Merrick Christmas

Our Christmas festivities began a couple of weeks ago when we hosted Sean's family Christmas. Sean's brothers family drove in from the St. Louis area, along with his parents from Pekin, IL. We had a great weekend, good foods, drinks, and laughter while the guys played games, and we chased after our busy little boys. Luke has a cousin, Connor, who will be two in February. They had a great time playing together in Luke's toy room and would often sneak down to the basement to play with Gunner.

Luke redecorating the Christmas tree

What is he going to do when we take it down?

Luke and Mommy frosting sugar cookies

Not sure what to think of the green sugar sprinkles

The boys all ready for church

"caugh red handed"

Luke on Sunday morning ready to open presents

Luke opening the first of many gifts for Christmas 2010
Connor wanted to play

Luke on his jumping turtle

of course Luke would climb on the box!

Connor and Luke on Sunday morning

Luke being goofy

Luke meets Santa

We took Luke to visit Santa last night and he wasn't sure what to think...by the look on his face it is apparent. He sat well for a couple of minutes, took a look back at the guy in red and got scared so I rescued him. What he doesn't know...one day Santa will be his best friend this time of year!

backyard pet

Our backyard consists of a very beautiful wooded area, one in which is a home to nearly 10 dear, including this Pet Buck, and over a dozen turkey. It is paradise to my husband to be able to wake up and look out our bedroom window at this guy....Not to much when you say the word "buck" Luke runs to the windows and starts mooing like a cow. He hasn't quite got the deer sound down yet, but trust me, he will with a father like Sean! Sean is a little upset that Luke says Buck more clear than he says daddy! Enjoy the pictures of our new backyard pet that appears frequently, this is not a one time shot, we see him about 3-4 times a week among several other does.

Catch up from last weekend

Last weekend my parents came down and were kind enough to bring our new TV for the basement with them! My dad, Sean, and brother Mitch went to the Iowa Men's basketball game, and before my parents could hit the road to head back home, ice and snow covered the majority of Iowa. Unfortunately, northeast Iowa got hit the worst, my parents receiving nearly 15 inches of snow. We were glad to have them an extra day as they couldn't make it home on Saturday. Dad and Sean hung the TV, we baked Christmas cookies, prepared my turkey for the Merrick Christmas, wrapped presents, finished decorating, cleaned the house, went to church, and enjoyed dinner at a local favorite, Red's Ale House! A very productive Saturday thanks to the great help provided by my mom and dad! We are so thankful for all they do for us and enjoy having them visit:) They should have stayed an extra day as their trip home Sunday was horrible and I was worried sick until my mom finally called 4 1/2 hours later saying they were home. Thanks to their neighbors for plowing the drive open for them or they would not have made it up the road due to all the snow and drifting. Welcome Winter! At least there will be plenty of snow for sledding on Christmas!

Our fireplace mantle all ready for Christmas

The banister looks beautiful at night all lit up

...and the tree with ornaments even higher than originally placed
Dad and Sean got the TV hung, an all morning project
Luke loves to help his "Bop" aka Grandpa
"See, I can help too Daddy!"

my singing...

So, my first ever post from my Droid, do disregard the format troubles.

I just have to share with you a quick story regarding what my son thinks of my singing. The first time thus happened I just played it off, but now that Luke has done this twice, I am convinced he really doesn't care for my singing...

With the Christmas season upon us, I find myself singing "oh holy night" and "silent night" to Luke as we wind down our night and get ready for bed. (my two favorite Christmas songs) As I said, on two occasions, after we read our books and turn out the lights, I have been spending some additional quiet time with Luke singing Christmas songs. Well, it has become obvious that he is not a fan, as he continues to cover my mouth while I sing. At first I thought "really, do I have bad breath?" Then it dawned on me, my son does not like my singing!!!!! I guess I am not as good as I thought?!

All Smiles

Good evening, as I write from the Omaha Marriott. I understand my boys are having a rough night back home, which makes me so sad. While the picture above can be deceiving, this little boy isn't always "all smiles". Lately Luke has been giving us a little run for our money with his bedtime routine, quite honestly when I think about his little tricks, I laugh, but in the heat of the moment, it is not so funny! I want to say it is his "new room", but that is wearing off as we have been in our new house for almost three weeks. In addition to his bedtime tricks of trying to get out of going to bed, he has been throwing lots of "fits", or tantrums might be more familiar to some of you. Again, funny when I think about how this little boy knows enough to fall to the ground, bury his head, and shed a few tears. Not so funny in the heat of the moment. We are getting very good at just walking away or better yet, we laugh at him and he immediately wrinkles his nose in confusion and starts to laugh along with us. I am baffled...how and where does he learn this? We certainly don't fall to the ground and start kicking and screaming when things don't go our way! However, it would be quite funny though:) I know that it doesn't work in our house, so I spare the attempt and embarrassment. Although, I wonder what Sean would do if I attempted to fall to the kitchen floor, buried my head in my hands, started to cry, then peak out to see if he is watching...sounds pretty ridiculous, so where on earth did Luke learn to do this? I am telling you, this little show he is putting on, happens hourly!
All the while, we are enjoying our little tantrum throwing 15 month old Sweet Little Luke. His latest obsession, aside from throwing little fits here and there, slam dunk basketball! It is quite comical. He will run up to his basketball hoop, literally slam the basketball, then raise his hands as he awaits an applause accompanied by the roar of the crowd (mom & dad). AND if we don't roar, he "roars" for himself!
Well, that is all I have for "what's going on in the life of Luke".

another 1st...

Checking out the Iowa Men's Basketball team as they take the court

Luke enjoyed watching "Baww" and clapping during the Iowa Fight Song!

I am posting this a week late, but wanted to make sure I captured another one of Luke's first experiences. Last Tuesday night we ventured out to Carver Hawkeye Arena to watch the men's basketball team defeat the UNI Panthers. I wasn't quite sure how Luke would do, but we were pleasantly surprised. Luke and I only made two hot laps around the Arena. He did a great job and was very intrigued with watching the game. He kept yelling "Baww", it was so adorable. His next favorite part of the game was clapping during the Iowa Fight Song! We will most certainly enjoy additional basketball games this winter! Uncle Mitch enjoyed the game with us.