and then there were 3

Yes indeed. Maureen gave birth today to someone almost the size of her right leg. Devin was born today and was a moose. 9 pounds 1 ounce. Personally, I think the whole tradition of providing stats on a new born kid is a little odd, but, man, over 9 lbs. Figured everyone would want to see some pics. Here's some that progress you through the day a little. Maureen is doing great. She was already asking the nurse today about being released early. Crazy. See you all soon. Merry ho ho.

New Merk Addition

I heard through the grapeline that MoMerk delivered a fat little boy, 9 or 10 pounds.

Named the little man, Devin. I don't remember a boyfriend named that, perhaps it was a just a drunken hookup?

ToMerk should give paid lectures on the "boy" position. Three boys...What a lucky bastard!

Looking forward to seeing pics of everyone. Congrats to all involved, especially Granda and DrTom, grandparents thrice over now.

Mark Jr's Agility

click here

Winter Solstice Update

UJ has let it be known that he needs a new driver (pictured above)

DrMark would like a cd from or tickets to this group.

Bowling will commence at Fairway Bowling on Rte. 9 at 3pm on Saturday. So far, everyone has said they are coming except Joe and MoMerk (wimp).

I still haven't figured out where we will eat afterwards and am open to suggestions. Remember, they have to be close and big enough to be family friendly. Eating around 5pm should help handle the large group aspect.

I wouldn't recommend driving past the Natick Mall on Saturday. If coming from the west, take the pike down to 95/128 south then circle back via route 9 west.

By the way, my camera now can tape 40 minutes of video coverage. Last night it made it to Inez's work party at the Bell In Hand.

True Love????

The requests were flying in to see the fine men who almost stole Maureen's heart before she had the luxury of meeting her future husband. Ru is the second picture. The ozone layer was definitely affected the night Maureen worked on her hair before these pics were taken.

The Johns of the Johns

What with all the family scatology?

I am forever asking people to contribute to the blog (beyond just being the butt of jokes, DrMark) and somebody cut out that comic and asked me to post it.

Question - Why do you fossils still read the newspaper? Comic clipping went out in the 80s.



On a cleaner note, Happy Birthday original, inimitable Nana!!!!!!



The rumor mill has gotten wind of the Merk name possibilities.

The boy names are: Ru, Mike (very "poetic), and "beautiful eyes". I believe they are old boyfriend names of Mo.

In that vein, just think of all the possibilities for DrMark when he eventually has a daughter of his own!!!!

It would be kind of funny if you named your child after an old flame and your spouse found out years later.

We are still on for bowling in Natick next Saturday with an early dinner to follow. The Luds will be there as will Sarah. Still no word on the perma-bachelors DrMark, Kevin, and Joe.

Festivus of Cousins, Inlaws, and Outlaws

Saturday December 23rd there will be a cousins night out.

The tentative plan is to start at the bowling alley in Natick in the afternoon and then have an early dinner afterwards.

Details to follow.

Despite Sarah's petition, "old" relatives are cordially invited and most welcome.

UJ On The Mend

Skinny Mo

MoMerk up to a size 4 !!!!!

John Turns 2 !!!!!

Another Little One On The Way

This picture shows Katie and Garrett practicing how to hold a child. In June they will have their own baby. Congratulations.

That was the fastest Baby Pool winner ever! We will have to reset it again.

Louise?

Maggie?

Jenn?

Reset The Baby Pool

Yep, the F's, Cathy and Dan are pregnant.

Congrats.

I thought Dan looked a bit nauseous in those birthday pics...

Merk Costumes

Spiderman and ?

I am not so sure.

Still no update on DrMark's pumpkin carving festival this year.

NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Recent events include a 93rd birthday for Dad or Grandpa, or even GreatGrandpa. Vanda was challenged by the number of candles so she took a short cut and put on the joke ones that keep relighting. So, he got to blow out 93 candle flames.

