Fall is Here!

Fall the best time of the year! In Danville that means crisp sunny days, chilly nights, and the trees are in varying degrees of change. I find so much hope and promise in this time of year. If Spring is the inhale then Fall is the exhale. So take a deep breath and let it out slowly so you do not miss anything!

Thanksgiving Day 2011

In an effort to keep up with holiday events I am journaling out of chronological order, (I will catch you up on summer in the near future).
This year we joined forces with the Miner family, the Stout family, and Nora for a good old fashioned Thanksgiving meal. It was the perfect combination of old friends and new friends. We had more food and dessert than we could possibly finish, football games, board games, and great conversations! We even had a sleepover with the Miners and Nora. It was sooo perfect to wake up Friday morning to people sleeping on couches and the floor, my home has never felt so full & happy. We stayed in or pajamas and watched movies. and played games while Nora discovered the American tradition of Black Friday, she had a great time in Target and bought as much as she could carry! A trip to the San Francisco creamery, the movies, and then home to watch the Cal vs, ASU game ended the perfect holiday.
We have some much to be thankful for, most of all each other.

Many Hands Make Light Work...

I was grateful to have many willing hands to assist with dinner and clean-up! I think my house was actually cleaner after entertaining 18 than before they arrived!

Craft Time!

We had 11 children in our home for thanksgiving this year, and I think they were thankful for turkeys made out of candy and plenty of new and old friends to keep them entertained.

Thanksgiving Day Football!

I know that the men (and boys) were thankful this year for a big screen tv and a constant stream of football games.

Danville 1st Wards Boy Scouts

The first of summer always starts out with a week long trip to Camp Oljato for Cyrus. I think that it is truly the highlight of the summer for Cyrus. He comes home completely filthy, covered in bug bites, and grinning from ear to ear! Oh, and the best part is all the merit badges he earns while he is there. Sadly his mom does not sew, but Grandma Pam came to the rescue and helped us get caught up.

A visit from Scotty Potty July 2011

We were very lucky this 4th of July to have a visit from Scott, Tarah, and Rowen!
We tried to keep them busy with parades and trips to Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, and the Muir Woods. We even had a private tour of the Pixar studio! (I think that was Scott's favorite part.) We had allot of fun showing them around our neck of the woods and hope they come visit again really soon!

July 2011 trip to Alcatraz

Check out Brodie in this picture... Yes, it really was that windy!

The cutest convicts ever!

J.D., Talen and Brodie leaving Alcatraz

Muir woods July 2011

Big Sis Little Bro

Scott, Rowen and I pause in this beautiful forrest for a quick pic.

Cyrus Swim Team Summer 2011

Another fun summer full of early morning swim practice and long swim meets. The boys worked hard and were able to beat their personal bests even on their last meet of the season! All their hard work (plus a little bribery) paid off!

Talen Swim Team Summer 2011

Snow cones and ribbons make long swim meets worth it! (At least according to Brodie)

Brodie Little Stingers Summer 2011

Old Fashioned Fun

Talen and Brodie compete in the 3-legged race at the school's county fair.

May 2011 Vista Grande's County Fair

After the entire third grade read Charlotte's Web they put on a county fair complete with hand made crafts and homemade treats! There was even a pet parade. Talen made this watercolor of Cannon Beach and received a blue ribbon!

Toilet Target

I was sooooo sick of cleaning up puddles of pee on the floor next to the toilet that I came up with the toilet target! If you aim for the target you get 10 magical points, I was not sure it would work, but I was desperate! I am happy to say the we have been puddle free for 2 weeks! This is a record in the Miller house, even the big boys think it is fun to aim for the target. This one was a rough draft, so I am thinking of different options to replace this one, but I guess it is true what they say, " necessity is the mother of invention".

Mother's Day in San Francisco

We spent the perfect Mother's Day in the city with the Miner's! The sky was clear and blue, the sun was out, the company was amazing, and the day ended with the most delicious lavendar ice cream!
Thank you for a great day!

Birthday success!

With allot of planing Brodie's birthday party ended up being a big hit! Grandma and Grandpa Miller came out to help celebrate along with 10 other families from church and the neighborhood. We served "Han" dogs and wookie cookies for the Star Wars themed party. Grandma Pam sent the beautiful hand made birthday flags that I look forward to hanging up for all birthdays in the future.

Brodie was dressed as Yoda the Jedi master for his party, other children came dressed as Star Wars characters as well, Brodie planned all details of his party, he talked about it for months! He said it was the best day ever!

The bounce house was a huge hit, we could not get the kids out!

Always in character...

We could not get this costume off Brodie for meals or even bedtime.

To the bat cave!

Hands down, favorite birthday gift!

Brodie turns 4!

Four years old on the 4th is pretty special, but not as special as Brodie is to us. Here are some things that make him great!
His favorite colors are blue and green, and he loves to eat mac and cheese and cheeseburgers.
His favorite song is Dynamite by Taio Cruz (he sings this song all day!)
His favorite movies are Star Wars and Ghostbusters.
He loves to go to the library, and be read to.
He loves to play board games, and ride his two wheeled bike. (He mastered this in December!)
He loves to swim, especially when his dad takes him to the deep end.
His best friend is Chase Beckstead.
He is really good at getting dressed all by himself.
When he grows up he would like to be Batman, a fireman, or a policeman.
The one person that can always make him laugh is Talen.
He is really looking forward to having his first birthday party this weekend!

