Miller Time

Global Warming...

2012-01-09T14:04:00.005-07:00

We have been taking full advantage of the Spring like weather with picnics, playing at the park, motorcycle rides, & playing basketball as much as we can outside. Who would of knew that this was possible in Utah in the month of January?

All of our bushes and trees have buds all over them and we even spotted this little blossom in the front yard. I am just waiting for my forcynthia to bloom anyday. Even though Jason and my kids are missing the snow to play in, I could pull out the shorts and move right into full blown spring. But of course I know better.... i'm sure we will make up for it all in May and June.

Ringing in 2012 with a BANG!

2012-01-01T21:19:00.011-07:00

I can feel that 2012 is going to be THE year.....

Jayne loved hanging with all the adults. She thougth the whole night was for her birthday!

The girls made sure there was plenty of noise.

This little girl didn't make it to the ball drop, big surprise!!! She loves a good nights sleep!

Em didn't want to spend her night with us. She headed off to bigger and better.

* All and all it was a great way to end 2011. Bring on 2012! We are READY!!!

Merry and Bright!

2011-12-28T08:59:00.034-07:00

One of my favorite things to do each Christmas is to take my kids to visit my grandmas. They are the two cutest ladies I know.

Christmas Eve with the Clarks....

Christmas Morning...

Jayne told me her favorite present was her gum, it was gone in 5 minutes flat.

Christmas Morning at the Millers...

My favorite part of the day was taking these kids to church. They all sang in part of the program and made my Christmas the BEST!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

2011-12-12T21:07:00.025-07:00

We hope you are enjoying your Holiday Season as much as we are!

SO VERY VERY THANKFUL...

2011-11-29T09:39:00.018-07:00

I am thankful that I have atleast one sibling to celebrate the holiday with. And a pretty great brother if I do say so myself!

Each year we are so Thankful to have cousins as our best friends! Feeling the Love!

There is nothing that Max loves more than good food to eat and a day full of football games to watch! I couldn't love my two boys anymore!

And I'd have to say that Grandpa is pretty lucky to have so many cute girls that LOVE him!

I LOVE Thanksgiving because it starts out the Holiday Season with Love and Gratitude. We get a chance to think about all the things we have to be grateful for before the hustle and bustle of Christmas sets in. Each year the list of my blessings gets longer and longer and the more I realize the MANY blessings I have! You can see some of the many things that I am thankful for in these Thanksgiving pictures. My family is always at the top of list! I am so LUCKY to spend my life with them!

Here are a few things that I remember that was said as we each took turns saying what we are thankful for....

Jason - "Jesus"

Me- "My goodly parents, being a mom, and being married to Jason."

Emilee- "My heathly body, a good education and my mom." (I wish I had the mom part recorded)

Max- "My Dad"

Abbie- "Prayer"

Lucy-"The food"
Jayne- "Abbie, & Mom and Dad"

Diaper Free

2011-11-16T10:25:00.009-07:00

This little girl woke up last Monday morning and told me that she was ready to be potty trained. (I have been asking her for months but she would always tell me that it was too hard!) So of course the minute she was ready I jumped on it and put a pair of underwear on her and she hasn't worn a diaper since. In fact she NEVER had one single accident... even throughout the night. I guess she wanted to do things on HER terms, which is so JAYNE!!

Jason calculated that I have changed over 14,000 diapers throughout my years as a mom. I've been changing diapers for almost 14 years now, so this is kinda a BIG DEAL!!!....

But to tell you the truth, I've had mixed emotions....

Maybe diaper changing isn't so bad after all, if it means having a little one in the house.

Football Faves

2011-11-10T13:17:00.032-07:00

Scenes from our Halloween Weekend

2011-11-02T20:54:00.021-06:00

The Miller Family Had a Happy Halloween! The weather was Unbelievable and we celebrated all weekend long.... With the Ward Party and Trunk or Treat...Jayne and her Best Buddy Ryder...Abbie and the Gals...(Check out Isabelle's Peacock costume, of course she belongs to Colett)

Lucy and her Besties...

Max, Trucky & Zane at the School Parade...

Getting Ready to head out Trick or Treating....

My little Pirate... She wouldn't put anything on her head.

Em and Alyssa before they head off to their big party for the night.

My adorable fairy...

My Spunky Bulldog Cheerleader...

My cute little nephew Wesley...

The two boys...

And all the girls at Grandma Millers party. She always makes the BEST food and the makes Halloween so much fun! And the best part was having Lewis and Muriel in town!

Frightmares

2011-10-25T11:15:00.021-06:00

It has become a Miller tradition to go to Lagoon over fall break. And as you can see it was as fun and beautiful as ever!

These two were buddies the whole day.

This is my favorite picture! Max and Abbie could have been twins. They love each other and are only a year apart in school. I hope they always stay close and best friends.

We ran into the Yarros which made my girls SO happy!

I love this time of year and I love this family!

Abbie Gwen

2011-10-25T11:03:00.009-06:00

Decided to play Volleyball this year, and of course loves it. I love watching her play sports because there is always a sparkle in her eye. She loves everything she tries and it seems to come easy.

Her Grandpa and Grandma came to support her, but of couse Grandpa wouldn't cooperate with the camera. Anytime I try to take his picture I get some sort of version of this.

I can tell we are going to have many fun years of watching this girl shine! I love you Abs!!!!

A Perfect Weekend

2011-10-04T21:45:00.012-06:00

I celebrated another birthday and felt the LOVE!
My kids went out of their way all day to make sure I had the best birthday ever, and I did!

The morning of my birthday I woke up to this.

Abbie and Lucy wrapped up some of my favorite things around the house and regifted them to me. Max was bothered that they weren't "real" presents, but honestly they were some of my favorite gifts I have ever recieved.

Some of them included, pictures of me and the kids, old perfume, stickers, plastic flowers, a temple hankerchief, a cross stitched pillow, etc.

This girl headed up all of great birthday suprises, including waking up early to make sure I had breakfast and cleaning the kitchen the night before. I love her!!
I spent my Saturday watching my favorite boy play in his football game. And I honestly couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

And best of all it was Conference Weekend! Which meant no meetings, staying in our pj's all day as a family, and listening to the great council of our Prophet and our other church leaders.

In between sessions we rode up to Bridal Viel Falls and Sundance to see the beautiful fall leaves. The weather was absolutely perfect and the mountains are so BEAUTIFUL right now!

