Brotherly Love

Sometimes it is too cute for words....

Summer Vacation

 The Mills Family ditched their "regularly-scheduled programming" at the last minute (literally, the night before we were set to leave on our trip west to the Rocky Mountains), and decided to enjoy a Staycation!  It might sound a little crazy to scratch a beautifully planned vacation in a lovely ski resort nestled in the cool and relaxing mountainside, but that amazing trip also came with a 13+ car ride (one way!) with two boys under the age of 5 who both light up like the Fourth of July at the sight of a balloon in the grocery store ;) And, do you realize how many activities are within 50 miles or less of grand old Des Moines?  We've known about all the wonderful natural, scenic, and historic attractions around Central Iowa, but sadly, we had only enjoyed a few in our 20+ years of living in their backyard!  So, we spent a few hours googling, planning, and putting together our plan for the week and it truly is amazing to look back at all we did in such a short amount of time.  As we sit here nursing our sunburns and blistery feet, we can't imagine spending Summer Vacation 2012 anywhere but America's Heartland!

My high school band (insert American Pie joke here) played a song about the Dragoon Trail, but I never really thought much of story or all the signs you see around our part of the state until this week.  Our staycation never really deviated from this scenic and historic drive along the Des Moines River and we found the signs to be a guiding light towards our next adventure.

Our first stop, a run/walk on the High Trestle.  We've seen pictures and heard stories about the 1/2 mile long bridge, but it really is something you must see for yourself! And, our firstborn ran a whole mile with his mom on her morning jog!  Fun for all :) We then took a gander at Jester Park and the Bison and Elk Exhibit. After a look at the wildlife, the boys put on their swimsuits and took a dip in the park's Natural Playscape before hitting up some serious water and BEACH fun at Big Creek.  It may be far from the white sand serenity of the Caribbean, but there is something very peaceful and relaxing about throwing an umbrella into the sand and watching your kids build a sand castle.  Plus, the playground has a great zip line that Jack put on his Top 5 things we did on staycation :)  Day One ended with haircuts and a dip in the pool at Aunt Kim's before I took the birthday boy out for a date, which was complete with a super romantic stroll around Grey's Lake. (I have to give credit to our fabulous weather all week long!)

Day Two was centered around a place we had visited once with our firstborn in 2009 and I can honestly say, it IS a fun-filled day!  With the addition of Adventure Bay, this park kept our young kids running around ALL day long.  We had to pull Jack out of the park kicking and screaming (partly because the promised "last ride" on the carousel was closed due to unplanned maintenance and even more largely to going full speed all-day without a nap) to have him fall asleep before we could get out of the parking lot!

As a contrast to the crowds of an amusement park, Day Three began with a quiet stroll around Iowa Arboretum.  The boys enjoyed running around the grounds under the large trees, hearing the names of all shrubs and flowers as we made our way through the trails.  Only a few miles away, we enjoyed a scenic drive and picnic lunch at Ledges State Park before we climbed aboard a train for a 2-hour trek through the Des Moines River Valley in Boone.  Will slept in my arms during the entire train ride, but feeling the nice breeze through the open air train car was the exact amount of tranquility you need on any vacation.  After deboarding, we drove a short distance (still on the Dragoon Trail) for a few rides on the carousel in Story City.  Jack loved the merry tunes and go-rounds.  We then met up with Nana and Papa for some birthday ice cream at Hickory Park. Does it get any better?

Day Four was a lazy day that included a few errands and some long naps in our own beds, followed by a night enjoying America's Pastime at Principal Park. Not only did we see our own Iowa Cubs beat the Nashville Sounds with a homerun in the bottom of the 8th, but we let the boys stay up late to watch the firework show.  And, the $5 unlimited play on the slides helped our stamina for the night :)

For our last day, we scaled things back a little farther and spent the morning selling our goods in our neighborhood-wide garage sale.  After making some serious dough :) we jumped in our swimsuits again for an afternoon swim in Grandma's pool. We are sad to see our staycation come to an end, but with a pit in my stomach knowing the real world starts again in only a few hours, I am making a commitment to myself to not forget the freeing, relaxing, joyful, loving, and content feelings I embraced during our week at home enjoying us.  I will strive to worry less about the laundry pile, the grocery list, the endless emails, watering our lawn, cleaning up the messes, and what my hair looks like :) in place of longer walks, laughing more, tighter hugs, abundant devotion, and time together. 

