Fun and Games

We just love having Drew, Amber and Ella come to visit. Amber found a chair that hooks to the table for us so now Ella can join us at the table. I never had a high chair for my kids and wanted to have the same kind of chair for the grandkids. Good job Amber! Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from the last month or so.

The Princess and the Pea

After years of talking about it, we finally broke down and bought a new mattress set for our bedroom. Ours was 30 years old and the life expectancy of a mattress is 10 years max (YIKES). We have looked and looked and finally found one we thought would work. It was pretty tall in the showroom and the saleslady asked Ken if we wanted a 6" or 12" boxsprings. Since we have a sleigh bed, he figured that 12" would work just fine.

I was running errands when the mattress set came - Chase called me and told me to bring home a step ladder. He wasn't kidding!

I'm going to have to go on a bedding hunt to find a new bedspread that will cover both the mattress and box springs.

We did have them bring us the 6" box springs, but trust me, there is no kneeling down to pray at this bedside. It's still plenty tall even with the new one.


I thought I would show a picture of how tall the bed is next to my great-grandma's chair so you can get a better visual of it.

Anyone have a spare toddler stool?

Chase's Birthday Party

Every once in a while, we like to have a BIG celebration at our house. Chase was the last of the quad's to turn 24 and we decided to celebrate in a big (and noisy) way. We were able to have Chase's birthday while Amy, Eric and their kids were visiting from California. We made invidivual pizza's and then let the kids (ok, Rick and Eric are just big kids) make gingerbread houses out of milk cartons and graham crackers. It was so much fun - and the kids had a great time making their own pizzas. I'm still cleaning up frosting - that stuff turns into glue! We were lucky enough to have all of the Utah Miller's here but Ben and Jeanne, who were having Thanksgiving with Ben's family that night.

Happy Halloween

Like usual, I'm a little behind, but I wanted to show this picture of Ella. Amber brought her into my office on Halloween and we propped her up in one of my office chairs. We decided she looked like Boo from Monsters Inc when they put her in the catepillar costume to disguise her like a monster.

What Happened to Fall?

Yesterday while we were out planting a couple of trees, I kept telling Ken that we went right from summer to winter. He told me I was wrong - that we had had about two weeks of fall and it was still fall. Ok - so here's a couple of pictures I took a few minutes ago. Try to tell me it's fall! We are already up to 9 inches of snow and it's still covering the sidewalk as fast as Ken is shoveling. He's about to go out and hook up the plow to the tractor (and we all know how bad he'll feel about that...)

The dogs absolutely love the snow - but when you only have 6 inches of legs, it's hard to motate through 9 inches of snow.

I just went out and shook all the trees since they were starting to bend from the weight of the snow. One of the trees we planted yesterday was laying flat on the ground - who would've guessed?

For effect, I have to add a picture that I took 3 days ago of Bandit getting a bath from Izzy. Pretty sure we weren't anticipating this kind of weather for the weekend.

Conference Weekend

Today starts General Conference - and so far the talks have been so good. I usually don't stay in and listen on Saturday because there is so much to do outside. This morning we had a big wind and rain storm so it became an inside day instead. The only bummer part of the rain is that we had hay in the field that was going to be baled yesterday but since it rained a bit on Thursday night, it was too wet to bale and is now sitting out in a wet, muddy field that will take forever to dry out.

This morning also marked the beginning of the duck(?) hunt and the slough was brimming with hunters counting the minutes until they could start shooting. If you stood outside for a few minutes, it sounded like a war zone. (It died down a bit once it started to pour.) Even the horses were stirred up by all the noise.

Drew and Amber moved to their new house on Wednesday. It's amazing how fast you can unload one house and load up another with just a few people. All of Amber's family was there to help them move but all of the Campbell's had to work or had class so I as a lone helper. I can't wait to see how its all come together now that they've had a few days to get settled.

Last thought of the day - on Sunday the kids all came over for dinner (except Carson who was still in Texas) and Drew brought over his Wii. Well, the kids tried to teach me to play Mario Kart - tried being the key word here. We spent more time laughing than racing - and it got so bad that I would just stop in the middle of the game because I was laughing so hard at my pathetic offering. I did better at the batting contest we all participated in and maybe even a bit better at bowling. I have never played before so it was my maiden voyage. Amber blew us all out of the water during the batting competition - way to go girl! I think we might have to invest in a Wii for family night (and give me an opportunity to practice and avoid any future embarrassments).

