Sunday, December 26, 2010

First Christmas...

...In our own home!

Here we are with the stockings hung!

Tobin's new wooden Iphone case! Perfect for the Wood Man!

And...

Getting intense!

Completely shocked!
However, I must admit this was staged. The guy knew what it was. Adult Christmas' with joint accounts just aren't as fun. Oh well, I knew he'd love it!

Watch out!


Monday, November 29, 2010

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Thanksgiving was so great with family. I've posted on some of that. But we also went snowshoeing!

Definitely Porter stole the show! I think he has on 5 shirt/sweatshirts, and 3 pairs of pants.
He didn't get cold!

Porter had the biggest smile after this move!
The rest of the clan...and yes my 33 week pregnant sister went too!
She's rugged!

Today, I cracked out the few Christmas Decorations I have...I love the fireplace we have now!!!
And a few lights!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

That time of year again!

Well, Thanksgiving is now over, I had a wonderful time with family and truly remembering why we should be Thankful! So now it's time to start thinking about Christmas, decorations, and yes Christmas Cards! I love sending out an update each year, and I love receiving family updates and being able to put up photos of friends and families on my fridge to enjoy all year long! So this year I have been thinking and considering what we'll use for Christmas cards this year. I use this time as a chance to reach out to friends and family and share the love of Christ. So I also want this card to be about CHRIST-mas and not "holidays." So I've been searching for cards for this. I'm still undecided of what pattern I should use though. How about I chose a few that I like and you (my dedicated blog readers) can vote! I'll be sending them to a lot of you anyway. May as well get something you want to put up on your fridge! So here goes in no particular order:


So I realize there is somewhat of a theme, but I'd love to hear your comments. I especially love focusing on those things of Love, Joy, and Peace, because truly Christmas is about those things, all through Jesus Christ! I also LOVE photos, photos in the house and work, etc, etc. Somehow looking at those smiling faces helps me be positive and get through the day! Take at look at these fun mugs and calendars...you truly can get pretty creative!

Wishing that Christmas for you is a season of realizing God's True Love and showing Love to Others, and not about the hustle and bustle of presents and stress. If your looking on trying to decide what to do for your Christmas card, take a look at this site, and it'll give you some ideas!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Climbing!

Today after everyone had finished their Black Friday shopping...and for the record Jo-Ann Fabrics on Friday, is insane! The line to get your fabric cut is way too long! Anyways, most of the entire Miller Clan went Rock Climbing! It was fun and the kids loved it!

Benjamin

Gracie was a little timid at first, and then every time I looked up she was on the wall!

Gracie and Zoey. After this first try, Zoey didn't like using the rope much, but she later tried free climbing (i.e. bouldering with the help of her Aunt Christy) rather than going up on a rope.

Porter also loved playing, and he wanted to be right next to the rock! He liked the "tools" of climbing: pulling on ropes, holding caribiners, etc.


Dad (Grandpa) and Dad (Andy)



Good Family Fun!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

SNOW!

Tuesday morning I awoke to a phone call, "The clinic is closed till noon, possibly all day. We'll reassess later this morning." I instantly jumped out of bed and said, "It snowed!!" I looked out the window to see peaceful, snow-covered trees, bushes, and deck! I loved it! I turned on "Let it Snow" music and baked cinnamon rolls. Then I got to frolic in it as I took some family photos for a friend and her family...to get family photos in the snow of course.

It was a great day! I ended up seeing a few patients in the afternoon, but what wonder. I love it! I even drove in it, didn't die, and didn't even need to watch Stormtracker coverage.


See the big branches that fell with the winds the night before.

There's a deer there.








Friday, November 19, 2010

Top 10 of the week

So I know I'm a blog copycat, but my sister did this last week, and I thought it was really encouraging...so bear with me. I've been a bit less motivated to blog, sorry 'bout that. I do enjoy it, sometimes I just can't think of anything to write about. Anyways, so back to the:

Top 10 Reasons to be Grateful this week, in no particular order, Thank You Lord for even the little things You've done this week:

10. We got a leaf-blower, and Tobin blew most of the leaves off our front yard!
9. My father-in-law, Darryl, is here helping with more work on the remodel.
8. Spent time on Monday with my sister and nephew.
7. Was able to pray with a patient
6. Experiences a Zumba class on Tuesday...don't know if I had the moves right at all, but it was fun to move, dance, sweat, and laugh. Quite a riot!
5. Loved the sunshine peaking through the dark, stormy cloud on my way to work
4. Had an amazing and encouraging fellowship time with my Christian family small group. Thank you for the encouragement. God is good and He is Faithful!
3. Went shopping for Thanksgiving meal: I'm making mashed potatoes, rolls, and cinnamon rolls!
2. Thankful to the Lord for good health and protection.
1. Joyful for the people the Lord has put in my life and for the occupation He gives me strength and knowledge for.

Monday, November 15, 2010

A Bit Nastalgic



I got to be the special auntie and go with Porter for his 18 month well child check today. I can't believe he's gotten so big! Going to his appointment and getting to see the other nurse practitioner do his medical exam, etc, just made me remember that it hasn't been that long since he was a newborn! Just a bit ago we were taking pics when he was just about 4 weeks old. As you can see my sis and I with the lil Porter!
But they grow! Here's our lil rock climber to be, working towards his next 5.15
And here he is today! So big!

