Kylor get's his face painted

A must share story...

Sunday we went to a Birthday party there on base, we usually don't do those on Sunday but decided we'd go this time. We went right after church in our church clothes thinking it would spark interesting in what church we go too. It sure did.....anyways moving on to my story

at these Birthday parties on base they have a face painter and jumpy castles and clowns etc. Kylor never wants to get his face painted but he saw his friend Kadin have something green on his face, so he went over and asked for the same thing Kadin had. Kadin's mom was not there. After he got it painted, Kylor came over to me really excited and showed me his face. It was a green can of "Beer" on his face, I looked at Steve and he at me and we just smiled with suprise that he had a beer can on his face, he went off and played and shortly after he came over and ate with me...I asked Kylor what it was on his face, I said Kylor do you know what that says? He said no, I said, it says "beer, and what is beer? Kylor reply, it's alchohl, his face feeled with dissapointment, and like "huh?" he ran off and played and no kidding with in 5 mins he had wiped that green paint off his face and was over there in the painting chair again asking for a Tiger painting, Orion wanted to be a monkey, he said in tickeled while he was getting painted on, it was cute, he was so excited!... I thought this was a cool story to share.. I loved how Kylor made a good decision using his own judgement and what he thought to be good. We are so proud of him.

****Today Quinn was in his excersaucer and went in a circle, around on his own moving his feet, so cute and I saw him trying to roll over from his back while we were eating dinner, I bet he's going to have two teeth by the time he's 6 month, you can see the indents on his lower jaw where his teeth will come in and he's got the drool to prove it***** He's grown so fast!!!!!

update! & Weather

We have been having some really windy weather and rain these past two days looks like Thrusday we'll have a break. Steve was over on the other side of the island working on his radar today, he say's it took him 15 mintes to close a chainlink fence cause the winds were pushing him so badly. Yeah sometimes I've even felt like I can fly on days like these...Work is keeping him so busy these days, makes it hard, his schedule is different everyday and makes it hard to plan things for us together as a family. Just a few more days our list for move comes out...Will keep you posted!
Friday was the first day of Orion going to school full time now. 9-12 then hour lunch then 1-3 for 2 more hours...he tells us at home that he had fun at school, He's learning so much and becoming even more independent than before. It's helping us alot with him being occupied he's even better at home now too. The fact they are strict (stern) with him there at school like we are at home doesnt hurt either.. He just is a busy body and he'll probably always be high energy little man. His teacher yesterday told me...Orion was asking for Pae (dad in portugese) Steve spent lunch hour with him yesterday so he was saying Pae and mom....cute!
Kylor and Orion both went to Awana's tonight, they were much better this time than last week, Orion didnt have a good day last week and he was awnree for them, they told me all the kids were like that though. Kylor passed off his first scipture memorization John 3:16 I stayed to volunteer a little and signed off things for some other kids too. What a great program that is. It's hectic during the week here so Steve and I have minimal time to talk due to his schedule 2-3am to 11 or noon depends on the day.
Little Quinn is getting so big the other night he slept from 10 to 6 that was nice, he's awake alot during the day and sleeps mostly at night with 1 time he wakes up....it's great! I love our boys, they are growing and learning so much...It's tough, and busy but I guess we can handle this task..I'm still working out for my hour at the Gym so it helps ALOT!!!!

NEWS TODAY~ of our Great Prophet Passing

Beloved Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, Dies at 97
SALT LAKE CITY 27 January 2008 President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97.
President Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.
The Church president died at his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night from causes incident to age. Members of his family were at his bedside. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley’s funeral within the next few days.

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My own thoughts..He was a great leader and example of Christ's church and was so understanding of others and loved everyone and taught us all how to be more like Christ. He became the Prophet when Steve and I was 15 years old and I remember many conferences with his words. He had such a funny sense of humor and would make us smile too. He was a great man and prohet of God and he will always be remembered