Girl's Weekend Out

Along the way of the Trail of Angels hike.

From the top of the Trail of Angels hike.

Carlos took this picture of us at the bottom of the 'chains in the rocks'.

From the bottom looking up at where we had just been - and I made it up that high???

Brynn went up into the narrows and took this picture.

When Brynn found out that Carson was going to be sent to Texas to help restore power after Hurricane Ike, she decided it was time to take a chick trip. Ken was in Alabama so we started to devise a plan.

We talked about going to San Diego to see Grandma and Grandpa Miller, but that was pretty hard to pull off on such short notice. So, we ended up heading south instead to celebrate my birthday.

We left after she got out of school on Friday afternoon and got to Cedar City about 11:30. Not a lot of rest that night - I swear the guy in the room above us must have weighed a gazillion pounds and I'm not entirely sure he ever went to bed - you could hear every move he made.

The next morning we headed to Zion's National Park. The last time I was there was when I was about 8 years old - that was back in the days when you could drive all the way through the park. I don't remember a lot, but I do remember the tunnel. Now you take a tram through the park - kind of a nice thing so you can look at the sights, not the road.

Brynn's friend Jason had recommended a couple of hikes to go on and naturally Brynn wanted to take one of the toughest ones. I think the one we took first was called Trail of Angels - and by the time she got to the top, she was pretty close to heaven. At least the views were heavenly. I might as well have run the Top of Utah marathon (which was the original plan for the weekend) for as much as a challenge as it was for me. I made it almost all the way to the top - but made the mistake of looking down after the first set of chains. A note about those chains - I understood Brynn to say that the chains would be on the outside of the trail and the rocks on the inside - but, oh no..... the chains were hooked to the rocks and nothing else between you and the edge of the rocks. With about 1/4 mile to go, I decided I had gone as far as I could and found a nice rock to plant myself on while Brynn went on. (I promptly spent the next hour watching people get to the top of the first set of chains, look at what was ahead, and turn around and head back down.) One guy went flying up the mountain as sure footed as could be, but he scared me to death. Imagine my surprise when he came back down the mountain with Brynn. What a great guy! Carlos was the epitime of kindness to everyone he came across. He hiked down the mountain with us, telling us about his family who was still in San Diego, his new job, his hiking adventure and he told us that he was attending his first Sacrament Meeting the next day. (I was kind of relieved that it wasn't Fast Sunday!)

After a bit more hiking we decided it was ice cream time and found a spot on the huge lawn area by the lodge and gobbled down smoothies. We decided it would be a fun family trip to bring everyone down for a couple of days - there is something that everyone could do.

Our last adventure was for Brynn to hike up the narrows for a bit. I had gone about as far as my right foot was going to let me (thank goodness for the shot in the my foot or I might have had to bag hiking all together) so she took off by herself again. (Sorry sis, I did the best I could and I know its a bummer to hike by yourself.)

That evening we headed to St. George to see Les Miserables at Tuachan amphitheatre. If you have never been there - it's a fabulous facility and they did a great job with the play. Our personal favorite moment of the play was during a town scene where the duck wouldn't cooperate and had to be taken off the stage, the pig dragged it's owner off stage when the war began, the goat didn't necesarily want to be there but at least the draft horse cooperated.

What a fun weekend and one we will remember for a long time.

Another Great Family Party

Brooke and Justin at the church

Keeley's first family party

Grandma Miller, Brooke and Ella

Rob and Lindsey watching the new music stars

New Rock Stars!

Grandma Miller and Ella enjoying the party.

One mean game of Rock Star

Brooke and Justin

Note the cocked foot while Shea is holding up the guitar! Where did she learn that?

Sara and Hailey at the "Fast Food Restaurant"

August has been a busy month for the Miller gang. Harrison and Sara both got baptized on August 2nd - one in the morning and one in the afternoon - with a few family meals inbetween.
Max was born the next day, and thankfully, he showed up a bit smaller than Jack was, WHEW! Then, Keeley decided there was no way that Max was going to have an August birthday without her - so she showed up on the 5th, a few weeks too early, small, but doing pretty good.

