Vegas

It was a lot of walking...
Harrah's Piano Bar...

Gorgeous...I just LOVE the palm trees!

We had such a great time! If any of you are reading this, thank for taking care of our kids so we could have a very memorable anniversary!

Upward and Onward...

We are moving to Mitchell!!! I'm sure all of you that are reading this already know, but Chris got offered the position of high school vocal director at Mitchell High School, starting in January. So, we are actually moving at the end of July. The hospital wants me to start in my new position on August 2. I will be working nights again (ugh) on Swingbed and Medical. But, it is only 60 hours every two weeks, so I will be able to spend more time with Maddie and Owen. I am going house-hunting today, so hopefully we can find something we like and sell ours with no problems!
What else is new:
1. Our 5 year anniversary is on Friday...for our gift to each other, we went on a 4 day trip to Las Vegas with some friends and had a great time! (i will post some pics)
2. We got a kitty...her name is Foxy Cleopatra and right now she is making me really mad because she is biting my feet...but she is orange and black and white and she is about 3 months old and very much a playful baby! Owen likes to pick her up and throw her...any advice on how to fix that would be much appreciated.
I think that's about it...the kids are great; growing and sassy as ever!

What a week...

Well, we all already know how bad I am at posting, so we won't relive that again...
This has been a long week for the Miller fam. To make a long story pretty long, Owen had been running a temp and coughing for about a week. He was being treated for pneumonia with antibiotics and Chris and I took turns staying home with him last week. On Sunday he woke up feeling good, so we dropped him off at grandma and papa's house and drove up to Sioux Falls to take Madison to the circus. When we got back he was resting on grandma's lap after sleeping for about 3 hours...by the time we drove home his temp was back up to 102 and he was falling back asleep again. Ok, so I am a nurse at work, when I am home I am the MOM, and after 9 days of a fever I was getting nervous. The pediatrician on-call told us to go to the ER. By the time we got him there, his temp was 104.
So, we did the chest X-ray (which didn't show too much), and some blood work and an IV and spent two days in the hospital. Two of the longest days of our lives! The nurses were great; Owen got spoiled, but no one slept. He had IV antibiotics and steroids every 6 hours and breathing treatments every four hours and they were checking his temperature every 2 minutes it seemed...blah, blah, blah. We ended up leaving on Tuesday after no fever for 14 hours.
Wednesday morning we woke up with a temp of 102 again...UGH. But his blood work is showing that it isn't from a bacteria. The doctor is thinking he has a little mucus plug in his lung that isn't letting the junk come out so we are doing "back claps". It is this little rubber thing that we pound on his back with to break up the mucus. Or, he sucked a little piece of food into his lungs and it is surrounded by pus and can't get out. (doesn't that sound lovely?) Now onto good news, I THINK THE BACK CLAPS ARE WORKING!
He hasn't had a fever in two days and is coughing up all kinds of yucky stuff. He is running around and laughing and playing again...he most likely has asthma, which if we can control it, he hopefully won't get sick like this again.
All of this during Chris' last week of classes! He is going to be officially done on Thursday night at 7pm. He starts student teaching in the fall and graduates in December! Keep your calendar open around the middle of December for a HUGE GRADUATION BASH!!!!!! My grandpa already has a bottle of scotch waiting for him. :)
So, cross your fingers for us that on Monday when we go back to the doctor we have no more pneumonia! And I really am going to try to get better with posting on here...(yeah right)

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...