My Baby Turns 3!

On Sunday, November 16 my baby girl Kathryn turned 3 years old. I can't believe that she is already 3! The years seem to always go by much faster than I desire. For me this birthday was a little hard. It seems that once your little one goes from being 2 to 3, they go from the baby stage to the "I'm an independent little person" stage. This means that the baby years are now over for the Miller family. Which makes me sad. Most of you know that due to the radiation I had last year, my ovaries were damaged, and I am now in early menopause. I had always hoped to have another baby. Kathryn was never intentionally planned to be the baby of the family. But, the Lord has greater plans than mine. For some reason, He decided that Kathryn was to be our last biological child. Unless we adopt, she will always be the baby. I am so grateful for her. Even with her independent and stubborn personality, I absolutely adore her. I love it when she runs across the room with her arms wide spread for me to catch her in a big bear hug. I love it when she likes to tease by wiping our kisses off her face and giggling the whole time. I love it when she needs her "diddy" (a.k.a. her blanket- I have know idea where she came up with the name).

We had a combined birthday party for her in Houston with some of my neices and nephews who also recently had birthdays a few weeks ago. Then on her actual birthday we had another party for her at our home. Kathryn loves Dora right now, so most everything she got for her birthday was Dora. She also got a princess castle sleeping bag that she fell asleep in after her family birthday party that we had for her. We had all our family that lives in town and our good friends, The Gordons (who we have adopted into our family) over for a hotdog/ hamburger feast after church. Kathryn was wiped out after the long day. Happy Birthday, little baby! We love you!!

Happy 30th Birthday Susie!

Me, Susie, and Jalinda at the 4th of July Parade

This is for my friend Susie! Today is her BIG 30!! Susie and I have been friends for a very long time. I first met her thru Jared's family when Jared and I were dating. Her family and Jared's family grew up with each other. We call Susie's mom and dad Aunt Susanna and Uncle Phil though there is no blood relations. When Lauren was a week old we took her to Mike and Susie's wedding reception. We enjoyed hanging out at Mike and Susie's little apt. and our little condo before they had kids and then when Cameron and Lauren and Holden were just little. We still love when we get to hang out. We especially enjoy our annual South Padre trips, Valentine Adult Dates, and 4th of July festivities together. Happy Birthday Susie! Here's to many more fun and memorable years together. Love ya, Kristin

Easter 2008

First Time Skiing- January 2008

In January we took to the road and drove with the kids to Castle Rock, Colorado to visit Jared's brother Winston and his wife Jacque. We had a great time! We saw lots of snow. And I concluded what I already thought, "I do not like cold weather." The kids went to ski and snow boarding school. We did some sledding and went iceskating. Here's some pictures from our trip.

Christmas 2007

Backtracking

I am going to go back a little bit and post pictures from some of the highlights over the past 6 months. Hopefully, I will catch up and be current one of these days.

Happy 7th Birthday Handsome Holden!

Yesterday was Holden's 7th birthday! We celebrated his birthday with a party at Pump It Up a few weeks ago. He had a family party with everyone when we were at the beach this past week. Last night we went out with the Gordons to Red Robin and sang to him there. He got Guitar Hero from Jared and I for his birthday. Here are 7 things that make me smile about Holden:

1. He has a deep, quiet voice. Sometimes you have to listen really hard to hear what he says when you ask him something.

2. He is just like his Dad! He doesn't let things bother him. He is VERY laid back (which is good when you have 3 sisters!)

3. He has the best tan and is toned like he has been working out. I love to see him on the beach because he has so much fun.

4. He has 2 tan colored birth marks on his legs that I think are so cute.

5. He loves everything about being a boy! He loves to try daring stunts on skateboards, bikes, etc. He loves surf boarding and skiing. He likes to go hunting with Jared. He likes to roller skate on his heelys and is very good at it.

