Before the corn maze trip, Eliza and Sarah were playing on their couch, having fun and snuggling.
19 October 2008
Heather & Heidi at the Anderson Farms Corn Maze
Ben and Sarah gave Heather and Heidi a birthday present trip to the corn maze at Anderson Farms outside Longmont, CO. We spent 3+ hours wandering through the maze on Saturday with Sarah, Ben, Eliza, Coleen, Mark, Jaron, Heather, and Heidi.
Eric and Alan were on a scout outing, attending the Longs Peak Council's annual "turkey shoot" at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch. No turkeys are harmed in the annual "turkey shoot", in case there is any question...
Heather and Heidi initially took off through the maze at a dead run, leaving us all behind. The rest of us took a leisurely stroll through the western section of the maze.
About 45 minutes into the walk, Heather and Heidi called to find us. We met at the central entrance and started a more structured hike through the maze. The maze contains 18 stations scattered throughout the corn, each with a paper punch that can be used to mark the map card. We completed 12 of the 18 locations before we were too tired to continue.
Anderson Farms is a working farm, so they had all sorts of interesting and useful things at the farm (like ducks, and goats). It is converted to an entertainment center for a 2 month period at the end of each crop season. I suspect they make more from the entertainment center period ($10 per person, hundreds of people visited the day we were there) than from the farming. No problem, either way, since we easily got our $10 per person worth in family fun.
They also have a web site which describes some of their activities.
Eric and Alan were on a scout outing, attending the Longs Peak Council's annual "turkey shoot" at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch. No turkeys are harmed in the annual "turkey shoot", in case there is any question...
Heather and Heidi initially took off through the maze at a dead run, leaving us all behind. The rest of us took a leisurely stroll through the western section of the maze.
About 45 minutes into the walk, Heather and Heidi called to find us. We met at the central entrance and started a more structured hike through the maze. The maze contains 18 stations scattered throughout the corn, each with a paper punch that can be used to mark the map card. We completed 12 of the 18 locations before we were too tired to continue.
Anderson Farms is a working farm, so they had all sorts of interesting and useful things at the farm (like ducks, and goats). It is converted to an entertainment center for a 2 month period at the end of each crop season. I suspect they make more from the entertainment center period ($10 per person, hundreds of people visited the day we were there) than from the farming. No problem, either way, since we easily got our $10 per person worth in family fun.
They also have a web site which describes some of their activities.
14 October 2008
Heather & Heidi Swim Meet
Heather and Heidi participated in the final swim meet of their 7th grade year. They've enjoyed swimming this year, their second year of competitive swimming.
The meet was the day prior to their 13th birthday, and it was a long day. They arrived at the pool at 7:00 AM and did not leave until after 2:00 PM. All those hours at the pool for two events each.
Good luck girls!
The meet was the day prior to their 13th birthday, and it was a long day. They arrived at the pool at 7:00 AM and did not leave until after 2:00 PM. All those hours at the pool for two events each.
Good luck girls!
05 October 2008
Register and Vote!
This is the season to learn about the candidates and the issues, choose the ones you think are best suited to run our representative government, and cast your vote. Don't miss the chance to be part of the democratic process!
I've been accepted as an election judge in our county, so I will spend election day at a local polling place, verifying information and distributing ballots. I still remember all those years ago when my mother would act as an election judge. Thanks Mom!
11 September 2008
Isn't She Lovely...
Rachel and Bruce look just like themselves in this picture. They are alive, vibrant, and full of fun.
This picture was taken as they exited the doors at the Mount Timpanogas temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe the picture was taken by Cynthia Gale. Refer to http://www.cbgphotography.com/ for Cynthia's company.
This picture was taken as they exited the doors at the Mount Timpanogas temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe the picture was taken by Cynthia Gale. Refer to http://www.cbgphotography.com/ for Cynthia's company.
16 June 2008
Firefox 3 Download Day
Firefox 3 is expected to release tomorrow, June 17, 2008. The Firefox development team would like to set a world record for most downloads in a day.
I've been using Firefox 3 beta and release candidate versions for a month or more and have been pleased with it. It feels faster. It runs well.
I was disappointed that the Google toolbar does not support Firefox 3 yet. I've used the Google toolbar to centrally manage my browser bookmarks across multiple computers.
Yesterday I found "GMarks", an extension that places my centrally managed Google bookmarks in the Firefox menu bar. It works great, and takes less screen real estate than the Google toolbar.
31 May 2008
Jaron's High School Graduation
Jaron turned 18 last October, and today he graduated from Loveland High School. We're delighted with him and with his progress.
He is preparing to serve a full time mission, with earliest eligibility date in October 2008.
Congratulations Jaron!
He is preparing to serve a full time mission, with earliest eligibility date in October 2008.
