We have been so busy having fun around here I haven’t had time to blog about all our good times. We have had a lot of visitors in the last couple of weeks and now that everyone has gone home, it seems pretty quiet around here.

Last weekend the whole Miller family came to stay with us while the boys (Jason Mc, Jason M, Zachary and Noah) went to the Hawkeye football game and Jill, Aubrey, Anya, Josiah and I hit the malls. I wish we could say we were Christmas shopping, but we were really more kids clothes shopping (Jill brings out the worst in me when we are shopping–I lose all self-control) but we did manage to find some pretty good deals and some awfully cute clothes. On Saturday, Anya also had her first official birthday party with a little girl from her daycare. They went to Friendsville in Valley West Mall (same concept as Build-A-Bear) and she got to create her very own stuffed animal. She picked a giraffe to make and it is very cute, soft and cuddly. She had a good time running around with her little friends and it was a good opportunity for me to meet some of the other moms and get to know them. After her birthday party, our shopping spree continued on to Jordan Creek Mall and finally we made it back home. Since it was a late football game, the boys didn’t roll into town until after 8:30pm and were pretty hyped up after beating Penn State (way to go Hawks!).

On their way home from Iowa City the boys also stopped and picked up Aunt Joni who came here to stay the week with us. It was great having her here and the week went way too fast. I’m not sure who is missing who more, Anya or Aunt Joni, but they sure had a great time together. The kids got thoroughly spoiled and it was nice having an extra pair of hands here to help me with both kids. We look forward to having her come stay with us again soon!

This weekend brought the Miller boys back to our house Friday night to get a jump on the drive to Iowa City Saturday morning for the Purdue game. Again, another big win for the Hawks, so things are shaping up for this season after all. The kids and I basically lounged all day on Saturday while Jason was at the game. Sunday we went to church and then hosted our church small group that night, so it was a busy day for us. Jason and Anya took advantage of the semi-nice weather outside and Jason got the lawnmower winterized and the snowblower moved from the shed to the garage. I just hope it is a long time before he actually needs to use it!

Here are some random pictures of what has been going on around here. Have a great week!