with beautiful roses and the kids just had to smell them.
Adam



Aarron

MacKenzie

Living at the pool has been our life these past few days.

*OFFICIALLY EVACUATED*

After dealing with the smoke for over a week, the kids and I packed up and went to Phoenix. The evacuations started with anyone living south of the 260 in Eagar and that meant 4 out of 9 ladies that I work with in the bank are homeless. The bank closed both branches so I had no other reason to stay behind. I had been working for the last week and a half and the kids were going crazy inside the house. They couldn't play outside because the smoke was so bad and we couldn't open our windows to let the cool air in. Our house was so hot and smoky that we needed to leave. The sherrif's office had come by the night before to warn us of our evacuation and gave us instructions on what to do when we leave.

The first yellow tape is to let law inforcement know we had been notified. The second tape we put up is to let them know we have left.

The white flag on the door is to let law enforcement know that our home is vacant.

Now that we are double taped and white flagged, we are on our way. As I was taking these pictures ash was falling all around. It was all over our sidewalks.

And this was the orange glow from our backyard. The fire was just behind flat top and moving fast.

This was our view as we were driving out of town. I just had to pull over because I knew we would never see this again. It was so overwhelming to know that it was moving straight for your town.

It breaks my heart to know that all of our beautiful country is destroyed. Our view of the white mountains will never be the same.

To help us cheer up we decided to stay at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park. My two other sisters and their families are already staying here so now my kids can be with their cousins. They are having a blast, given they've been evacuated from their homes. Our hotel has a pool with a water slide and fountain area. It's perfect for everyone.

This will be a memory the kids will never forget!

Clayton's 8th Grade Graduation

Last week Clayton graduated from Round Valley Middle School. They don't have a formal ceremony. It was at 9:00 in the morning and the kids have to wear their class t-shirt with a pair of nice jeans. Clayton earned the "Gold President's Award for Educational Excellence" and he will receive a plaque for playing 3 sports his 8th grade year. (Football, Basketball and Track) They call it the "3 Sport Award".

This isn't a very good picture but this is Clayton getting his promotion certificate and awards from his homeroom teacher.

Clayton and his cousin Ryan after graduation

Proud parents of an 8th grade graduate!


Celebrating at Trailriders afterwards for lunch and getting his graduation present from mom and dad. It went straight to his savings account!

Good job Clayton! Mom and Dad are very proud of you.