That night we had a fun dinner up at my parents with my two brothers. The grand finale was Nicole's delicious apple pie and carmeled apples. It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.
Thank you everyone that made my birthday so great!

Just part of being a teenager...

2011-09-27T13:06:00.007-06:00

Emilee and Max have started their orthodonic journey together... Em not wanting braces, and Max is ready as ever. Max however, still needs to wait a little longer, so for now he just has a holding appliance put in for his bottom teeth.

But Emilee is now expierencing one of the joys of being a teenager.... having a mouth full of metal. I tell her that every teenager should have to expierence it. Before their appointment.

Minutes after we got there, a group of Emilee's friends showed up for the big event. I don't know how they got their parents to check them all out of school. But if you know Emilee, everything has to involve friends, and the more dramatic everything is, the better!!

Backing Up...

2011-09-26T13:26:00.012-06:00

I didn't do very good at taking pictures in Lake Powell but I still want what I do have to go in my blog book at the end of the year....

Lake Powell 2011... with the Taylors, McSpaddens, & Nelsons.

Big Day

2011-08-23T10:26:00.022-06:00

School Stinks!

This year I was especially NOT ready to send them all back. We've had a great summer and I'm not ready for all the hustle and bustle that goes with each school year. Who wants to get up at the break of dawn to rush out the door each morning?... and who wants to do hours of homework each night?

Besides who is going to help me entertain Jayne all day long?

8th Grade for Em.

Tyren, Jr. & Emilee waiting for their carpool.

The next shift. Lucy gets to go all day long with her big brother and Sister.

5th Grade for Max

4th for my Abbie

She painted her own school bag this year and is very proud of it. Thanks Shauna!

And of course, had to wear her Justin Bebier shirt.

My big 1st grader.

Meagan, Payton, & Lucy

Jayne wanted to stay there with them all so bad. She sat up in her own desk and had her own little back pack. I am very grateful that I still have a few more years with this little stink.

This was the last picture I had on my memory card from the camera I used today. Talk about a killer! I think it was there to remind me how fast time goes, and how important it is to hang on to every day. The difference in Emilee from then to now is more than I can bear!

To another Fabulous School Year!!! I will thinking of you 4 every day and will be excited to hear about all the adventures of this new year. Remember who you are!!! I love you !! Mom

Oxnard

2011-08-17T15:24:00.042-06:00

We ventured out this year and tried a new spot in California. The kids weren't sure about the switch because they didn't want to miss out on their daily Taco Bell runs. We all have a special place in our hearts for Laguna Beach, but we ended up having a perfect week together in Oxnard.
We had..... Lot's of cousin time!

a friend swim up to see us.

Sand Castle building thanks to uncle Matt....

Friendly smashball games...

lots of playing in the ocean and big waves to jump....

kite flying....

Sand crab catching....

swimming races....

yummy meals.... including our hotel breakfasts & happy hour...

a fun day at Magic Mountain....

a life changing expierence on the X2...

late night dancing and karoke at the hotel...

And spending the whole week with my very favorite people!! I am so grateful to be a Clark!!

Fifteen Fabulous Years

2011-08-02T08:38:00.005-06:00

July 25th is a very special day... It's OUR day and we get to celebrate, just the two of us. We always remember back to our perfect wedding day, talk about our favorite memories over the years, and count our greatest blessing as having each other!.... Forever. I love you Jason!

I love my Abbie!

2011-08-01T09:52:00.004-06:00

Abbie turned 9.
We spent her birthday at Lake Powell. She loved being at her favorite place with her favorite people. Ray made her a makeshift birthday cake and candle on the boat and we all sang to her. That night we celebrated by eating at Strombollis. The day before we left to Powell we had her special birthday date. We ate lunch at Cafe Rio and then went shopping at the mall. She was trying to decide whether wanted to buy a pink electric guitar or a skateboard. She ended up with a pair of black Vans shoes. But she would still like to be a famous guitar player and skater. :) Abbie ROCKS at everything she tries. Everything seems to come so effortlessly. She has loved playing softball, basketball, & soccer this year.

Abbie you make our family SO happy!

*Your dad is always telling me how much he loves your tender heart, and what a kind sister you are. Lucy thinks the world of her big sister.

* Max loves how you will go outside and throw the ball with him. You would love to play football with him this year but your mom won't let you. I know you could hold you own just fine, and could out throw and out play most of the 5th grade boys. But you are still my little girl.

* You have Beiber Fever and have his posters all over your room. You are boy crazy and hope to be MRS. Justin Beiber someday.

* You are our best babysitter in the house. Responsible and Jayne adores you!

* You are happy, easy going, fun, confident and can always make me laugh.
You will always be our Sunshine!!!!

Eleven

2011-07-15T16:08:00.006-06:00

Is the age I have been dreading for this boy. Ten still seems like a little boy, but eleven is different in my mind, And I don't like it. My date with Max for his birthday this year was predictable. To Taco Bell of course and to buy a new pair of shoes. His two favorite things, bean burritos and new shoes! This year he had his eyes on a pair of rezigs. He also bought a BYU underarmor shirt and bracelet with his birthday money from his grandma. That is one thing about Max, he knows EXACTLY what he wants.

Max has been playing a lot of baseball this summer. He was on the Jet's superleauge team and then on the Dodgers for Lindon city. This past week we spent every day watching him play in his state tournamet. His team took 2nd in State and he played awesome! You should see him pitch.

Being Eleven means that he is no longer a cub scout. This weekend Max went on the 11 year scout campout. Doesn't he look so CUTE & prepared? His Dad practiced putting up his tent with him in the yard and helped him get all ready. I must of thought about him 1000 times wondering how he was doing.

Happy Birthday Max! I LOVE YOU!!!!

*I love that you insist that I make you a sandwhich the minute you walk through the door because you are always STARVING!

*I love that you wipe your shoes clean every morning before you go anywhere and keep them in perfect condition.

* I love to hear the ball bouncing in the house from morning until LATE at night. Emilee said that "if you don't make the NBA she is going to be ticked because all of the sleep she misses because of you shooting hoops and bouncing the ball off the walls at night."

* I loved listening to you give your talk today in primary about the temples. You stood up there and told the whole thing from memory even though you really wanted to just read it. (You still will listen to your mom.)

