Colorado Ceramics...

Today we drove out to Delta to the Fat Cat Pottery. The kids were excited to paint. Autumn had ceramic horse heads, coin bank horses, jewelry boxes with horses on the lids to choose from... so logically she chose a pig sigh. At least Austin picked a football, probably due to the season ending Charger traumping over the broncos. They enjoyed being creative but they'll have to wait for Grammy to send them since they have to be fired. Jimmy kept wandering around the shop mumbling something about looking for the "refrigerator that had the KitKats." I take it Kathy has some idea what that means?

After cleaning up we walked through a couple of little shops downtown before heading to Sonic and then Walmart for a quick Christmas present exchange.

Not sure whats gonna happen for New Years. We're just hanging for the remaining time here. It's going quick.

Christmas is here!!

Merry Christmas!! Hope everybody was good and Santa came to your house. I know I was and I got some pretty cool gifts. The kids had a ball opening gifts and they're at the age where their expressions are definitely bigger.

Austin got his 'rock and roll guitar' and already has the moves down. We took a break during

presents for mom's homeade Cinnamon rolls.

After getting through all the presents we headed outside for a family snowman building and sledding.

It snowed last night and was still snowing as we opened presents. Was the 'classic' Colorado Christmas. The prime rib is cookin' as the kids explore all the new toys and activities. Hope all is well and am looking to read all of your Christmas blogs!!

Christmas Eve!!

Merry almost Christmas! Today was the decorating of the gingerbread houses (of course made from scratch).

The kids even managed to save some of the decorations for the house.

After that they made apple cider with Papa out in the greenhouse.

Tonight we're going to Gramas for my Uncle's birthday party and then the Christmas Eve service. When we get home we'll let the kids start unwrapping. Hope all is well with all of you and you're enjoying this season.

Colorado Christmas...

Well we made it to Colorado on Saturday. We left pretty much on time, which was 4:15 (aye em). We had an uneventful trip on the way with all the roads mostly clear. The roads goin through Utah were a little frosted but no issues with ice. Total time was 11:38:42.

Since we've been here, the kids have been havin' a ball in the snow. Austin has tried to ingest as much snow that has fallen, including some icicles that were bigger than he is.

Just last night we got 8 inches. Jimmy (and Austin) shoveled the driveway which reminded him full well why we live in So Cal. Keep in mind my parents dont have a Ca size driveway either... its prob 200+ yards long and 20 ft wide.

I'll try to update as the days pass. If you want to see all the pics go to millerfamilyphotography.smugmug.com.

Our Princess and Knight in Shining Armor

Our little climber! He was so intent on making it up to the top and sliding down! He did it!

Intent on getting the ketchup on just right!

The kids had a great time at our church Octoberblast. They enjoyed eating candy and jumping on the bounce houses!

Welcome Fall!

Welcome Fall!
Photo Opportunity with Daddy!

Showing off their wooden fire trucks.

Jimmy had to work some overtime today at a community function at Home Depot for Safety Week. He called to see if we wanted to come and make a fire truck. I quickly got the kids ready and we headed out to Rancho Mirage. Thankfully the weather was perfect! About 85 degrees, with some wind, but a much nicer break from 100 yesterday!
The kids had a blast "building" their trucks and looking at the fire trucks, ambulance and playing in daddy's police car. Actually, mommy did most of the building minus a few crooked nails! When we got in the car Autumn said, "That was so much fun!" Thank goodness for spur of the moment fun!

Drivin' the Ambulance and Fire Truck! Uncle Mark would be proud!Pounding away at the wooden fire truck!

Our trip to San Diego...

This last weekend, we had the chance to go to San Diego for a couple of days to help Jimmy's dad celebrate his birthday. We had a great weekend with family and the kids had fun playing with their cousins. Austin just couldn't wait to get there and had his bag packed (all by himself) Friday afternoon and we didn't even leave until Saturday morning! The boys headed down while Karen, Kathy and I went to Jimmy's cousin's wife's baby shower in Laguna. They got to go swimming in Aunt Sharon's huge pool. Austin, unfortunately got stung by a bee while they were swimming. Needless to say, he and Autumn were done with the swimming thing and got dressed and stayed in the house.


Sunday, we got the opportunity to ride the Trolley from El Cajon to Petco Park for the Padre game. The kids had a BLAST! Austin was mesmerized by the trolley. Once we got to the park, we split up and the kids and Kelly and Mom and I spent most of the time on the Park side of the field. They have a cute little baseball field for the kids and Austin had a great time hitting the ball and running the bases. He was too cute! Here are a few pictures of our weekend.

All the cousins from left to right, Klarissa, Austin, Kaiya, Autumn, Aurora Baker, Jackson, Trinity Baker (Sharon's grandaughters)

Austin is enjoying his Trolley ride on Papa's lap!

She really is enjoying her ride! Isn't she adorable in her hat?Our seats at the Park.

Austin's first time at bat!

His second at bat...he's got this down now with the hat thing!

He insisted on wearing it backwards!

Autumn wanted to take a picture with the Marines behind her.

Well, we had a great day and it didn't take long for Austin to melt in daddy's arms!

He doesn't do this too often now days, it was super sweet!

So.....

Well, I haven't been so good about keeping up with my posts. Life sure has been busy since school started. It seems we have so much going on all the time. Our internet hasn't been working very well either, so it has to be plugged into the office, so that means no more typing while I sit on the couch and watch TV at night! Hopefully we will get a new router soon so that I can keep up.
Autumn is loving school. Austin is loving preschool, but he has his days of not having a good day! Jimmy went to school for Autumn for show and tell and brought all kinds of goodies for the kids. I don't have pictures yet, but hope to get some soon! She was so excited to have her daddy...the police officer come and share since it was a week of talking about police officers and firefighters. Austin took Badges for all his school-mates today for the letter B. He was so cute passing them all out to each child today.

I have a good class this year. A few tough kids, but I think we will manage! They seem to really be on top of it academically and I think we will do well this year. I have been tired though as 11 more kids added to my room wears me out! It has also been about 80 degrees with about 50 % humidity IN my room...with 31 stinky sweaty kids! (I know...I've complained and so far it has been over a week since my complaint and nothing has been done!!!!!) Needless to say, by the end of the day I am ready to get out of there.

Well, I am off to go to the church tonight for family movie night. Since I am now the nursery coordinator, I guess I have to be there! Tata for now!

Autumn's First Day of Kindergarten

Well, it's that time in our lives that we send our firstborn to Kindergarten. She is attending a private school this year called Grace Academy. They had full day kindergarten and there were only 7 kids in her class as opposed to 30 which she could have had in a public school. She is having fun so far and enjoys Mrs. Moreno.

Backpacking!

Well, I survived my first overnight backpacking trip in about 18 years! Lyndsey and I were able to join the guys on this trip last weekend. We had a great time...very sore muscles for me, lots of rests and huffing and puffing, but I made it. The sights were incredible and besides the fact that we didn't sleep too well, the stars and full moon were incredible to lie underneath!

Isn't this an awesome picture that Jimmy captured of the beautiful full moon? I am impressed by his ability to capture the moments!

Here I am trying to manuver myself over all the rocks...I was a little nervous climbing, but the views were worth it and I was able to do it without injury.