5 generation picture

  My Great Grandma Lloyd is an all-star and is still alive at 92 years old.  She is an awesome lady who remembers everything about you and has a witty sense of humor.  After we blessed Tate, we stopped by my Grandma's house in Salt Lake so we could take a 5 generation picture.  The pictures turned out great, except for my funny placement of my sweater--there are some places in my body that have grown quite large thanks to nursing which is something I'm not use to--its something my wardrobe isn't used to and neither am I. :)

Christmas prep

                             Two days before Christmas we had a wrapping party at my mom's house. 

                                                      We'll let the pictures tell the story:

 Kristi came and entertained us with her stories.  She always has some up her sleeve to keep us laughing!

 Aunt Nicole!! She's awesome and is currently working on turning her mission papers in.  She can hardly wait to serve a mission--as long as she doesn't fall in love in the next 6 months (that's what she always says).

                 Queen wrapper.  Actually, my mom was Queen wrapper and I was Queen bow tier.

                                          Natalie and I had a little dance party!! It was fun.

 Natalie just started taking harp lessons.  She's pretty talented.  She can already play Joy to the World.

 Benson and Reece love Natalies magnetics.  During one of the football games last year the boys went around the house and stuck them on all the screws that hold the outlet covers on the walls.  They can be very creative with these things. 

  Meet Mr. Santa Claus.  This is my Mom's favorite picture of all time.  He has a twinkle in his

eyes that melts my mom's heart.  She can hardly wait to put him up during Christmas and

keeps him there as long as my Dad permits.  As of today, Jan 15th, he is still hanging above

the fireplace. 

Natalie has a witty sense of humor.  She entertains us constantly and is definitely transitioning

into the teenager world.  She's going to be an awesome teenager!!

Photography skills--or lack of...

It seems like everywhere I look I see DARLING pictures of infants. Now that I have the most handsome infant around I thought I'd create some beautiful pictures. Unfortunately I lack knowledge and skill in the photography department--thus needing lots of practice to improve my skills. Here are tonights photos--I thought they were SO GOOD while taking them, but then realized they really weren't that great. But that doesn't matter. He's so dang cute and adorable and squeezable and lovable so I'm okay with that. Plus, I've been listening to Christmas music with a clean house and beautiful tree all night long!! LOVE IT!

OH, did I mention that everytime I want to take pictures he WAKES UP!!! Hello cute one---don't you know you're supposed to be asleep so I can position you in crazy positions without you moving.

                                                              Last night's photo session

Reece is so cute with Tanner.  If I'm not in the room and Tanner starts crying Reece will yell, "it's okay Tanner, I'm right here".  Tanner got upset during this photo session and Reece came running to the rescue! Stay tuned for the next post--I have a GREAT REECE comment. But it's my bedtime and so I'll post it tomorrow.

Before church picture...

A late Thanksgiving day post

 I know it's a little late--but for journal purposes I gotta have our Thanksgiving day post. 

We started the day at Spencer's parents house for a Thanksgiving day breakfast!  It was so delicious.  I LOVE breakfast (we often have it for dinner) and for some reason ever since I had Tanner I had been craving hash browns, eggs, and waffles.  That was my first meal after I had Tanner and for the first week after Tanner was born Spencer made me that meal for breakfast every morning. 

He's an awesome husband!

Then Spencer and Chad went with my Dad and Kristi shooting.  They had a grand ole' time and will probably turn that into an annual tradition.  My Mom was a good sport and did most of the cooking.  We watched the Macy's parade and then my mom's favorite--the Dog show.  My body was still recovering and so I pretty much sat and held Tanner most of the day.  The boys had a blast running around my parents house and helping my Dad cut the turkey.  Usually we have all the family over for dinner but since Tanner was a newborn we only had our immediate family and Chad (Nicki was working).  I normally love the chaos and company our extended family bring to the house, but this year it was peaceful and relaxing to just have our immediate family. 

This is my Mom's awesome grandkid room. 

BSU basketball game

Reece and Benson went with Spencer, his Dad, Cob and Jacob to the BSU basketball game tonight.  As Reece was leaving he put his hat on and said, "mom, do I look good?"  I said "yes".  He then turned his hat backwards and said, "now do I look cooler?".  Again, I said "yes".  Then he said, "oh, I'll look even cooler if I get my glasses on"!! I laughed so hard.  I'm glad he thinks he's cool because I think he's cool too!

