Well, as the year comes to an end, it is fun to think back and plan for the future. I, like most others, like to evaluate my year and think of things I could do to make the new year better. Each year my list is pretty much the same
(and doesn't make it through April) -
SO, this year, I decided to share with all of you...
my New Years Resolutions - from 21 years ago
(taken from the diary of Dede, dated 1/1/88)
and I quote {clear throat}
(and doesn't make it through April) -
SO, this year, I decided to share with all of you...
my New Years Resolutions - from 21 years ago
(taken from the diary of Dede, dated 1/1/88)
and I quote {clear throat}
1. get a boyfriend
2. be a good friend
3. weigh 105 pounds
4. get good grades
5. be 16!
6. make 10 more friends, at least 4 male
7. think of others
8. be nice to Annie
9. write people, etc...
Well, I think I was able to accomplish a few of those and if nothing else,
I am for sure making my kids write in their journals tomorrow!
Happy New Year!
Well, I think I was able to accomplish a few of those and if nothing else,
I am for sure making my kids write in their journals tomorrow!
Happy New Year!
Santa did not disappoint and there were smiles all around (I guess the elf didn't snitch!)! About 10 minutes into the frenzy, the power went out (which made me VERY grateful non of the kids asked for anything that required an outlet!). The next few hours were spent reading directions (Bill) and claims of not knowing how it worked (me)! The excitement of all the snow overtook the excitement of presents (for most) as the snow gear came on and the kids went outside (to "help" shovel)! Once Bill got a nice path cleared for us, we headed over to Carin's for the Miller Family Christmas Party. We had a great dinner, followed by some wonderful musical entertainment! After the cousins exchanged gifts we had a festive game of "grab bag" (a Miller family favorite!). Poor Wesley was getting stuck with crystal angels and beaded necklaces, but he did a good job persuading his Nana and Aunt to "steal" them (suckers!). 
Chase loves candy cane suckers - so does Sophie! Unfortunately, there is only one! Taking turns quickly got old, which led to an aggressive round of tug-o-war! Chase (surprisingly) won, which resulted in Sophie going to the stairs, posing just right and turning to give us all her 
It has turned into one of my boys favorite parts of Christmas!
Chase loved his new pj's (which was a good thing - he is getting really picky about what he will wear!) but, his accompanying slippers were his favorite part by far! 
Here they are ANXIOUSLY awaiting to be set free - when they wake up they have to come to my our room first, once everyone is together the fun begins!
Apparently, it isn't a very wide spread storm
most of the people we have talked to today haven't seen any snow
It has snowed nonstop since we awoke this morning - we even had a power outage for an hour or so!!
We are working very hard to get out of the driveway (and by "we", of course, I mean Bill - I am, however, being very supportive and taking pictures!)!
I hope you all have a great Christmas.
I am loving the 4 wheeler - the fact that Bill gets to do 360's in the street afterwards, is the ONLY reason I get my driveway plowed!
because without it, I would be nothing!
Cameron gets to now do all the work that he could of done in class. He also gets to flatten them out so they will look presentable when he hands them in. If he chooses to sit at the kitchen table and not do anything but talk to himself (like he is doing right now) he doesn't get to have any of his Christmas presents. He is aloud to open them on Christmas and look at them, but he will not get to play with one thing until ALL of this homework is done! I might even throw in an extra book report for good measure! I wonder what kinda comment he would leave right now? I bet it wouldn't be pretty!
We missed it last year when we left for Arizona for the month of December (very tempting to not make that a tradition!) and it was all the kids could talk about!! So, we were sure to fit it in early this year! 
Unfortunately my camera battery died right after this picture (too bad, I looked awesome in those glasses!). The best part was at the beginning, Santa is saying hi to everyone and his naughty/nice computer crashes - he has to make his quota so he is going to pick one kid out of the audience to be on his naughty list - since it is in 3D when he points everyone thinks he is pointing at them - knowing this would happen and sitting right next to Wesley, is what made it fun. Right when he pointed (to Wesley) I said, "I can't believe he picked you!! You better start being nice!" to which he replied, "I know, I know."! I very well might be on Santa's naughty list by the time Christmas gets here, it is just too fun to tease him! 
After all the decorations were in place we walked around the complex to see all the pretty lights!
My favorite sight was the old couple making out in the hot tub, but I didn't get a picture of that - sorry or your welcome! 
We will have to be sure to get the other boys over there to see the lights too!
He did eventually cave (probably, after seeing Cameron survive) and tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas - when he was done, he whispered in my ear "he didn't ask". He thought he was safe, until we got home and my new (best) friend appeared...
this little elf is helping Santa by keeping an eye on the boys. I first pointed him out when Wesley was throwing a little fit. I told Wesley that this little elf was Santa's helper and was going to tell Santa if he was being good or not. A few minutes later, Wesley was trying to get out of going to church (again) - I told him he had to go because he couldn't stay home by himself - he said, "the elf can watch me!". Shortly after that (while Wesley was getting ready for church) the elf fell - I put him back up on the shelf (apparently facing a different direction)- about an hour later Wesley was being mean to Chase - I just looked at Wesley and then looked at the elf. Wesley looked up and noticed the elf was staring straight at him, to which he replied, "why does that elf always have to watch me? I just want to scratch him in the face!" - realizing Santa wouldn't like that and that the elf is following him, he has vowed to try to be 
My hidden agenda was to completely wear the kids out (2 are now asleep - the other 2 are taking turns farting) 
Here is a picture for Mike and Annie who miss their kiddos SO BAD while they are laying on the beach, soaking up the sun, snorkeling, sleeping in (etc. ) in Hawaii (ya - I don't believe them either)! 
When Chase told Braden to "come on" today, Braden said, "you aren't my boss, only Wesley is!". That Wesley is one smart resourceful kid!
Speaking of the trickster (now that they are done farting) he just told Braden where to hide while he counted to 10 - Braden obeyed - he found him!
Chase likes to think he is the boss of sweet little Grace - she doesn't really understand him, so it works out well. He is really jealous of her, or the fact that she still gets to have a BINKY! He just stares and stares at it! 
He also wants to sit in the high chair again and crawled around the whole time they were at Jumping Jacks! 
Favorite Aunts also give lots of treats - here they are with their whistle pops (be glad this is not a video - you can't even image the sound coming out of those things during this picture) and don't worry Mike - I didn't give Grace any candy (she was too busy sucking on french fries!). So, Mike and Annie, I am sorry to say that your kids don't miss you at all - haven't even asked for you - they will probably even cry when you come get them! Aloha!
about this same time, Wesley (who is not a church loving angel) came down with a really wicked case of the (fake) hiccups and informed me that he would have to stay home too!
I am thankful for this crew! 
the boys with their sweet niece, Mariana!
Cameron played with sticks most of the time we where there - and hardly got in trouble (that's what acres and acres give you - space - and much better odds of staying out of trouble - or at least not getting caught!)
Reagan was my photo scout. Every 10 minutes he had found another place I could take a picture of him - both of these were his idea (and many many more)!
I don't know if you noticed Wesley in the previous pictures - he was a picture PILL today! He ruined many a great group shots with his silly faces and crossed eyes. He couldn't quit laughing after he saw them downloaded (he thinks he is funnier than he really is!)
Last Thanksgiving Chase still couldn't walk - this year, he didn't want to come back inside. He loved running in the fields and looking at all the "blue berries" (known to most as goat poop). This little chair he is sitting on is one of the treasures I found - Bill wouldn't let me bring it home (might have to head back up without him!).
