Christmas Time

Well Christmas time is here. I thought that I'd take a minute and put up some photos of our Christmas tree, and decorations. I love to see how people decorate for Christmas because its such a special time of year. We have a fishing tree. I love it and as I thought last night about how Christmas decorations can remind us of the Savior, I thought of how Jesus feed the 5 thousand, and how he asked us to be fisher of men. I am thankful for the love I have of and from Christ. Also this holiday season Elise told me that she wanted to make a bed for baby Jesus. Well since it is my month for Sharing Time, I did it. Nathan is out of town and so I spent an hour or so making a bed for baby Jesus. It was really fun. I enjoyed designing it and figuring out how to best make it. I just wish I had some old weathered wood. Anyway enjoy it, Elise is and I am sure it will work nice for Sharing Time as well. Merry Christmas everyone.

Golf Ball Hunting

I don't even know how it started, but some how, some way Nathan came up with this idea of going and looking for all the golf balls that he could find on the outskirts of a certain golf course. I am not allowed to disclose the location. I already knew that when Nathan is golfing he loves to come home with more golf balls then he started with, by looking in the bushes for what other golfers have lost. Anyway that is what we have been doing any chance Nathan gets and there is still sunlight to see. It has really helped Nathan as a stress reliever and since we have had more than enough stress for a year or so I am just happy it helps. We all go to the golf course and walk in the weeds and fields surrounding and look for as many golf balls we can find I think our total count is in the 800+ range, but you'd have to ask Nathan for sure. Brycen has absolutely loved doing this and gets into it as much as Nathan.

Its cute to see it greater build the relationship they have, and to see how much Brycen is like his dad. Brycen has learned all the names of the type of the golf balls by sight since he doesn't yet know how to read. See the video below. Elise on the other hand doesn't really like it and the moment we get out there begins whining. Her latest has been that she has to go to the bathroom so that she gets to go back to the car, where in which she then doesn't have to go anymore. We have even got Nathan's dad out with us this last week. Its true that even I have to admit but even you get a sense of excitement when you find some lost hidden, little white golf ball. Nathan has now gotten mucking, or cow milking boots from my parents to wear which he loves to wear in all the cat tails that are exploding and all the smelly swampy mud. Don't even ask me what my laundry is like. I could barely handle it before. Now the question just is what will Nathan do when it snows, his response head to St. George. Enjoy the photos and the fact that the Miller's are CRAZY!

Brycen & the Golf Balls

It's kind of hard to see what type of ball it is so heres the list:

Pinnacle, Callaway, Nike, Noodle, Pro V1, Taylor Made, Top Flite, Bridgestone

Temple Square

Monday night we went and got to go see the lights at Temple Square. We had a great time with Nathan's family and the kids loved seeing some of their cousins. It was beautiful as always. It seems to me that they don't light as many trees as they use to. Maybe its just because I was a kid then and all the trees were so big. Who knows I am just glad we had such a great night and got to enjoy it as a family.

I am just glad that I live near temple square and can enjoy it every year, its such a wonderful tradition to see the lights. To see the nativities, I think it always helps me focus on the beautiful truth and light of Christmas. I get so sick of all the money and merchandise that goes into Christmas. Its nice to go somewhere and just focus on the Savior and the true reason for Christmas. Its great way to help teach the kids that as well. Nathan got some great pictures. Enjoy!

Tribute

I wanted to take some time today and write down a few of my feelings. We lost Nathan's mom this weekend. Its been rough. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed dearly by all of us and many more. I feel blessed to of known her, to of been able to call her Mom and be part of her family. I know I am even more blessed to of been lucky enough to of married one of her sons that she raised so righteously. I will miss her more than I know. She was a wonderful Grandma and my kids adored her. She was a hopeful, strong person. She battled cancer 12 years with all her might. She was very close to our Heavenly Father and loved the gospel. She was always willing to help Nathan and I with whatever we had happening in our lives. She loved to garden and taught me a great many things. I am thankful for the time I got to spend with her and will treasure the memories I have of her. I am so glad to know that she is at peace and with our Heavenly Father. I hold to the fact that I know that we will see her again and that we can be with her and our other loved ones we have lost. May I be able to emulate some of the wonderful qualities that Nathan's mother was so that I can live a life as beautiful as hers was. Love you and miss you Mom.