* I love that you try your best at everything you do. You are an amazing student at school, you give your best at every game you play in, and your lawn mowing skills are getting pretty impressive.

* And you are a one in a million brother to 4 sisters. When I ask Jayne who her favorite babysitter is she says you. She calls you "honey" and lights up when you walk in the door. You are so patient with all of them and they each LOVE you!

Out of all the little boys in the world.... How was I lucky enough to get you?

2011-07-15T15:47:00.002-06:00

Lucy is SIX
This year for Lucy's birthday I took her out on her own special date. She chose to eat at Cafe Rio and then to get ice cream for dessert. Then we went to Target and I let her pick out what ever suprise she wanted. She of course picked out a Justin Bieber Barbie that sings and some cute pillows for her room. I loved every second of being with just her!! We played our favorite guessing game during lunch and it was one of my favorite parts of my summer!

I love you Lucy!!!
I love how you can hold your own against anyone, even your big sister Em.
I love how you laugh uncontroablly.
I love how you play so hard everyday that you pass out the minute you hold still.
I love how you are still the first one up every morning and wake up with a smile.
I loved to watch your determined face as you played soccer this summer.
I love how you will give up your sucker or anything you have to Jayne when she screams because you are the best big sister.
I love that you still want me to hold you and give you kisses and hugs.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! xoxox

A Very Happy 4th!

2011-07-11T09:17:00.034-06:00

The Heaps were in town which made it a VERY HAPPY 4th!!

Have I ever mentioned that I love him?

Abbie won this beauty of a firework at our Miller Party. She was so excited that she could hardly wait until we got home to try it out. Which she did... INSIDE the HOUSE. I had just gone up stairs to put Jayne to sleep when I heard this loud screatching and hissing sound coming from downstairs followed by a little yelling from her Dad and then the fire alarm. Jason just happened to walk into the kitchen and see a lit firework spinning everywhere leaving burn marks everywhere it touched. We were all dumb founded to what she was thinking, including her. I had explained earlier that it would grow into a chinese lantern. I guess I should of mentioned that it would happen after all the exploding was through.... we chalked it up to another great 4th of July memory.

As well as....

* Our Steal the Flag game which of course I took my job to guard the flag VERY seriously. (I hope your shoulder is doing okay uncle Matt.)

* Bret's Unbelievable Ribs!

* Jdawgs and swimming at Vertrens pool.

* Sakura, Coneys, andwatching fireworks at PHS.

* Bret buying water for the full parade route. The runner practically grabbbed the first bottle right out of his hands.

* Homemade Subzero ice cream thanks to the Popes.

* Aunt Cindy's fun pinata and swing.

* Blowing up 250 water balloons until 1 AM.

Teach me how to Jimmer

2011-06-28T23:39:00.015-06:00

We are now officially Kings fans.

Max couldn't get him a Kings hat fast enough. He spent all day Saturday weeding so he could earn enough money to go and buy his hat. Now he is just waiting for his jersey.

And Jimmer even picked Max's lucky # 7. Max and Jimmer are tight you know.

Max was hoping to see him come back to Utah, but he will be watching him wherever he is.

We wish you the best Jimmer! We hope that you will keep being the awesome Role Model you are. My boy looks up to you, more than you will ever know. After all, Max is planning on being your teammate someday in the NBA.

( The Sign that hangs above Max's bed.)

Missing Teeth, Birthday Wishes, & Getting Ready for Summer

2011-05-18T10:39:00.008-06:00

This little girl is adorable!

Her dad pulled out her first two teeth and I cried.

I'm not ready for big awkward teeth, it instantly changes them.

I love my birthday boy!
I love celebrating May 4th with him!

May all his wishes come true!!!

We are counting down the days until summer.
15 more busy days and then we will be homework and schedule free!

Jason gave the neighbor boys their summer hair cuts in the garage.
Now we just need the sun to stay around!

Moab

2011-05-13T11:26:00.026-06:00

Another year of fun memories at Moab!....

Playing with cousins, staying in the condos, swimming in freezing temps, "trespassing" while playing basketball, yummy breakfasts at Grandma & Grandpa's condo, watching movies, the car show, park, and lunch in the street, sunglasses, fun rhino rides, stopping for lunch breaks, Taylor and Jason wanting to "nudge" it down Wipeout, seeing snowflakes and freezing, Jason telling us that every ride was Tusher tunnel, Lucy wearing her new Sunday Easter sandals for the full trip of hiking and playing in the dirt, Pasta Jay's and ice cream cones, bundling up with blankets as we watched the cars down main, flying kites, and having the best weekend together!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Miller!!!

Track Star

2011-05-01T20:36:00.016-06:00

This year Emilee ran track for the first time. She ran on her Junior High team and I'd have to say that she was pretty amazing!!!! We had SOOO much fun cheering her on over the past couple months even if we did freeze for most of it. Em is FAST!!! She ran the 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, the 4x100, and the 4x400.

She also did the long jump and threw shot put.

Her favorite is the 4x100. Her team ROCKED taking first place at Alpine Days. She placed in almost every event each week.

Check out that lead!

She may have inherited her dad's speed but I'm pretty sure she inherited her mother's nerves. I hope she didn't get ulcers from her meets. She would start getting worked up the night before each meet and would make herself sick all day at school. I could always count on several texts from school telling me how scared she was.

But she felt the love and support form her favorite people at every meet.

She had a lot of fun with all of her friends... riding the buses, getting out of school early, and all of the down time between events.

I'm not sure I can wait until next year. We sure are proud of you Emilee!!

A Spring Break to Always Remember!

2011-04-19T14:54:00.038-06:00

Ever since Emilee turned 13, I have had this panicked feeling inside that time is moving to quickly and that we need to take advantage of every opportunity to make memories as a family. This spring break I was determined to getaway as a family! We had sick kids the week before spring break so I was hesitant to make any plans. The Monday Spring Break started I woke up and saw that everyone was starting to feel a bit better. So I started packing us up, called Jason at work and told him that I was booking us some rooms at Disneyland. By 4:00 in the afternoon everything was booked, he got home from work around 5:00 PM, we loaded the car and off we drove. I was more excited than the kids to have a full week away and best of all... together!!!
We told the kids that we were going to St. George for a couple of days. They were asleep as we drove through St. George and when they woke up we were in Vegas. They were so confused. Emilee even said, "Wow St. George is a lot bigger than the last time we were here." Once they realized we were in Vegas, they were a bit disappointed. Abbie said that Vegas is "scary and stinky". So we told them that we would go back to St. George in the morning. Of course we headed the other direction to California. Emilee and Max slowly started to figure it out as we passed several California signs. But Abbie and Lucy had no idea until we actually pulled into our hotel.
They were SOO excited!