Grandma Hash Obituary as shown in UT papers

Roberta Rachel Bell Hash "Mother, I'm Home" Roberta, age 88, passed away at home in West Jordan, UT, January 23, 2008. She was the daughter, born May 9, 1919 to Robert and Anna Achs Bell. Adoring sister to Dorothy C. (Andrew H. Anderson), only aunt to Susan H. Richardson and David A. (Mona Johnson) Anderson, of California; beloved wife to James Bender Hash (preceded her in death February 1989 while serving on their third LDS mission to Bern, Switzerland), married July 22, 1950, Carson City, NV, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple; precious mother of two sons, Allan B. (Beverly Tew), Kaysville, UT; and Eric E. Hash, ID; and daughter, Catherine L. (Randall L. Gardner), West Jordan, UT; honored grandmother to eight; gentle great-grandmother to 14; and cherished friend to those who knew her heart. Roberta said she had lived a full life and was so blessed, had goodly parents, a sister companion, never hungry, books were her "friends", children and grandchildren her jewels, genealogy her life's passion, testimony her guiding star and continually marveled at all of God's creation. The way mom lived imprinted on our hearts how to faithfully and graciously endure to end, "you just have to take what comes and then go on." Now no more a stranger or a guest but like a child at home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 29, 1:00 p.m., at the Garden Heights Ward, 2220 East Fisher Lane (2935 S.), where friends may visit with the family from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn at approximately 2:30 p.m. following the services. In lieu of flowers mother wanted others to feel their savior's love; one may wish to contribute to Operation Smile, Humane Society, Primary Children's Hospital, just give to others. Online condolences may be sent to www.holbrookmortuary.com Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 1/27/2008.

Island Adventuring

Only light house on the island...it's in working order too, people live in it...Then a neat looking Cemetary...

Today our friends the Alamo's took us to a place on the island we had never been before. We spent the who day with them...they are great friends! We went to their house afterwards and played phase 10 well into the evening....it was so much fun! We definately have to do that more with them before they leave this August. While we were driving we saw a chicken on the side of the road. I asked Kylor " Why did the chicken cross the road?" His reply..."to pop out more eggs.." made us all laugh....I didnt expect that reply.

Family Acores Pictures

Here is a sample of the pictures we had taken last week.

Grandma Hash Pass

My Sweet Grandma Hash Passed on yesterday, she had been bed ridden for 8 years, so this news is bitter sweet, we got a warning from Dr.'s in Novemeber that her time is limited.

She was such a wonderful woman with a sweet loving heart. She always had a way of making Steve and I feel so special when we would go and visit her. She told me many times how she could relate to me cause she was the Youngest in her family too. She has one older Sister. I always felt love from Grandma Hash. When we took our baby's (Ky and Orion)to see her for the first time she'd say "So Precious, so new, right from the Angle's" and she'd smile and clap her hands with delight. Those are a few memories of my grandmother I'd like to share with you.

She is and will be missed by many. I really wish we could make it to the funeral, but distance is sometimes a burden, nevertheless she is in our hearts to stay, and we know we will see her again one day. I'm so blessed to have the knowledge that families are eternal. It makes times like these a comfort to know we will all be together one day as one big eternal family.

We love you Grandma Hash!

VOX.com

I'm trying out a new blogging site, so far it's nice but not sure if I want to completely change over...check out...

http://islandmerkleys.vox.com

Family Night

Today we hade just one of those days, it's raining again...the morning was crazy and we were all so tired.
After dinner Steve came up with a great idea...let's have a family meeting
We decided to talk to the kids about this year's events vacations/ possiblity of moving, and come up with some house/family rules for us all to follow, here is what we and the boys came up with..
Merkley's...

Trust in Christ (our new family motto)
Always show respect
Always have fun
Always help with love
Love each other
Choose the Right (CTR)
Shine Their Light
Always have a positive attitude
Are Together Forever

This was our family night for the week. Trust in Christ is the motto, we now say this after family prayers it's kinda our family cheer!! Another way we are trying to bring our family together and teach important principals as the boys grow up....

Flea Market

Today was the base Flea market they do it once a month...I decided to get ride of some of our belongings...it was well worth it...made about $ 180.00 just out of a few boxes..."One mans junk is another's treasure" still rings true on this island. It was nice to be able to use my Portuguese in making a few sales, the local people here are so nice, but drive a hard bargin too. This is my first time doing this...probably not the last either.
Kylor had another sleep over...he loves doing that, I picked him up and he was sleeping in John's Spider man costume, cute!!! The rain today has not stopped so time to bring out the games and movies and hope the power stay on.
This last week was the last straw for the "Flea's in home tollerance" I found one on me!!! YUCK! It just was on my shirt, but grose. I started removing rugs from the house...The flea's LOVE rugs...I have discovered no wonder why the houses here are full of Tile, the bugs just feed on the hiding spots in rugs...so out they went to the dumpster. We have been trying to tackle this problem for sometime now. Even the Pest Control people on base said flea's are hard to manage here I guess you can bring them in on your shoes....Pest Control coming to spray our house Tuesday...
***Thanks Dad and Grandma Shelley for Orion's Birthday card we recieved it today!***

Update.