6. He is so kind and patient with baby sister Kathryn. Sometimes not so patient with Lauren and Caroline!

7. He has the most charming dimples when he smiles. Sometimes we call him Mr. Grins. When he was a baby he smiled alot. He was the cutest baby boy. People would stop me and comment on how cute he was all the time.

Holden, you are a special part of our family. Thanks for adding your boyish charm and toughness to our group of girls. We love you! Happy Birthday!!!

Busy Summer!

I have been so busy with real estate, trying to sell our other house, and having fun with the kids this summer. We have been to Sea World, the movies, playtime with friends, ballet classes, trips, etc. I want to post so much and have tons of pictures. I am playing catch up from being at the beach with all my family (6 siblings, my parents, and 15 children) last week. We had a blast! I could seriously live at the beach! I will post pictures as soon as I have time. The first person who looked at our house last week made a full price offer. Hopefully, everything will go OK and we will close on July 17th. I leave on my girls trip on Monday. So, it may be a while before I can blog or update with pictures. Just know that I am having a great summer! I can't believe that it has almost been a year since my diagnosis. Where does the time go? I am feeling great. My latest blood work last week was normal. I will go in August for a CT scan to check my abdomen and pelvic regions for any signs of recurrance. I feel so blessed to be where I am, and to be doing what I do. I love spending time with Jared and the kids. Also, I love to be with our extended family and friends. I will update soon.

Happy 5th Birthday My Sweet Caroline!

Today was Caroline's 5th Birthday! I can't believe that she will be starting kindergarten in a few months. She is such a sweet and beautiful part of our family. We went to Cici's Pizza with some family and friends tonight to celebrate her special day. We will have a birthday party for her later in the week.
5 Reasons we love Caroline:
1. She has the most beautiful blue eyes that will melt your heart and make you smile. (sometimes they save her from being in big trouble!)
2. She is very sweet and patient with her baby sister Kathryn.
3. She always says please and thankyou.
4. She loves to learn. She asks the most intriguing questions.
5. She loves being with her family more than anyone or anything else. She wants to do and be whatever and wherever Holden and Lauren are.

We love you Caroline! Happy Birthday!!

Lauren's Knighting Ceremony

OK. Since I was a blog slacker and didn't feel well during the Fall when Lauren was knighted, I wanted everyone to know that she was knighted this year as well. The virtue she was knighted for was "Friendship"- being a good friend and being helpful no matter what. I feel like all of my friends and family should receive a medal for this same virtue. Ya'll have been such a support during the last year. I could not have done it without the prayers and help of so many of you. Thanks for being true friends!!!

Dual Language Spanish Night

Holden is in the green shirt performing a native Mexican dance. This was before Jared gave him his short haircut!

Lauren is in the blue shirt getting ready to perform a native Panamanian dance.

As most of you know, Lauren and Holden are both in the Dual Language Spanish program at their school. 90% of Holden's curriculum this year in Kindergarten was in Spanish. 70% of Lauren's 3rd grade curriculum was in Spanish. We are proud of both of them for learning a new language and culture. The school celebrated by having a special night where each dual language grade level performed a dance that was native to the particular country that they researched and studied. Holden's class represented Mexico. Lauren's class represented Panama. One of Lauren's teachers this year was actually from Panama. It was a fun night for our family!

More dance recital pictures

Lauren and Caroline's Dance Recital

Holden and Logan

Lauren and Makayla

Last Saturday, May 31 was Lauren's 4th dance recital and Caroline's 1st dance recital. Lauren did a jazz number called "Holiday". Caroline's was a ballet number called "Siamese Dance " from The King and I. They each were in a different recital so we spent 5 hours doing recital that day. They both performed very well and received lots of flowers for their hard work. Holden was a good sport and enjoyed having his buddy Logan to hang out with. They played video games during much of the recital. It was a fun, but busy day. Later that evening Jared and I took Kathryn and went to Caroline Hilton's wedding reception at her parents home. It was a beautiful reception. Mike and Jalinda were nice enough and watched our other kids while we were gone. We still owe them for that one!