We didn't get into Vegas until about midnight, but Jason and I were ready to party. After all, in Vegas the party is just getting started at midnight. So we pulled into the Belagio and woke up the kids to see the fountains.

Then at 1 o'clock we headed into the sugar factory for an early breakfast, ice cream cones and suckers.

We spent the rest of the week enjoying the happiest place on earth and we loved every second of it!!!

The Nelsons flew down and met us for a few days. My kids loved having their friends to ride all the rides with.

It was a perfect week! I'm ready to go back.

a mind of her OWN!

2011-04-08T09:14:00.006-06:00

Jayne's been sick.

Jayne was very thirsty.

Jayne didn't want a drink from a sippy cup or any cup for that matter. I offered her a water bottle, buy that wasn't going to do either.

Jayne ONLY wanted a drink of water from THIS BIG water jug.

After trying to talk her out of it, I finally gave in, pulled it off the pantry shelf, washed it out and put some water in it for her to drink.

Then Jayne was happy.

I don't know why she catches every sickness that goes around but I swear she is sick more than she isn't. This week she threw up 50 times in a 48 hour period.

Just before she'd throw up she'd say "I up!" And then we had one second before it came. She made it to the toilet about half of the time, which I thought was pretty good considering she is only 2.

The only good about having a sick little girl is that I've got to hold her for 3 days straight. She won't let me leave her side for anything. Even when she is sleeping I try to sneak away and she wakes up immediately and makes me lay back down by her. I like to test her and I ask if she wants to go to the park or the mall, which she usually loves, but this week she always responds, "No, Mommy's bed, I sick!"

Jayne get better SOON and tell all sickness to go away forever!

Teenager

2011-04-04T09:39:00.013-06:00

I am now a mother of a teenager. And Heaven knows that this will be difficult on me. I love my babies and wish more than anything I could keep them that way! Even though Emilee has acted like a teenager for years now, it is now official and I'm going to need all the help I can get! Hormones, texting, boys, and all the drama and attitude that comes with it makes me a little nervous!!! Emilee has been celebrating her 13th Birthday all week and believe me she has felt the LOVE! Her birthday morning, she woke up to the sound of a group of her friends screaming Happy Birthday and then tackling her to the ground. Emilee had set her alarm really early so she could get up and look "cute" on her birthday. Knowing that her friends were coming to kidnap her for breakfast I turned off her alarm so she had to go as is. They went to Kneaders for their yummy french toast and then straight to school.

That night we went to the Olive Garden of course for dinner. I think it is the only time we eat there all year but it is Em's favorite!! Then we had birthday cake while she did homework with her friend Maddy.

Friday night she had all of her friends over for a BBQ. It was a lot of fun. I turned the night over to Jason to be the party coordinator and he did a great job. He made sure everybody was full with double and triple patty's on their hamburgers, put together some fun relay races, sent them on a neighborhood scavenger hunt and played some fun night games. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

One of my favorite parts of the night was when Emilee opened up Wyatt's present to her. It was a picture he drew of himself and Em that said friendship. When she opened it he said "Sorry Emilee, I don't think I got your bangs quite right." He had me laughing so hard!!! To bad all presents can't be that simple!

EMILEE I SURE LOVE YOU!!!!

I love that you have millions of friends!

I loved going birthday shopping with you, and of course everything you tried on looked so stinkin cute on you. I wish shopping was that easy for me.

I love that you are almost as tall as me and that we can share shoes.

I love watching you run at your track meets, even if I do cry every time. You are amazing!

I love that you are the first one up every morning and and ready for school 15 minutes before your carpool comes.

I love that you check your grades twice a night just to make sure you are getting straight A's.

I love it when you talk to me and tell me everything that makes you happy, sad, & frustrated.

I hope we can always stay close! Remember you are my guinea pig for being a mother, and this teenage stuff is all brand new to me. So when I check your texts, make you come home the earliest out of all your friends, and turn off your music, it's because I LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Girls in the Windy City

2011-03-29T09:27:00.023-06:00

The only plus about having my two sisters living away from me is...

That I get to visit fun places that I never would otherwise.

This year we went to Chicago to visit Kelly on our girls trip....

and here are a few of my favorite memories.

* Having my mom as my travel partner to navigate our way through the airports.

* Checking into our hotel and Jamie immediately finding out the activities going on in the hotel. She told people about the happening concerts at the Hyatt. Later we even got a little dancing in, even if it was in the hall.

* Jamie's competitive competitions she had us enter in the exercise room. Kelly telling Heath that she almost won.

* Jamie's invention and Kelly's mouthwash comment. Laughing harder than I ever have.

* Macadamia Turtles

* Jamie working on the phone for 4 massages. Kelly's look on her face when she saw her masseuse.

* Shopping with the worlds greatest shopper.... Jamie.

* Meeting the Thompsons for dinner and Kade laying flat in the car.

* Watching the one and only Jimmer with Heath.

* Plucking McKinnley's eyebrows.

* Talking to Maizie and Millie in bed, singing them the 3 bear song, and tucking them in bed.

* Jamie getting mad at me and Jason's late night texting.

* Jamie getting the whole Thompson family ready and looking amazing for church in 10 minutes flat. Getting to do McKinnley's make-up.

* Holding Millie on my lap during sacrament.

* Millie giving us her last dollar.

* Checking out the Internet and angry birds with Madison and Kade.

* Jason getting a taste of what church is like with 5 kids.

* Our broken windshield wiper in a down pour on the crazy freeways of Chicago. Jamie took the wheel and we ventured our way to a Jiffy Lube.

* Staying in the amazing downtown of Chicago and seeing the big city. Thank You Heath!

* Pictures at the Bean.

* Italian Steamers in the Coffee shop.

* Heath's surprise tickets to the theater!

* Fine dining and a fun night of talking and laughing.

* Jamie getting us scratchers and telling us that the broken windshield wiper led us there.

* Getting my hair done.