Click here if you would like to read the obituary

War of the Worlds

This evening Stephen and Stephanie were here rocking out on the Guitar Hero with us, and when they left later on Stephen gave us a call to go out and check out the weird lights on the mountain. Nathan grabbed the camera and got some awesome shots. It looked really freaky not knowing what was causing the lights on the mountains. Once we looked at the photos on the camera we could tell it was the moon glaring off the snow. We figured that the snow had melted and turned to ice and the glared of the moon, so enjoy Nathan's awesome photos.

Nests and such

I have a thing with nests, I just love them. They amaze me and I find they so intriguing and beautiful. They are a favorite thing of nature for me. It all kind of started when we were first married and we would go cut down a Christmas tree every year. One year we got our tree home and it had a nest in it. I loved it, I went and got wood eggs and put them in it. When Christmas was over I carefully pulled it from the tree to save it. All the hard work that the bird had done to make it. I honestly felt bad that we had cut down the tree with the nest in it. Anyway I saved the nest and loved it and all the fibers that were in it, I remember the mud and twigs and even the deer hair, it was amazing. Unfortunately the kids came along and it got touched to much and I had to throw it away. So then I just started looking for decorating nest so I have been collecting them, but still hope to find some real ones one day.

So the other day Elise was playing with one of her many stuffed toys and since it was a robin she decided it needed to sit on one of mom's display nests. She told me, Mom sometimes robins lay eggs so my bird needs to sit on this nest. I had to get a picture. She cracks me up.

The other day I was sewing and Elise took my extra fabric and decided to play with. She told me she was making glasses, and wanted my help. I didn't know how we were going to do it with fabric but I did make her a pair out of some pipe cleaners. Well then what do you know her lamb needed glasses, and so did Brycen, and all her friends and cousins. So Elise, and Brycen had to wear their glasses for the rest of the day, and yes that included to the store. Yep I got some fun looks, but what could I do, eye wear is so fashionable, so enjoy Elise with her lamb.

Halloween

Just wanted to post a picture of the kids in their Halloween costumes. They loved all of it and already know what they want to be next year. Elise got to be Ariel, and requested the pink dress that she wears when she eats with Eric, with the white cut outs on the sleeves. Brycen got to be Sebastian the crab. I was afraid no one would know who they were, but people did. All in all it turned out pretty good. Elise was so funny in this picture, she told me she had to hold her dress out like she is because she is a Princess. I think we have been to Disneyland, I laughed.

Pumpkin Patch

Okay so I know this was so long ago but, oh well.

For preschool Elise got to go on a field trip to a pumpkin patch. Brycen and I got to join in as well. I had a lot of fun getting to know some of the other kids and mothers that go to Elise's school. We went to the Black Island pumpkin patch and had a blast. We got to go on a tractor ride and pick out our own pumpkin. Then they had all these hay slides that the kids loved. They went on all of them so fearlessly. They had a corn box instead of a sand box. Elise loved making Corn angels, Brycen and I just liked the feel off it on our toes. It was a lot of fun and we got some fun pictures. It took me forever to blog this since I got a terrible sinus infection and then had so much to catch up on. Nonetheless I am doing good now.

Chuck E. 'yucky' Cheese

Life lately has been like a roller coaster ride for us for sure. We have had lots of ups and downs and yet Nathan and I are just trying to hold on. We are thankful for all the support and love we have felt, as we cling to each other and this difficult time for Nathan's family.