Also in the news is UJ who will never again go through airport security without a pat down. He has a new hip and is doing very well. Here are a few pictures from the party hosted by Vanda. DrMark represented the "kids".

Mark Jr's Halloween

I could be wrong, but it appears that MarkJr was a polar bear.

LittleJohn was a fireman (shown below without his hat and battle axe).



I wonder what the MerkBoyz were?

Where Is A Shark When You Need One?

Maggie and Ryan's mongrels.

Happy B-Day DanF

What is going on with the three fingers?

Everything else we'd all expect.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SARAH

Sarah has a new job working in Newton. This is great news since this is her chosen field and a special man lives in the Newton area. Good Luck Sarah!

Caught on Tape

The Actual Baptism of Christine

The rest of the pics are on LittleJohn's website. (There are two pages there folks - let's see if you can find them all.)

DrMark said he would stop by afterwards. It's 8pm and we are still waiting. We are going to bed, but will leave the door unlocked. There plenty of leftovers in the fridge.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made it such a special day.

Once again dinner at Anne & Wayne's

Mum, Dad, Helena, John, Vanda & Tom joined us for dinner tonight. As usual the first thing is to go over all the new additions to the blog, which we love. My guess is 214 pictures in Helena's house, but if the prize is that 20 year old trash can then my guess is one picture. Beef stew, fresh baked bread and home made apple pie all vanished. I'm going to try to send a picture of everyone crowded around the computer and also some great pictures from Iceland. If geology interests you this is a great place to visit. Tom told us how well Dan played golf last week, better than Tom.

Living La Vida Golfa

DrTom and I played an almost perfect round of golf today with his regular Wednesday crew.

Meteorologists forecasted a 70% chance of rain but there was nary a drop.

DrTom may know how to swing, chip, and putt, but he can't drive a golf cart worth a lick.

So get this, after the round, he and his cronies drank beer, inhaled nachos, and plotted their next 20 or so golf outings. I am serious.

It must be nice...

Finally A MarkJr Update

LizL writes,

I sent you a bunch of pictures of us in Maine a month or so ago but I guess you didn't get them so I am sending you some from Maine and from Mark Jr.'s 1st Birthday party. He is doing well. He started walking two weeks ago and now he thinks he can run, but by looking at the bumps on his head I think he needs a little more practice.





I can't believe they let MarkJr dig into the cake like that and ruin such a masterpiece!



Great pics. Keep them coming.

Labor Day

We had a very nice cookout yesterday at Vanda's. Kevin and Jenn manned the grill. Helena watched bratty LittleJohn. The rest of us relaxed.



Discussions covered Winston Churchill, the rankings of DrMark's old girlfriends, and male hands-free urination.



The house was decorated for all seasons.



Now I would recommend that any blogger stuck with writer's block go to Worcester for a day and harvest the cornucopia of blog material that is our family.

UncleJohn could fill pages all by himself. The other day he actually forgot his own name.

He was calling LittleJohn, "Jonathan" instead of "John Anthony". I screamed,

"DAD, YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR OWN GRANDSON'S NAME!!! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, WE NAMED HIM AFTER YOU!!!"

Also he was reading an ad from Percy's for a "Mitsubuki" television. (It was actually Mitsubishi). I guess he tried to make it a Polish company. Would anyone actually buy a Polish television?

His chore for the cookout was to get a Friendly's watermelon roll or two. This escapade would be fodder for a two part Seinfeld episode all by itself. I can't tell the whole story but it started out with him walking by the watermelon rolls at the store last weekend - he couldn't buy them then because of chronic freezer clutter. And it ended with him driving all over town looking for watermelon rolls while the cookout was under way.







Speaking of clutter...

This week's family contest is to guess how many family photos grace the main floor of Helena and UJ's house. Those pics above don't contain all of them. I counted and the closest guess will win a new trash can.

Boy, time does fly. Click here to see last year's Labor Day post.

Everyone should keep AuntMarge in their thoughts and prayers. She suffered a mild stroke this past weekend.