* A weekend with 3 of my favorite people in the world!

* Coming home to a clean house and a happy family.

Thanks Kelly and Heath for the PARTY! I love you!

Lucy Kim

2011-02-25T13:43:00.004-07:00

I love this Child!!!!

Five might be my favorite age. Lucy loves everything about life.

She is the first one awake every morning and immediately gets dressed and empties her laundry basket in her room.

*
Whatever I am doing she is usually right beside me helping with something. She will change a diaper, vacuum, do laundry, anything I ask. Many mornings while I am getting the other kids out the door for school, she just quietly does the morning dishes without being asked. Yesterday when I got out of the shower she had already made my bed.

Lately she tells me that she wants to be my maid when she grows up. I can't wait! I have always wanted a maid. She says that she hopes we live in a big mansion and she will be my maid everyday. Sounds good to me!

This morning while I was busy doing something I looked out the window and saw her shoveling our steps outside with Jason's work shovel. One less thing I have to worry about. I hope she doesn't grow out of this stage. If only I knew how to freeze her!

Paradise!!!

2011-02-15T09:44:00.004-07:00

Words can not describe the AMAZING week we had in Mexico!!

We can't get over how fun it was to be alone together in Paradise!
One day we ventured out on an excursion to Tulum and Xelha.

We snorkeled, rode bikes through the jungle, went on zip lines, jumped off cliffs and had a fun adventurous day.

The best part of Tulum was when we ditched our tour guide and explored around on our own.

Every night we had the funnest shows at our resort. The Michael Jackson Show was one of our favorite!

The Night of the Circus show they pulled up one member of the audience, and of course it happened to be Jason.

The nights we loved listening to the fun bands outside and dancing. One night we went to a dance club and I made the comment that I didn't' think we really belonged. We were the only two sober and I told Jason that he danced like a dad of 5. Emilee would have been appalled.

And the days we spent relaxing and soaking in the sun.

Jason took us out sailing.

And we had a fun adventure riding bikes into town. Do we look like tourists in our orange vests and helmets?

The fine dining was Unbelievable!

We didn't stop eating the whole time.

I will be honest.... the BEST part of the whole week was spending it alone with him!

It has been WAY to long since we have been just the two of us. And I love him more today then I ever have!!!

This picture sums up our week!

We had the time of our lives and we're already dreaming of going again. The day after we got home I found Jason on the computer trying to find away to book it again.

Thank you Mom & Dad and Teresa and Craig for making it possible for us to go!

We were happy to be back with our kids but they had so much fun being with their grandparents & they are still talking about it!

LOVE

2011-02-14T21:19:00.011-07:00

Valentines is one of my favorite days of the year!

I loving spending a full day thinking about all that I have to love. And believe me, it is a lot!!!
It was a busy day to say the least.

Early Morning Walmart Shopping.

Making Valentines for the kids classes.

Pink Heart Shape Pancakes.

Zumba

A Valentine Picnic for Lucy and her friends outside in the beautiful sunshine.

A special Love Lunch with my husband.

Making and delivering cookies.

A fun family Valentine Dinner.

Family Night.

Thanks Colett for including Abbie in your Valentine Box Creating.

She will never again have such an adorable box!

She went to school this morning so proud of her master piece!

Max of course Loved his!

Happy Valentines!!!!

My Baby turned 2

2011-02-12T22:06:00.005-07:00

Oh, this child makes me smile!!! Our life has been happier these last 2 years because of her!

She is loved and very favored by everyone in this house.

Max walks in the house and the first thing he wants to do is find Jayne and play with her. He begs to sleep with her every night.

Abbie adores her and does every little thing she asks. She is Jayne's favorite babysitter and doesn't mind changing her diaper.

Lucy puts up with her hair being pulled just because she loves her little sister so much. She loves to spend her mornings before school playing with her, and is always teaching her something.

Emilee tells me all the time how much she loves Jayne and (sometimes)shares her lip gloss with her. She is also very willing to take Jayne out during Sacrament Meeting. Go figure.

Her Dad loves to sing "Baby Jayne ,Baby Jayne, Baby Jayne, Jayne Jayne" in full speed, and gets her out of nursery when he hears any cry out of her. He will do anything she wants and lets her stay up way past her bed time. She has him wrapped around her little finger to say the least.

Her mom loves having a little buddy around all day long. She loves reading her stories, singing her favorite songs over and over, and the sound of her cute little voice saying "I love you!"

We are SO GLAD she is part of our family!

Jayne is fearless and is a climbing monkey.

She loves to eat yogurt, a spoon full of peanut butter, oreo's, pancakes, hamburgers, coke, and anything that has sugar in it. She is always asking for a "Teet."

She loves animals, singing wheels on the bus, & roaming the counter tops looking for things in the cupboards. She likes to be anywhere her mom is. She also loves lip gloss, riding in the car, Toy Story 3, and her new pillow pet "Pea"

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

May the next 2 Years go much slower.

3 Little Monkeys Sleeping in a Bed

2011-01-15T15:07:00.003-07:00

Their 2-some has now become a 3-some...

And Jayne is sleeping so much better now that she is snuggled in between her two sisters.

I am so glad that they have each other!

Ringing in 2011 with a BANG!

2011-01-01T23:32:00.022-07:00

Thank You Nelson's for the party of the year!

Pulling out the moves from 1993

The Master dancers showing us how it is done.

I loved that we still had Em hanging with us on New Years Eve. It helped that she had some buddies there.

To another Fabulous Year!!!

2010 was good to us.

I'm feeling that 2011 will even be better!

To .... continued love, good health, wealth, and a magical weigh loss pill.

Happy Birthday Jamus!!!

Christmas 2010 in Glance

2010-12-30T19:11:00.018-07:00

It was a Merry Merry Christmas!

The Night before Christmas....

2010-12-25T21:37:00.018-07:00

We had a Super Duper Christmas Eve!

We started off the day having a yummy breakfast at my Grandma Bowden's. It was fun to see her so happy with all of her family around.

Then Jason and I did our last minute scrambling. Jason loves to leave a little shopping until the last day.

Then we went Ice Skating with the Clark's.

We pretty much had the whole rink to ourselves and we loved it.

This little girl sat on the sidelines with me and her Grandpa and ate suckers.

She screamed every time I stepped on to the ice to skate.

Eventually we just took her out in her shoes and let her run around.

