March 4
He was so excited to wear this silly fun hat today 
“Be Who You Are!!” -Dr. Seuss
Love my little guy. My wife, Anna Pember Merrill, has been working hard to teach Harrison to read. He is doing so well! So fun to watch him read!!! He is so excited to learn right now!!
Harrison and I got a little over excited and went and picked up 6,000 lbs. of pavers for our back porch. I find I love doing projects when I get worried about my big boys and can't do anything about it. I suddenly will find myself at Home Depot, calling and asking Loren how much can the truck and trailer load? Ha Ha!!
Harrison was amazing!! Even through the owies he worked right along my side without quitting!! And pushing mom along!!! love my partner in chrime!!!
March 4
Opening Night was a hit!! Absolutely incredible!!! (It was sad that lots of people got turned away due to Covid, so limited number of people.) 5 more nights -2 weekends!! Entertaining and funny!! Dancing was incredible!!
March 6
Here We Go Again!!!
Crazy For You 
Good time with friends!! Proud of all these incredible teenagers. Very talented
My favorite part tonight was watching Harrison and Caroline laughing and enjoying watching their big sisters from the front row.March 7 ~Charlotte, my sweet baby girl, just turned 17 years!!!! Wow!!
MARCH 7
This girl is my ROCKSTAR
if she’s told it can’t be done she will figure it out! Happy birthday to this glorious 17-year-old! I love you Charlotte
You are one incredible young woman! 
I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. So many reasons to celebrate this day! We weren’t even sure that she would make it to a teenager and now she’s one year from being an adult! Tears and thrills all at the same time! I’m beyond proud of this beautiful little woman. 
For Charlotte, from her teacher, Ms. Roxie Roes
March 8
I’ve been really impressed with how hard these girls have been working especially the last several weeks on the musical/play. They’ve been going strong till midnight almost every night. And oh yes I’ve been concerned about their health and trying to make sure they get enough sleep. 
but if you ask these girls, keeping up their health regiment every day has really helped to keep them healthy and strong and going hard. They are looking forward to spring break! 
But are loving every minute of the singing, dancing and being with friends!
March 10
Friends, fans!!! 
It’s the best when our dear friends show up!! Just love love these people!! And Charlotte is dancing!! One of my favorite scenes is “Slap that Base” 
Thank you incredible directors for a great time!! Such Talent
Love that they involve everyone and that my girls get to do this together.
March 11
Unified Cheer
They were amazing!!! Thank you Varsity cheerleaders for coaching this cute bunch of cheerleaders!! #virtualstatecheer It’s so fun and sweet to see Charlotte coaching a cute little girl with Cerebral palsy how to use her walker and cheer her best 
Here's a great example of the diversity with age with those that play Pickleball @ the Duel in the Gila valley.
Thank you all that participated in the tournament at Thatcher over the weekend.
I feel it was a success in many ways.
Thank you to Thatcher High School for hosting.
Chris Cook and Juie Julie Johnson Cook .
Mike Hoxie, for running the program to get everyone connected to play and all your technical knowledge.
Valerie, our Pickleball ambassador there in the Gila Valley for all you did to prepare for it and during.
Thank you, Anna Pember Merrill and Loren Merrill with unified Sports Lobos for coming and participating and making it even funnier with you all being there.
So happy that they are thrilled to play Pickleball.
I also got to play Pickleball with a bunch of outstanding people.
Thank you Tex Texeira for being my mens doubles partner, you are playing so good at the age of 86 years old, you are a inspiration to me and I'm honored to have you as my friend. Bonnie, your wife is your backbone.
Thank you you for hosting a rap up barbeque with a few of my friends in your incredible house on wheels.
Calvin and Stephanie Davis Johnson , thank you for keeping me in your home and feeding me and place to lay my head.
Rhonda Ronda Sweet for being brave taking on the big shots in 4.0 , you are a champion in my eyes for the challenge and doing it.
