Since the last post...

{{Picture Dump}}

Since the last post...
We enjoyed a fun visit from the Johnsons...
which of course included Chuck E. Cheese (David took Madi on a date)
and Red Robin (They all took me on a date) where we celebrated my birthday on St. Patrick's Day

Celebrated it again so the kids could make a cake...

Enjoyed gorgeous weather

Took our usual Tuesday and Thursday trips to the library for storytime (this was the walk home one day)

Went to a fun Spring Festival at a local rec center the day before Easter
and played lots of carnival games perfect for toddlers

 

 

Colored eggs... no good pictures because every time I got the camera out someone spilled
(orange for this shot)


Hunted and counted eggs (that's a focused face)
Don't judge me for the quality of my photos- I've been trying to focus on memories, not forcing great pictures (not that I could get great ones if I tried, but this is my good excuse.)

 

That one's better...

And attempted some photos together.  Well, success.  They are together.

What did you expect?

Celebrated Auntie Maraea's birthday with Ice Cream Cake

And this afternoon we went to the pool to stick our toes in and see how long till swimming season.
I could barely stand having my feet in because it was still so cold.  The kids had another idea...

Maybe next time we'll wear swim suits.

We're having a great time here in Vegas.  Not doing anything too exceptional but sticking with our usual favorites and loving life.  We still don't know when we will be moving to Boise, but we're trying to enjoy what time we do have.  Sometime between May 20th and Sept 22nd... I guess we do know :o)

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter and are enjoying spring.  We miss you, friends and family!

Perpetually Behind

I'm a few months behind (again!) and not intending to catch up now, but here we are in March doing some of our favorite things.

@the Bellagio
 

feeding ducks

 

 Bathtime/water table/Swimming lesons :o)

Bowling during dad's spring break

Lots of coloring in this house

And some sewing too.

 

My First Photo Book!

Last year I bought a groupon for photobook credit and I finally used it.  I'm a procrastinator and (in some things) perfectionist so it has taken me forever (and great amounts of therapy) to finally complete a book and push the "Order Now" button.  Well, fortunately my groupon was about to expire so I had no choice but find the year that I was closest with and finish it up.  No it is not perfect, not even close, but it is submitted and I didn't waste the groupon money.  I learned from my dear friend Ann that "done is better than perfect" and I find myself repeating that nearly every day.

If you read this and are interested in a review or pricing of the project because you intend to do photobooks yourself, leave me a comment.  Otherwise I'll keep my opinions to myself.  But I will tell you that I LOVE HAVING THE PHOTOS PRINTED! There is something wonderful about holding it in my hands.  And, although it isn't perfect and I wish I would have done many things differently I am really proud of it.  Really it is piece of art- my family, my project, my art.  (there, I complimented myself.  Now you don't have to dig for compliments to leave in my comments :o)

Here is the digital version of the completed book:

 

| Learn About Mixbook Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

 Yipee! Done.

Late Christmas card

Due to a lack of addresses, postage funds and responsible behavioral choices many of you didn't get a Christmas card.  I'm sorry.  We still love you.  And really, even the people who got them got them late, so don't feel too left out. 

But Merry Late Christmas from the Millers.  I'll add the text of our letter after the picture... and eventually I'll post about Christmas.  But it was great.  :o)

Dear Family and Friends,

           

            It's been too long since we've sent out an update, but it's awfully late to decide to attempt this... so, here is your bulleted list 2011 review letter from the Millers

Who: Kevin, Kristen, Madison is 3 and Shayne is 1

What: Enthusiastically surviving Pharmacy School and growing up too quickly

Where and When: Henderson, Nevada until June 2012 then off to Boise, Idaho in July

Why: Why not?

details...

Kevin

·        With hard work, diligence and prayer Kevin is excelling in Pharmacy School
·        Can't wait for rotations and his final year to start in June
·        Amazes us every day when he comes home from a long exhausting day and can still be upbeat and full of energy to play with the kids before they head to bed
·        Accomplishments this year: was recognized by classmates and faculty as exemplifying kindness and good character, received a passing grade (90% or better) on every exam this year, dominated the doubles ping pong fundraiser tournament, still finds time for his family

Kristen

·        Swings back and forth from having a handle on the kids and life and living in complete chaos, but wouldn't have it any other way
·        Can't think of anything she loves more than the sound of the kids laughing together or finding them quietly reading a book
·        Has been sewing a lot more this year and enjoys creative time with friends (and kids) every Wednesday
·        Accomplishments this year: improving her sewing skills, found time to read several books, made many new and delicious meals for the family, survived and loved a month of bootcamp

Madison

·         Still a very caring and gentle girl who loves her family, just a little more 3 now...

·         Loves books and can't wait to be able to read them all by herself

·         We're learning about her creativity as she colors in the lines but mostly refuses to sing the known lyrics to songs as she prefers her own lyrics (and sometimes her own language too)

·         Plays well with and adores her brother most the time

·         Loves to swim whether it is in the pool, hot tub, bath or even the kitchen on occasion

·         Accomplishments this year: reading many words, potty training, going all the way under water long enough to pour tea, learning to write her name,

Shayne

·         Is a determined and passionate kid... when he is happy and loving he is REALLY happy and loving, but when he is not everyone knows
·         He amazes us with how much he understands and can communicate (with or without words)
·         Shayne's most frequently used words include: Happy, dog, hungry, cheese, cracker, swim, no and up
·         He loves dogs, balls, cars, babies, books and his big sister
·         Accomplishments this year: learning lots of words, jumping, learning to open the fridge (NO!) and mastering running

We have been so blessed in 2011. We are happy and healthy and full of gratitude for this fun time of life.  We hope that you all are doing well and know that we think of you and love you even though we are not good at keeping in touch.  We wish you all the best in 2012!

                                                                                                            Love, the Millers

Kevin's a Winner!

So I think it is lame that there is so little to say about Kevin's life beside, "He's studying so hard and performing amazingly in school..." blah blah blah, not so informative.  Well, this post is different.

In addition to the blah blah blah stuff... Kevin's a winner!  There was a fundraiser Ping Pong Tournament at his school today and he and his partner, Kelvin, won the Doubles tournament!  The kids and I got to go watch the semis and finals (I love that "semis' makes it sound so serious) and were impressed by his skill.  I guess the Ping Pong Table upstairs at Brookings was worthwhile after all.  Oh, and I have to mention, those of you who knew Kevin's former angry competitive self, he was not there... this competitive beast was replaced by a humble Ping Pong ninja whose skills spoke for themselves :o) He'll be embarrassed that I said that.  But he doesn't usually read the blog anyway, just skims and sees what pictures I post (like most of you I assume).  I guess this is a test.  ANYWAY...  Wahoo!!! For Kevin!

Okay, not so informative still, but better than just telling you he passed another test.

We love Kevin.  He's exhausted everyday but manages to get a second wind just for us.  We're so lucky.

Sorry, no pictures.  I wasn't thinking of this as a major life event requiring photography, but now I wish I had taken it, for the humor of it if nothing else.  But, I know the girls to steal pictures from later anyway.

One more, YAY KEVIN!