Eighth Anniversary

For our eighth anniversary this year, Hubby and I had some fun.

I bought him a big map of the United States with picture frames for every state, which we get to fill with family pictures.  I have been to all 50 states, and Hubby has been to 49... and he and I have been to quite a few together (I should count).  But we really want to fill this map with pictures of our children in many states.  I think it also helps our little ones understand where we have gone when we tell them, "We're in Montana."

He loved it and printed pictures from our trip West within days of opening it.

Hubby surprised me by planning a date night where we took we got to throw pottery together... is that the correct term?  Throw pottery?  Well, we had a class together and got to make pottery.  Hubby said he looked it up, and the eighth anniversary is either brass or pottery... so he was so inspired.  :-D

Week Home

So, in case you were keeping track, we got out of school, and promptly had a two-day garage sale.  The next day we left for a week-long family vacation in Vail.

Then we were home for two nights (and about one day) before we left for our family road trip to Washington and home through Yellowstone National Park.  That was a great trip.

Well, we've been home for exactly one week -- we got home last Friday around midnight, and we head off again this morning morning about 5:00am (or at least that is the goal!).

So, what did we do with our week home?  Well, we worked a lot -- I taught a few summer classes in braille and O&M, Hubby went up to his new school a few times for meetings and work, and I did a lot of work for the church.  I also had a list of projects I wanted done around the house -- some pictures hung, bookshelves moved.  And, we managed to squeeze in some family fun -- a family movie at the movie theater (Lee Lee's first), seeing the new baby on the ultra sound, and a trip to Glenwood Caverns.

She was not happy when I took this... but she looked just so darn cute.

Our kids had as much fun dancing at the front of the theater at the end of the movie while music played during the credits as they did during the actual movie.  We saw Toy Story 4.

We had lunch at White House Pizza during the week and the kids had a blast playing hide and seek in their yard -- can you see Tracey hiding behind this sign?

These two kept playing Road Trip -- they would pack bags, backpacks, purses with as many toys as would fit in them.  Then, they would sit on the seat together with all their dolls and Caroline would say something like, "You want to go to St. Louis?"

Lee Lee:  Yeah!

Caroline:  Okay, buckle up!

Lee Lee:  Okay.

Caroline:  Hold on to your baby

Lee Lee:  Baby.

Comedy of Errors

Yesterday was a comedy of errors.

We went up to Glenwood Caverns with our kiddos and a baby-sitter.  We went to Glenwood Caverns earlier this year with Hubby's parents and we had a blast.  There were four adults and four children.  Our three big kids LOVED a specific roller coaster which they had to ride with an adult.  I wasn't showing as much with my pregnancy, so the four adults would trade off riding the roller coaster with different children and one would stay with Lee Lee.

Well, the plan was for Hubby and our baby-sitter to alternate off with the three big kids while I stayed with Lee Lee.  That was the plan.

Turns out, the little ones had to ride with someone age 16 or older... and our baby-sitter was 14.  So... our day started with Hubby riding the ride with each of our big kids one at a time, while Lee Lee and I just stood in line so that he could circle through every time with a different of the three children.  That took about an hour.

No problem, there is plenty of other things to do at Glenwood Caverns.  Among them, there was a 4D movie that we thought the kids might really enjoy.  It was called, "Happy Family."

I had to sit at the back with Lee Lee because the seats actually move and wobble.  In hindsight, we should have prepared the kids better for what a 4D movie actually was.  We didn't.  -- Also, "Happy Family" was actually about a family that goes on a scary roller haunted coaster ride.  Our children lasted maybe two minutes in the movie before all three of the big kids were SCREAMING and absolutely terrified.  I went down to where everyone was sitting because I thought I would leave with whatever child was upset and Hubby and the baby-sitter could stay with the other kids.  Little did I know every one of our three older kids were screaming and crying and hiding their eyes.  We all left.

So, after that, Lee Lee and the baby-sitter and I went to a little music program while Hubby tried to get the three big kids entertained by a climbing activity.  As I left Hubby to go with the baby-sitter, I pointed out to him that the wooden box (that's the only way I can think to describe it) that he was helping our children climb into said on the sign, "Average time 15 minutes."  Hubby told me they were fine and he had them.

Well, about ten minutes later as Lee Lee is happily banging on drums and shaking maracas, I see Hubby and some some very unhappy children coming toward us.  Turns out, the wooden box was actually a maze that the children had to figure out their way out.  Hubby said, they spent about five minutes in there before all three found themselves backed together into a corner feeling trapped.  Then, all three began crying hysterically, reaching for him through the slats of the wood like they were in a cage.  It took him about five minutes to calm them down enough for them to listen to his directions to get them out of the wooden box.

He promised to get them lollypops to make them feel better after feeling trapped in the maze.

We really just knocked it out of the park with this outing for our children. 

We definitely learning the ins and outs of Glenwood Caverns and trying to get our children to face their fears on a regular basis.

Boy or Girl?

