Aamodt's Apple Orchard has been a family tradition since I was little and it has been so nice to take all our kids there the past couple of years. It's now becoming our personal Miller family tradition! The bummer this year is we went to late for u-pick apples so we were only able to walk around the grounds and get apples from the apple barn. Couldn't have been more beautiful out that day! Another tradition we do is go out to the corn maze. We had high hopes for making it out there again this year, but with freezing temps and hail we had no such luck. So we decided to hit up the local farmers market that does a decent Halloween display. Kids were able to jump in the bouncy house and crawl through the mini sized spooky house, pick out pumpkins, and act like zombies for a bit around the corn. Not what we pictured for that day but turned out to be a lot of fun and we managed to stay dry between the rain and hail. We even managed to carve pumpkins! Annual Taft/Winegar Halloween Party is becoming a fun tradition. Kids like carving their pumpkins and then voting on everyone's design!! Here's our 2013 crew on Halloween night!! Lot of candy and hot chocolate had by all. Fall is my favorite time of year! So many activities to do outside as a family, so many memories to be made!
In October we got to take a field trip with the little kids, for the first time both Kris and I were able to go!! There were bees bees everywhere but it was a ton of fun and the views were beautiful! Not going to let a pack of bees get the best of us ;) Sibling love on the hayride. My crew for the day! Kourtney's class had every parent come, so I didn't really have to chaperone, I just got to hang out with Kourtney all morning! Lucas and Dad got to hang out with one of Lucas's good friends from his class, Charlie! Lucas can't stop talking about how Charlie is going to go to Kindergarten with him next year! Love that we are beginning to make these school memories with the little ones just like we did with the older ones!
Oh my baby! As you have approached 3 we have loved watching your personal personality develop! You are rough and tumble but a princess at heart. You are a giver, you give and help wholeheartedly with everything you have. Such a blessing to everyone around you. We can't wait to watch you grow through the years to come and what that tender heart of yours does! Simple Pleasures! Tea for Two! Helping others! Shy at heart. Our Sunshinie Princess! Sweet dreams for years to come!
<3 Always and Forever Mom & Dad xoxo I don't really even know what to say, the start of this year was hard for me.... - Alexis's last year in middle school before starting high school - Derrick started a new advanced gifted/talented program - Lucas's last year of prek before going into the big kindergarten - And my baby Kourtney started preschool So many big milestones for the Miller's! Momma had a hard time containing the tears, but no tears from any of the little's! It seems like we just jumped right back into the school schedule and they have adjusted so great! This year looks to bring a lot of exciting projects, trips, and assignments. I know I say this all the time but I am so blessed which each one of these little bundles and they are always keeping me on my toes and telling me new exciting things they have learned. That is what is so wonderful about being a parent, you get to see the world all over again through your child's eyes. I'm lucky enough to see it 4 different ways! Alexis, 8th grade - 2013 Derrick, 5th grade - 2013 Lucas, Pre-K - 2013
Kourtney, Preschool - 2013 Anyone who knows me knows I like wine and coffee. I think I could live all of life with just those 2 things if that was possible! So, where would a wino go for her birthday, a winery of course! This is the first one we have been to since moving back to MN last summer and we had such a good time. Carlos Creek Winery is just outside Alexandria, MN and such a cute relaxing place. Of course we went during the middle of the week so less people, bonus! It was last minute so we brought the kids along, but they still had a good time. There was a giant chess board for them to play, plus they did a scavenger hunt as we walked around the grounds and won a prize at the end. So momma had fun and kiddos had fun too! My favorites were the Apple and all their Minnesota Nice Wines! Look at that view!
This summer consisted of anywhere that had water. We went to the pool, the beach, fishing... Summer started kind of late, it was so cold here clear through June, so we had to fit in as much swimsuit time as we could in July and August! Everyone here in MN has a saying about summer, "try to cram a years worth of stuff into 2 months." Since we have moved back I have found that absolutely true, you have to take advantage of every possible nice day. So, this summer we did just that, every other day we were somewhere enjoying the day we were offered! Our favorite place became a nearby regional park - good sand, good water, and a nice breeze...couldn't ask for anything better! A teenager! I always tell you, 'you have an attitude problem' but all with love. Really you are such an independent young lady with sass! You carry yourself with such confidence and determination, just what a young woman needs. We will always be here for you but know you can handle anything that comes your way! Such a natural at knee boarding! Girls Night Out for her first dinner as a teenager!
Double Digits Big D...Congratulations! From the day you were born you came into this world with a bang! You have amazed me every step of the way. Not only are you intelligent and forward thinking you have an amazing imagination that teaches me new things everyday. You are a blessing in every way I can't wait to watch you grow another 10 years! This was the first year any of my kids have been away from me on their birthday. D did so much fun stuff at scout camp he said, "I got to do ALL my favorite things on my favorite day!" Can't ask for better than that!
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