Steve's been on a crazy schedule 3am to noon, he got off today and we went and had a commisary tour, when we got back he had to go back into work (When is SLEEP?) yeah his second family is that Radar of his. It keeps him pretty busy. They are telling him he's on Mids--all next week that's going to be even more nuts. Audrey and the Boys are going about our daily lives as always...I had them with Theresa so I could hit the 5:20 class at the Gym, it helps keeping me going to the Gym to have the energy I need at home.
Orion was happy to attend school today, I heard he was so good. Kylor had a good day at school, he's still talking about Awana's that was last night and wants to memorize a scripture to get more play money. They have a shop once a month they can buy things.
Quinn is cute as always, he's actually begun to drool, can that mean teeth soon? I think so. WOW! he'll be 3 months here in a week from today!! He's sleeping so good.
Audrey doing good, Working out daily now and planning the Naples trip coming up this spring...we have alot in store of us this year.

Awana's

K and O went to Awana's tonight at the base Chapel, it's a new idea for us. My friend invited us so I thought hey why not..the kids really seemed to like it, it's like Sunday school in the evening. They play games and sing songs and it's more like a Club that teachs about Christ..

Christian based, but I think we may take them again. So many good activities to be involved in here. Orion liked it they talked about how God created the Star the moon and earth. They have Kylor memorizing scriptures from the Bible so that's a good thing. He seems so excited to particpate, friends from school attend also.

Sunday afternoon activity, Kylor singing song "Love is spoken here" this is cute. After his primary program he kept singing....all afternoon, I just had to get some on video

Here is Q on Mommy's lap

Sunday

Kylor's Primary program was today, he said his lines so good, with a little help with an older boy. It was his first time doing this with the Microphone. The theme was on "Faith"...he was so proud. He stayed up on the stand the whole time. All afternoon today Kylor was singing his primary songs aroung the house, it was so cute!
Orion is adjusting to being a Sunbeam now, He'd rather be playing in Nursery but what boy his age wouldn't, He stayed in his class longer today than last week. He'll get the hang of it soon. The cats are doing better Friday they got declawed and were pretty drugged up until today; they are actually playing again. We had a good Sunday played Uno and Mouse Trap with Kylor and Orion they liked that. Quinn is sleeping through the night really good now. He's growing so fast...
Last night Steve & I went on a date to "Arriba's" a mexican resturaunt they have down near the Praia Beach, we sat by a open window looking over the bay area, it was nice. The waitress even brought us a candle for our table while we were talking, it was nice. We'll have to go there again it wax excellent!!!

Kylor's latest &Orion's a helper

Orion helping Steve trim those Palm Tree branches off. They hang down pretty low over the side walk.





I recorded Kylor chanting this song he learned at school. It's a Portuguese game his Host nation teacher taught him. They sit in a circle and something to do with a tissue. I'm picturing it's like duck duck goose. The when you get a tissue on your back it's you. He's been teaching a thing or two of his own to us. It's so cute ot hear him talk the language here.

Quinn Studio Pix

uh?

Hello?

I'm gonna get you
Yeah

I think I can I think I can
I know I'm cute!

Here are the Praia Pictures we had done. Quinn 2 month 2 wks in these. There are more but these are the best ones he took.

Orion learning alot!

Yesterday at school Orion was being taught about the color White. The teacher asked him in English " Orion what color is this" and he replied in Portugese "Blanco" YAY! I heard about this through another mom that takes her child there too. I had already left him there. I'm so glad that he's understanding it, and picking it up. He says he doesnt want to go to school alot, but I know we are doing him a huge favor and he'll thank us later about this opportunity.We think it's mostly the seperation factor since he's three of course;he'd rather be at home with me instead of learning, and listening, go figure!
Steve went to ride his new bike and blew up the tires for the first time. He rode it just a little and we hear this LOUD shot gun sounding pop. We'll it was one of his tires exploding! Guess the rubber on that tire was really old. He was just standing next to his bike when it happened.
Audrey took Quinn to Praia to get his first offical studio pictures done they are so cute. We'll post a picture when we get them back. This friday we are taking our cats to get declawed both and then Felix fixed before he sprays.
The weather here has been great so it's nice to get outside !