We had my 20 week ultrasound appointment yesterday and now I'm having fun trying to compare baby profile pictures and predict if the baby is a boy or girl.

What do you think?

 

Family Adventures

We are getting to do more "family adventure" traveling this summer and we are all pumped about it.  "Family adventure" traveling, to me, means we are traveling more places than getting from here to there to see family and back again.  We are actually planning fun activities on the trips and extra adventures around the destinations.

I can feel both of these memes are true and I plan to soak up every blessed moment of travel and family time this summer.

 

8 Years

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

 

Traveling Home - Yellowstone

On the way home from my brother's we spent two nights in Idaho Falls, ID and one night in Cody, WY in order to spend some time around Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park and the area where Hubby hunts.

Here are some pictures from the first part of the trip home:

Behind us it says "Welcome to Montana" -- the sign farthest to the left on the bridge behind us

Driving through the park, they got to ride in the middle seat sometimes so they could see wildlife better.

 We see a coyote!

Bison behind us (we saw tons)

Old Faithful

Seeing Elk

Mama and baby Moose through the trees

 

Preggers IV: 19 Weeks

 

I was feeling really behind not having posted a pregnancy update yet... but in looking back, I didn't post with Lee Lee until 21 weeks, so I'm doing better this time around.

 

19 weeks Baby Number 5

(notice the long sleeves -- very chilly summer day in Rifle today)

 

19 Weeks with Tracey

 

 

19 Weeks with the Twins

 

 

 

20 Weeks with Lee Lee (because I didn't take a photo at 19 weeks) 

 

How far along?  19 weeks

How I am feeling? With the pregnancy, I feel great... starting to feel big, but overall I'm doing great.  I do get nauseous still if I need to eat.

 

How big is the baby?  The size of a zucchini... 10.08 inches long, 10.58 ounces

 

Sleep:  I always sleep well -- there is no option not to in order to keep up with everyone.  I will say we have been traveling this past week and I have not gotten ENOUGH sleep, but that cannot continue.  Sleep -- here I come!

Boy/Girl Predictions:  I really don't have a prediction because I have been 1/4 in gender predictions (I've thought all were boys... and 1 has been a boy).  I will say I really hope its a boy to add some balance to our family, but we do well with girls.  Howard wants a brother, and Tracey wants another sister.  Lee Lee and Caroline are just excited about the baby.

Baby Nicknames:  Mostly just Baby.  Tracey told someone she wants to name the baby Roger if it's a boy, and Ella if its a girl.  But thankfully she hasn't started calling the baby those names.

 

  Best moment this week:  We had a really great family vacation over father's day with my family and then a great family adventure through Yellowstone on the way home.  I think the best was traveling with the kids -- Hubby and I love to travel on roadtrips but we really haven't since the twins were born.  It felt great to be doing that as a family.

Food cravings:  Nothing in particular right now I just need to eat or I feel nauseated.

Missing:  Since before being pregnant?  Probably my size.  I worked really hard to lose the pregnancy weight following Lee Lee and it was fun to feel back to my normal size.  I am still diligently working out with this pregnancy, but obviously my size is changing again to accommodate a growing healthy baby.  It's only temporary.

 

Movements:  Yes, and I love them although they haven't been big enough for the kiddos to feel yet.  I am very excited for the bigger kicks that the siblings will be able to feel.

Labor Signs:  Not yet, thankfully.

 

General Attitude: Hmmm... about the pregnancy or in general?  About the pregnancy, I'm still surprised when people know I'm pregnant because Hubby and I kept it a secret for so long (I didn't tell Hubby until almost 7 weeks, we told my parents at 12 weeks, we told our kids at his parents at 14 weeks).  In general, I'm trying to take one summer adventure at a time in order to stay organized and not be overwhelmed.
 What I am looking forward to this week:  We have our 20 week ultrasound this week (at 19.5 weeks) because we will be traveling soon and I am excited to see the baby, know that everything looks healthy, and I think I'm taking a few kiddos with me so I am excited for them to experience that as well.

Milestones: We're nearly halfway through this pregnancy!

 

Hey It's Good To Be Back Home Again

Eleven Days

Nine States

One Family Reunion

Two National Parks

Many animal sightings

Calculated miles... but probably will tomorrow

Four hotel nights

Six Mountain Millers

One great Miller family adventure

Now we're home for a few days before the next adventure.

Bear World

Greeting from Bear World!

 

Photos from Chelan Part 3

Photos from Lake Chelan Sunday and Monday

Sunday being Father's Day, we all rented jet skis and headed to the beach in the morning.  Everyone had at least a little ride on the jet skis even my mom and dad and Addallee.

Then, Jake and Ryan and Trent had to head out Sunday afternoon.  Hubby and Howard played mini golf while the girls worked on an arts and crafts project.

Monday morning, our crew hung around the house while Grammie and Papa backed up and our crew recovered from the many days of activities.  Grammie and Papa headed out Monday afternoon and left early Tuesday morning.