Miller Birthday Celebration

In the month of February there are three birthdays in our family (more so the Miller family). Jake's birthday is the 12th, his mom Donna's birthday is the 18th and mine is the 19th! So we (Jake's family) decided to have one party for the three birthdays at once. Today we all meet up at a park nearby and had some hot dogs and some other snacks and enjoyed each others company. And to make a bad ending to a nice time it was cut short by an smelly explosion in Brody's pants (the life of a parent of young kids)! Thought I would share pictures of the occasion!

It was a perfect day with great weather for the event

I am not an expert but it seems that Brody needs a lesson from Jake on not chewing or biting on the football

It looks like Brody is working on formulating his next plan of action - run towards the street OR run towards the play ground?Adorable Evan (not sure if he is waving or not)!

Melissa and Gavin playing around with Brody

Jake doing what he loves - grilling

You can't tell but Brody is trying some Doritos

The two trouble makers of the group, Brody and Evan are getting some playing time in and the parents are just happy that they are holding still for a moment

We saw a lot of this today - the backs of our kids while they ran the opposite direction of us. There was lots of chasing them away from other parties and big kids playing soccer!

Brody is 20 months old

Tomorrow Brody will be 20 months old! Holy crap it has gone by SO fast. I could have sworn he was born just a couple days ago. He used to be so tiny and he would just lay on my chest and sleep. Now he won't stop climbing on chairs, cries when I turn the TV off, plays in his wagon outside and loves books.

So in 4 months Brody will be 2 years old!!! To honor this "monthly birthday" I thought I'd include some recent pictures.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL!

Jake and I are lucky enough to live with his mother Donna, sister Becky and brother Josh. So Valentines is fun for us because we all actually exchange Valentines. It really brings the feeling of Valentines Day in the house. I was pretty bad this year and really just bought some candy but Donna and Becky were great about it this year.

Donna made such a memorable valentine. This morning Jake and I woke up to a small "heart attack". Jake's was on the desk where he so often does his homework. Mine was on Brody's little chair where I had put my diaper bag and a bunch of other things. Each heart said something nice about me and she gave me something practical instead of candy - chapstick!

Whether you shared love with others or you had it shown to you I hope you all had a very Happy Valentine's Day.

P.S. I would share what my sweet husband did but we aren't celebrating Valentine's Day until he gets out of his class tonight!

Cake and birthday song

On the night of Jake's birthday we just had cake and sang happy birthday. It was Jake's favorite cake, German chocolate cake! Later as a family we will have a bigger celebration (we are combining some of the birthdays since Jake and I and Jake's mom have birthdays all within a week of each other).

It was nice for all but especially fun to watch Brody as we lit candles and sang. On the day of his 1st birthday Brody slept through most of his party and had a horrible fever once he woke up so he was miserable during the cake and song part.

So it was nice to finally see him happy and experience singing and have some cake. Here are some pictures capturing the fun. One is Brody's awe of the lit candles on the cake. Another is Brody looking around and smiling as we all sing Happy Birthday to Jake. Then he had his couple bits of cake and boy did he love that.

I hope Jake doesn't care that I just made his birthday - at least according to these pictures - all about Brody!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday! He is 26 years old today.

Jake has previously told me that he is sort of sad to be turning 26 because of the things he hasn't accomplished. This is mostly due to who he compares himself. Jake often talks about Theo Epstein being hired to be the General Manager of the Red Sox at 26. He went on to manage the Red Sox during the 2004 season when the team won the World Series.

Well aside from managing a professional sports team, living back East and earning millions I think Jake doesn’t have much to be jealous of

He is a wonderful and handsome man

Jake is incredibly smart and creative and passionate and the result of that has been some fun and interesting times (best example: his Superbowl trivia game)!

After years of hard work and studying Jake will graduate with his bachelor’s degree this May!

He is a great father who has an adorable little boy and they love to play and be silly!

His wife loves him so much and thanks the Lord every day for him

Happy Birthday Jake - I love you very much and you have accomplished so much for being 26. I am so excited for this next year because I think it will be wonderful (no more school) and I am so happy to spend it with you!

Naked (well almost) time

Like most kids, as soon as I undress Brody he runs off wanting to enjoy his naked time. Unfortunately its not true naked time because as long as he isn't potty trained that diaper must stay on.

But there is just something wonderful and very cute about a baby being naked. They must be aware of it too because once those clothes come off they seem to be very happy.

I have a few random things to say and remind everyone

SUPERBOWL 42

Disappointing news for our family yesterday: the New England Patriots lost to the Eli Manning lead New York Giants.

The final score was 17-14. It was an intense game at times and it was a lot lower scoring than most probably would have guessed. I will say, in my opinion, Tom Brady still looked great the whole time.

SUPER TUESDAY TOMORROW

I have been so annoyed during this pre-primary election season. All the political analyst, 24-hour news channels, pollsters, and all the other press who theorize and guess who is winning before the election. So one of the reasons I am happy tomorrow is Super Tuesday because it is one step closer to it being all over.

I am so excited to vote also because I have always thought of it as a privelige because there are so many around the world who don't have that right. As Americans we can't take it for granted. We all have to go out and vote. No matter what party or candidate you favor.

AMERICAN IDOL TOMORROW - WATCH FOR BROOKE

Tomorrow night at 7 Arizona time American Idol is on and my friend Brooke White will probably be performing. Now I still don't think the episodes have started where "American Votes" but even so, please tune in and watch Brooke. That way you can at least decide if you really think she is talented and that is why you will vote for her and not because I want you to. She was on a preview of the show during the Superbowl commericals and it looks like it will be so great!!