A New Year, a New Time

Today Audrey went to the nutritionist here on base. He's giving pointers and helping us know what more to do to lose weight. He thinks if I stick to his food tips I should be able to drop 44 lbs by the time we leave here. That's my realistic goal atleast. Steve and I are both wanting to do better in the fitness area. Audrey has been working out alot these past 2 weeks and hope to keep it up, since she's been seeing the results she wants for doing so. Steve too! He does PT weekly though and already has that as a part of his life. It's hard to find that time to work out, but have to just put it into the daily routine either way.
Orion is doing so well in school. He's getting alot better with the seperation idea. Then Kylor doing awesome in school, he's had such a good attitude ever since Christmas was over. I think the excitment got to him a little. It was much better after the business was over though. We are happy to start routine again and he's glad to be back in school. He's reading so good. Steve is still on 3am-noon shift so we are still juggling sleep hours among the two of us. He tests for Tech again end of March. Hopefully he makes that promotion..Wouldn't that be nice!
note: We have talked back and forth on what trips we are going to take before we leave. We will be going to Naples, Italy and Venice Italy this spring probably March. We are going to try and fit in England or Greece ,Sao Miguel, another island Just so everyone knows, there are no plans for us to go home to Utah anytime soon. It will probably be in tranition of our move this NOV or shortly after depends..

Angra Day

Monte Brasil Playround area

Captian Ky
THe zip line Our FAVORITE PART~!

Climbing

On top of Monte Brasil (overlook area)

Angra View

Hey Orion
Rides
Audrey on coaster
Bumper car's

Issac and Ky
These were cool, they spun around and went left and right
Audrey went on this, freaky ride, plus the minimal saftey regulations. All the rides were exposed which I mean hardly any saftey railings on the sides plus the rides them selfs were pretty minimal on harnessing you in too. Audrey felt her over the head restraint click and loosen mid coaster on this bottom picture coaster, They air brushed all the art on the rides, lots of nudity in the art, it was quite interesting.

We went to Angra today after the JUDO Class preview for Ky up at the GYM. In Angra we went to Monte Brasil again, that place is so much fun. It's the biggest play ground on the island. While we were there, we met some people that invited Ky and Orion over to have cake and juice, chips with them. It was windy so they moved it to one of the big swing sets they have at this park. It was somebodies birthday she was turning 11. They were really nice to us, they spoke only Portuguese so we persued to speak in broken Portugese as we always do. We have gotten pretty good doing this. Then they had a fair down town Angra, and we all had fun there. It's been up all DEC & Monday they are taking it down. They had a few kiddie kids and then two pretty good size coasters. We went on rides and we saw some of our friends down there. The boys had fun with this. Quinn slept the Majority of the day, it was nice, especially since it was so windy, everytime a wind gust came it took his breath away & so he was covered mostly the entire time.

It was nice we saw our friends they they were able to go on rides together.

Today

looks at my curly hair's (only wet)

Thursday Orion's started back to school, he says he didnt want to go but suprisingly enough I was able to leave him much sooner than before. Kylor starts back on Monday. Kylor two times this week went to LYP the Youth Center and went to Angra Monday and Bowling yesterday, he had lots of fun being with his friends, plus beats him staying home and being board watching TV while I help Quinn. Quinn got shots today he did actually really good. I was trying to put them off but I decided best be done and get it over with. He didnt cry much at all.

Steve and I got Lucy to watch the boys, and went and played Raquetball, Steve got me some raquets and balls for Christmas so we are going to put them to good use. We had a good time, I think since we are devoting so much time to our Children these days it's nice to remember who we really are without our kids...Playing sports together is a good way to connect for us. Since swimming right now is not an option, we are trying to find other hobbies we enjoy doing together. Later we went down town in search of a pacifier holder chain thing, they are different here, so I decided it would be fun to get a trendy one like what they use on the island. It's amazing to us how long alot of kids use those Binks..until 4-5 yrs old, we've seen that here alot Portugese mostly... Yeah we'll be sure to stop that by the time he's 1 yrs old. If he's talking no susha's (binks)

We watched a movie tonight "License to Wed" that was cute. Tommarrow we are planning on going to Angra. They are some Free JUDO classes at the GYM for 5-7 yr olds we are going to see if Kylor is interested in learning.

Check us out!

Steve & Audrey getting our grooves on.....Just for fun!

New Years craziness at our house!

CHEERS!

FINALY GOT HIM!

Cross eyed crazy Ky

Cupid Shuffle Go STEVO!!!!

We just stayed home after days of trying to decide what we wanted to do. All the nanny's were busy so we stayed home after all. We played DDR & let the kids stay up and be nutty. Hey

Quinn's Close up