Easter

Well, I have resorted to posting only pictures to the blog...and only on holidays...

The Easter Bunny found our house (on "Mugg-a-lin Drive" as Maddie says) and brought too much candy. We had a good day; lots of food and a little nap. It doesn't get better than that! My sister took the kids on a easter egg hunt on Saturday and they got little bunny noses painted on...I will post those pics soon!

Happy St Paddys Day!

We just had too much fun with the $4.97 hat from Wal-Mart for St. Paddys!

An Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Update

Here is a most recent pic of the kids...from Valentines Day in their cute little striped shirts. Our neighbor and friend, Catherine, (or "freighbor" as we like to call her) spoils our kids and got them their shirts to wear on Valentines Day. Don't you love the matching chubby cheeks????

We are looking forward to warmer weather coming our way and hope to get outside and burn off some energy! Chris is finishing up his spring break and will go back to school on Monday...only about 8 weeks left of actual classes and then on to student teaching! Then he will be done! As stressful as it has been, the time as gone by fast...

I am still adjusting to my new job in the OR...I love the hours, but it is taking me some time to get used to the type of work we do. Its a lot of technical work and we dont really get to take care of patients, and I miss that. The hours can be interesting too! For example, right now it is 1:08 am on Saturday and I just got home after going to work at 7am on Friday! I can't complain about the paychecks though! And I love to be able to come home most days at 3:30.

Madison is still doing her dance class every Tuesday and is all signed up for preschool in the fall. I can't believe it! She's as smart and sassy as ever...and mister Owen just continues to challenge us day after day. It's a good thing he's cute, 'cuz he's a stinker!

Well, I hope this little update finds everyone well and enjoying the New Year...its not much, but at least you know we are alive and kickin'! Don't forget to set your clocks back tomorrow! We need some more hours of daylight at night!

Tired

I am tired of snow. I am tired of winter. I am tired of being stuck in the house. I want to be outside!!! I have big plans for my first flower garden this year and I want to go buy the kids a wooden swingset...I want to watch them ride their little outdoor trikes and play and run around while I sit and get a tan. Ugh! Winter sucks...

Oh! And Chris is on Spring Break this week! Shouldn't we be in Cancun or something????

WOW!

It has been too long since we have posted anything! The last was Owen's birthday and now he is already almost 14 months old! Time flies when you're having fun!!!! Well, lets start with some pics of his birthday...

He wasn't sure what to think of the cake at first, but then he really got into it (as you can see). Last night he really started walking and I am pretty sure this is going to be our only mode of transportation soon. This makes me a little nervous...

ONE YEAR!

Owen is one year old today! Can you believe it? Only 5 pounds, 15 ounces when he was born; now a whopping 28 POUNDS! CHUNKY MONKEY! He is cruising along furniture and still scoots along on his little butt! Here is a picture of him on Christmas Eve; I will post some pics of his "CARS" birthday party soon! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Wish me luck!

I start my new job as an operating room nurse tomorrow morning at 7am! I AM NERVOUS! This whole morning thing is going to take some getting used to! I'm sure I will wake up every hour to make sure I didn't oversleep! Cross your fingers for me!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!

PRINCESS MADISON IS THREE! I can't believe it! It seems like such a short time ago we were bringing her home from the hospital, wondering why they would trust us with this sweet black-haired little baby...

She is not a baby anymore!!!! She is now blond and sassy and waiting for her turn to ride her brand new motorcycle to the Sturgis Rally...

Thank you to everyone for making her birthday so special! We are truly blessed to have such great family and friends!

Funny Girl

Tonight we are in cleaning mode for Madison's upcoming birthday party. Madison's floor in her room was COVERED with toys, so I picked them up and Nana went in to vacuum...when she was done, Madison went in there and said "Oh thanks Nana! You got me new carpet!" HAHAHA. This is true proof that our house is a complete mess...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is my sis-in-law Sarah's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH! Only one more year 'til 30~wish we could be in Florida with the air conditioner on! Have a good one!!!!

We love our Vikings!!!

