34 Kisses

Right when Lila woke up this morning she jumped up in my lap and started kissing me on the cheek over and over again. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was kissing me 34 times, but I made her lose count so she had to start over :) Then she went over to her daddy and gave him 39 kisses. Back to Mom for 34 hugs, then to Dad again for 39 hugs. This was a very sweet way to start our day.

It reminded me of the day I took this picture, Lila was 3 years old and I was watching our neighbor, Kyle (11 months younger than Lila), they were sitting on the chair and it was so cute. I told them to look at each other and Lila planted one on him! Kyle is still smiling while Lila kissed him.

Too cute.

This is her first and last kiss from a boy until she's married!

Sleep tight L.G.

Some time in November Lila walked into the room when we were watching the news and heard that 2 kids died in a house fire. Since then, she has been terrified to sleep upstairs alone. She has taken up residence with me down stairs in the computer room since. We asked her what would ever make her not be scared. She said either when she turns 7 or gets a Hello Kitty alarm clock with a lemon night light...

Thank you Uncle Dan.

It's been 3 nights and Lila has been fear free in her own room.

She sat in the kitchen with Uncle Pat for about 30 minutes just enamored with her "best wish".

It's such a good feeling knowing your child is at peace.

Christmas day @ our house... the end.

New jammies made by Grandma Ina! Lila and I in our classic Pooh micro fleece nightgowns. Evan with Bart Simpson, (not a fan).

Turkey dinner, ready to bless?

Wait!

Just joking...totally cheese ball with the fake pose for the camera.

Mmmm...cheese ball.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Christmas @ our house...the middle.

Beki's kids Trevor, Chloe and Luke.

Here Kayla and Lila take a coloring break.

The yummy snacks before dinner.

Now, it's just not Christmas without new bunderwear. Yes, "bunderwear". A long time Switzler family joke of sorts. Did y'all get new bunderwear?

Christmas Day @ our house...the beginning.

Grandma Ina + new technology =huh? She'll get it. Uncle Dan with his puppy Riley, who must stay in his lap to appease Lila.

Uncle Pat and Aunt Annie always bring lots of fun little surprises. Neat things from Starbucks are always my favorite.

It always warms my heart to see Uncle Pat and Lila spend so much time together. They have a very special relationship.

We love Daddy!

Daddy's loved so much. To show him our appreciation for all the help and patience over this whole crazy year, Lila and I spent all of last weeks Seahawk's game making him our "year in review" photo collage.

As you can see in his smile, he was surprised and happy.

Thank you for loving us the way you do. You are our rock!

The answer to your question, Uncle Marker...

Stocking stuffer time! Yes, Evan did get coal in his stocking. How could he not, he's Evan!

Princess markers for the budding artist.

The Poo Poo Panda made Evan laugh. He got over the coal real quick.

Mama got a ruby red hair brush and new pony holders. Hip, hip hooray!

Apple Jacks with a Guitar hero toy in each box...WHAAAAT!?! Breakfast is served. No cinnamon rolls here. Mom had a slice of Aunt Marie's home made bread with delicious apple butter spread on it. Yum-O!

Stocking time was F-U-N!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at the DuPont Miller's.

The sweet girls. In their Beautiful dresses. Uncle D. bought Lila princess jewelry.

Lila was very excited. She got Abby a light up Pet Shop toy.

Our kids lovin' on their Daddy's mommy and daddy.



Speaking of lovin' on their daddy. Uncle Marker is just about as adorable as can be . This made a light bulb go off in my noggin. Miller family picture time. What an amazing family that I get to call mine!

This is very special to me... Not too long ago I watched this program on TV that told of these African women in dire situations that are being helped by missionaries. They are making jewelry to be sold and all of the proceeds go directly back to their community. Holly and I each received a piece of their jewelry. Mine says Love and Holly's says Joy.

This holiday was a blessing for us. Being able to give to the needy and cut back on the rest of us who aren't so needy. It was a great feeling having one little bag of presents to bring home, compared to other years that were out of control. Even with the struggling we have been doing, we have it so much better than so many others out there. We are blessed and nothing feels better than to share that blessing!

More goodies!

So, Christmas baking is in full swing...not done yet, but here's a sample of some of the deliciousness.

White chocolate dipped pretzels with red sprinkles.

Almond Roca cookie bars.

Lila and Grandma's ginger bread people.

Okay, okay enough blogging for cryin' out loud. Back to baking!

Miller out.

Whoops, I almost forgot...

Here's a frosting sugar crash!

Okay, I didn't mean to lie...

I guess I fibbed when I said 28 degrees is balmy. Because let me tell you, when every door and window is opened in your house it's a bit chilly! See, what happened was, I was melting chocolate chips and they, kind of, sort of, burst into flames in the microwave. Billowing smoke for all to see. Small set back. Coconut balls are done and tasty. Made with fresh chocolate, mind you.Here are the sugar cookies. Nothing fancy, like my fancy little niece made http://miller-trek.blogspot.com/ But still yummy!

It's warmed up to a balmy 28 degrees!

Ahh, warm wishes. I think our wish has come true. Two mornings ago at this time it was 13 degrees. It's funny when you turn down the furnace at night then around 5am it turns on. Our old house isn't use to being so cold.This is the view from my kitchen window. It didn't quit snowing last night and it's still snowing. Big, fat quarter size flakes. It's so pretty, but I know that some time today I really need to get out there and tend to my plants. Almost a foot of snow measured...

The 8 mini loaves of banana bread are baking, the white choc. dipped pretzels are done and the coconut balls are freezing.

What's next? Peppermint fudge, Almond Roca bars and frosting the sugar cookies. Lila and I made the frosting last night. Grandma Ina is going to try to take the bus over today to make ginger bread people with Lila.

The rice crispy treats will wait until Christmas eve day and do we really need hedgehogs, (no-bake cookies)? To be decided...Nana is sending over date bars and lemon bars.

Pictures will follow.

Miller out.

This morning

All of these pictures were taken before we got snow dumped on us this afternoon. Look how nice and blue the sky was...then after 12pm the dark, gray sky rolled in and we couldn't see the hills that are behind us. School was 2 hours late today, to only be released early. We had a nice walk. Tim and I went back a few hours later. I made pointsetta spritz cookies for Lila's class and the office workers. They were so busy.

The morning sky was glorious.

Evan took this funny picture of our reindeer Jack antenna ball.

The thujas, which you can't see anymore since the wind whipped the snow on them. But here they look pretty flocked.


BRR...the perennial sun garden, not so sunny.

Daddy stayed home from work for his safety and the safety of others, wink ;) We are happy he is home with us. We played Disney DVD Bingo and made him snickerdoodles. I think he's happy to be home too.

Off to finish the spaghetti.

Stay warm!

Miller out.

Best boss ever!

So, there's this guy, Tony, happy lookin' fella, isn't he? Well, he is my GM. And he just made my day. You know the saying...it's the little things that count? Well, Tony just called and told me they are calling out people not to come in to work because it is going to be slow because of the weather.

This is a blessing. I am bookended by 2 giant hills. The sirens have been in full force this morning and I woke up super early to give myself plenty of time to attempt one of the hills...now I don't have to.

Thank you, Tony!