The Big 23

Okay... so I am not really twenty-three but that is how old I feel and I figure that is what really matters :). The only way to describe my birthday this year is. . . interesting. Draven had spent the previous night at, his cousin, Joshy's house. Unfortunately, when they woke up in the morning one of the other kiddos had an eye infection. Barb being a sweetheart and not wanting to infect our household drove all the way to Logan to drop Draven off instead of keeping him for the day and just bringing him that night for the party. She also brought carrot cake and cheesecake so they could have a little celebration with me since they weren't going to be able to come that night. Cheesecake for breakfast is always marvelous :). My good friend and upstairs neighbor, Katie, also brought me homemade cheesecake so I was in heaven! Later in the day, Draven decided to swallow a penny and the day just kind of kept going in that direction. Luckily, I have an awesome family who made sure it ended on a high note by coming over that evening for pizza and cheesecake, yum! Getting ready to blow out the candles...

Success Maddie, Audrik and Draven helping me celebrate
My brother, Jim, and his wife, Britanie

Boating

One of our favorite things to do during the summer is boating. These pics are from one of our boating trips with my cousins, Becky and Stephanie and their families.

That's my man :)

Me and my cute boys

Silly Audrik

Playing on shore by the boat

4th of July - Family Reunion

This year we decided to have a Miller family reunion the weekend of the 4th and it was a blast! We all arrived at the cabin in Island Park on Friday night and got our tents set up. Saturday morning we got up and decorated the kids bikes so that they could participate in the I.P. Bill's Island parade if they wanted to. The parade was so much fun, with a lot of people participating and lots of candy for the kids. After the parade we had a family biathlon. It was originally going to be a triathlon with canoeing, biking, and running but the weather was a little chilly so we just did the biking and running portion. The biathlon was such a great idea and was so much fun! Of course, it helped that my team won :). Later that evening we went to the Island potluck dinner which was pretty yummy. After dinner we wandered over to a neighboring cabin and set up our chairs right on the lake shore to watch the fireworks. They had a boat promenade before the fireworks which was really neat. Some of the people had gone all out in decorating their boats. The next morning we picked up camp and Kurt and I headed home so I could work Monday. Thanks Doug and Jen for putting in so much work. I hope we do it every year!

Grandma and Draven during the parade

My cute dad :)
Audrik loving the sparklers

A momma moose and her baby decided to hang out 20 feet from the cabin

The biathletes

The Hiawatha Trail

A while back my family decided it would be fun to ride the Hiawatha Trail. We scheduled it for a Saturday morning and arranged to meet in Northern Idaho. Kurt's parents had moved to Spokane a couple weeks before so we thought it would be fun to take a long weekend and spend a few days with them since we would already be close by. We left Thursday and made the 10 hour drive to Spokane getting in fairly late. Friday we went to the Riverfront park in Spokane to see the falls and walk around. It was beautiful and the boys loved it. There was a huge Radio Flyer wagon that had a slide where the handle would be. The boys also got to ride on the historic carousel that was built in 1909. After the Riverfront park we went back to Kurt's parents and loaded up our bikes and went for a ride along the river. I think the trail was called Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and the view while riding was gorgeous! Saturday morning we got up early and drove a couple of hours over to the start of the Hiawatha Trail which is where we met up with my family. It was a great ride and the views were breathtaking. The trail is 15 miles long and you go through 10 tunnels and over 7 train trestles. The longest tunnel was 1.66 miles long and was pitch black! It was a little disconcerting at first especially since I couldn't see more than a foot in front of me with my head lamp.

The huge Radio Flyer wagon. Richard and the boys are on the left.

Audrik on one of his many rides down.

The boys playing on the City of Spokane blocks at the Riverfront park.

The coolest goat ever. It has a vacuum in it's mouth so if you hold up garbage it sucks it up and sends it to a large bin behind it.

The falls. They were so pretty!

Audrik and Grandpa Richard

Audrik, Kurt, Draven and I at the Spokane Temple.

Our group at the start of the Hiawatha Trail.

Our little fam right after we came out of the longest tunnel.

The longest tunnel - 1.66 miles

Some of the great views.

Taking a little break.

Audrik is Big 2!

June 7th was Audrik's second birthday. Kurt and Draven happened to be in Montana helping his parents move so we didn't celebrate until the 8th. When Drave got home I told him that it was Audrik's birthday and the first thing he wanted to know is if Audrik was big now. Of course, he had to go check right away waking Audrik up from his nap. I was sure Drave would come back disappointed because Audrik looked the same but instead he came back so excited because Audrik was BIG! He now tells anyone that will listen how he is a GIANT 5 and Audrik is a BIG 2! It was a pretty low key birthday but it was still lots of fun. Kurt's brothers, Luke and Derek, were here and my parents, brother, Jim, his wife, Britanie, my cousin, Cheilah, and her daughter, Kenna, all came to help us celebrate. We had pizza and white cake with whip cream and fresh fruit - YUMMY!

Audrik is so much fun and I can't believe how much he adds to our little family. He is so different than Draven. Draven loves people but has been happy to play on his own since he was a little guy. Audrik has never liked to be alone. He always wants to be right in the middle of the group. He also has a little temper. If he doesn't get his way he will scream, throw himself on the floor and sob. It is so sad! I guess the redhair should have been a sign :). He loves food, baths, and outside! He hates his diaper. That kid has painted more poop picasso's than any kid should! He is stripping every chance he gets. It is a constant cause of frustration with Kurt and I. Audrik is also a smart little stink. Anything we do to baby proof our house he has figured out. Needless to say, he is in everything! I love to watch Audrik and Draven together. They have so much fun and get along great.

Draven and Audrik when Audrik was born.

6 months old

1 year old

18 months old

2 years old

Blowing out the candles. . .

Clapping for a job well done :)


Opening presents

Audrik liked the spoon as much as the cake

Draven's Preschool Graduation

Wow, I can't believe Draven is so big! While I was waiting for his preschool graduation to begin it finally started to sink in that he is going to kindergarten. I couldn't help but think about the last five years and how much joy he brings to my life. Draven has an amazing spirit. He LOVES everyone - sometimes a little too much. . . the little boys don't really appreciate his hugs :). The joy that he finds in life is contagious. He really is just so happy to be doing anything and everything! The boy is pure energy! I wish I could bottle some of it :). I am so proud of him and what an amazing little person he is.

Draven during the graduation program.

Draven even announced what he's going to be when he grows up . . . Spiderman!

Maddie and Draven - Maddie is Draven's friend and neighbor.

Grandma and Grandpa Miller were really nice and came to support Draven.

Draven, Miss Sharly (one of their teachers), and Maddie

Surprise Visitors

About a month ago we opened our door to find some surprise visitors. This momma duck and her ducklings have been living by the canal next to our apartment complex. There are twelve ducklings. . . that momma has got it going on! We took the opportunity to sit inside our doorway in our pajamas and throw them little pieces of bread. For awhile, I was worried they were going to wander inside but they got their fill and wandered off for a drink and then headed back to the canal.