Grandma Clark was a trooper and skated with all the kids.

These two were skating partners. Lucy was amazing for her first time.

She didn't even complain about the huge blisters she had on her feet until the very end.

Once she got a walker she could cruise all by herself.

Then we headed over to Bret and Nicole's for the yummiest dinner.

Jenny, is your tooth okay after your braces were stuck in Max's head?

Emilee, Christmas Eve is not a good night to try WWF.

Sporting their cute hats from Grandma.

Thank You Clarks! We love spending the Holidays with you!!!!

Then we opened our Christmas pj's from our Grandma and Grandpa Miller.

The kids LOVE this tradition!

Then we headed for home and had our own little Christmas story around the tree with the kids.

Each kid got to open up one present. (All except for Max, he opted to wait until the morning.)

And then we hurried to bed and tried the best we could to sleep.

Temple Square

2010-12-25T21:22:00.006-07:00

I always love to go and see the beautiful lights up at Temple Square.

We watched Mr. Kruger's Christmas and spent a fun Christmasy night together.

The Salt Lake Temple will always be my favorite. After all, it is where I married my handsome husband and became Mrs. Jason Miller.

And because of this beautiful temple, I get to spend forever with my 6 favorite people!!!

Polar Express

2010-12-15T13:27:00.012-07:00

As each year passes, I am more and more grateful to have little one's to keep the magic of Christmas alive!

The Polar Express ride to the North Pole is one of our highlights of the year.

Jayne is still saying "A choo choo, Ho Ho!"

And we were shocked that she jumped right up on his lap with a smile.

The beautiful pictures of Christ always brings the spirit of Christmas!

" I wanna cell phone and some clothes."

"I want a Kellen Moore jersey."

"I wanna keyboard."

"I want an American doll baby."

"A baby, A baba"

I love this time of year!!

This Thanksgiving...

2010-11-26T20:38:00.022-07:00

I have SO MUCH to be Thankful for!!!!

I was especially thankful that my little Sister Jamie was here to spend the Holiday with!!!
*

There is no one in this world like her and when she is around life is just better! She makes everyone around her happy and brings spunk to our family. It has felt so good to be with her!

I am so Thankful for these two!!!

They are always so good to have us up to there house and they make every holiday so much fun.

We can always count on having the yummiest food and they are so good to our kids.

One of my greatest blessings of my life was being raised in their home with their great examples!

I am so Thankful to have Jason as my very best friend!
I am Thankful for good kids and that they all have their cousins as their best friends!
*
They always love to go to Grandma's because they all have so much fun with their cousins.
*
Lucy has been counting down the days until Dax and Jace would be here.
She has told every neighbor, friend, and teacher 100 times each that her best buddies were coming from Arizona.

I am Thankful for the delicious food we ate all day long.
*
We had the yummiest Thanksgiving Feast at Grandma and Grandpa Miller's this year. Craig woke up at 4:30 a.m.to cook the most delicious turkey you have ever tasted. All the food was delicious, especially the Chocolate Sundae Pie (of course) and Muriel's s'more pie. To bad I didn't have my camera with me to capture it all. But I am very grateful for the greatest in-laws in the world. They have always treated me like I was one of them, and are always so good to me and our family!
*
I am grateful that we live close to both of our families and that we get to spend the holiday's with both of them!
*
We spent Thanksgiving night up at Wallsburg. Which meant more food! Emilee couldn't pass up her Grandpa's famous mashed potatoes and gravy.
*
And Jenny made the yummiest homemade apple pie.
*
And yes, I ate them all!

I am SO very thankful that I get to spend my days with this cute little pumpkin.
*
A day never goes by that I am not SO thankful that I get to be a stay home mom and be with my kids from morning to night.

I am Thankful to have the greatest brothers and sisters in the world!

I am so glad that we were all so close in age growing up and that we got to go to school together, share rooms, and grow up as best friends. I am grateful that we are still close, even if my sisters do live to far away. At least I have my two great brothers to keep me laughing and our family gatherings exciting.

I am so thankful for my amazing sister Kelly, who I miss so much! It has been way to long since I have seen her and her family. But every time we talk on the phone, she brightens my whole week. I always feel like we have so much in common and that she understands every thing I am going through each day. It has been the best to go through every stage of life with her. Whether she is in Florida or Chicago, I feel close to her every time I hear her voice.

I am Thankful for the the fun memories I have of playing this fun penny flip game as a kid.

And I am pretty sure I rocked at it.

And I am Thankful that Matt C. and Jamie were willing to set off the fireworks outside for the kids entertainment even if it was -4 degrees.

The rest of us really enjoyed watching them from inside the house by the warm fire. Jayne is still talking about it along with Grandpa's stunt of putting the ball in his ear.

I am Thankful to be in a family of so many cute girls.
*

And a talented Sister and Mother who can whip up head bands for us all like they are nothing but a thing.

And last but not least, I am Thankful to have the GREATEST family in the world!

Nothing makes me happier than spending each day with these 6 people. I love being a mom, a wife, and learning and growing each day as we get to experience all the excitement that life brings to our family. I am grateful to be a Miller and am so glad that we will get to spend FOREVER together as a family!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My CUTE little Indian!

2010-11-23T13:08:00.010-07:00

Abbie's Pow Wow was a BIG deal!

If you have never had Miss Mather for a teacher you are definately missing out!

Abbie has been preparing all month. She had her parts memorized, and talked me into wearing "big" earrings and a little makeup for the big event. She called me that morning at school and asked me if I would check her out at lunch time to touch up her make up and make sure she was completely ready. When I asked her if any one else had make up on she said, "no." Then I asked if any other mom's were checking out there kids at lunch and again she said "no." But of course that didn't matter, she wanted everything to be perfect for the big performance.

As you can tell she did a FABULOUS job!

Abbie and McKayla

And of course Abbie's favorite part was the yummy feast after.

We Love You Spunky Coyote!
(Her Indian name that she wrote on her headband)

Em's a Volleyball Rockstar

2010-11-15T12:24:00.010-07:00

This picture sums up our Volleyball experience this year.

Every game and practice came with a little ATTITUDE!

Her mom talked her into playing and she tried to act like she didn't like it.

But deep down, she loved every second of it!

With a few tips from her Dad Emilee became a serving pro.
*

Of course... she didn't like to listen to any advice.
And if you know Jason, you know he just can't resist.

