Cousins!

 

My mom watched my sister’s boys while she was on a trip with her husband.  On their way home, mom and the boys stopped out to visit and celebrate Mr. W’s 4th birthday with cousins! 

He was hilarious!!   He insisted that he couldn’t blow out the candles until we’d sung Happy Birthday.  He has this birthday routine down pat.

Marcus and Mr. C had fun playing together.  Well, maybe beside each other!   At least they aren’t at the stage where they both want the same toy and grab for it.

Grandma Golden Acres loves the babies.

Mr. C has such a cute little nose.  It reminds me of my sister when she was little.

Miller Ski Trip 2012-13 (#3)

 

Now, my dad has a crazy sense of humor. I may have inherited a bit of it, but I tend toward the sarcastic.  This is totally my dad!  He found these crazy hats at a truck stop and decided that his grandkids would thoroughly enjoy them.  And, they did!!

Our family trip wouldn’t be complete without pictures.  So, first it’s Grandpa & Grandma with all the grandkids.  With this many, it’s hard to get a bad picture …or a good picture depending on how you look at the scenario.

The headbands are a little big for the littlest Golden Acre Grandkids, but they persevered.

 

The Lahlum Family…and another of the headband conquers baby pictures.

 

My parents, to whom we are thankful for giving us life and these wonderful family memories.

 

I didn’t include all my sibling family photos, but I have to include my brother Eric.  He has a great sense of humor, too.  He was replicating the Karate Kid in the above shot.  I have no idea where that came from…

now, this…I take complete creative credit for the idea that began it all.  I made an offhand comment to Anna, my sister-in-law, that, “I think they should make NDSU.”  Said sarcastically, of course!  And, from there we have the following fun…we ladies stood up on the balcony and directed the guys into proper position…and LAUGHED and LAUGHED!

Don’t worry, the guys do get better with practice.  From scrunched up on the carpet…

…to rolling up the carpet and moving some furniture..

…to the best we could do with this many people and this little space.

Then, the guys had to have their own brand of fun!!

Happy New Year!  Go Bison…a few of the group will be headed down to TX at the end of the week for the championship football game.

While the snow cover on the mountain was sufficient, the night we left…on into the morning of our departure…it snowed A LOT.  Wish we could have stayed to ski one more day. 

I should note that I chose not to ski this year.  Getting all the kids to lessons and having a 4 month old baby would have made it challenging.  And, I did want to relax.  In addition, there was ‘baby weight’ and I had no desire to shop for post-pregnancy ski pants!  This was the year to ‘take a break.’  I enjoyed visiting, reading my Kindle, watching the kids in their ski lessons, and playing Scrabble with my brothers (they actually used a timer!!).

This is the view out the balcony door on the morning of our departure.  We left for home on Jan 2.  We drove all the way home.  Thank goodness traveling wasn’t affected by the snowfall.

Overall, another excellent Miller Ski Trip.

Miller Ski Trip 2012-13 (#2)

New Years Eve:  A personal chef came into our rental home.  He grilled steak and shrimp for our main course with an amazing salad and side dishes to round out the meal.  The meal was amazing.  It was nice not to have to leave the home, and since we all takes turns cooking the other meals, this was a special treat.

Brother Eric and husband Eric.  Marcus is enjoying his Sophie giraffe.

Doesn’t the meal just look scrumptious?

The Miller Crew – sans grandkids (don’t worry, they had their own party in the other home!).

My  mom and brother, Eric.

I felt terrible on the 31st due to a migraine, but that’s life.  I went to bed immediately after supper and didn’t even stay up to ring in the New Year.  So, this is the end of the pictures for tonight.

Miller Family Ski Trip 2012-2013 (#1)

This year, the Miller Family traveled to Terry Peak, SD for their every other year ski trip.  It was a LONG drive.

Zeke received a donut maker from Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres for Christmas.  We brought it along on the ski trip so he and Grandma could test it out.  We ALL tested the donuts and declared that the donut maker should make the trip for each and every future Miller Family Ski Trip!

Grandpa Golden Acres spending time with Marcus.

Eric (on skis) and Louis making their way back to the house after Louis ski lesson.

Uncle Pat giving Graham a ski lesson outside our rental house.  It was great to be able to see the kids right from the house.

Uncle Eric took time to go tubing with Louis.  He had a blast..though one time he went over a retainer wall and landed at the base (about 4.5ft drop).  Louis was fine, but everyone else about had heart attack from fright!

 

The kids could go sledding just outside the back of the rental house.  The little guys had a great time!

Above:  Eric & Zeke on the ski lift.

Below: Grandpa Golden Acres & Graham on the ski lift.

My mom sewed souvenirs for everyone – grey headbands & gloves for the guys, pink for the ladies.  All embroidered with ‘Terry Peak 2013.’  She brought her sewing machine along to finish up while on vacation.

My brothers made use of the hot tub…

Angelina, above, and Dash, below.

Dash and Grandpa do this pose every year.

Angelina & Zeke take a break from sledding.

Part II coming up…