*This is not a paid endorsement for Travel Iowa.  If you were wondering :)

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Happy Birthday!

32 Reasons We Love Our Birthday Boy:
1. He loves his gadgets (see picture :))
2. He lets me play Mario.
3. He picks up Beatrice's poop in the backyard.
4. He plays ball with me.
5. He plays cars with me.
6. He sings songs about everything.
7. He loves fruit snacks as much as me.
8. He is my tee ball coach.
9. He loves my mom. (too sweet!)
10. He throws me in the air.
11. He loves pizza.
12. He said we could go to DisneyWorld.
13. He likes the Hawkeyes.
14. He likes the Cardinals.
15. He buys donuts when mom's away.
16. He lets me wear comfy shorts to school/church.
17. He runs faster than my mom. (haha!)
18. He finds fun shows for me to watch on Netflix.
19. He works hard.
20. He knows I like jelly on my pancakes.
21. He wrestles with us.
22. He drives faster than mom. (true!)
23. He wears baseball hats.
24. He reads books to me.
25. He likes the iPad.
26. He teases mom.
27. He builds racetracks for me.
28. He pitches to me.
29. He shares his fries with me.
30. He likes taking me to movies.
31. He tickles me.
32. He is 60 years old. (haha!)

We love you Daddy and hope you have a great birthday!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

The boys and I practiced our picnicking skills this week in anticipation of a nice, three-day Memorial Weekend.

Our weekend plans:
relax
grill
play
enjoy

Have a great weekend!

Too Quiet

I was nervous when things became too quiet in the house, but I was pleasantly surprised to find them like this!


HAPPY WEEKEND!

Happy Mother's Day

From two adorable rascals.

Right here, she is thinking, "Alright, good first effort.  We will totally get a good picture today."

Now, the optimism has started to fade.  You can see the smile start to tighten a bit - Like she knows that we are losing it.  You can hear her telepathically fighting to will these boys into shape for just one...ONE TINY!... picture.

Oh come on now!  Maybe next year...

Love you babe!

Tee Ball

Happenings

Celebrating Grandma T's Birthday, with cake!














Crazy on the playground

Eating blackberries

Sliding

Getting ready for the Greater Kansas City Myasthenia Gravis Walk Run & Roll, for my good friend, Foss

 








Slept through the first half of the race :)

Adult Formal Weekend in Galena, with the boys 

Group Dinner

Happy Birthday, Grandma T :)

We hope you have a fantastic birthday, Grandma T :)

Almost 20 Months

Have a great weekend :)

Photo Catch Up

 
1. Listening to his Dad sing at Saturday night Church.
2. I saw the Alamo. I remembered.
3. Eating yogurt.
4. 3rd set of stitches in 2012. 
5. Who doesn't love a tracksuit?
6. Looking dapper at Sunday brunch.
7. Smiling brothers.
8. Italian Cooking class with the Smiths. Ciao!
9. The start of tee-ball.  
10. Writing.
11. - 15. Some zoo fun.
16. I have a crush on Coach and #1 is my favorite.
17. By the second inning, he lost interest.
18. Bunny's Bounty.
19. He needed a Yankees' shirt to represent his tee-ball team.
20. Easter morning vests.
21. More Easter morning pics.
22. - 24. And let the hunt begin.
25. It's not Friday, but we are BACK. After a month and a half sabbatical, we are refreshed, energized, and ready to get back on schedule. All for you, Uncle Kyle. All for you :)

Friday Catch Up

 
1. Helping Dad pack for a ski weekend.
2. And, while Dad was doing "this" we drove to Oklahoma for an extended weekend.
3. It's a long trip, so why not check out your big toe :)
4. This picture of Jack makes me realize how MUCH he looks like his Dad.
5. Rubbermaid.
6. Playing with Olivia.
7. Playing with the entire kid clan.
8. Reading with Grandma.  

We are all ready for a relaxing weekend at home!
 

