the mystery on the living room floor

This is just too funny.....

The family has been struggling with a strange "sickness" - Allison had a fever, I had headaches, and then Allie and Jonathan both threw up one time in the middle of the night 24 hours apart.  As a result I've been up from about 3am on both Sunday and Monday nights....every time someone coughs or sputters in the other room I fly out of bed anticipating well.....you know.  

So early this morning after Allie had done her thing and gone back to sleep, I was trying to sleep from 6-7am.....and she comes up to me in the bed and says....."Mommy there is something all over the living room floor."  "What is it Allie?"  "I don't know just something."  Ok - so if you were me what would you assume?  Two nights in a row up with barfing kids, I am thinking great - the dog barfed?  Who barfed on the living room floor?  What else could it be if she doesn't know what it is?  

I decided I didn't care what was on the living room floor because I was tired and my head was pounding too much to get up.  "Just don't step in it - I'll be there in a minute."  Finally I mustered enough courage to get up, face the day, and face the living room floor.  Much to my relief "it" was a big, black racetrack!  Last night after Allie had gone to bed a sweet friend had dropped some "hand me down" toys by for Ryan and he'd set up the racetrack.  Allie had never seen anything like it!  What a relief!

junior baker

I love the way Madison works in the kitchen....whether it is fixing breakfast, lunch, or baking a special treat - she always arranges things so they look pleasing to the eye.  In these pictures she is making cookies for daddy's birthday which is today.  Butter pecan cookies will be yummy!  It is a blessing to have another cook in the kitchen!

No - she is not licking the batter!  I think she is deep in concentration

slip slidin' away.....

What else are you going to do when there is no school and it is over 100 degrees?

They said they were "making a whirlpool".

pure action shot......

yikes - there is no way my old body could take that......

I'm sorry, I can't help it!  His rear end is so cute - and I missed his head!  It won't be long and that little tush will be bigger and not photographic!

swimming lessons

It's that time again.....summer swimming lessons.  For almost the last 8 years I have sat outside watching at least one of our first 3 kids cry through a session!  Every 2-4 year old had done it.....so this year I said - I can't take it.  I told my friend who teaches them.....if Jonathan cries I am waiting until next year.....not paying to watch him cry!  Well guess what?  He wins the prize for the first Miller toddler NOT to cry in at the first swimming lessons!  He loves it and does whatever he's asked......what an agreeable guy.  It won't be long and they'll all be fish!

Allison is doing great!

Jonathan waiting his turn - he kept asking, "Me? Me?"

what can I say?

This is what happens when momma is on the phone too long and folding laundry in the back room: (captions provided by my mom)

The Miller Ensemble.  Number Three appears to be striking a pose.

Hmmm.  Thinking this over.  Not enough stretch in this leotard--and I think the flounce is just a little too much..

Back to business--- Let's see---where was I?  

father's day

Happy Father's Day #10 to my dear husband.....hard to believe it has been 10 years since he celebrated his first.  Now our little baby girl has turned into a young lady and there are 3 more kiddos to celebrate with! 

Merl is has become a father beyond what I dreamed he would be.  In fact, when we met - I had no idea what to think about what his "potential fatherly qualities" would be. - and frankly I am embarrassed to say that I didn't really care.  I just knew I wanted to marry him and would worry about the rest later.  Hmmm......I don't recommend this reckless philosophy - I am just an example of God's grace and mercy - as a result I am married to a changed man and amazing father!  

Merl has a kind and Godly way of dealing with our kids - shepherding them - I think he had great examples from his parents who I know have prayed faithfully for him every day of his life.....I also take great comfort in knowing that he desires to do what the Lord calls him to do.  And he desires to be a Godly father...I am thankful for this man!

Walnut Canyon

On Friday our vacation came to a close.......hard to say good bye but how blessed we are to return to a home, friends, and family we love.  We are SO blessed.  Since we checked out of the timeshare early I suggested we prolong the time by visiting Walnut Canyon.  Fun!

The kids worked on receiving their Junior Ranger badges (filling out a booklet with answers you find throughout the park and museum) and we had fun exploring the cliff dwellings there.  It was great timing since we studied Native Americans at the beginning of the year.

The hike is quite steep down into the canyon and then back up.  Originally we planned on letting Jonathan run off some steam but when we saw the steep drop offs, we decided he was safest in the backpack - one trip to the ER was enough!  As we worked our way back up, Madison and Ryan ran up the stairs like mountain goats not even winded.  Merl had Jonathan on the back of him and didn't seem winded.  Allie and I pulled up the rear - we were relieved to reach the top!  

What a glorious week of exploring and enjoying God's beautiful creation.  

A view from the top of the trail

I went to Flagstaff and all I got were these lousy stitches!

Another "smile" shot

Here is an update on Jonathan's head.......took the bandaid off today.  He didn't like that process so much but was fine after.  The gash looks great - unbelievably different from the day he did it.  The only way I could get a picture of him was to take it when he was strapped into his car seat!  

