February 29, 2008....Leap Year!

A new brother (or sister) for Charlie due to arrive in February! Given our extended family's track record with boys vs girls (total seven boys, no girls) we are assuming we'll have another son and so bought the 'boy' shirt.... Long live the Merkel name! We are thrilled...and Charlie just likes his new shirt.

Chillin Out Time

Ahhhh so relaxing...

Every boy needs a wagon....

Charlie has a big fan in his Great Grandpa Dennis.

The first time Great Grandpa met Charlie at the age of 3 weeks,

he said 'You are the beginning of a great man.'

They were off on a sweet relationship.

On our most recent visit in July Great Grandpa was reminiscing about his childhood and became tearful remembering how he was never able to have the wagon he wanted because they were too poor. Later in our visit Great Grandpa had a special gift for Charlie...money to buy his very own wagon.

Thank you Great Grandpa!!