We spend a lot of time driving down to Centerville lately and in doing so get to pass the new Chuck E. Cheese building. The kids have been begging us to go so we finally gave in. Nathan had Thursday off from work so we thought it would be a mild less busy day. NOPE forgot that it was UEA and everyone is out of school. We waited anyway to get a seat and pizza. I couldn't believe all the hectic craziness of the place. The kids had a great time and we had fun spending the afternoon together playing games. Nathan and I loved the Skee-Ball (Alley Ball) whatever you like to call it. There were a ton of games to play and they were all just one token so it was fun for the kids. It wasn't all that bad until later when we were all sick to our stomachs from the pizza. So next time we will for go the pizza and just play the games. All in all a nice time with the family which we needed.

The picture is of the kids at the Chuck E. Cheese Drawing pad boothe. Its a fun one of both of them Brycen was laughing.

Thankful

I also wanted to blog today of some of the wonderful blessings I have lately had in my life. Two weeks ago Nathan was in Houston right as Hurricane Ike was about to blow in. I was so glad that he was able to make it home Thursday a day before the storm hit and that he was safe. I had been nervous about it all week. I also am so glad that Elise is enjoying Preschool, I had a hard moment when she went the first day knowing how grown up she is getting. Its nice knowing how much she loves it, like we thought she would, so that I can enjoy it with her. It is also been a year since Nathan and I got the wonderful opportunity to go to Italy. It was a wonderful adventure that we will always have fond memories of. It was so nice to see a new part of the world, and fulfill a dream that we had together. It was so satisfying to me to be able to experience that with someone that I love as much as Nathan. We are both just so thankful that we were able to do something like that. Thankful for Nathan's parents for taking on the kids and, the time that they got to spend with Grandma and Grandpa. They still talk about the things they did when Mom and Dad went on the airplane. I am thankful for many more things but these ones have been on my mind the most.

My husband

Nathe is everything wonderful, he truly is. I found him downstairs with the kids while I was up to my elbows making carmel apples the other night. He was entertaining them with youtube videos of SpongeBob Square Pants and picture that he scanned it. They were all busting up with laughter. Thank you to a wonderful father and husband. Love you.



These are two of the scanned pictures that got the kids laughing. They made me laugh and I had to share. Plus the one of Nathan you can see he shaved off his goatee. Which has also been quite funny to the kids as they tell everyone, that none of us have beards anymore, and cute Bryce saying I will have a beard when I get bigger and have more birthdays. Nathe had to shave for work, since working at the refinery is potentially a danger if something is released in the air and he has to wear a face mask it has to fit his face and seal tight, thus no face hair.

Me & Kelly in Hotdog-o

First of all I have the BEST husband. For my birthday this year he completely surprised me by sending me to Chicago to visit my cousin Kelly. He took time off work to take care of the kids the whole Labor Day weekend. I left Thursday and didn't come home till the following Monday. Kelly and I had a blast, acting like we were 12 again staying up late all night talking and laughing. Kelly bought us tickets to Wicked for my Birthday as well. Friday we went to downtown Chicago and went to the art museum and to Millennium Park, ate the best Italian food, made a mess at Trader Joe's, and got to see Wicked that night. Wicked was amazing, and I loved it, and laughed through the whole show. Saturday we shopped till we dropped at Forever 21, and had Chicago deep dish pizza which was delicious. Sunday I got to go to church with Kelly and see her in action as one of the Primary Presidency. Then home for naps and craft projects, and making dinner together. Kelly also gave me a Twinkie cookbook, from the memories of my and Nathan's wedding reception food. Kelly and I made Twinkie lasagna for dessert that night. Monday we shopped more and I had to have deep dish pizza again. It was an amazing trip and a great opportunity to spend time with Kelly. Nathan did great with the kids, like I knew he would. I had a fun, relaxing time with Kelly and her cute dog Boggie, but was glad to come home and see my cute family. I asked Elise if she knew where I had been and she told me I went on a plane to Hotdog-o to see Kelly, and she wanted to know when she got to go. Now I just don't know how I will ever top that next year for Nathan's birthday!

