Grandma Ruth

We made a last minute trip to Chicago this week to celebrate the life of my Grandma Ruth.  She was such an amazing lady and I have so many great memories of her from celebrating every Christmas at her house to painting ceramics and making puff paint shirts while visiting her in the summer.  Although I wish we were visiting under different circumstances we made the most out of our trip and ended up having a great family reunion with all the Nelsons and Seamans.  Jackson, Harper and Mason had a blast with all their cousins.  As we were sadly saying our goodbyes, Jackson looked at me and said "I don't want to go home, I want to live here".  I was instantly flooded with all the times growing up that I had the same feelings after a fun week with all my family. This past week was so refreshing and so good for the soul! 

We started our road trip at 3 am to ensure the kids would sleep for a few hours.  Rise and shine little ones!

 The excitement of staying at a hotel never gets old to J&H!

We woke up the first morning to SNOW!!!  It felt like Christmas morning.  We could finally put our snow boots and puffy jackets to good use. 

We also squeezed in a quick train ride which the kids thought was so cool!

And we did lots of swimming at the hotel pool!

 Sitting around the hotel pool with all the family brought back so many memories of Thanksgivings we spent in Iowa growing up.  The evenings always ended at the hotel pool with the kids swimming and the adults catching up.  Looking at this picture makes my heart so happy! 

 

But most importantly we celebrated Grandma Ruth with all our amazing family.  It was so special to see all the great aunts and uncles.

 We can't wait for the arrival of the newest Nelson in just a few short months! 

 J,H and M had SO much fun with their cousins!  You all are the BEST for keeping these little ones so entertained.  They can't stop talking about how much fun they had.

 worn out!

I wish I could have spent more time catching up with each family member but honestly I was having too much fun watching J,H and M create such fun memories with the family.  Such a bittersweet few days!  We will miss you Grandma!

 

Seriously . . .

this kid is the CUTEST!!!!  Mason's smile and laugh is so contagious and brings so much happiness to our house.  I find myself staring at and squeezing this adorable little boy all the time.  I can't get enough of his cuteness and silliness!  He is happy 100% of the time.

 Cute and dramatic!  Sometimes a little boy just needs some space!

Happy Valentines Day

Not a holiday goes by without a celebration in our house.  I love any excuse to spoil my little valentines!  So much to love in the Miller house.  We celebrated this Valentine's Day with lots of sugar, lots of cuteness and lots of love!

 Tyler and I got a little day date in at the OU/Kansas bball game.  So much fun despite the loss.

 J&H had a Valentine's Day slumber party.  It's so nice having built in friends for sleep overs.

 Cupid made a surprise visit while the kids were sleeping and left clues for a Vday scavenger hunt. 

and lets not forget our annual vday donut fun in our PJs

Happy Valentine's Day from the Millers!

Weekend Get Away

The pool in our backyard has been teasing the kids this winter.  They have been asking non-stop to go swimming. So for a late and last birthday treat we decided to head to Great Wolf Lodge for a little weekend get away.  They had so much fun, and actually Tyler and I had a lot of fun as well!  Much needed weekend get away for all!

J&H love staying at hotels.  We always tell them that they can only jump on hotel beds.  The instant we opened the hotel door it was a mad dash for the bed for a little jumping session. 

Since it was their birthday celebration, J&H were treated to unlimited ice cream.  I'm pretty sure J&H think Great Wolf is the greatest place!

The kids loved everything about the waterpark, the slides, wave pool, lazy river, hot tubs . . . 

We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing at Nana and Grandpa's house.  Harper bonded with her new best friend Cassie.

 And J&H took their first ride in Little Joe which they thought was really cool. 

Oak Tree Daddy Daughter Dance

Harper had her first date this Saturday evening and thank goodness it was with her dad!  She looked beautiful and was beaming with excitement for her extra special evening.  This sweet couple had a daddy daughter dance at the golf course.  Their evening was full of dancing, food, friends, sugar, giggles and pure happiness from our 4 year old princess.  She came home with a smile from ear to ear!

 

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 I had two handsome dates as well for the evening!

 Harper wasn't ready for the evening to end.  She got all bundled up in her sleeping bag dress and all.