Our trip to Navajo Dam

Well, we had intended to visit the Grand Canyon this weekend for Dylan's birthday, but due to several glitches, we didn't make it. So today we decided to grab the boat and head out to Navajo Dam. It was a beautiful day, and we had a fabulous time. Lauren just finished making the boat a couple of weeks ago, and I'd never had the pleasure of riding in it until today. (The boys had taken it out fishing, but I was flower shopping with Kim and Mom, so I didn't go). So we swam, cruised around in the boat, and soaked in the sun today. And even though we had been disappointed to not make it to the Grand Canyon, this was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable days we've had in a long time. Sometimes flying by the seat of your pants beats all.

A Poem by Dylan

One Morning at Aztec Nature Center

Geese are taking their time coming
up to shore for food
As I watch, baby robin red breasts follow their mother
to the feeding dish
Muskrats pop up from the icy depths of frozen rivers,
and a young ladybug makes its way
across the window


--Dylan Hurst Merritt

This is my latest quilt. My mom gave me the fabric for my birthday, and I just finished it this weekend. She wanted to see how it came out, so I posted it!

What's up with the Merritt Family

Here's the latest with our family (Christmas letter style):

Lauren's working for the City of Farmington as the IT training coordinator. He's obsessed with building guitars (see link to his page on the right) which takes up most of his spare time.

Jen's working for Farmington Schools, reading lots of books, and doing a bit of quilting here and there.

Dylan's in 3rd grade this year. Both boys are going to a new charter school called the Mosaic Academy, and are doing really well there. He reads almost as much as his mother, and plays video games like a madman. He has recently started collecting coins.

Riley's in 1st grade, and recently lost his 2 front teeth. So cute. His obsession is dragons and pirates, and has taken up collecting trading cards.

The family collectively has discovered the joy of music festivals (mostly Folk, but others as well), and we go to the ones in our area as often as we can. We're all home-bodies, and enjoy just hanging out at home together as much as we can.

A few great books

My first day as a blogger, and I've already received a marriage proposal! So exciting.

I'm starting a book list to the right. I'll rate the books on a scale from 1 to 10.

I’m currently reading Shalimar the Clown by Salmon Rushdie, and thoroughly enjoying it. I’ll get you a rating soon…

Happy reading!

Jen

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! Thanks to my sis, Kim, for getting me going on this. I'll be posting family news, and also books that I'm reading or have read that I think you might like. In addition, I'd love for you to send me suggestions for great books.

More to come!!