July 2014

Drew and Kacey Ableman moved to the Cities for an internship this summer with General Mills.  We met up with them for a day and the boys had a BLAST together.  Both Kacey and I were relieved to see that having three boys is all about running around and being crazy--- we both felt normal after being together! It was a welcome change. 

We got this awesome pass to an athletic club this summer that has a fun outdoor swimming pool and then what they call "the Neighborhood".  It was miniature golf, gaga ball, climbing gyms, trampolines, batting cages….the list goes on forever.  It's our boys more favorite place to be because they can run and climb all over the place and not get into trouble. We took the Ableman's here and it was a total success.  I'm not sure who had more fun--the little boys or Drew and Spencer.  They played dodgeball against the little boys and to be honest--I could totally imagine how they were when they were little.  They were running around being total goof-balls.  It was fun to watch. 

Spencer's Garden

Spencer get's giddy about his garden. These are pictures from mid July--the garden growing fast and looking good!

Spencer decided we needed 5 tomatoes plants this year so he could can his homemade salsa.  He absolutely LOVES this stuff.  It's usually the first thing he pulls out of the refrigerator when he gets home.

Tanner waits patiently for his Daddy to get home.  This is the scene I look at everyday.  I find it to be precious.  He also has a nerf gun in his hand which he carrier around most of the day.  He shoots all kinds of things but mostly will say, "to high" and then will find more bullets to play with.

Boise part 3--waterskiing, bon fires, date!

We busted out a couple bon fire's while visiting Boise.  The boys had so much fun playing in the sand, roasting marshmallows, and feeding the cows.  

 Table Rock with Grandma and Grandpa Miller--check out the beautiful view of Boise

 One of our Miller traditions is lunch with Chad at "The Idaho Pizza Company". 

 Park day with the Catmulls with a little adventure on the Green belt.  Tanner had a hard time keeping up due to his need to collect every rock he came in contact with! We LOVE LOVE our Cousin Catmulls.

 DATE NIGHT with Nat and Cob! We had such a wonderful Date.  We started out doing Sealings in the Boise Temple and then ending with an amazing dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.  We seriously had the most delicious meals--Spence and I decided it's our new favorite restaurant.  It was also a treat to attend the Temple with Spencer.  We usually have to go separate because of the kids and our distance from a Temple in Minnesota.

 WATERSKIING

My favorite! We went a couple times while in Boise--but I wasn't very good at taking pictures the other times we went.  Here are some pics from a trip we took with the Catmulls.

Reece waterskiing!

 So happy to be on the lake!

 Benson on the tube. 

 Driving the boat is always a highlight!

 Tanner snoozing on Grandma Miller

Dunkley Family Reunion 2014

Every two years my parents put on a massive Dunkley Reunion.  Friday night is the "Dunkley Recital", Saturday is the party, and Sunday we have breakfast at Grandma and Grandpa's house and then attend their sacrament meeting with them.  This year's theme was a Dunkley Luau.  For the Recital all the kids participated in some form or another.  Reece, Benson, and Myla did a Magic trick.  Benson told jokes while Reece prepared his experiment.  It was truly a Miller moment.  Both boys were comedians and the experiment was awesome.  Here are some picture from the reunion:

Before the Recital started

Boys with Great-Grandma (89 years old) and Grandpa Dunkley (92 yrs old)

Paintball Target shooting--My Dad really gets into this.  It's one of the annual favorites.

Bubbles for the little tikes.

I love my Grandpa in the back of this picture.  It's classic because I don't know anyone who has enjoyed life as much as he has.  He has always looked for thrills and has lived every moment to it's fullest!.  He's an inspiration to us all to be happy all the time.

Rock climbing, bounce houses, trampoline, and surf board attractions

Benson was determined to do a back flip!! After some attempts he figured out how to do it and was so proud of himself.  He did them over and over again.  You couldn't find a happier kid.

The Balloon man is another annual favorite of the kids.  I'm pretty sure the boys get the same thing every year--a sword and sword holder.

My awesome sister and cousins: Piper, Becky, Katie, Kristi, and myself! I grew up with these girls.  They are some of my favorite.  I have fond memories with them and love catching up with them and their beautiful families.  Cousins rock!

Reece and Grandma blo running the snow shack.  Reece was quite excited to have this job with Grandma.  He was an awesome helper and did a great job helping the other kids.

The balloons!

Arts and crafts.

Race track course. Tanner loved this!

Family Luau.  After a delicious dinner catered by Lock, stock, and Barrel the family had to put on lays and skirts for the evening luau.  We had hawaiian dancers put on a show for us and then were taught a hawaiian dance.  I was impressed with how well the boys joined in the fun.  And you also have to notice the nice sand that we are sitting on.  My Dad decided we needed a professional sand volleyball court so he ordered a bunch of nice sand and got a real volleyball court set up.  Volleyball is another favorite tradition at the reunion--the adults really get into it.

The reunion was a major success.  It was so fun to be surrounded by so many people that I love and also love me and my family.  I am so blessed to be part of such a great and BIG family.  We draw strength from one another.  It's also fun to see how my Grandparents legacy has been passed onto so any people.  They love the gospel, music, have developed their individual talents, and are kind and hard working people.  It's so good to have my children see that they are part of something bigger than themselves.