You played so well.
You are much better because of the experience my friend.
To all the volunteers that helped in all the ways you did. Before and after.
Mike Hoxie, you are the man for the program you run.
It was a success because of you.
All of our sponsors, you rock.
Shelby Cake , thank you for being the grand sponsor.
By the way , your cakes are out of this world.
Had some at John and Brenda Hendersons.
More sponsors, Blue Ridge Dental, Owen's Livingston Mortuary, Gearbox paddles, Jigsawhealth, Don Langdon, Doug Wing, CoreValuEz4Life
, thank you all.
And you two, John and Brenda, for making the evenings fun.
Sorry for being so tired while I hung out with you guys.
See you all in October for the next Pickleball tournament in the Gila valley.
We have missed this!!! Playing unified means so much to us because we are all so capable of anything we try! We had such a fun time in Thatcher playing pickle ball with our amazing team. -Leah Clarke
Thank you for your example, support and being apart of inclusion with our Unified team!!! We were so excited to be apart of this with you and the tournament!! What a great time and wonderful memories -Anna
Naomi has had so much fun with her Special Olympics Unified Cheer Team. Thanks, Anna Pember Merrill!
Love this wonderful group of kids in our community, coming together to cheer and have fun together! Awesome parents who love and support this team And these friendships, no matter the differences
Amazing Varsity Cheer Leader‘s coaching, being an example, and building relationships that turn into beautiful friendships!!  Go unified team! This awesome team is going to virtual Unified cheer competition this week
This awesome team is going to virtual Unified cheer competition this week details to come, if you would like to join and watch!
Grandma and Grandpa came to watch the girls perform!!! So much fun and celebration
March 12
Amazing!! Only one more night to come watch CraZy for You I get to spend most of the time back stage, behind the curtains, fixing hair, make up, and any other creative repairs on costumes and these awesome talented teenagers. I cherish these moments I get to see Charlotte dancing, as well as my sweet Kika behind the curtains!! It’s not easy for Charlotte to balance, quick costume changes, running back stage to get the rope for “Slap that Base” in the dark, but I’m grateful she allows and wants her mother to help so she can participate with the cast. She is totally confident and understands her limitations and isn’t afraid to ask for help, so she can try new things. Love love love how kind and caring all these kids are to each other... running around quickly and being where they need to be, smiling and loving on each other. Such kindness and such talent. 
Everyone is involved and everyone is having truly a good time! It’s as beautiful backstage as it is from the audience. All smiles
I get to spend most of the time back stage, behind the curtains, fixing hair, make up, and any other creative repairs on costumes and these awesome talented teenagers. I cherish these moments I get to see Charlotte dancing, as well as my sweet Kika behind the curtains!! It’s not easy for Charlotte to balance, quick costume changes, running back stage to get the rope for “Slap that Base” in the dark, but I’m grateful she allows and wants her mother to help so she can participate with the cast. She is totally confident and understands her limitations and isn’t afraid to ask for help, so she can try new things. Love love love how kind and caring all these kids are to each other... running around quickly and being where they need to be, smiling and loving on each other. Such kindness and such talent. Everyone is involved and everyone is having truly a good time! It’s as beautiful backstage as it is from the audience. All smiles 
What are we doing to boost our immune systems!! 
We found a great concoction that we drink every morning. A fabulous yummy mixture of elderberry, Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and yeast extract which is a great postbiotic. (Yay!!! No choking down more pills!! 
). FIVE TO THRIVE 
Tonight at 6:30 we will further be discussing on zoom our immune system and how to help jumpstart it 100% within 24 hours. message me if you would like the link.
We found a great concoction that we drink every morning. A fabulous yummy mixture of elderberry, Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and yeast extract which is a great postbiotic. (Yay!!! No choking down more pills!! ). FIVE TO THRIVE Tonight at 6:30 we will further be discussing on zoom our immune system and how to help jumpstart it 100% within 24 hours. message me if you would like the link. 
