All Things Morrill

Meet Walter

2010-10-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

Walter has joined our family.

More Pumpkin Patch Pics

2009-11-05T14:32:00.001-08:00

Pumpkin Patch

2009-11-05T14:28:00.001-08:00

That is Apple-Dipping cream accidentially dropped upon his head. Don't worry plenty made it into his mouth. . . I mean PLENTY.

Trick-O-Treat

2009-11-05T14:25:00.001-08:00

Trick-O-Treating at our neighborhood.

Party Pics 3

2009-11-05T14:22:00.001-08:00

As you can see we had a great time and Aria liked the cupcakes.

Family Party 2

2009-11-05T14:20:00.001-08:00

More Halloween Pics- Family Party

2009-11-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

Halloween 09

2009-11-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

We had a great time this Halloween with a couple of Pumpkin Patches- picking produce at the farm- Legoland-and of course trick-or-treating. We tried to go as a hive, but the three year old wanted to be a pink kitty, and a pink kitty she shall be. I'll post more images soon.

Aria's First Day at Pre-school

2009-09-08T10:11:00.001-07:00

It is always hard to let them go, but Aria is lucky to start a Pre-School with our good friends in Long Beach, Mrs Tammi. She has a great little program and Aria loves her already.

We have buckets for things to bring and to take, and the kids decorate them. As you can see, Aria's bucket was a flower explosion. I asked her how many flowers are on her bucket. Her reply, "all of them!"

Latest Photos

2009-08-25T13:44:00.001-07:00

Latest Photos

2009-08-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

We were able to get some portraits done of the little ones. Our Photographer Brett Jennings is a magician. We had several melt downs this afternoon, but she pulled these and other gems out of the session.

Aria's Tea Party

2009-06-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Aria is quite the party planner. Here is her doll house filled with all of her little friends. (Too many little friends, Grandma Lewis!)

Aria walked me through the party scene. these friends are watching the movie, these are playing the game, these are taking a nap ( they had better be) these are eating cake . . .

She will either be a great party planner, or the bane of my parenting existence for the high school years.

Aria + Bella

2009-06-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

Here are the partners in crime. What is the crime? Nap prevention and delayed bedtimes.

The Eyes Have It

2009-06-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our little Owl. there are also a few pics of his first taste of Sweet Potatoes mentioned in the previous blog.

I can't wait until his eyebrows darken a bit. He looks like a movie star in an old time silent film.

First Food

2009-06-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

We are now entering the world where Formula simply will not do.

Kian was introduced this week to solid stuff ( if you can call it solid) We have introduced Cereal. the action shots are his reaction. UNSATISFACTORY. we scored a bit better with Sweet Potatoes. though if he is anything like his sister, he will like the homemade stuff Kerri makes much better. I think it's the half cup of butter mixed in but I'm not sure.

As you might be able to see, Kian has finally decided that his eyes will be brown. this is nice for me because it will match the autumn theme we have going in our home with the reds and more reds, and various shades of red. His hair is lightening to about his sister's color, a bit lighter right now as it is just not coming in very fast. We think that it is because his head is so big, that it takes longer for the hair to grow up through the noggin.

Kian's smiles are electric. I have had difficulty capturing any on film, but his face explodes with delight. he grows another chin or two and his elfin ears ( thanks Morrill side) poke out even further.

We Welcome Bella

2009-06-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

After putting up with months of Lebowski calling annoyingly for his friend Chloe ( She ain't comin' back). We finally decided he needed a playmate for when we are gone and at night.

Enter Bella. A freebie kitty from a person outside Lowe's. I have to wonder about a home improvement store that allows free kittens to be given away. Most people are there to improve their homes not to have them destroyed. so pick up a "free Kitty" and while you are here, get some carpet cleaner, new drapes, a new rug, cheak out our line of fine wicker patio furniture! do you need some new house plants? come back in a few weeks when our sale will be over.

Anyway Aria has been out of her head excited about the little one. Bella ! Bella ! is all we hear or variations and tonal influctions of the same thing. We should have named her "Stella" for when Aria cries out for her when she has to go to bed: Beeeelllaaa!! Beeeellllllaaaaa! it is better than Brando. Kerri and I both laugh about this.

and no she is not giving Bella a Noogie in that picture

We're Back

2009-06-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Yes it has been a while since my last post and I have included some pictures of Kian to fill in the void of a few months. He is growing so fast. There are some older pictures from his first bath, as well as some pictures from his blessing.

Fun with Grandma Roses

2009-03-03T08:40:00.001-08:00

Aria had a great time when Papa and Grandma Roses came down in Jan.

Barbara took Aria out for an adventure in our community, which Aria thought was a lot of fun. Barbara snapped these pictures of Aria, which I thought were just too beautiful not to share.