Wildlife (sort of)

Well, deer are wildlife - though these deer were far from wild.  They were quite tame.  Today we visited the Grand Canyon Deer Farm.   Allison and Jonathan have been so patient all week as we have visited places that were interesting but a little "over their heads".  Allison came to me a few times saying "this is BOWING"......So we thought we'd try and go somewhere a little more "kid" oriented.  What is better than an overpriced petting zoo?  It was a relaxing day with a simple outing, swimming, and tennis.  Well - I went on the simple outing and blogged while everyone else expended energy swimming and playing tennis!  Tonight I'll cap off my intense day with the hot tub :)

Birds and Botany

Tuesday our outing was to the Flagstaff Arboretum.  The kids enjoyed a guided tour around the grounds and a wild bird of prey presentation.  We saw a hawk, falcon, and 2 kinds of owls.  It is interesting for them to learn about the plants and animals at an elevation different from the desert.  

Our Creator and Astronomy

Ryan viewing Saturn 

Jonathan doing research

Madison viewing Arcturus

After such an eventful Saturday we had a lovely day of rest on Sunday worshipping together as a family with singing and reading scripture.  Grandpa Bill shared some beautiful thoughts about "leaving a legacy" and passing on the baton to the next generation of the Miller family - the children and grandchildren.  In the evening the kids shared some "talent" of various sorts - with our kids performing a hilarious skit of "Little Red" (little red riding hood).  

Monday morning we had a "Miller Family Tennis Tournament" - single elimination from the youngest up.  Ryan advanced until he met his older cousin Zack and was eliminated.  I was eliminated by my 14 year old nephew, Kevin.  I don't think I've touched a racket for over 15 years - I was plenty rusty but had a lot of fun.  I utilized the hot tub on the porch that night!

Monday evening we went to the Lowell Observatory.  It was so awesome!  It was still light when we arrived and we headed straight up to the McAllister telescope to view Arcturus - the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere.  I think the guy said it was 18 million miles in diameter - and the earth is 8,000 miles in diameter!  Anyway we wandered around the gardens and museums until dark, praying the clouds would thin and go away.  They did a little bit, and we got to see the planet Saturn!  We could visibly see it as well as its rings!  I have to say it was so amazing!  What an amazing world our Lord has created.  

I must admit that I know next to nothing about Astronomy.....but it seems so much more interesting now that we got to experience looking through these AMAZING telescopes.  The Clark telescope there is over 120 years old.  Fun day......

Day 1 - part 2 - the ER

After lunch on Saturday, it was decided the group would visit Lava River Cave.  It is a lava tube which is formed when a portion of a river of lava cools while the interior is still hot and flowing.  Under the right conditions the outer skin will form a hard shell and the inner core will flow right on through like water going through a straw, leaving an empty tube.  The hike is completely in the dark using flashlights.  It is cold, dark, and sort of difficult to navigate so I decided to stay home with Jonathan and Allison.  

We went grocery shopping with my sister in law Sharon first.  After shopping, Sharon and I bought coffee - looking forward to sipping it on the porch while the kids rested.  Just as we were putting the last groceries away Jonathan came sprinting into the room toward the TV - excited to watch baseball.  I looked up just in time to see him trip and tumble head first into the TV stand.  Just from the sound I knew this was not good and sprinted over as he got up and ran toward me.  I could see clear through the first layer of skin over his eyebrow..... His father is quite a fan of butterfly strips to close cuts.  He has closed many a cut on our kid's faces with these things.  The moment I saw this wound I knew we were beyond butterfly strips.  

The first thought I had was - "I can't believe my husband is inside a dark cave with no cell phone reception and this is happening."  Wouldn't you know.  I yelled to Sharon - grab your keys - we need to drive over to the front desk and find out how to get to the ER.  Poor Jonathan just screamed and bled and Allie kept saying "poor Jonathan."  Merl's parents got home right when we were leaving so Allison was spared a tour of the Flagstaff hospital.  Miraculously I got ahold of Merl on his cell phone minutes before they entered the cave.  He confirmed that I should go to the ER rather than urgent care and what things to make sure were done.  Sharon drove and we were on our way........on a wild goose chase to find the hospital.  Too bad we were using the resort map which was unbelievably inaccurate!  Eventually we managed to find our way there and just as we arrived our poor patient had fallen asleep - exhausted from no nap to begin with and over 20 minutes of crying.  

Since Jonathan would not let me touch his head he had blood all over him so we attracted a lot of attention.  He was not crying and really calm so I am thankful he didn't seem to be in pain.  After while we were seen and the doctor decided he needed stitches on the inside and outside.  That process was tough but he was a real trooper despite having to be numbed with the needle and held down while being stitched up.  

Later at dinner he was his usual self - running around like nothing had happened......until he saw himself in the mirror and said, "Uh oh......eye".

I asked him to smile - but this is what I got.

Ready to call this one LONG day......

Day 1 - part 1 - Volcanoes

We really are having a GREAT time in Flagstaff - so far it has been cooler than I'd like (anything under 80 degrees) but a nice change to sizzling home.  We are "vacationing" with Merl's family.  His parents generously arrange for all the siblings and family to get together every 3 years together at a timeshare.  They carefully plan things so that we spend a lot of time sharing with one another and enjoying each other's company while also exploring the area.  We are having fun!!

Our first full day (Saturday) was spent exploring the sites of old volcanoes.  In the morning we visited Sunset Crater National Monument.  It was fascinating to see the beds of cooled lava all around us and be able to hike through it.  Unfortunately my camera (which I have been having problems with recently) took a turn for the worse and kicked the bucket.  I only have a few pictures from that morning.  Ahh, nothing like your camera breaking on vacation!!  So relaxing and enjoyable......Fortunately we bought Madison a camera for Christmas......