Jack Johnson

Last night Nathan and I went to the Jack Johnson Concert. It was really fun. He is super talented and it was fun to see him play all the different guitars he had and the ukulele. My favorite was when he sang Upside, Down from the Curious George movie. That is the song that made me really like his music. I would put the movie on for the kids just so I could hear the awesome songs. The kids got kind of sick of always having to watch that movie so good thing I got the CD. I was really surprised at how good Jack Johnson sounded live, he sound just like his Cd's. I like how casual he is, he was on stage with flip flops, jeans and a t-shirt on. We had the best seats you could get, but the funny thing is we didn't have seats and we stood the whole time. I think next time we would pay less for seats, funny how that works. I couldn't believe how close we really were. It was funny though cause we had quite the night with all the traffic getting there which was insane, and then we stood in line to get some food and when Nathan was the next in line we found out that all the chicken and all the stuff for the tacos was out. We just couldn't believe it. The Usana Amphitheatre was completely full, so we headed out a little early so that we didn't have to take forever getting home. There was quite the interesting mix of people and it was fun to people watch. All and all it was an amazing night, being out with my amazing husband Nathan, who bought me tickets and took me to the concert-I love him!

Thanks to Marci for watching the kids, we can't wait to have theirs later this month when they go to Dave Matthews.

Cookies...Anyone

We went down to Cabelas, in Lehi. We told the kids we were going to a store with animals like the museum in St. George so Elise knew she needed her binoculars. We got down there and took the kids to the mountain by the animals and Elise pulled out her binoculars and started scanning the mountain for animals. Nathan was by her and asked her what the animal was right in front of them. Elise replied a Beaver, Nathan surprised that she knew that so easily asked her how she knew that and Elise with out question replied to her dad, "Cause I am a smart cookie, Dad." We all just laughed.

Family Night

A few Mondays ago we took the kids miniature golfing for family night. They always want to go golfing when they find out that, that is what dad is doing, especially Brycen. We went to classic Cherry Hill, and we figured that about everyone else had the same idea they were super busy. It was good though cause he could take our time and not rush the kids. The first 4 holes we had to keep telling the kids to not pick up the golf balls, they definitely were new to this. Elise loved all the castles that you got to shot your ball in. The best part of the night was on the last hole. Brycen had chosen a yellow golf ball to play with that night, since yellow is his favorite. We got to the last hole and Nathan and I told the kids that once you shot your ball in the hole with the clock your ball is gone, and is put away till next time you come play. So Brycen and Elise go first and shot their ball in. Brycen still didn't quite understand. His ball went in and he couldn't find it so he started looking around, and notices on the the hole behind us that there is a yellow ball, so that had to be it. He went running over there, Nathan and I caught on to what was going on but weren't close enough to him, so we call out to him and tell him no. He just is sure that, that was his ball and he was going to go get it. So he did, and the little boy whose ball it was started crying. I ran over and had him give it back and apologized up and down. I felt so bad, but yet couldn't help but smile.

Access Hollywood

Nathan's Mom is Diana in the green for those of you who haven't meet her, she is FABULOUS!

Nathan's Mom

I thought it would be fun to put Nathan's mom's TV debut on the blog so everyone can see how fabulous she is. She truly is wonderful and I have such admiration for her, and her great abilities. She is a fighter and I am so glad. She has many wonderful qualities and abilities I would love to learn to have. It was fun to see her on TV and how beautiful she looked. The kids of course loved seeing Grandma on TV. They love her so incredibly much and there isn't a prayer said in our house with out a blessing for Grandma. Keep fighting Mom, we love you!

Our kids

This post is mainly so I don't forget the funny things my kids say and do. Lately Elise and Brycen have started telling me I am a hearsey which anyone in Nathan's family will know right where that came from. On that same note last night as we were eating dinner Elise was sitting next to me and had just finished some grapes and had the left over stem piece and went to put it on the plate with the other grapes, and being the daddy's girl she is it landed right in my cup, which again anyone in Nathan's family will understand. We all busted up laughing. Its so great to see her personality and how she is growing up, yet I hate that its happening so fast. The other night in the car she was singing to her hearts content and it was the cutest thing ever. I hope its a while till she grows out of singing Twinkle little star, my favorite line is when it says, "up above" and Elise sings it "hubba bubba".