UPDATE

                   It's been a while since I posted, so I'll try and give a quick recap of the past 2 1/2 weeks:

1. Counting my blessings...

We have been so blessed these past couple of weeks.  My recoveries with Reece and Benson were long and painful (with Reece I had a fissure and with Benson I seriously wore depends for the first month--it was humorous to say the least) so we expected the same with Tanner's.  Not only that but Spencer was super busy in school.  This recovery has been awesome.  It's been a smooth and problem-free recovery, plus Spencer has been home the whole time (he has Nov. & Dec. off for residency interviews). 

 Its been very peaceful as well.  My OCD tendencies went away with the pregnancy (thank goodness I was driving everyone and myself crazy) and we have enjoyed staying home and snuggling with our little bundle of joy!  I haven't worried about the house being perfect, or doing projects, or anything else besides holding my baby.  I literally sit in the rocking chair which we put in the middle of our living room, hold Tanner, and watch the boys play/wrestle with Spencer.  I never thought I'd had so many boys in my house but I have to say it's been so much fun.  It makes me want to have more boys.   

        It's a party at the Miller home!  Three handsome and super awesome little boys.  I couldn't be happier!

2. Reece and Benson...

During my pregnancy Reece could care less about touching my belly or even acknowledging that it existed.  I thought for sure he would be in his own little world and not pay much attention to the baby.  I was wrong.  He LOVES Tanner.  The first couple days we were home Reece would bring his Encyclopedia books out and read them to Tanner.  He is constantly asking if he can hold him, waits for him to cry so he can put his binky in his mouth, and is all about the baby!

And then there's Benson...he LOVED my belly.  He would KISS it everyday.  He was obsessed with my belly and could hardly wait to meet his little brother.  He called himself the older brother all the time.  I thought for sure he would LOVE the baby and would be kissing it all day.  I was wrong.  He pretty much acts like he doesn't exist.  I know he loves Tanner, but I think he's getting used to not being the baby anymore.  He doesn't quite know what to think about having a little brother that steals all the attention.  I'm sure he'll warm up to him sooner then later. 

 3. Tanner...well, he's just plain awesome.  Infants have such a peaceful manner about them.  There aren't many things in life that make me calm and relaxed.  I struggle to sit down for long periods of time and I like to be really busy.  Until I have a baby.  I don't want to do anything but kiss, snuggle, and hold them tight.  They have a magical power about them--I think it's because they are so close to heaven.  They just left our Heavenly Father's presence and I think they carry some of that with them when they enter this life.  I am grateful for his peacefulness and spirit and for the love he's brought into our home.

 4. Christmas tree...

We bought our Christmas tree and are now ready for Christmas.  Our favorite part of the day is when it gets dark outside and we can turn our Christmas tree lights on and enjoy the peaceful spirit it brings.  We've been working hard on remembering Christ this year during the Christmas season.  It's been fun to talk with the boys and teach them all about Christ. 

  

Tanner--5 days old

While Spencer and the boys were outside putting Christmas lights on the house, I took advantage of being alone with the baby and took a little photo shoot.  My friend Sarah showed me some tricks with the lighting and where to put Tanner so I gave it a try. These are some of my favorite pictures (don't worry, I took almost 100 pics)! 

Tanner Chad Miller

 This is going to be a quick post.  We have been enjoying our time holding our new son and visiting with family and friends.  It has been a perfect two days and I will post MUCH MUCH MORE about them in the near future.  As for right now...here are some quick pics.

Yesterday morning...

Yesterday night...I could hardly wait for the boys to come meet their new baby brother.  I had been anticipating it ALL day!  It truly was a special moment.

 Introducing Tanner Chad Miller.

Born: 11/18/11

8 pounds 1 ounce

Labor and Delivery went perfect!

Healthy and Handsome!

He is dreamy and we couldn't be happier to have him in our family!

Thanks to everyone who kept us in their prayers and have been thinking about us.

We have had 2 very special days and feel grateful for all the love and support we have received.

Love, Spencer and Juliann

Basketball star sista!

 My awesome little sister Natalie just finished her school b-ball season--and she just made the AAU team which starts in January.  We've gone to a couple of her games and she is a good little basketball player.  Here are some pictures of her last game.  She got braces on the morning of this game and so her mouth was KILLING her.  She was a tropper and still played and then went home and started her first harp lessons.  I am totally jealous of her because I have always wanted to play the harp.  She taught me how to play Silent Night--so I guess I can say I know how to play the harp!!! Who ever said you need to know more than one song?

 They boys were super hyper and so it took some SERIOUS bribing to get them to stand still.