Who dere's got dat Viking Pride?

Who Dere... Who dere?

*
(The Viking Cheer was the best part of every game. Especially when Jason would start chanting it to Emilee right in the middle of the game.)

Thanks Emilee for the fun Saturday mornings.

You truly do ROCK!

Football Season

2010-11-02T14:20:00.023-06:00

The Highlight of our year has come and gone.

We LOVE Football Season!

And...

We LOVE our Max!

Go Vikings!

Football 2010

2010-11-02T13:54:00.000-06:00

Make your own digital slideshow

Life Changing

2010-10-18T09:05:00.023-06:00

Jason and I were lucky enough to be called as Ma & Pa's on Trek this past summer. We had an experience of a lifetime! I never knew that something could impact my life like those 4 days on the Wyoming plains! I will be forever grateful for the experience and the unforgettable things I learned and felt.

The Women's Pull

Rocky Ridge

Hurrah for Israel!

I don't remember ever seeing more beautiful sunrises and sunsets than we did everyday.

The last night it rained all night long and we were soaked! Jason and I tried to shove in one sleeping bag because the other one was so wet but after about 45 minutes of laughing we realized that it just wasn't going to work. So Jason got out and stood around the campfire all night and I stayed there and froze. I have never been so happy to see morning come!

Jason cooking dinner for our family the first night.

Our Ward

This is as close to an anniversary getaway we can ever get, and this year we were lucky enough to share it with these 9 amazing kids in our family.

I love anytime I get to be with Jason and as you can tell we had the best time ever!

Back in the Saddle Again...

2010-08-26T07:44:00.018-06:00

Brace yourselves!!!!

My baby girl started Jr. High.

I know, I was just there myself and I don't know how it is possible that I have a daughter old enough to be in 7th grade.

She had a 7th grade day before everybody else started. She was nervous and very excited and thankfully came home with a smile on her face. Her locker opened and she found all of her classes.

Then it was the first day of school for everybody else. And I don't like that Emilee is missing in the picture. She starts school over an hour before everybody else and is gone before the rest of the group gets up. I liked it best when I knew that they were all at the same school together.

With all the anticipation of the first day of school it didn't go as smoothly as we had hoped.
I waited all day for my kids to walk through the door and tell me about their amazing first days of school.
*
After they didn't show up after school I talked to one of my neighbors and realized that we had some miscommunication about the carpool and my kids didn't get picked up. So I jumped in my car and hurried down to get them. When they realized that I wasn't coming Abbie and Max had started walking and I found them half way home.
*
When they got in the car, Max immediately broke down and told me that it was the WORST day of his entire life and that he was never going back to school.
Abbie seemed to have a good day but was so concerned with Max and told me that I had to transfer Max into a different class tomorrow!

(Millie, one of Lucy's BFF's started 1st grade today and Lucy was so lonely without her buddies to play with. She must of asked 100 times when school would be out. She is counting down the days until Kindergarten starts next week.)

Abbie and Isabelle were ready for the big day.

3rd Grade

We also had a little Drama in the morning with Emilee.

It being the real 1st day of school for Emilee, she set her alarm for 6:30 to get up and get looking her best.

I was already up and heard her get up and turn off her alarm. I started making breakfast and getting stuff done thinking that she was up. At 7:15 when she hadn't come up stairs yet I went down to tell her that breakfast was ready and I found her dead asleep in her bed. When I woke her up all heck broke loose. Her carpool would be there in minutes and her plans of a curling her hair and having a good 1st morning went out the window. She threw on her clothes and ran out the door with lots of tears. We tried to take a 1st day of school picture with all the kids in the carpool but she was NOT in the mood. So this is a after school picture of the 1st day.
*

Emilee is a lucky girl to carpool with all of these cute boys. They are her best buddies and they all walk home from school together every day.

This is the 2nd day of school, this time with a smile.

Thank heaven's she woke up on time today!!! Abbie even prayed for her last night because we all didn't want to experience that again!

Flashback

2010-08-21T09:30:00.003-06:00

This is for the Thompson's Entertainment

Where does the time go? What would I give to hold that cute little girl again? If only I could find something that could freeze my kids forever. I love her little curls and cute voice!

But I guess some things never change. Lucy will always be Lucy!

(She's in time out for making a BIG mess in the laundry room, not for hitting Parker. But every time I used to ask her if she was being good she'd tell me that she hit Parker because one time she did and I guess it really stuck. The beeping sound is the timer for her to get out of time out.)

Holdin' On!

2010-08-19T23:05:00.006-06:00

To every last minute of summer!

We feel it slipping away and we don't want it end!

We decided to enjoy one of our last days at the one and only Hogle Zoo.

I loved being together with just my kids!

Even if Emilee complained a lot on the way there, after an AWESOME day together she confessed that it was a pretty fun day after all! Of course! When is she going to realize that any day with her mom and brother and sisters is FUN!!!
*
Summer Please Stay!!!!

Laguna Beach 2010

2010-08-15T18:44:00.012-06:00

We stopped in Vegas on the way there and met up with the Clark's.

We ate at the yummy Rio's Seafood Buffet & then went and hit the town.

This is us all shoved in the their mini van cruising the strip.

We got some awesome stares when we all piled out.

Bret and Nic are the Vegas experts and showed us around the town.
We had never seen the Belagio fountains and we were very impressed!

My kids were a little shell shocked to say the least at the whole city in general.

Emilee kept asking when we could leave because she was scared to death by the people.

Max had his eyes closed as we would walk through the casino in our hotel.

Our road trip was much funner with hilarious texts from Bret and Nicole and stops for ice cream at Dairy Queen.

We enjoyed the rest of week in Paradise!

Grandma bought these girls their ear rings and it was probably the highlight of their trip.

These fish spent 80% of their days in the pool. And Lucy learned to swim!!!!

We had some fun adult dinners!

And we spent last week doing nothing but this...

Playing...

Eating Good...

Being with cousins that we don't see enough...

Soaked in the sun...

Laughed a lot with Jamie's stunts...

Relaxed...

(Jason was very particular about his chairs this year and would excavate them out just perfect.

Matt was always in charge of digging the trenches to keep us all dry.)

And made memories together as a family!

Thanks mom and dad for arranging it all and getting us there.

We love you!!!