On the 23d, it was Justin's turn to have a big day. Justin and Brooke live in a great family ward and they have been so good to them. It was a special day and I loved the spirit that was at the baptism, the speakers were very good and there were several people there showing their support. Afterwards, it was the trek to our house (I heard someone mention that they better stop for food because the trip to our house was too long and they were starving). What a fun party - kids everywhere, the decible level kept raising, the Rock Party game made it's arrival and we had our own live music. Chase has the drums, 3 guitars, the mike and everyone had a blast. That was the first time he had ever used all of the parts all together. I was sad when the evening ended.

The 31st was Max's baby blessing. Another fun family gathering with both the Miller's and the Derrick's. One of the highlights of the family dinner was Larry's famous potato salad. I got the very end of the salad...that's what I get for visiting instead of getting my food. Jack entertained us with his usual antics in the dress-up clothes. Jill had been in town for the weekend and it was nice to have her there for a bit.

Next Sunday, Keeley's blessing! Was Ella ever that little? Yup, even smaller! Keeley was blessed before she was even supposed to be here. But, it was another great day. It's so nice to have a husband that can help with each of these ordinances. Onto another family meal, ok, actually two meals and a mean game of Canasta. Chase brought a friend to church and the party - who promptly got grilled by Sherie's sisters while Chase was making finger claws for all the kids. Poor thing, Sherie was mortified! But, Jessica was a trouper - held babies, held up to the sister's, held up to the noise, survived learning to play Canasta, and promptly told Chase that her family wasn't any different.

What are we going to do tomorrow? It will be the quietest Sunday we've spent in a few weeks - there won't be anyone here but Ken, me, (and two fat textbooks yelling for attention).

And the Winner is...?

Can you say "homework anyone?"

Monday is back to school - for a few of us in the family.

Chase at SLCC, Brynn back at USU and Brooke, Justin and me at WSU. So, I guess that makes WSU the weiner... Can't say any of us are looking forward to homework night, but at least we're all in it together.

So Cute when they Sleep

There is something so sweet about a sleeping baby. Ella came over for a couple of hours yesterday and I had the chance to take a few pictures of her. I'm still learning how to use my new camera, so every once in a while I get a fuzzy one (but it was so cute, even out of focus.. sorry Jesse, I'm really trying). She has also caught onto the Campbell power nap thing!

What a Doll!

Ella came over the other night sporting her new look. I mentioned that no one should question whether she's a boy or girl ever, but then thought that might not be so true, some parents might just be weird enough to pierce their baby boy's ears. (keeping him in touch with his feminine side....yikes!)

It reminded me of when my dad pierced my ears. He made me wait until I was 14 (I thought I would absolutely die waiting!!!) and he wanted to do it himself. So, the mad scientist in him brought home a hypodermic needle, and who knows what other goodies he used. I think he was a lot more concerned about it then I was and my mom refused to watch (she passes out too easy). First ear, shaky, next ear, not so much. He even did a couple of my friends' ears, and a few years later...Brynn's ears. I was leaving the next day to cheer at a huge basketball tournament in Misouri, boy did I think I was hot stuff (what a drama queen)!

Love that Smell!

We open our windows up at night and let the breeze from the lake cool down the house. The other night I opened up the windows and smelled.....Hyde Park! Ok, not really, but all the many visits to Grandma Reeder's house in Hyde Park were not complete without the smells of the dairy farms close by. We are lucky to back up to a dairy farm and every once in a while, the smell blows over to our house and takes me back 40 years to my childhood and that wonderful smell. (Ok, my brothers don't think it's so wonderful, probably reminds Bob of the fateful night when he ended up covered in about 200 mosquito bites and howled ALL NIGHT long! It might remind David of the tubing trips down the irrigation ditches or all the hours we spent on the little bridge across the street from grandma's house)

Side note: It's water night again at our house - someone must not have their gates open because the ditch is as full as I have ever seen it. It won't take long to get the back pasture watered tonight. You can always tell when there's water in the ditch - four wheelers and rangers zipping up and down the road all hours of the day and night as people are chasing their water.