Idaho / Park City

2009-02-20T09:59:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Idaho and Park City in February. Aria loved the snow in Utah and wanted to share it with her friend Henley Madsen. Henley is already well adjusted to the snow, but that didn't stop Aria.

Also is a picture of one of Aria's future boyfriends Kane.

The photo of Aria and the Cougar Rug has a great story: Aria was a bit anxious about stepping into my dad's house with the many heads and eyes in the entry. but she was soon at ease. However, when she was in the living room, she saw the rug and was a bit curious. She walked right up to the cougar and asked, "Oh Kitty, What happened to you?"

We laughed quite a bit over that.

The Four Generations of Morrill Men was the inspiration forthe trip, and we wanted to capture the moment for all to see.

Aria and Kian

2009-01-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

We were hearing from people how much Aria and Kian looked alike at birth, and so I created a couple snapshot side by sides of Kian and Aria and their features.
Note: Aria’s "Linus"head is due to her head sitting in the birth canal for 20 hours attempting labor, and then being sucked out with the vacuum attachment. It doesn’t look like it here, but it gave her a little halo, which she has tried desperately to have removed. Her head returned to her normal shape after a day or two.

Grumpy and Cute

2009-01-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

Some More Pictures

2009-01-09T11:14:00.001-08:00

Kian as almost 24 hours old. I have attached some additional pictures from his big day yesterday.

Kian Arrives Triumphant

2009-01-08T18:29:00.000-08:00

Kian is here. Just look at that first shot. It is like an Epic Poem.

Kerri is resting with the little guy, and we are getting to know one another.

Vitals: 6 lb 4 oz 19 "

We will post more images soon.

BTW-

Kian shares his birthday with Elvis. There was a cardboard full size cutout of The King in the Giftshop. We will have to take a picture.

Love All

Final Show of Aria's Solo Act

2009-01-07T09:06:00.001-08:00

Aria would like to wish everyone a thankful goodbye from the Spotlight.
Her 2 1/2 year run has been wonderful, and she would like the thank all of the little people who have made it happen for her. She will be assuming a shared production for the remainder of her career with a reoccuring role as "Big Sister". She thinks that this ensamble cast offers her a chance to meld her talents with a new comer to the stage- some young upstart named Kian. The production heads have promised her equal billing, though they made no promises regarding the media reaction to the new cast member.
In leau of gifts, Aria has requested that a fund be created to secure her treasures which will be subject to considerable harm and disarray during the near future.

Well, we are very excited and a bit trepidaceous today. We are packing up for a long weekend at the Hospital. Aria will be able to spend most of the time at Gammy Lewis' house a few miles away from the Hospital, and she is looking forward to that. Kerri is a bit nervous as this is a scheduled C-Section, and we know it will happen as to having it be of necessity with Aria. So basically it is the same without all the drama and frustration of waiting for dilation that wasn't happening fast enough and the fluctuations in fetal heart rate that we had for 20 hours before Aria's eventual C-Sec.

We will post pictures as soon as possible. We are taking the laptop to the Hospital so I can post pictures ASAP, as I know many are anxious to see the KIWI.

Stay tuned to this channel in the next few days.

Christmas at the Morrills

2008-12-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

As most of my family shivers this Christmas, we are happy to report that we too are cold this year. It even rained, and Aria has had to wear on occasion a sweater or jacket.

It was certainly late this year, but we could not go without getting the tree up and decorated. It took us an eternity to get the tree out of the bottom of the pile of boxes in the garage. but to see Aria get so excited about decorating the tree, it was worth every minute.

It is funny. Last year we had a 24" no-fly-zone at the bottom of the tree, this year, as Aria was responsible for that same lower 24", the tree is bottom-heavy. She really likes decorating the tree. I have included an image of one of Aria's favorite branches.

We are in great anticipation of some peace this Christmas season. We are enjoying the calm before the storm as it were. We have been informed today that Kian's arrival will be pushed back to the 8th of January. This is tough because we were very excited about the 5th. It shares the same day as a couple of important people in our lives. Kian's "uncle Jared" is Jan5. Aunt Michelle is a 5th, and we have a few others.

We hope all have a wonderful Christmas. We hav truly been blessed this year, and are appreciative of all that we are given, and able to give in return.

Merry Christmas.

Kian Waves Hello

2008-11-10T12:55:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure, but I think he flashes a gang sign near the end of the video.

We are excited to meet "the Kiwi" (his first official nickname) He will have and already has many nicknames. Those already monikered: The Boy, Wiggle Worm, Fred Astaire, Rocky, The Parasite, The Alien. Many of these refer to his highly active en utero antics.

