Cousin Memories

Hubby and I do not live near our nieces and nephews and so we really try to get to know them, have tons of fun, and get to know them better and build our relationships when we're in town.

This trip, we opted for a hotel overnight in St. Louis with Aunt Brooke, Uncle Chris, Memaw and Pepaw and ALL thirteen cousins.  Thirteen came and ate and swam, and played, and twelve spent the night.  We had two suites and the nephews (Howard, Judah, Silas, Hunter, and Brady) slept in Memaw and Pepaw's room, and the nieces (Zivah, Mayah, Tracey, Caroline, Fridah, Lee Lee, Scarlett) slept in Uncle Chris and Aunt Brookie's room.

I'm writing this blog at 10:44pm... so I'm hoping that we all make it through the night successfully.  All children are peacefully sleeping as I write this...

Thank you for the prayers.

Also, when you read this, it will be June 8.  June 8, 2002 is the day that my sister, Tracey, went to heaven.  Knowing that she is an aunt that never had the chance to build relationships with her nieces and nephews makes me appreciate even more this special overnight with so many of my nieces and nephews.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 39th Anniversary to my wonderful parents.

Wishing you many more happily married years together.

 

 

Great Grandchildren

Five years ago we took the first picture of "all the great grandchildren" on Hubby's maternal side.

Here is the picture from 2014 when Tracey is less than six months old...

Last night, we took the second picture of "all the great grandchildren" on Hubby's maternal side.

We've had a busy five years.

 

Fourth of July Festivities

This year we spent some time with Hubby's grandparents and enjoyed fireworks and glowsticks.

Hubby's brother brought a bobcat and backhoe out to their grandparents house so the kids got to ride and use those a little bit, which was a big hit.  No pictures were taken, but we had to examine all the kids for ticks afterwards and found upwards of a dozen on members of the group.  Yikes.

We thought was had a great picture of all the Miller great-grandchildren with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa... but then we realized Caroline was missing.  She was still getting ticks removed.

 Okay... take two.

Miller cousins... Chris' younger brother has two children and they're expecting their third in November... her C-Section is scheduled two days after my due date.

Little Miss Independence

Waiting for fireworks

Our whole group with car-headlights and without to try to capture the glow sticks

 

Birthday Cousin Fun

Yesterday was Zivah's sixth birthday so it was a day full of family and fun activities.

We started the day at toddler time at the trampoline park...

Then we went to the children's section of Barnes and Noble...

Then, Tracey went to see a movie with Zivah, Mayah, Aunt Becky and Uncle Daniel while Hubby and I took our three youngests home for a much needed afternoon nap.

We went to Zivah's house in the afternoon for some swimming and then a special visitor...

 So Tracey was completely ecstatic to meet Rapunzel.

Caroline and Lee Lee enjoyed meeting Rapunzel and loved her games, stories, and activities... but Caroline didn't want to stand for a picture.  I think its most funny how hesitant Caroline looks with Rapunzel given that Howard had a HUGE crush on Rapunzel.  Its almost like she knows how much his brother likes her and she is being extra hesitant about this new lady...

Howard specifically wanted a picture with Rapunzel all by himself.  He told Rapunzel she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen (with some help).  He really really liked her.

What a great day. 

 

Four Years

Some people earn a Bachelor's Degree in four years... the Miller family invests in the future in other ways in four years...

 

Family Invasion

We have had a crazy few days as Hubby's brother and sister and their families arrived to celebrate Christmas and our kids' January birthdays together.  Hubby's parents were already here, so that made a total of 17 people in and around our house over the past three days -- 8 adults, 9 kids (under the age of 5).

Hubby's sister had a hotel room for their family, but her three oldest kids slept at our house most nights which left 14 people staying at our house (including us).  It was nuts, but it was awesome.  It is exactly the chaos and fun I always hoped to be a part of in a big family someday.

Here are some pictures of our adventure including but not limited to:

Exchanging gifts

Adults night out

Birthday party celebrating Tracey, Howard, and Caroline's January birthdays