The other day Brycen and Elise went over to a friends house to play in the sprinklers, they were so tired afterwards so we came home for naps. After naps I said to Brycen you guys played hard today, and he said to me, "No mom we played med-de-dium. " I just laughed. So glad I have such great kids, love 'em.

Camping

Before the 24th of July, we were able to take a break and head out camping. We went up to our favorite campsite in Logan at Spring Hollow. The kids of course loved the tent and just always wanted to be in there. We were up there for three days and two nights. We have some how lost the cap to one of our air mattresses, so when we got up there we had no way to use our air mattress. Nathan and I were truly ruffing it on that one, our backs were so sore by the time we made it home. We got to take the kids fishing, and went on a hike. We also drove up to Bear Lake and the kids and Nathan went swimming, I was way to cold and sat on the beach with all the towels on me. Good thing Nathan is a fun dad, because I wimped out. We also had some Europeans on the beach by us, and I think they translated the whole Bear Lake thing wrong- but that's a whole other story! Then we went to get the always fabulous Bear Lake raspberry shakes, I think that was my favorite part. Nathan got a Banana Cream Pie shake that was tasty and the Onion Rings were delicious. After Bear Lake we went down to Logan for the afternoon and drove around to see how much it has changed. We drove by my old apartment were Nathan and I met and it was fun to show the kids. Then we went back to the tent for s'mores and hot dogs. The next morning we were planning to get up and get going so we had all the bags packed for the most part. At about 7 am we woke up to the sound of thunder and so Nathan and I jumped up started rolling sleeping bags and got the kids in the car while we took the tent and the rest of the stuff down in about 15 minutes. Right as we were folding up the tent it really started to pour. Nathan and I jumped in the car soaked and headed for home. When we got to Logan I looked over at Nathan's white shirt and where the rain drops had hit his shirt it started to turn yellow. My gray sweat pants were the same, and so was our pillow case that had got rain on it as well. It was the weirdest thing. All and all a great camping trip and fun time with our little family.

Human or Inhuman

Okay so I have to post about my Monday this week. A few days ago while sitting at the computer in the kitchen I heard a little chewing noise, normally I would of thought it was the kids, but they were occupied with cartoons that morning. I listened more and it was a bit tin sounding like in a can. I then realized to my horror that it was probably a mouse under the stove. I know I shouldn't admit that I have a mouse its so gross and unclean, but normal. So I told Nathan and then on Monday I heard it again, so I decided I was going to go to Wal-mart and get some mouse traps. First I pulled the drawer out of the bottom of my stove and the kids of course came running up and wanted to look under there and grab the wrapped tootsie roll from who knows when and other misc. items. I immediately stopped them and said no that we can't touch stuff from down there since a mouse had been in there, (that was a mistake) Elise hears the word mouse and wants to know if we can keep it to be Brycen's pet (she is holding out for a turtle and a cat, so of course it was deferred to Brycen). I told her no that we can't have pet mice cause they aren't the best pets. So we go get ready to head off to Wal-Mart. I call Nathan at some point and he says, while you are there don't forget to grab a box of snail bait. So we get to Wal-Mart later that day the kids are hot and tired, I am hot and tired, I grab groceries and the mouse traps without Elise knowing. We head over to the garden section one of the workers sees me coming and searching and say, " Can I help you find something?" I said yea I am looking for snail bait he shows me where it is and starts tell me all about how it works really well and kills the snails. He also tells me to not inhale it. So I start asking more about the inhaling part all the while Elise is hearing that it will kill the snails that are her treasured friends. I am all worried about this inhaling thing since Elise is constantly picking up snails and snails shells. The worker explains to me how he inhaled some the other day made it about ten feet and started throwing up everywhere. I am think great, I will get it and just have to warn Elise. Elise is now crying seeing that it is in the cart and that her Mom is actually going to buy this stuff that kills the snails. Finally I get her contained and I tell her it will only kill the snails that are eating all of our pretty flowers, (not knowing that, that is ALL the snails) she stops crying. We then see a decorative looking green bird cage that I was interested in. Well she automatically is sure that this is our mouse cage and that we ought to get it. Next crying fit. We get that one solved and we are finally on our way home. What a trip to Wal-Mart? I am sure Elise is just not sure why her Mom wants to trap a mouse and kill snails. I just hope I didn't damage her tender heart by it all. To end this crazy story we got the mouse the next morning, and the snails are all done eating the plants. Elise isn't allowed to pick up the snails where I spread the snail bait cause she knows it will make her sick. Nathan took the dead mouse out when the kids weren't watching I told Elise that the mouse went home to his family (I am hoping thats what mouse heaven is like) Hopefully now we just won't have any more request for pet mice.