We love you Bro!

Royals vs. gladiators

I usually try to avoid the "hype" when it comes to the media, however I must admit that I too was caught up in the whole royal wedding excitement. It was hard to look away from all the pomp and circumstance. The traditions and history that surrounded the whole event were enviable.

However the quickly replaced Kate and Will for the much darker news of Bin Laden's death left me feeling like I was a spectator at the long extinct (for good reason) gladiator games. I was quickly reminded by a friend of a quote (that may or may not be entirely MLK's words) but none the less helped me sort out my feelings about the most recent news.

‎"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" -- Martin Luther King, Jr

I am so grateful for the talents of those that can put into words the feelings that float around in my heart!

Happy 12th Birthday Cyrus!

Turning 12 seems so grown up, not to mention that he is almost as tall as I am now. These are some things that make Cyrus, Cyrus...
1. favorite color is green
2. favorite food is pasta
3. favorite musician is Jimmy Hendrix
4. enjoys playing guitar
5. favorite subject in school is history (he has an amazing memory for dates and facts)
6. is working to have his Eagle Scout before he turns 14
7. looking forward to his first over- nighter with the scouts this weekend (to the bat caves)
8. wants to be a doctor/fireman/chef when he grows up
9. still wants to cuddle with his mom and dad
10. is always patient and kind to his brothers (even when they do not deserve it)

Cyrus always works hard to do his best, and manages to be perpetually happy. We are so lucky to have him as a member of our family! Happy birthday Cyrus!

The mind of a 3 year old.

Driving home from a friends house tonight everyone was tired and quiet and then...

Brodie -Mom undies are like little tiny shorts that you wear under your other shorts right?

Mom - Yes, I guess that is true.

There is a long pause, and then...

Brodie - Why do we have to wear so many shorts to keep our nuts warm mom?

Music makers!

I was lucky enough to catch the boys this morning making music together, Brodie added the hat himself (for dramatic effect).

Happy 9th Birthday Talen!

It does not seem possible that my little cuddly Talen is 9!
Some things that make Talen, Talen are...
His favorite color is black
Favorite song is Knights of Cydonia by Muse (also his favorite band)
Favorite food is pepperoni pizza
Is learning to play the harmonica and bongos (self teaching)
Currently building a fort in the backyard of his friend's (our neighbors) house.
Future dream is to be a Navy Seal
Loves to entertain his brothers, friends, and anyone else near by.
Loved playing basket ball this season and was one of the tallest yet youngest boys on the team. He ended the season with his first 3 point buzzer beater shot.
Talen is a sweet, and loyal friend and brother, we are so lucky to have him as a member of our family!

Road Trip 2/18/11

With JD working insane hours, and cold rainy weather in Nor Cal we decided to pack up the car and drive south for some fun in the sun. The San Diego Zoo and Sea World cured of us our rainy day blues quick! Even with temps in the mid 60's the boys could not resist the the water, and a little sun on their skin. Holly's friend Melissa and her cute family were gracious hosts and made it hard to pack up and head back home. Luckily we will be back in a few weeks to celebrate the boys birthdays in Disneyland.

A trip to San Diego without breakfast at the Mission is a crime!

Talen patiently awaits his cinnamon french toast.

Melissa, Holly, and I

Pass the love around!

I don't know if it was the beautiful sunny day with signs of an early Spring around every corner, or if it was just knowing that it was Friday and I was looking forward to enjoying the company of my boys, but I was overflowing with love and needed a way to express it.
I could see Cyrus walking across the lawn with his heavy backpack, as he started up the walk to the front door I opened the door and ran towards him with my arms open wide expressing my love for him. I thought he might think I was weird, but he smiled brightly hugged me back and began telling me about his day. This was so much fun that we decided to surprise Talen the same way. This time Cyrus, Brodie, and I running with open arms.
I was was struck by how accepting my boys were of this show of love. They fully embraced it and then continued to pass the love around the rest of the day.
I still find it amazing at what a tight grip my four boys have on my heart, I could not love them more if I tried. I am the luckiest girl on the planet!

Treasure Island 1/15/11

Our thespian strikes again! This time in the Vista Grande elementary school production of Treasure Island. Talen was one of the angry villagers. He had a line, sang songs, and did a little dance. I of course think he was the best angry villager. I am so happy that he gets to have these opportunities to develop his talents.

Even Cyrus and Brodie get into the pirate spirit!

This picture is actually very special, because only days after this was taken Brodie finally gave up his pacifier for good! He made the choice on his own, no sadness or tears. I have to admit though, I am a little sad and I really miss the cute sucking noise he made when he was falling asleep.

Pioneer Luncheon 12/10

Every third grader at Vista Grande reads Little House in the Big Woods and then the children celebrate pioneer style. They dress in pioneer clothing, and give each other homemade gifts, and enjoy homemade foods such as mashed potatoes and apple cobbler. This is all eaten by candlelight. Talen had a great time!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit 12/10

J.D. volunteers to help with the live nativity at the Oakland temple this year, (he is the red shepherd). And yes, that is a 65 year old virgin Mary. I think they were desperate for help.

Home for Christmas

You are never too old for a dog pile!

Christmas Eve camping with grandpa Mark 12/24/10