Lucy's Laundry Tactics

2010-08-03T13:07:00.005-06:00

Lucy does not like emptying her laundry basket!

After I wash their clothes, I fold them and put them into their own individual buckets for them to put away in their closets.

Yesterday, after Lucy supposedly emptied her bucket I found all of her clothes thrown in pile in her tub in her bathroom.

So today I told her to get them all out, refold them and put them all away where they are suppose to go. She told me this morning, "Mom I got all the clothes out of the tub and put them away."

Of course I was on the phone and so she ran out to play.

A little bit later, this is what I found behind our couch.

What do I do with her????

Abbie's 8

2010-08-02T08:50:00.012-06:00

Abbie we are so PROUD of you!

You are the cutest little eight year old we have ever seen!

I love how excited you were to get the Holy Ghost.

I loved when after you got baptized you said to me "that was fun, I want to do it again!"

I loved watching the smile on your face while you stood in the font with your Dad.

I loved helping you get all ready in the morning with your beautiful white dress. And after you were all ready you snuck and put on make up because you said "it was your special day."

I love how you love to bear your testimony and plead with me each month to please let you bear your testimony on fast Sunday.

I love your happy smile, your kind heart, and your fun and crazy ways.

I love every inch of you! Never Change!!!

July 25th

2010-08-02T08:47:00.001-06:00

14 Years and Forever to go...

I love you!

A new appreciation for Pioneer Day

2010-08-02T08:35:00.013-06:00

Lining up for the big Wallsburg Parade

The candy throwers and eaters.

Emilee was the designated driver.

Kate and Jenny were the ripstick queens.

The party planners. Thank You!

Happy 24th!

Flaming Gorge 2010

2010-07-15T09:30:00.020-06:00

Things to Remember:

* All of my kids on the tube at one time.

* Our nights together in our tent telling stories.

* Jason and Max's late night swims

*Jayne scaling the boat in 5 second flat and sitting right on top of the cover.

*Lucy's explaining the signal for "medium" speed over and over.

*Abbie being a trooper about her ear ache.

*Emilee telling us that she needs to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes so she can take the scooter.

*Ice Cream at the store.

*Smores and homemade ice cream around the campfire

*Being packed in Jason's truck like sardines on the ride there.

*Jayne didn't eat one thing except for oreos and coke.

* Lucy being so worried about showing her friends at home her hair and not wanting to get it wet. (Thanks Melisa!)

* Watching my kids knee board in pairs.

*Jason as the Su Chef and Em as his prep cook.

* Having everyone dressed for bed like it was December. And of course everyone complained about how hot they were and were taking off layers.

*Having Jason away from work and the kids all to ourselves!!!

TEN

2010-07-07T12:54:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Max!

We thank our lucky stars everyday for you!

You teach us all by your example how to be...

kind

humble

non judgemental

appreciative

obedient

happy &

Christlike

I learn more from watching you in one day than I have learned in a lifetime.

I love how you always tell me thank you for every little thing I do for you.

I love how you are kind to your sisters in every situation.

I love how you give your best at everything you do.

You have a heart of gold and I feel so privileged to be your mom!!!

I love you!!!

FIVE

2010-07-07T12:35:00.006-06:00

My baby turned 5!!

All she wanted for her birthday was her ears pierced.

Her dad tried to talk her out of it but she was determined.

Before

After

LUCY - WE LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH!

We love that you know every word to every song.

We love that you have more courage then the rest of us combined...

You aren't afraid of anything or anyone.

You are the best duster and vacuumer around.

You color like a professional

and your giggle is contagious!

You make our life so HAPPY!!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

(Please don't start kindergarten!)

The Grand Parade

2010-07-07T12:19:00.019-06:00

The Girls Turn

2010-07-04T16:28:00.016-06:00

These two CUTE girls decided to celebrate their birthdays together.

We had quite a crew!
And I'll be honest... it was quite a different group then the night before.
A little less wild but whoa... I have never heard so many
"She put her blanket in my spot" &
"She isn't playing with me"&
"I don't want her to sit so close to me"&
"She hurt my feelings."
You gotta love GIRLS!!! After all I have a whole house of them.

The party coordinator had things under control.
Of course she had some dancing going on...

And then Jason came out and started to bust out his moves...
I'm sure they have never seen dancing quite like that!

I'm so glad these two girls have each other!!!!

Happy Birthday Girls!! We LOVE you!!!

It's that time again...

2010-07-01T13:28:00.013-06:00

The Birthday Celebrations have begun.... Max and his buddies had a movie night on the side of our house and watched the Lightening Thief.

They had some mean games of dodge ball, competitive relay races, and were just wild and crazy 10 year old boys. We only got told off once by a neighbor because a couple of boys snuck off and started doorbell ditching. Whoops!

Happy Birthday Max!! I am glad you have so many great buddies.

Soccer Season 2010

2010-06-17T08:24:00.011-06:00

GREAT TIMES!

This is how we have spent our last 6 Saturdays; running from one field to the next cheering for these 4 awesome players.

This is the 1st year Lucy got to join her brother and sisters and play.

Thank you Shauna, Dan, & Matt for coaching! We had a blast!

Max's Dream Week

2010-06-14T10:05:00.005-06:00

BYU Basketball Camp 2010

Max and his buddy Jimmer.

Jason asked Max if he told coach Rose that he will be seeing him in 10 years.
Max replied,
"No Dad, because I will be on my mission in 10 years."

(At least he's got his priorities straight.)

Tooth Fairy

2010-06-09T10:54:00.003-06:00

You will not believe this!!!!

I saw the tooth fairy.... REALLY!!!

My dad pulled my front tooth out last night and I was so excited. I put it under my pillow like I always do and went to sleep excited to see what the tooth fairy was going to bring me.

About 3:00 o'clock in the morning I checked under my pillow to see if my tooth was still there.

And you won't believe it..... I saw the tooth fairy under my pillow.

She was holding my tooth in her hands.

She had long curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pretty blue dress on. She also had a ruffly robe over her. She was only about an inch tall. She had long silver wings and her name was Silver Mist.

When she saw me looking at her, she got nervous and sprinkled amnesia dust on me and flew away.

So of course when I woke up my tooth was still there and she didn't get a chance to leave the money. Maybe tomorrow night.

The tooth fairy always seem to take a long time to visit our house. She must be very busy.