Speaking of smells - I was hired to do a dutch oven dinner for a family reunion over the weekend - so my trusty companion (and dutch oven guru) agreed to take the day off to help me. We had our first experience with beef brisket (yum!). Our menu included brisket, bbq pork ribs, dutch oven potatoes and carrots, topped with bacon and cheese (my personal favorite), baked beans, salad, fruit, and rolls. It smelled wonderful and tasted every bit as good! It was fun to do the dinner (ok, a lot stressful getting it all together) and had a few requests to hire out again, but Ken told me that was not going to be a side job for us. Too bad, he does a great job, so our family will just have to be the recipient of his great cooking.

Busy Farm Days

Life is never dull here - there is always something to do. Today Ken was working in Salt Lake, so I had the day to work on things around here. I have been watching our neighbor's horses and watering their garden, so I've been back and forth counting noses and changing water. I weeded, tried to decide where to put the new pussy willow bush, dashed inside when it was too hot to work outside anymore, washed the garage out, did inside jobs, watered and fertilized all the trees, fed and watered the horses.

Drew came over to help me get the hay out of the field. Thank goodness! I usually don't have any problem hauling hay, but these bales must have weighed as much as me. Even Drew was struggling with them. We tried to move one that had gotten wet last week and was still wet - holy smokes! No moving that bale, even with two of us. We split it up, threw it in the 4 wheeler trailer and got ready for water. We are trading water turns with our neighbor since it's going to take a bit longer to get the field all watered and his pasture got soaked pretty good last week.

Ken was able to get the weeds in the front pasture sprayed this week and the ones in the back done last week. It seems like an never-ending project, but it does get a bit better each year as we get our list of projects done each year.

Time to spray the field again, the grass hay that is with the alfalfa is really nasty - I'll be surprised if the horses have anything to do with it. Hope it doesn't rain before I get it all moved into the barn and stacked.

Ken, Drew, Brynn and Adam are all going down to Jordan Commons to work tonight. Ken has had this side job for the last 5 or 6 years, it gives the kids a chance to earn some pretty good money, and it helps to pay for some project we have going during the year.

Drew and Ken have a little project they have been working on - and it looks like it might take off here pretty quickly. We bought 2 Polaris Rangers, one had a bad engine, one had a bad transmission. They are combining the good parts and selling the chasis of the bad one to help offset the bills. We are now ready to pull the empty chasis out of the garage, put the good one back in and put everything back together again. I can't wait to take it for a turn around the town - put a car seat in and maybe Amber and I can go see the sights. (it has seat belts!)

Bad Dream

You know those nightmares you have growing up where something awful happens to you and you wonder why on earth you put yourself in the position in the first place????? Well, Sunday I was supposed to speak in Sacrament Meeting. I was originally told to plan on 20-30 minutes, but the next instruction was 10-15. I thought about my topic all week then started to put the talk all together on Sunday morning. I spent about 3 hours typing, gathering, etc. At 11:50 I went upstairs to print off the final version. I was printing off a couple of things, so I must have got distracted, and promptly deleted instead of printed. YIKES!!!! I ended up with the opportunity to totally shoot from the hip. Amazingly enough, the new RM that was speaking with me was completely able to feed off of the stories that I told and tie them all up. What a great kid! I would have liked the opportunity to redo that whole morning.

Zip Line Adventures in Juneau

This was the highlight of my trip! I jumped off the bus from the Mendenhall Glacier and raced over to my excursion to Douglas Island. We took a speed boat (good thing Ken wasn't around) over to the island, got all harnessed up, learned how to break and turn ourselves around on the zip line, and off we go! We took a Mercedes Benz Moog and climbed 300 feet in about 1/3 mile. Kind of felt like they were putting us on our heads... We continued up the hill on foot til we reached the first set of tree towers over the old gold mine. They split us into gropus of 9 since that is all that fits on the tree towers at a time, gave us a baby line to practice stopping and turning on, and OFF WE GO! There were 9 tree towers, two suspension bridges we had to be hooked to, and we had to repel out of the trees at the end. There were times when we were over 240 feet off the ground and our longest line was 840 feet long. We actually went over a mile combined on the lines - what a blast. One of these pictures shows me being hauled in at the end- I just didn't weigh enough to get me clear to the very end a couple of times and had to pull myself/be pulled in by the guide. It was hard to remember to look down at the mine sites, concentrate on keeping straight (we had a few people get turned all the way backwards as they were sliding), try not to hit any trees, try to yell (it was kinda like a battle cry we were all trying to acheive) and laugh at the same time, and last but not least, BRAKE when approaching the trees at a high rate of speed.