His hat if he ever needs to go up to the Yukon Territory!

I cherish and love the fact that I can share a little bit more in my nieces and nephews growing up, since we live so close now! I also love getting to spend more time with my big sis, to talk about life, laugh together, and encourage one another. Don't know what I'd do with that!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Progress

Likely, all of you should know that we started to tear down walls the day we closed on our home. But if you didn't, let me tell you we are still in the middle of that remodel project. Someday I'll be able to put up before and after photos, but until then, I thought taking notice of the amazing progress thus far, would be an encouragement to all that are involved. We really have made quite a bit of progress!

As you can see...the bathroom needed a little help. For anyone looking for metallic butterfly wallpaper to accent their decorating ideas and space...we could help you out, because that was the taste of the previous owners! And the yellow vinyl, don't you love it?

Well, we knew this needed some work when we picked out the house. But like with any remodel, we decided that we wouldn't want to just change the wallpaper and flooring....we had to do it the right way! So off came the walls that were attached to the wallpaper, etc, etc....



Here are the contractors (yes my amazing hubby and father-in-law)!


Yes, here is the amazing wallpaper again, that unfortunately couldn't stay with the new decor. We might have some extra pieces if anyone is interested!


Here's the plumber doing the only job she was given, "Take the toilet out." Which I don't believe she even succeeded at this. She was given clear instructions from the "fan club" (pictured below), but for some reason when she disconnected the parts water started gushing out! Unfortunately, that plumber was fired, she lost her fan club, and other sub-contractors had to be hired. Don't worry the toilet has now been successfully removed, without any further sewage problems.

This was one other job that I'm not sure this wonderful laborer will ever try to take on again:
Removing Vinyl from concrete foundation.
This was PAINSTAKING work and nearly took as long to do this as it took the rest of the contractors to strip the walls, redo plumbing, wire for electricity, and put up new studs. Thankfully this girl had the help of the lovely lady behind the camera (her mother-in-law) or the vinyl still might need to be scraped off!

Ahhh!! As you can see we have new walls and sheetrock, a new jet tub installed, and the conquering painter....who was helped by several other underpaid workers (her parents) who helped with all the painting!

Painting done, Check (and yes that is an orange wall....I love bright colors)! Now on to tile....and the fearless tiling contractors came to the rescue. Staying up til' wee hours of the morning buttering tiles (which prior to this I only knew about buttering bread...not tiles) and slapping, more like strategically placing them on the wall.


So here is as far as we have gotten. I know it still has a ways to go, but we have come so far too! I'll remind you....

Before:

Thus far:

The tub is still covered by protective plastic covering because we still need to put in the shower and tub spout, but the tub/shower will be so much more open than before. It will also have better lighting and heating (the floor is heated!). The toilet goes on top of the hole you see in the floor. And the cabinetry for the sink still needs to be done. I just want to say a deep thanks for the contractors...my family....that have given sooooooooo much time, energy, thought, sweat, tears, and yes, blood to this project. It would NEVER have gotten done, nor done this amazing without you! And I imagine, all my faithful blog readers can imagine with me the finished product. And just so everyone knows, we didn't just take on the bathroom remodel, we are making an entire master bedroom suite, rearranged the laundry room, and put in new wood doors throughout the house. We are so happy where we live, and grateful for what the Lord has blessed us with!

p.s. do you like the new design?

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Sunrise to Sunset....our last day in Maui

For some reason coming back from such a great vacation into rainy, cold Oregon has made it a bit harder to transition back. Still dreaming of Maui!


Sunrise


Yummy Malasadas...Donuts!

Yummy Fish Tacos

Sunset

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A Perfect 10


I would rate our vacation an 11 out of 10 if I could, but it was definitely a perfect 10! What a wonderful time with my hubby and got to spend quality time with my parents and help them with their adventurous side. Tobin and I got back this am. Thus why there was no post yesterday, we were flying on the red eye. It's off to work tomorrow. Honestly, not too excited about that, but it has to be done. Maybe I'll try to relive the vacation and post more photos tomorrow.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Eight

We hiked/swam/climbed/hopped to some beautiful waterfalls today!
It was quite the adventure! Something perfect for us, with very few people, private pools of water, and gorgeous views!!!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

7 Amazing things today

1. No rain on our boat tour
2. We were able to go out to another island named, Lana'i, that they haven't been able to go out to for 2+ weeks due to windy conditions!
3. Saw a turtles
4. Swam with the beautiful fish
5. Enjoyed the sunshine
6. Didn't get scraped by the coral

7. Nearly swam with dolphins!...which I would show you a great photo, but for some reason it's not working tonight. And I'm tired! So off to bed we go. One more day in Maui. Sad day. :(

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Hang Six...I mean Hang 20!

HIGH FIVE


We are loving Maui, maybe we won't come home! This is a place that has a hole in the lava flow that when the surf comes in the water shoots up through it! Amazing!!