Spring Break

 We changed it up this spring break and headed to Scottsdale, AZ for MLB spring training.  We were all ready for a little getaway full of sunshine, baseball, good food, great friends and family time!  This was definitely a bucket list check off for the Miller boys and Harper and I were so glad we joined the fun!

We definitely missed the empty flights and extra seats we had in 2020.  Our flights were all back to being completely full!

We landed and headed straight to Rehab Burger Therapy to fuel up for the day!

After lunch we hiked Pinnacle Peak.  The weather was a little chilly with the clouds and we even got some sprinkles.  Can't beat the great views and fresh air!

Love these hiking buddies of mine! 

Post hike calls for Happy Hour at my favorite, Diego Pops!  Can't beat their margs, brussel sprout nachos and queso!  We earned it all!

We made the rounds through Scottsdale our first day!  Burgers for lunch, Mexican for happy hour and sushi for dinner!  Our favorite (and most memorable) vacation dinners are always sushi.  For some reason sushi dinners bring out the best and most laughs at the table!

The next morning our good friends the Paynes arrived!  We met for brunch and then headed to our first baseball game, Padres v Diamondbacks!  These boys could hardly contain their excitement walking in!  Of course spring training looked a little different in the Covid world.  Different is definitely the new norm.  All seating was in pods, stadiums were at very low capacity, no players autographs, no batting practice, etc.

Great seeing Tatis Jr in the game, highest paid MLB player this season!

Our outfield pod . . . the kids didn't exactly stay in the square but we kept them close 

Could not love this group more!  Crazy to think Angela and I went to high school together and were both Chios at OU but it took our boys playing sports together to develop our friendship.  Love how kids sports turn into so many great friendships!

All the kids ended up with balls from the outfielders or bullpen this first game!  The perfect souvenirs from our trip!

Day 2 started with more pre game brunching in Scottsdale, this time included bottomless mimosas!

Then off to the Cubs v Angels game at Sloan Park!

My Cardinals loving family had to do a thumbs down pic in front of the Cubs stadium!

Day 3 we started the day off with hiking Piestewa Peak.  It definitely wasn't easy but these kids were troopers!  There were a few moments we thought about turning around but we powered through and climbed to the top!

The kids loved the rock climbing, however us parents were questioning our hike choice!

Made it to the Peak and the views were stunning!  

3rd and final baseball game was the Dodgers v Rockies at Salt River Fields.  Pretty cool seeing the 2020 champs in action!

With the three stadiums spread out throughout the Scottsdale/Phoenix metro we were able to explore a large part of the city!  Such a fun few days with my crew and the Payne crew!  

FINALLY

 After one full year the kids have finally returned to school on a more full time basis!  On March 11th the kids went back to school 4 days a week, with Wednesdays remaining a virtual day!  We all had mixed emotions but the excitement overwhelmed them all!  They will definitely miss their smaller A/B class sizes and will miss their more frequent mask breaks but seeing all their friends and the structure of being at school will be worth it!  I'll definitely miss having my buddies home but lets be honest we all need a little time apart!  And after a solid year of being together it was time for school!  I'm excited to ditch the teacher roll and be back to my fun mom roll! 

A full bus stop was a great start to the day!

Basketball

 All three Millers had a fun winter season of basketball!  It was of course different with Covid, BUT they got to play and that is all that matters!  Love watching these three do what they love and even better burning that winter cabin fever energy!

We formed a new team for Jackson, Oklahoma United.  It was a combination of baseball, soccer and football friends.  Such a great group of athletic boys and a fun group of parents!

Harper played with all her besties again this season!  Could not ask for a better group of girls for Harper to do sports and life with!  Harper had a great 2nd season of basketball and she improved every game!  It's now a toss up if she likes softball or basketball better!

Mason had a great season of basketball as well!  He is a natural at all sports!  He played mostly with his close group of baseball friends but we did add a few new friends to the mix!  

I always regret not taking more pictures but I'm too busy cheering these kiddos on and chatting away with all our sport families! 

Happy 9th birthday J&H

Happy 9th birthday Jackson and Harper!  I can't believe you are one year away from being double digits and half way from heading to college!  Time sure does need to slow down!   We love you two so much and had the best time celebrating you!

The birthday fairy made her annual overnight visit and made J&Hs birthday morning even more special!  She never disappoints :) 

Waking up and busting through a door covered in wallpaper is the best!

These two are looking way too grown up but still just as cute as ever!  

Sadie's birthday is on January 7th so we celebrate her all week long as well!  Could these three get any cuter!

Sumo never disappoints for birthday dinners.  Good food and so much fun!  I mean look at those fire faces . . .

Jackson celebrated with a few friends at Main Event.  Such a fun night of laser tag and arcade games.  These boys could have spent all day there!  Best way to wear out a group of boys on a winter night!

Such a great group of sports loving boys!

Harper celebrated with her closest girlfriends with a pizza, popcorn, brownie sundaes and a movie.

The birthday girl asked for dessert first so we had to break the rules for her special night!

Love all these smiles and all their sweet friendships!

9 brought a little bit of sass!

Happy 4th birthday to Sadie girl!  The kids loved making her doggy cupcakes as a special treat!

We had a fun week of celebrating three pretty special people!