the Weekend

For the 4th Holiday my cousin Kelly came and spent the day with us. We have been close friends all our lives, and love spending time with one another even if its just chatting on the phone. While she was here we took her to her favorite TACO TIME to get the crisp bean burritos that she loves, and made it just in time to get a Pace's Astro Bar as well. We also made shirts which was tons of fun. She is so fun to design with I enjoy getting her view and input on things. The kids of course loved having her here and got her to play all kinds of games with them. Then on the 4th we had yummy hamburgers with Nathan's parents, and with Jess and Justin. That night cute Nathan did his dad like responsibility of lighting off fireworks for the kids. Elise was of course so excited, Brycen took some time to warm up to all of it but enjoyed it in the end. Then Saturday Nathe and I got to go shopping by ourselves thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Miller. We are such bargain hunters but got some fun stuff for our eBay hobby. We did get a 3 inch memory foam pad for the bed which I love! I don't even want to get out of bed, its ever so comfortable. Then that night we took the kids to see Wall*e, at the drive in which was a really cute show with a great meaning, of love. We had a great weekend as a family and enjoyed being together.

In the garden

So I have decided I need to be a bit more like my children. We always have yard work to be done at our house, it never ends and it wears me out endlessly to think about it. So the other night while wonderful Nathan was mowing the lawn, like he always does, I decided to do some weeding I went to get my trusty shovel and weed bucket, and Brycen and Elise stopped riding their bikes and came running up to me, "Mom can we play the shovel game too." I just laughed and thought I wish weeding were a game. So I think I need to make life a bit more fun and game like. Elise and Brycen love, love to be outside in the yard with us. Elise loves snails, I can tolerate them for her, but I know she gets it straight from her dad. Nathe as a child would catch grasshoppers for hours and put them in his pocket or on the belly of his baby sister Amy. So its no suprise to me when Elise thinks its a present when I have found her a snail while weeding and has to carry them around in her snail house, and Brycen enjoys it just as much for his sister. She even tries to bring them in the house. I found leaves in the fridge a few nights ago and she insisted that they were in there for her pet snails. We also this weekend went to the Pinea garden sale and got a bunch of plants. Elise and I made a fairy garden complete with house and table and chairs. I guess I should think of all these times while I am out weeding and just enjoy it and my family outdoors.

Snorkling for WORK

So a few weeks ago Nathan got to go to Hawaii for work. I was totally jealous and would of loved to of gone. Having taken the kids in March and having a blast then I would of welcomed the 5 hour flight. Anyway with having some big plans for next year for traveling I decided to stay home. Nathan got to spend the first day there just hanging out relaxing and snorkling I was glad he got some time to him self. He is so self less and such a hard worker that he deserved it and I was glad he was able to relax for atleast a day. Nathan went out early in the morning which he felt was the best and was able to see a turtle and then even have the turtle come right up to him a about a foot a way from his face. That would of scared me right out of the water. Nathe also saw a sea cucumber and a bunch of cool fish and got these awesome photos.