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!

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!

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:

Card #1

Card #2

Card #3

Card #4

Card #5

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!