March 13
Love this amazing group of kids!! All heart Cast Party at the Merrills!!
Cast Party at the Merrills!! 
March 16
Lot's of photographs of this incredible cast for friends and family! CraZy for You~ Steal away! Lot's of parents asked me to catch some pictures. (Lot's of my girls, sorry a bit partial, kinda like them. lol!) more to come #madnesswiththemerrillbudz#everyonehappierandhealthier#merrillsworktogetherplaytogetherstaytogether #snowflakelobos #crazyforyoumusical
CraZy for You! Love their face expressions! They put so much energy into their characters! I loved it!
Oh and the dancing, talent and excitement! Hilarious! Lots of great laughs!
Ha! I think I finally have them all posted for the cast. I had to wait for good Wifi days in this wind and weather to get them all posted, so sorry for those who have been waiting, that is took longer than planned. And super excited, I finally got the youtube video of some fun moments of the cast, so others can share it with those who couldn't come due to covid or other reasons. It's a crazy time and I am so glad we are all here to support and lift each other up. "CraZy For You!!
Great kids! incredible!!!
And oh the flowers!!! They received lots from family and friends!
Amazing!! “CraZy for You” Yay! I finally got it finalized, a quick fun youtube video, of a 2 1/2 hour Gershwin production by this Highschool cast, condensed down to about 30 minutes. I wish I could have got more video of some of my most favorite parts, but being back stage and helping didn't allow me to do that. So I put together what I had of some fun highlights through the musical. All the kids were so entertaining and did a fabulous job!!! And because I got to spend most of the time back stage, behind the curtains, fixing hair, make up, and any other creative repairs on costumes with these awesome talented teenagers, I got to cherish these moments and got to see Charlotte dancing with Cerebral Palsy, as well as my sweet Kika behind the curtains!! It’s not easy for Charlotte to balance, quick costume changes, running back stage to get the rope for “Slap that Base” in the dark, but I’m grateful she allows and wants her mother to help so she can participates with the cast. She is totally confident and understands her limitations and isn’t afraid to ask for help, so she can try new things. Love love love how kind and caring all of these kids are to each other... running around quickly and being where they need to be, smiling and loving on each other. Such kindness and such talent. Everyone is involved and everyone is having truly a good time! It’s as beautiful backstage as it is from the audience. All smiles
Yay! I finally got it finalized, a quick fun youtube video, of a 2 1/2 hour Gershwin production by this Highschool cast, condensed down to about 30 minutes. I wish I could have got more video of some of my most favorite parts, but being back stage and helping didn't allow me to do that. So I put together what I had of some fun highlights through the musical. All the kids were so entertaining and did a fabulous job!!! And because I got to spend most of the time back stage, behind the curtains, fixing hair, make up, and any other creative repairs on costumes with these awesome talented teenagers, I got to cherish these moments and got to see Charlotte dancing with Cerebral Palsy, as well as my sweet Kika behind the curtains!! It’s not easy for Charlotte to balance, quick costume changes, running back stage to get the rope for “Slap that Base” in the dark, but I’m grateful she allows and wants her mother to help so she can participates with the cast. She is totally confident and understands her limitations and isn’t afraid to ask for help, so she can try new things. Love love love how kind and caring all of these kids are to each other... running around quickly and being where they need to be, smiling and loving on each other. Such kindness and such talent. Everyone is involved and everyone is having truly a good time! It’s as beautiful backstage as it is from the audience. All smiles 
March 17
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 
and SPRING BREAK 
from Las Vegas
and SPRING BREAK from Las Vegas
March 18
“What happens in Vegas! Stays in Vegas!” So when Harrison asked if he could wear his Spiderman gloves while we walked around..... 
I am just so happy he’s walking around!
I am just so happy he’s walking around! Spiderman got to climb the Eiffel tower! Best part of the day!
