A Birthday Party and Dinner

Last Saturday we all went over my in-laws for Thanksgiving Dinner. It being the day after Danny's birthday, we made it his party as well.
Playing with Uncle Rod. Uncle Rod always confuses Danny a bit.
Trying to get cousins to hug.
Coming to get his gifts.
The birthday cake. Thanksgiving birthday, thanksgiving cake. I made a pumpkin chocolate cheesecake. It was very yummy.
First gift. He loves to use it as a walker.
Is it real?
Gift overload.
Now I get to play.

It was a good, fun day. I still can't believe Danny is one. Now if we could just get the walking thing to stick. He takes a few steps and then tries to take off running, which means he face plants. I figure, he won't walk until he can run. That boy is all about speed.

Happy Birthday Danny Boy!!!!

Above: the day we brought Dan Paul Merkley home from the hospital.
Born: 21 November 2007 (still can't believe it's been a whole year!!!!)
He spent the first few days of his little life in the NICU but in the end we brought home a very healthy, beautiful baby boy. While I was pregnant, I wanted a little girl more than anything and was quite disheartened when I learned I was having a boy, but the Lord always knows more than we do. He sent me the sweetest spirit. Danny's laughter can light up a room and definitely lights his mommy's heart. He is the best comfort with his daddy gone and I wouldn't trade him for any girl in the world.

Below: Danny now, or rather a month ago. Tomorrow is his birthday party and I will post some happy birthday photos afterwords. I love my Danny Boy!!!!


Happy Birthday Little Man!!

Happy Veterans's Day

Happy Veterans' Day. Don't forget to thank a soldier for all the freedoms we truly take for granted in this country. God bless them all until they are again reunited with their families, whether in this life or the next. And those that have their families with this year, cherish them!!

Hillbilly Housewife

With tough economic times, I'm sure we are all looking for a way to cut a few dollars out of the family budget, especially out of the ever growing food budget. I found this really great site via another friend's blog and thought that it would be nice to share. The woman who does the site is very obviously from the south and so some of the recipes might not overly appeal to you all but it would give you a good thing to go off of and you can always readjust according to what you think your kids would eat, i.e. instead of grits have pancakes. Also, she has a lot of tea, which if you are one of my LDS friends, doesn't really work but you could just substitute another kind of drink made from powder. Anyway, I've found it to be a really neat resource and just figured I would share.

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/index1.htm