No rest for the wicked

Our life just gets crazier by the minute! On Saturday of last week, Chris and I hopped in the mini-van for a mini-vacation to Minneapolis. I had bought him tickets to the Vikings/Packers game for his birthday and it was time to use them. We got the kids off to Aunt Jen's with Nana and hit the road. We got into downtown Minneapolis around 4:30...our original plan was to go straight out to Ikea, but there are NO signs ANYWHERE for an exit to the Mall of America. So we got all checked in and headed out for Ikea. We ended up taking the scenic route and saw a lot of residental area...hehehe. We shopped a little and then went out for a great dinner at Stella's Fish Cafe. WHAT A GREAT PLACE!!! We both tried oysters for the first time; slimy little things, but did you know they are an afrodisiac????? The sangria and lobster roll were amazing! We ended the night having drinks in the hotel bar and finally getting a chance to talk; we don't get a lot of adult conversation in with two little tikes. :)
Sunday: Game day! We put on our matching purple Vikings shirts (how sweet!) and headed out to the Metrodome after a quick trip to Starbucks. The major purchase of the day was a purple and gold feather boa. A very versatile accessory...The Vikes lost to the Packers, but we had a really great time. The energy in those places is UNREAL! After the game, we headed home to our little ones that weren't feeling so well...
Monday morning: a trip to the doctor for Owen. He had a fever and a cough and a yucky green snotty nose. That little chunky monkey weighs 26 pounds!!! He had a plugges and infected tube in his ear (again), so he got a little antibiotic shot and some medicine. Madison made sure that the doctor checked her ears, throat, and heart. (do you think we go to the doctor enough?)
Tuesday: Owen feeling a little better. Madison finds out at 10am that today is "dance-class day" and needs her dance outfit on STAT. She refuses to nap and, in turn, refuses to dance for the last part of her class. WHEN DID I BECOME THE MOM THAT OTHER MOMS STARE AT??? But the day ended on a good note when Chris got a "Friend of Education" award from Lincoln School for all of his help with the kids starting band. Way to go!!!
Shopping days until Christmas: 38 This really scares me....

Elvis has just entered the building...

Tiny dancer

We now have a little ballerina in our lives...Madison started dance a few weeks ago! She is in pre-ballet at the Academy of Dance. We now eat, sleep, and breathe dancing!!! She is just so fun to watch twirl around in front of those big mirrors...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This year the kids went as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and a dragon. Maddie made the perfect Dorothy with her little red slippers! Owen was going to be the lion, but he made up his mind quite early about what he was and wasn't going to wear on his head. So, needless to say, we went with what made him happy. They both had such a great time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY! Chris Miller turns THIRTY! He is taking it very well...don't mention his thinning hair though...

God Bless America!

Today the Charlie Battery of Yankton returned to town after 16 months of fighting in Iraq. The town was a sea of yellow ribbons and there was an awesome "welcome home" parade this afternoon. Madison got into the patriotic spirit with her flag and bandana and waved to all the soldiers as they rode by. We want to say THANK YOU to all the men and women that have served (past and present) to defend the freedoms we enjoy everyday!

It's family picture time!

Update

Things continue to busy around here. I am finding it difficult, but not impossible to balance all of the things on my plate. We just need to take things one day at a time. It is nice to see light at the end of the tunnel!


Bob Schieffer (CBS News) and I have a gig together. He has been chosen as the recipient of the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in Journalism, an award that he will receive at USD on October 5. He has written some songs and would like to perform them at the awards ceremony. I have been chosen to be in his back up band! The ceremony is Thursday October 5 from 7-8:30 and will be broadcast on SDPTV. Set your DVRs, VCRs, etc.!

I must commend my wife on her ability to deal with my busy schedule. She has been extremely supportive and patient! Thanks honey! By the way, the ER construction project has been completed at Avera Sacred Heart. Mindy is now working in a very state of the art facility (my favorite part is the new high def TV in the waiting room!).

The kids are great. They continue to challenge and amaze us. It's hard to belive Maddie is almost 3 years old, an Owen is almost 1!

That's all. See ya soon!