Saying good bye 
to Vegas and our “bit of a break” from routine and everyday busyness. Loving, laughing and having fun as a family! Car games on the ride and enjoying M & M’s and the changes of scenery, a favorite
to Vegas and our “bit of a break” from routine and everyday busyness. Loving, laughing and having fun as a family! Car games on the ride and enjoying M & M’s and the changes of scenery, a favorite 
March 20
Good morning from our unified team! Hope everyone’s had a great spring break. Our fundraiser for this year is the Virtual Polar Plunge. Click on this link if you would like to join and please send me any, even quick videos, of you/friends/family that you have jumping into a bucket, a bathtub, lake, wheelbarrow, pool whatever your creativity is! Click on this link below.
and I just turned our cheer virtual video into the Unified Cheer competition in Arizona!! Can’t wait! It was awesome, our cheerleaders were beautiful and adorable!! It’s on YouTube if you want to take a look under Merrill Budz. supporting an awesome cause of those with disabilities and ALL being UNIFIED, creating friendships, teamwork and more Join us and be apart of our team
Hope everyone’s had a great spring break. Our fundraiser for this year is the Virtual Polar Plunge. Click on this link if you would like to join and please send me any, even quick videos, of you/friends/family that you have jumping into a bucket, a bathtub, lake, wheelbarrow, pool whatever your creativity is! Click on this link below. and I just turned our cheer virtual video into the Unified Cheer competition in Arizona!! Can’t wait! It was awesome, our cheerleaders were beautiful and adorable!! It’s on YouTube if you want to take a look under Merrill Budz. supporting an awesome cause of those with disabilities and ALL being UNIFIED, creating friendships, teamwork and more Join us and be apart of our teamAnna Pember Merrill donated to a fundraiser for National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Walking for MS, Together we are Stronger!! 
Thank you to all those who have or will support our Unified Team, not only are you supporting athletic activities, but YOU are also being a part of bringing Unity and awareness to our diverse World. My daughter says, “Let’s be Friends!!” That means ALL can be friends! It’s so wonderful to see team building, friendships and confidence created!!
I wish we could have come together to have our annual car wash and bake sale fundraisers to keep costs low for our athletes. But due to Covid, we have had to get creative!! It has been so fun seeing the videos and pictures being sent in of friends and family all over participating in Virtual Polar Plunge!! Such brave souls!!! Brrrr...so cold and so fun!!
Love this wonderful group of kids in our community, coming together to cheer and have fun together! Awesome parents who love and support this team And these friendships, no matter the differences
Amazing Varsity Cheer Leader‘s coaching, being an example, and building relationships that turn into beautiful friendships!!  Go unified team! 
This awesome team is going to virtual Unified cheer competition this week details to come, if you would like to join and watch! #lfvnlegacy
This awesome team is going to virtual Unified cheer competition this week details to come, if you would like to join and watch! #lfvnlegacy Not sure who to contact but we have over a dozen cows, several bulls in our yard and actually getting lots of damage. I called the police department, hopefully we can get some help. I’m not sure who’s cows and bulls these are. Actually a bit scared and frustrated because they’re destroying our property and all our hard work
Happy Easter!!! 
Love to you all and hope you feel the love of our Savior 
Yay!!! Shumways to the rescue! Thank you for saving the day! Thank you for everybody’s messages, sharing, phone calls and help 
word got out quickly! And they showed up!! They were literal angels walking across the field
word got out quickly! And they showed up!! They were literal angels walking across the field So lesson learned! The word was that somebody was riding quads and left the fences open on the ranch. Please stay safe riding quads and close fences behind you.
March 24
Yay!! Excited Exploring Art Class gets to get back into the community and create their murals .
And right from Art to Choir!
Amazing choir tonight Junior High!! Thank you Mrs. Shumway. Caroline was so excited to perform! We were allowed to be in person and not on zoom. Loved seeing the excitement!!
