Donovan's 1st month at home...

Giving Thanks...

Donovan getting out of a bath

Donovan exploring with his jungle friends

Thanksgiving Day with Grammie Merrill Thanksgiving with Angie's Family

Cousins (only 4 months apart)

Our family and our love has grown this year with addition of our son Donovan. We also have a new nephew (Angie's older sister's baby Jeremiah), and two more on the way (Josh's sister is expecting another baby girl, and Angie's younger sister is expecting a baby boy). We are so thankful to the Lord for our family and for all of His wonderful blessings!

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,

And Your faithfulness every night.

(Psalm 92:1-2)

Our Boy BLUE...

Blue and his new buddy, Marley

How we'll always remember our boy BLUE

Since the arrival of Donovan, there has been al ot of changes around the Merrill household, but none as big as having to give up our first son Blue. Angie and I had contemplated what we were going to do with Blue ever since we found out we were pregnant. As most of you know, Blue has more energy than a pack of sled dogs, and we eventually realized we could not give Blue the attention or life he needed once the baby arrived.

Blue has been with Angie and me for almost our entire marriage. He was like our first kid in a lot of ways. The crying, the drooling, and of course all the love. It was a sad day to give up a dog like Blue, who we both adore and miss a great deal. Our other dog Ernie has adjusted well, although we know he misses the days when he and Blue would wrestle for hours through the house.

We ended up giving Blue back to his breeder who has had nothing but positive things to say about him since she took him back into her care. She is currently in the process of finding Blue a good home, hopefully in Southern California so we can visit. Although we miss Blue to death, from all accounts he as happy as ever. He currently gets to play with 8-10 different Vizslas on a daily basis and apparently has made friends with the house cat. WHAT?!!! He's definitely not our dog anymore, playing with cats. We did not teach him that. :)

Donovan Photo's

The Surfer Mag the month Donovan was born

Ernie eye-balling his brother's Halloween Costume

Daddy's size 15 basketball shoe. Someday, son.

Donovan fits in most of Daddy's stuff

Donovan's Birth Story

A short peek at how Donovan entered this world.
(dont worry, it's all G rated)