Congratulations Jaron!
25 May 2008
Alan's Arm - Another Angle
Here is another X-ray view of Alan's arm. This shows the angle of the break a little more clearly
Lindsay's Graduation - UCCS
Lindsay graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Friday, May 23, 2008.
She was awarded Bachelors of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She's a lot smarter than dad and mom...
She's made it through school on her own earnings, and her own initiative, and has learned a bunch in the process.
She's worked at a microelectronics firm in Colorado Springs while going through school, and they've now offered her a full time position as a design engineer. (Yeehaw, engineering job!)
What a delight to see her justly rewarded for years of hard work in school and at work. She made it through school with very little debt (working as much as 30 hours a week in addition to full time course work at the university), and see great things ahead for her.
She was awarded Bachelors of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She's a lot smarter than dad and mom...
She's made it through school on her own earnings, and her own initiative, and has learned a bunch in the process.
She's worked at a microelectronics firm in Colorado Springs while going through school, and they've now offered her a full time position as a design engineer. (Yeehaw, engineering job!)
What a delight to see her justly rewarded for years of hard work in school and at work. She made it through school with very little debt (working as much as 30 hours a week in addition to full time course work at the university), and see great things ahead for her.
Alan's Arm Angle - Broken Bone
Alan was riding the Loveland bike trail with the family on Saturday, May 24. He bumped into Eric while riding, went out of control, and crashed.
While falling, he went face first into the dirt beside the bike trail. While trying to stop his fall, he broke the radius bone in his forearm. The doctor said it was a 30 degree break, very clear to see in the X-ray.
The broken arm is his right arm, so he'll be learning to use more of his left side than he ever expected to learn. Thankfully school is almost over for this year, so he won't have to re-educate his teachers about how to read his hand writing from the "wrong" hand.
The crash happened on the northernmost end of the Loveland bike trail, about halfway between the entry to the trail and the northernmost parking lot of Boyd Lake State Park.
Coleen drove the van into Boyd Lake State Park, and Alan walked (arm cradled in his shirt) from the crash site to the car. We loaded the bike into the car, and Coleen drove him to the clinic. He didn't really want to ride the bike again, one handed, using his weakest hand to steer and brake...
Coleen was caring for a friend's child at the time as well, so she spent two hours at the urgent care clinic with Alan, a 3 year old, a doctor, and some nurses.
Alan was incredibly tough about the whole ordeal, or he just doesn't feel pain (unclear which). After the fall, he didn't shed a tear, and when I had him move the hand in various ways, he could say which hurt and which didn't, but was yelling or shouting in agony.
When the doctor moved the bones just before splinting, he apparently flinched a little, but no tears, no agony, and no shouting. He's a lot tougher than his dad!
While falling, he went face first into the dirt beside the bike trail. While trying to stop his fall, he broke the radius bone in his forearm. The doctor said it was a 30 degree break, very clear to see in the X-ray.
The broken arm is his right arm, so he'll be learning to use more of his left side than he ever expected to learn. Thankfully school is almost over for this year, so he won't have to re-educate his teachers about how to read his hand writing from the "wrong" hand.
The crash happened on the northernmost end of the Loveland bike trail, about halfway between the entry to the trail and the northernmost parking lot of Boyd Lake State Park.
Coleen drove the van into Boyd Lake State Park, and Alan walked (arm cradled in his shirt) from the crash site to the car. We loaded the bike into the car, and Coleen drove him to the clinic. He didn't really want to ride the bike again, one handed, using his weakest hand to steer and brake...
Coleen was caring for a friend's child at the time as well, so she spent two hours at the urgent care clinic with Alan, a 3 year old, a doctor, and some nurses.
Alan was incredibly tough about the whole ordeal, or he just doesn't feel pain (unclear which). After the fall, he didn't shed a tear, and when I had him move the hand in various ways, he could say which hurt and which didn't, but was yelling or shouting in agony.
When the doctor moved the bones just before splinting, he apparently flinched a little, but no tears, no agony, and no shouting. He's a lot tougher than his dad!
22 May 2008
Jaron Graduates from High School
Jaron will graduate from Loveland High School Saturday, May 31, 2008. He's had a good year swimming, a good year learning wood turning techniques, and is preparing for a full time mission.
19 April 2008
13 April 2008
Eric in a Swimming Article
A local startup newspaper is being distributed by mail. In that newspaper, they included a nice picture of Eric and one of his teammates swimming the 500 meters for Loveland High School.
I took the liberty of scanning the page for safe keeping. I realize I am most certainly violating copyright to do so, and I apologize for that, but it seems like the best way to remember the article, and the nice picture.
I also was proud that I used a Linux machine to run the scanner, without any Windows machine anywhere in the mix.
