Halloween 2015

Halloween was a fantastic weekend filled with fun, and also a learning experience.  As it turns out, costumes in Colorado must be adept enough to wear when it is 70 degrees, and also when it is 40 out.  We had to "ad lib" a bit from our original costume plan, and Eleanor had to leave her Super Girl costume behind for the good old trusty leopard costume, and Alice's Pop Star costume had to be altered to include a jean jacket. Live and learn, I guess.

The smell of candy was in the air, and the natives were restless!  Time for trunk or treat at Alice's school!

 

 

Hands down, the cutest pop star I have ever seen! 

 

This was Eleanor first Halloween to "get it".  She showed us every single piece of candy she collected.

 

Enjoying the fruits of her labor

 

 

 Event #2 Actual trick or treating,  This was the big show folks, and so chilly that Eleanor had to trade her cat ears for a cat hat!

 

 

Jeff, (the good sport) dressed up too! 

 

The kiddos got there loot, and Alice opted to come home early to pass out the candy and see costumes!  All in all, we have enough candy at our house to last until Easter, and the girls are already planning next year's costumes...

Eleanor is 3!

     Eleanor turned 3 (I seriously can't believe it!) on October, 25, and we celebrated with a Peppa Pig themed party at the WOW! Children's Museum in Lafayette, CO.  The kids had a blast, and Eleanor had the time of her life!  Here are some photos of our big event, and our big girl!

 

 

Alice and bestie, Emma, from the neighborhood 

 

 

Face Painting 

 

Me and my girl 

 

 

Arrrggghhh, Maytey!  Alice makes a fantastic pirate.

 

 

 All of the the littles enjoying a cupcake

 

 Presents!

 

An obligatory family picture. 

 

 

Eleanor with school friend, Gage.  Playing doctor with Alex. 

 

 

Eleanor with Baby Taelynn. 

 

Eleanor's 1st Day of Early Preschool

 

 

I realize that going to preschool 2 mornings a week is not a huge milestone, but this kiddo was ready to go to school just like big sister, Alice. She absolutely loves it! She looks like a little doll, and we are hoping her behavior at school will follow suit...;-)  This is our "spirited" child! At any rate, we adore her and it is hard to watch her grow up so fast!

 

 

MS4MS- A Coming Out of Sorts

 

 

So here it goes.  I have been struggling with my ability to walk due to leg weakness and heat sensitivity since shortly after Eleanor was born.  After nearly three years and about 15 doctors and specialists, I got an answer to my mysterious health problems, and it was not the answer I wanted. I have a very serious form of Multiple Sclerosis. The summer has carried a lot of weight and grief for the Merrell family, and with the support of my amazing husband, we are trying to make the most of my diagnosis and put our efforts towards fundraising and finding a cure so that I may continue to lead an active life as much as possible.  We held our own MS4MS event at the Hilltop Park to raise money for the Rocky Mountain MS Center where I am a patient, and we had a wonderful turnout considering we are still so new to Colorado!  I am so grateful to all the people that donated money and joined us for support.  Despite my diagnosis, I am determined to fight with dignity and grace, and make this a way that I can make a difference.

 

 

 

Jeff did an amazing job coordinating the event and getting donations from local businesses!

 

My friend Carra from high school even came to support me, and it made me very, very happy!

 

 

And off we go!

 

 

The two littles I am fighting for :-) 

 

 

My "coming out" photo.  The first time I have ever allowed myself to be photographed with a cane.  I guess I am just going to have to make them fashionable ;-)

 

Eleanor and best friend, Emma 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Mom 

 

 

Neighborhood friends Nicole and Cathi 

 

More friends from the 'hood: The Quintanas and my pal Julie

 

 

 

Together with my family and friends, we will do this! I hope that one day I will say "I used to have MS", and that day will be a good one!

Alice Goes to Kindergarten!

 Alice had her first day of Kindergarten at Silver Creek Elementary on August 19, 2015.  She was ready, I was not!  It was very hard to see my "baby" go to school, and little Sister really missed her too!

 

 

She was SOOOO excited!  Alice was fully prepared and decked out in her My Little Pony Dress, and carried her matching backpack and lunchbox.  A girl has to be very particular about her fashion on the first day!

 

 

Eleanor really wanted to be in one of the pictures too.

 

 

Waiting for the parade into the school.  I took exactly 2500 pictures of her.

 

 

Alice was very happy to be joining the ranks of the big kids in our neighborhood and starting elementary.  Here she is with "big kid" neighbor and friend, Jack. 

 

 

The whole family waiting for the 1st Day Parade.  We were so glad Dad was able to join us for the event! 

 

 

 

Lined up and ready to go.  By this time, I am lucky I got any pictures at all because I was shooting through wet, blurry eyes as this kid grinned back at me. 

 

 

 

And here she comes with her class to enter the school with teacher, Mrs. Keefe.

 

 

 

And off she goes! She is a "Big" Kindergartener now :-(  (and then when we got back home, I realized we had left her lunchbox in the car!)