"Kiwi" is of course a play on his name. No decision yet as to whether it applies to the fruit or the bird. This should depending on his hair condition at birth.

Lots of wild hair= Bird

More fuzz = Fruit

No Fuzz = Bird Egg.

La Casa Nueva del Morales

2008-11-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is. We are very excited about our new home. We invite all to come and visit. If you come during November, bring gloves and a paintbrush. We will be moving in small batches as the new home is a few miles away, and Kerri will be of little more that directive help. We should be completely moved in by the first of December.- More pictures to come as we get moved in.

On saturday, as we were driving to our current apartment, Aria got a bit fussy.

"What's wrong Aria?"

"I don't want to go to this home."

"Why not?"

"I want to go to our new home."

So, I guess we are making a good decision, and appeasing the right critics.

Words of encouragement are always appreciated. We are a bit nervous about this exciting change.

2008-10-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

It kinda felt like Fall this weekend. The Santa Ana winds died down, and we had jacket weather for a few days. We took full advantage of the season and Kerri's good strength to visit the Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Ranch. It is almost a normal thing in the middle of OC. Aria loved the rows of pumpkins and finally chose one that was not too heavy, as most were said to be. We will go back for the Corn Maze, as they were closing for the day when we showed up. More Holiday fun next week.

Bandon Dunes

2008-10-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year Kerri and Barbara treated Dad and I to a couple of rounds of golf at Bandon Dunes, OR. I know this is old, but it the coolest thing I've done in a while. We also had Dad and Barbara come down for the US Open. We were there Sat and were able to follow all of our favorites. Tiger won eventually after a great dramatic playoff on Monday.

Here are some pix of Bandon Dunes Scotland, sorry Oregon.

" I am doing it..."

2008-10-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my GGGP Laban Drury Morrill. Look at those hands! It would be like shaking hands with a bunch of bananas.

Apparently someone told him a funny joke just before this picture, he was not known for displaying so much mirth. Laban is one of my family history heroes as an example of always doing what is right with the Lord. The second picture is of the rest of the family. I'm starting to think my particular brand of humor would be less appreciated a few generations ago.

Bubbles

2008-09-19T11:40:00.004-07:00

Little Miss Bubbles accepts her crown. She loves her bubble baths

Yogurt

2008-09-19T11:40:00.003-07:00

Easter Morning was greeted with Sheep at the table, and a full breakfast including yogurt, that despite all evidence actually made it to the inside of aria's mouth.

Disco Girl

2008-09-19T11:40:00.002-07:00

This spring, Aria had a great time at Baby Loves Disco. A nightclub rents out its space for the daytime and stocks the bar with cookies, carrots, juice etc. Some parents dress up as well. Our little girl got her hair curled, and went Latin Ballroom style. (Think Lucile Ball y Ricky Ricardo) Redheads can pull off Latin. She won a prize ( children's books) for her great dance moves.

Per Request

2008-09-19T11:40:00.001-07:00

Per request, here is a postcard I made for Aria of some photos taken this spring. Yes that's right Spring.

Announcing Baby Kian

2008-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Still under development, and expected to be released as an '09 model, These spy photos reveal the latest from the Morrill Design Group. The "KIAN" as it will be called, promised to be a smaller and lighter version of the couple's previous work. Nerw features include improved cuddibility, and enhanced immobility. No word yet as to the dB output of the running motor, though all can assume that it will be much louder and harsher than the delightful ARIA previously enjoyed. This year's model also has something new under the hood. Security was tight but our spy photos were able to make out a thinly disguised package of Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies incorporated in the new design. This brings a warm smile to Daddy's face, as he just bought some new gear at REI.

2008-08-08T11:22:00.001-07:00

A recent Ward Luau called for something big on a shoestring budget. I designed these heads to be a simple decoration that had a lot of Wow-Factor for the money. We made four of these heads to greet our ward guests. There was also a 12' tall smoking volcano, but the heads were the biggger "hit" ( quite literally with some of the younger kids).

The attached Easter Island head was constructed out of a 4'x8' sheet of cardboard, a few cardboard scraps, and some glue. I have posted the design plans here in case your garden party just wouldn't be the same without a row of these somber gentlemen looming over your guests as they eat roast pig. I was able to make four of these in a couple of days, but it should take about 2 hours each if you had a good worksite. Enjoy!

Arialand California

2008-07-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

Aria had a great time this spring at her own Amusement park just out in front of Disney's California Adventure. Who knows she might even like the attractions inside the park as much as running around her letters.
We had a great time at Club 33- there are some people that get to eat lobster tails for brunch, for brunch I say, along with filet mignon. It beats a churro.

Entering the Bloggosphere

2008-07-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

I know we are late to the party,
but then again how much fun could you have had before we got here?