I took the liberty of scanning the page for safe keeping. I realize I am most certainly violating copyright to do so, and I apologize for that, but it seems like the best way to remember the article, and the nice picture.
I also was proud that I used a Linux machine to run the scanner, without any Windows machine anywhere in the mix.
06 April 2008
Roll Roll Roll your baby...
Eliza Rolled over for the first time today! Wahoo!! She is getting so big! Oh and she has also discovered the ability to pick things up and put them in her mouth! This is her Bug and she just loves that bug it has crinkly wings and feet that are the perfect size for her mouth. The sad thing about her love to put things in her mouth is that i have to actually keep my house baby proofed (bummer). Oh well it wont last forever (at least we hope so)
01 April 2008
Rough Day
It was a rough day yesterday for the family...
- My manager visited the office for the first time
- Coleen had a rough start to the day
- The plumbing clogged and we had raw sewage in the basement bathroom (~$300)
- The plumber noted that our hot water heater needed to be replaced (~$1000)
- One of Coleen's dear friends called to announce that her twin sister has gone home, expecting to die of bone cancer within 3-6 months
02 March 2008
Nana ER Trip
Nana was transported from the care facility where she lives to the hospital this morning. Her oxygen saturation levels were down, and her lungs sounded very rough. I'll go to the hospital to sit with her while they decide if she has pneumonia or if it is something else. It is a good thing she is in a care facility, we would have never detected such a thing at home.
25 February 2008
CUTE PICS!!!
Eliza and I can't wait for spring!!! I'm ready for bare foot season and swimming! In contrast there is the picture of us going on a walk in late february... a bit chilly if I do say so myself.
16 January 2008
Fire in the Hole
The family is staying in a hotel for at least two nights, Dad is leaving on a business trip, and things are a little more confused than we expected...
Sunday, we left the house in a rush to get to church on time. Part of the rush left a pot of boiling water on the stove, with ravioli in the pot. The heat was on high, and the water went dry. After the water went dry, the ravioli steadily turned to ash and the pan eventually developed a cherry red color from the heat.
Coleen realized about 30 minutes after arriving at church that the burner was still on. Dad was ushering, Coleen was helping with Kara. Ben offered to go home and handle the problem.
Ben found a house filled with smoke, an agitated dog in the crate, and a very hot pot on the stove. He switched off the stove, opened all the doors, tried to fan the smoke outside, and generally was a great help with the mess we had created.
The house still smelled smoky Monday morning, so we called the insurance company and started the claims process. The $500 deductible is the price we'll pay for our mistake. The cleanup company sent by the insurance will "ozone bomb" the house for two days in hopes of removing the smoke smell. If that is not sufficient, then they will clean walls, clean carpets, launder clothes, etc.
We can't be in the house during the ozone bombing, so we are consigned to a hotel Tuesday night and Wednesday night. Dad leaves on a business trip Wednesday morning, so Coleen will handle all the insurance stuff solo.
We're in the Loveland Residence Inn and the kids think it is vacation. We went swimming in the hotel pool, worked out in the hotel exercise room, had a free dinner on the hotel, and the three boys went out to a movie. The hotel rooms are giant suites, with very comfortable kitchenettes where we can cook.
06 January 2008
Eliza's Blessing
Today was Eliza's Blessing day. The meeting went really well and the spirit was just incredible! Ben did a fantastic job and you wouldn't have ever known that she was the first baby he blessed, it was just another testiment that he was not the one blessing her he was just the voice for the Lord. Her dress was beautiful! Grandma Waite made it for her and it was made from the same material as my wedding dress! She's my little princess!!! Everything was great and I was so glad to have my whole family there! Thank you to all who sacrificed to come I was thrilled to have all of my family there and some of Ben's. Thanks again
Love The Merritt's
If you want to see some more really awesome pictures check out our blog: www.coloradomerritts.blogspot.com
03 January 2008
Merritt News
News from the Merritt's! Things have been going well. Eliza got up only once in the night for the first time!!! WAHOO! This is definently worth celebrating over...even if the only reason she slept for 5 hrs was because she cried for 2 hrs before that :-( Parenting is great! and its so fun having so many aunts and uncles who fawn over her.
Life outside of the baby doesn't exist as far as we're concerned so check out our blog for more detailed info.
01 January 2008
Jaron's Eagle Board of Review Completed!
Jaron's Eagle Scout project planned, organized, and built bat houses and flicker houses for use in the Fort Collins parks and open spaces projects. He completed the project late last summer, completed the write-up, and submitted paperwork to the Longs Peak Council for his Eagle rank advancement. He's been waiting months for people to complete the letters of recommendation. That finally happened, and he had the board of review tonight.
Jaron passed the board of review!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)