We were so surprised when Darin's small group asked if they could have a baby shower for me at our house. We thought it was so sweet of them and were so excited that Darin's parents would also be there with us to enjoy all the excitement. After singing some songs and reading some scriptures they went straight into some games. We didn't take pictures of the other things but them remembered to get the camera out during the games. This game was hilarious! You had to take the clothes pins, while blindfolded, and place them on the person in front of you.

Here is Nacho and his grandson Pepe playing against each other.

Here is Pepe getting Darin ready for the battle against our Pastor Antonio!

They were both laughing so hard that they could hardly play. Darin would want me to let you know though that he did win!

I guess I pinched Marta a little to hard!

Don't worry, she got me back as she stuck all of them in my hair.

It really was a hilarious game to watch!

I know the picture of me is horrible but I wanted to show this sweet blanked that one of the ladies made for me.

She loved on Ashlyn. She is also expecting her first baby in January. We are hoping to make it back before she delivers!

Here is the gang! Darin's parents are there in the middle with me! They really seemed to enjoy the baby shower. They even played the pictionary game. They weren't scared to jump in there at all. It was so sweet that the Lord let Paul meet our mexican family. They also were able to be showered with love from Paul. He made all of them feel so important to him and he showed so much interest. We just give God all the glory for allowing us that time with him and are looking to upcoming trips of Phyllis coming to visit us. I know our mexican family would love to see her as much as we would!

Here is Avery after the late night. Everyone left around 11:30. I think Papaw and Nana were just as worn out as the kids. But we were also so pumped with excitement from all the cake and hot chocolate.

Here is Coop and one of his many poses!

Then little baby Ashlyn!

What a way to celebrate her life. With great friends and family!

2nd Day of Papaw and Nana's Trip.....

Papaw and Nana decided to walk with Cooper and Avery to go to the park while me and D got stuff together to go and eat some supper. Cooper still had the biggest smile on his face since Papaw and Nana were still in Mexico.

Here is Papaw swinging his first granddaughter Avery!

She was determined to not smile. It still makes me laugh when I think about Nana trying to take a picture of her and just as serious as can be she looked at Nana and said, "No, No Nana" it was so funny and cute!

Cooper on the other half loves to have his picture taken! Can you tell?

Nana tried to get a picture with Avery but she still wouldn't look. It is a very good picture of Nana though.

Cooper or aka SpiderMan loves to climb on this thing.

Avery still needs a little help. Papaw was there to guide and protect her though.

Cooper likes to climb up the slide but is a little nervous of coming down. Everyone looks at him a little weird when they see him coming down. Can't say I don't blame them. He is so funny!

The princess getting a little help from Nana on the slide.

Nana with her "mexican" grandchildren.

Darin and his daddy at our favorite taco restaurant. Julio (the server) treated Paul and Phyllis like royalty. Well royalty in Mexico. Gave them free frijoles, a drink to try and a free pastry thing. We never got that kind of treatment ;-)

I couldn't post a blog without Cooper's look!

Here is the whole gang!

Cooper's buddy Julio! Darin actually started reading the bible with him and he recently became a new believer. We are so excited for him and hope to start with his family as well. His mom already says that she can tell he is different. He also is one of seven children! He is also our favorite server at our favorite restaurant.

Oh yeah, don't forget baby Ashlyn! This is what she did most of the night.

I am behind on blogging my pictures. The last post I did was when Darin's dad was sick. This one is now when he is up in Heaven in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. We miss him dearly and have these post of their trip with us in his memory. You must truly cherish every moment. We love you PT!

Bienvenidos Papaw and Nana

We were so excited about seeing Nana and Papaw (Darin's parents). It had been over a year since we had got to see them besides on skype. So we were all pumped about their big arrival.

Nana started taking pictures right when we got home! I think they were a little excited as well.

Cooper was so happy to see them. He remembered them very well. He wouldn't take the smile off of his face that night.

Also Aunt Jill sent Cooper this Spiderman outfit and Nana brought some Spiderman underwear. Cooper had to put it on immediately! If you can tell he didn't care the order he put them on either. He was so excited he just put the underwear on the outside instead of the inside. But thanks Aunt Jill, Cooper feels like he still has to wear this daily. When he gets home from school the clothes come off and soon Spiderman is jumping down the stairs.

Cooper loves to take pictures. But not you normal smile and pose. He is very unique and likes to pose with his eyes going to the side instead. Very model like, don't you think? Okay, maybe a very different kind of modeling!

Avery wasn't sure what to think. She was too young when we left to really remember but had seen them on skype that she couldn't believe that they were real. She went right up to Papaw and gave him a hug at the airport. It was so sweet. It brought tears to my eyes just to see how sweet the Lord is in letting her love them and know that they are her grandparents. She didn't hesitate much at all.

Just a few more of Cooper's goofy poses.

Cooper was a little jealous. Nana would try and get a picture of Avery but then Cooper would have to jump right in.

You didn't think we were done with the silly poses did you? Not when you have a kid that is just like his daddy! You are never done!

It was time for supper. Well for most of us. Cooper got fascinated with Nana's camera that he decided he should take some pictures. With Nana's help of course.

Here is Avery enjoying her spaghetti and yogurt a little too much!

Then there is Papaw. So I wonder who Darin and Cooper get the poses from?

I love this one of Coop and Nana! A year is such a long time. But not long for Cooper. He was able to just pick back up like it has only been a few days away from Nana and Papaw.

I had to get another one in before the end of this post!

Couldn't forget little Ashlyn either. This is what she did most of the night. Sleep that is. Of course she got held!

We are so excited that Nana and Papaw got to come and see us. We will be posting more on their trip.

But I do ask for your prayers and now Darin's dad is in Parkwest hospital with kidney cancer. When they were here he was not feeling the best but was still a trooper. Then on the 23rd, the same day I found out my grandfather passed, we also got the news about Darin's dad with his cancer. He is in the hospital because he was very dehydrated and has not been able to eat. So please pray for him and the entire Mercer family. He is such a godly man and a great role model for the family. We love you Papaw and hope you get better soon.

We know the Lord is bigger than any cancer and can work miracles!

Catching Some Zzzzzzz's............

Cooper is our ball of energy in the house. So as soon as Cooper is out of the house and out of Ashlyn's face or chasing Avery around, it isn't much longer and the girls are knocked out.

Here is Ashlyn in here swing. She thinks she has to be all bundled up before she can go to sleep.

Avery was so worn out that she fell asleep while standing up and watching her Dora video. I have always heard of people falling asleep standing but this is the first time I had ever seen it. It was unreal!

Darin was so nervous about his little princess sleeping like that so he gently laid her in the chair. She was still out though!

We love our wild man Coop and all of his energy, but we also love for the girls to get somewhat of a nap as well!