Our Valentine's Week

Birthday Boy's Weeklong Birthday Bash

Four

 These past four years have honestly flown by!  We are incredibly blessed to be parents to such an amazingly vivacious, happy, sensitive, caring, inquisitive, energetic and handsome :) 4 year old boy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACK! 

Birthday #2

Happy (late) Birthday, Uncle Kyle!

We miss you and your ninja face.

Friday Fotos :)

Second set of stitches in one week and an ear infection, which may have been the cause of his clumsiness (we hope!!!) 

Our family labels February the birthday month.  Starting off with Papa's birthday on the 2nd!  Happy Birthday, Papa!

Jammie Time

 

Please enjoy this overture by Jack Mills, which is a compilation of music heard throughout our evening bath, book and bedtime routine :)

We Will Survive!

At first we were afraid, we were petrified,
we were worried about not having Daddy home this week, 

but then we spent so many nights thinkin' about what we
learned from Mom...

And we grew strong & we knew how to get along.
Now Dad come back,

from outer space.

We just walked in to say that we'll put a glad look
upon your face.

We should have been no way that day,
we should have been Mario Kart free,
if we had known for just one second that my brother
would try to bother we.

Go on Dad go,
walk in the door.
just turn around now,
cause you're always welcome evermore.

Isn't Mom the one who gives us vitamins and our baths?

Did they think we'd crumble?

Did they think we'd lay down and sleep?

Oh no not us - we will survive!

Oh, as long as we have Mom around, we know we'll stay alive.

We've got all our lives to live, we've got all our love to give.

We will survive we will survive HEY! HEY! 

HURRY HOME FROM ST. LOUIE!

Happy Weekend

 Happy Friday!  Here's a quick little view of our week :)
1. Nothing is better than a little boy in Cars pajamas. Seriously.
2. John's grandfather (John Paul Mills, Sr.) was inducted into the Iowa Hall of Fame last weekend.  This was his 3rd induction into a Hall of Fame (I may get this wrong, but...) Umpire, Player (baseball) and Coach!!! Wow, what an amazing accomplishment and honor.
3. Candy Land is a household favorite.
4. First invite to a "friend" birthday party. He had a blast...
5. ...even watching the birthday boy open all his gifts.  Maybe sharing IS cool :)
6. Second set of stitches for the Mills Family. This time for our youngest. Ignoring the yogurt mess :) the wound is right under his lip in that crease between your lips and chin.
7. Just smile.
8. Self-portrait :) He loves my phone.

Friday Photos

This was a quick week and both boys have runny noses tonight, so I'm worried we may have a long weekend :(  A look back at our week:
1. He really loves my phone and taking pictures.  Check out that shiner on his forehead from a few face plants at school.
2. Playing at the park in January? Don't mind if I do!
3. Celebrating 6 years at the Hotel Pattee in Perry. Totally recommend for that last minute, overnight getaway :)

Have a great weekend!
 

New Year, New Header, New Post

It's been too long and a new post was WAY overdue.  Plus, where was the new header I have created on New Years Day in years past?  How about our new year resolutions?  John has a specific request that I keep a certain past resolution off the list this year :) 

Our new year resolutions will have to wait (we are still narrowing down to the attainable ones!), but generally, we strive for lots of laughs, more hugs and fun as we look to 2012!  Our oldest turns 4 in only a few short weeks, our youngest will officially go from baby to toddler, and their parents are celebrating 6 years of blissful marriage today! 
 
As for a look back over the past few weeks:
1. The last night Fred was with us until next year, he enjoyed a little remote control action thanks to his new friend, Rex.
2. New shoes for Will.
3. And a shiny pair for Jack.
4. Christmas morning competition: Candyland style.
5. Christmas brings out the best in us all!
6. Santa had Hawkeye fever.
7. Matching PJs with Nana and Papa.
8. Meeting Cubbie on New Years Eve.
9. Will loved the racetrack at the Science Center while we waited for the balloon drop.
10. And the ball wall.
11. Weatherman Jack.
12. BALLOONS! Happy New Year!
13. How do you spend that restless holiday break afternoon?  At Monkey Joe's!!
14. Or, as Will thought, torture. 
15. Look who fell asleep at dinner on NYE!
16. Snuggling with Dad before the returning to our normal routine.