12!

Zac had a long drawn out birthday.  At 9:00 pm we were all finally together and could celebrate.

Todd gave Zac a super warm sleeping bag for all
those upcoming scout campouts.

He also received his Mindtorms kit.  Thanks to both
 sets of grandparents for pitching in on this one.

A few days later he filled the house with a bunch of boys with
warped senses of humor.  Of course it could be that
they were all around 12 years old.  They had
a great time watching movies, playing and eating pizza.

A week later, we finally had a large family party.
Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles made the trip for
Zac's priesthood ordination. We decided to
combine that with his family party.
Thanks to all that came and made the day special.

Let the Mania Begin!

We had about two saturdays off between soccer and wrestling.  Max started his Little League wrestling team in November.  It was a short, sweet season but he was officially bit by the wrestling bug.  It's all in the Miller genes.

Even though he was one of the smallest on the team, he didn't notice.  His attitude was larger than life!

He finished his short little season undefeated, and his team took first place. 
He is so proud of his trophy. 
Now I spend Saturdays traveling to Zac's junior high wrestling tournaments.

Birthday Wishes can Come True!

How did Todd choose to spend his birthday on Nov 2nd?  Laying sod.  But all his dreams came true.  He actually had help. I started helping in the morning and after school his crew of high school students showed up.  Followed by our kids and some friends.  We almost finished by dark, but the next day it was done.

Happy Birthday to my Gentleman Farmer!  :)

North side

South side

After thawing out, we celebrated with birthday cheesecake
and went to bed very tired and very sore.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween was a simple affair this year.  YAY for me...sad for the big kids.  There was some harsh punishment dealt out the week before so Kiarra and Zac lost their halloween party and even the privilege of dressing up.  (I know...I AM the meanest mom in the history of the world!)  Although it made it the easiest holiday ever...it did feel a little lacking.


Kiarra wasn't allowed to dress up for Halloween, but a few days before she
had to dress up for the Halloween orchestra concert.

Max and the kindergarten costume parade.

Sophie and the school costume parade.

Two tough kids.  I do believe my days of cute, sparkly princess dresses are over. 
Sophie KNEW 6 months ago that she wanted to be a boxer. 
Thank heaven for the joy of internet shopping!  One boxer costume...check.



We finished the day with the community trunk-or-treat. 
Our stake put an end to the church parking lots being used for trunk-or-treats,
so the town threw one large trunk-or-treat at the park. 
It was a little busy, but well organized. 
Kiarra and Zac got the job of hanging out at our car handing our treats.

Happiest Place on Earth!

It just so happens that our family had not been on a vacation since 2008.  It was PAST time.  Max had finally reached the required 42 inches, so it also meant that it was time for Disneyland.  We decided to go over the UEA break...(which later while standing in line we learned stands for Utahns Entering Anaheim).  We surprised the kids the week before we left.  The funny thing is, it took a few hours for the idea to sink in.  I expected them to be excited right away, but I don't think they really believed we were going.  They've been asking for SOOOO long.  My sister, Anne, took a break from her classroom and joined us on our trip.  Here are several highlights of the trip.

This was Max's first time on a plane...of course he thought it was AWESOME!

Todd didn't understand that I just HAD to wait in line to take the kids picture in front of
pumpkin Mickey.  But hey...it's Halloween in Disney.  Can't ignore it.

I thought it was funny that out of all the fun rides, the Tea Cups was first on their must do list.

Kiarra and Zac know I love a clean house.  Obviously so does Minnie.

Watch out!  Sophie gave me whiplash on Autotopia...things to look forward to in 9 years.

Since it's Halloween, the Villians are out in full force.

The Haunted Mansion was fabulous!  Loved, loved, loved the Halloween decorations.

Cinderella was the only princess we waited for.  Sophie just isn't into the waiting or the princesses...but what a bonus to meet the Fairy Godmother!

Anne and her crew in the cage on the giant Ferris Wheel.  Max did NOT like this ride.  His siblings picked the swinging cages.  Not a good idea for him.

Extremely happy to meet Mater and Lightening McQueen. Now we have to come back after Cars Land is finished.

Max had serious lunch to make.  He created a masterpiece with his PB&J pallet.

The boys in their Dumbo.

One day we took a break from the Parks and went to Huntington Beach. 
We walked out on the longest pier. 

The water was a little too cold for the adults...but the kids and surfers didn't mind. The adults
just enjoyed napping on the warm sand and watching all the incredible surfers. 

The last day we hurried to meet Tink in Pixie Hollow before
the line got long.  So much more fun than a Princess.

Todd also got the kids going for the 4th trip down the Grizzly River Run. 
One of their favorites.  He was still wet when we boarded the plane.

It was tough to leave.  When we were walking to the car Max asked "Why do we always have to leave the fun places?"  I think that was how we all felt especially as we've tried to get back in the groove this week.  Hopefully it won't take us 3 years for another family vacation.

Breaking News...

Yep...now Todd's throwing his hat in the political arena.  Elections are Nov. 8th.  We'll keep you posted.  ;)

Ahh...some R&R

Well...R&R for me at least. Todd has had a few conferences on his schedule lately. Luckily I get to go with him. The first was in Park City. Thankfully, Todd's mom came to stay with the kids for a few days. We stayed at the Grand Summit Hotel at the Canyons Resort. It's a beautiful hotel and the fall colors were just beginning to take over the hillsides.

I enjoyed a lot of reading time and some sleeping in. We (yes, I said "we") did quite a lot of shopping at the outlet mall too. (I think that's the first time Todd's gone leisurely shopping with me in years!) One evening, dinner for the conference attendees was held at the Olympic Park Museum. At the museum is the training pools for the olympic ski jumpers. The Flying Aces put on an awesome show. Three or four of the athletes there are already scheduled to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Thanks again Grandma for spending so much time with the kids! Todd and I REALLY appreciate it!

The next weekend was a shorter conference at the Grand America in Salt Lake. This was my first time there. What a beautiful hotel! Because the weather was so cold and rainy...I just enjoyed the beautiful room, the cozy robe and my book. The food was fabulous too! Thanks to Liz this time for watching my kids! We owe you... again!

Our room on the 22nd floor....

The view from the balcony....

Had no idea these gardens were hidden behind in the courtyard of the hotel...can't see them from the street and I had never attended any function here so they were new to me. Beautiful even in fall. I was just a little afraid I'd drop my phone as I held my phone out to take this picture. I'm pretty sure dropping my new phone 22 floors would kill it.

A very nice, peaceful 24 hours. Thanks again to all the babysitters!