We were allowed to be in person and not on zoom. Loved seeing the excitement!! 
March 25
Fun busy day with all these beautiful people! I couldn’t be more blessed. Got to spend the day with my sister and dear friend Amy in the valley and then made it back in time for my girls beautiful concert. Thank you grandma for coming! And thank you to our amazing directors as always. 
had to alternate audiences, but I love that the district is doing what they can to support our teenagers
had to alternate audiences, but I love that the district is doing what they can to support our teenagers
March 26
Getting Ready for a big 40th birthday celebration of my little twin sisters. I was so hoping and praying that Satya would be feeling better by now. She is still struggling with Lymes disease, but has been amazingly tough through it all. We are learning to understand that our stress and passed traumas can make us so sick.
And Great Grandpa Charles Winston Pember was born in 1915 and would be 106 years old today. Satya says her one month count down for her birthday as a kid, after Grandpa Pember had his birthday. Then she pointed out that Dad, Keith Verlin Pember is her halfway mark on October 26 for her birthday. That's so neat that the 26th day is so significant.
Great Grandpa Pember introduced that Cake with milk in a bowl together and passed it down in our family. He always loved his bread and milk too. Celebrating his birthday with bread and milk for Dinner, Satya Says!!
March 29
Happy Easter 
Happy Spring! Loving the smell of blossoms in the air 
love the special messages that will be shared each day leading up to Easter. Enjoy!
Happy Spring! Loving the smell of blossoms in the air love the special messages that will be shared each day leading up to Easter. Enjoy! 
Happy Easter!!! Love to you all and hope you feel the love of our Savior 
March 31
#wellnesswednesday 
Wow!! What an incredible couple days!! We were so blessed to have our children’s doctors/surgeon come up the mountain and educate us and others on a more proactive approach rather than reactive. Total mind shift!! It’s incredible when even doctors are recognizing that surgery and medicine aren’t always the answer. We need to love and treat our bodies kinder. People are so willing to be proactive with their cars... oil changes, tuneups, detailing etc... we don’t want to wait for the transmission to fall out, let’s be ahead of the game!! Everyone happier and healthier! Reach out if you would like the link for tonight, we’re following up on allergies as we know this is that fun time of year! I have the recording from last week if you would like to watch it previously let me know. Happy Wednesday!!
Wow!! What an incredible couple days!! We were so blessed to have our children’s doctors/surgeon come up the mountain and educate us and others on a more proactive approach rather than reactive. Total mind shift!! It’s incredible when even doctors are recognizing that surgery and medicine aren’t always the answer. We need to love and treat our bodies kinder. People are so willing to be proactive with their cars... oil changes, tuneups, detailing etc... we don’t want to wait for the transmission to fall out, let’s be ahead of the game!! Everyone happier and healthier! Reach out if you would like the link for tonight, we’re following up on allergies as we know this is that fun time of year! I have the recording from last week if you would like to watch it previously let me know. Happy Wednesday!!
April 1
Dang! 
Happy April fools day 
always a bit confusing at our house! But I think my kids would be disappointed if they didn’t wake up to taped Faucets, crazy food and eyeballs in the fridge! I love when my kids chime in and play the pranks with me! Poor Dad!! 
the one time a year they get junk cereal! And then the biohack it with a banana and activators (Dog food for breakfast)
Happy April fools day always a bit confusing at our house! But I think my kids would be disappointed if they didn’t wake up to taped Faucets, crazy food and eyeballs in the fridge! I love when my kids chime in and play the pranks with me! Poor Dad!! the one time a year they get junk cereal! And then the biohack it with a banana and activators (Dog food for breakfast)
Love our annual April fools traditional dinner with our awesome neighbors! Dessert for dinner and dinner for dessert! Or is it reversed? 
meatloaf cupcakes? 
Is that really Pizza?
Dessert for dinner and dinner for dessert! Or is it reversed? meatloaf cupcakes? Is that really Pizza? 