Stone Soup...The Miller Family: March 2013

A visit from friends

The last time we saw these dear friends was just before they left for Germany for a two year stint. Much has happened in both of our families since then, including the birth of a baby for each family. It was so so good to have time to catch up - even though we stayed up much too late each night doing so. The kids had a blast together, dividing up firmly along gender lines despite age differences. Sweet times.

Just look at this little bundle of cuteness! John Martin, 7 months. As he does with every other child 2 years old and younger, Aidan called John "JoJo" and therefore initiated him as a true friend.

A rare Miller family picture

Seriously. How can you not squeeze this kid? Among the two families, there are nine children. When one of them (can't remember which) was about this age, Tim declared that she (or he?) was living a dangerous life because we all just wanted to take a bite out of her. I think the same is true for little Johnny.

Winter vacation

Our family took a little mini vacation to the Adirondacks with our good friends over the February vacation this year. We stayed in the family cottage of our friend's grandparents. The picture below is our view of the frozen lake outside our window. The dads kept the kids busy cross country skiing (even Annie went 6 miles one day!), tubing, playing ice hockey, and ice skating. These dads are very fit and can still wear out the kids, but we wonder when this will flip to the kids wearing out the dads. Our first day was the best weather. Everyone skied. It was so wonderful to just ski from the back door.

There was plenty of down time as well. Lots of books and games.

We were able to spend a few afternoons at a local retreat center. The kids loved having the opportunity to do some climbing.

Annie went over and over and over. She really loved it.

This is the dads' version of supervising the kids on the climbing wall.

A local guy and friend of our friend's grandparents has been feeding deer outside his back deck for 30 years. He and his wife have given all the deer names and know the family groups. They invited us over to watch feeding time one afternoon. It was really amazing. As Aidan watched mesmerized, he kept saying, "Deer. Eat."

Most of our crew

Great times with great friends

Random catching up

Ok, so it's been a while.

We actually had snow on the ground for much of the winter, but the kids were out on a day in February with no snow and relatively warm temps. Aidan loved splashing in the puddles. It's amazing how that activity is instinctive. See a puddle. Must stomp in it.

When we took our Christmas tree down in January, I moved this basket of board books into the living room. Aidan has loved books ever since. He doesn't have a preferred reader, he's equally happy with anyone reading to him. Everyone is (usually) happy to oblige.

If I don't have time to blog, how will I have time to figure out why these pictures get posted out of order?

Back to books. Aidan is especially sweet when he just backs up into whomever he has chosen to read to him and plops down on his or her lap. How can one resist that?