Photo Shoot Sunday: Dream Big Ladies

About two weeks ago I had my niece and nephew for the weekend. It didn't take long for Sydney and Ally to put Evelyn's bouquet of balloons she had at the time to good use. I think every girl in America has done this at one time or another! They were sure having fun! Of course this was just the tip of the iceberg! They used balloons for baby bellies, they used them to enhance their backside, you name it! They had a great time!

Mills Musical Moments

Back on November 12th, aka: Ryland's birthday and Baptism, our kids had a Piano Recital.
Ethan and Ally moved to a different Piano teacher at the beginning of the year. Brother Barker, as we call him, is AWESOME! The kids have learned so much from him and grown by leaps and bounds in their ability.

Ryland started taking piano in June when school got out. He is doing so well! I have been very impressed. His recital songs were:
It was impressive that he was even able to sit down and play at all, he was so excited that he was 8 that day and getting baptized only a few short hours after the Recital.

Ally has been taking piano now for about 3 1/2 years. Her Recital pieces were: She did a great job!

Ethan has been taking piano now for almost five years. He especially has a love for playing the piano. His Recital pieces were:

About two weeks ago Ethan had his first Advanced Band Concert for this school year. He plays the trumpet and they all did an exceptionally good job. So fun to hear them all improve over the year!

Venture Advanced Band 2011-2012

Flashback Friday: Nutcracker 2011

This weeks Flashback Friday isn't really a Flashback, more of a one-week-back, but I wanted to actually get it on here before it qualified as a Flashback. Ally's ballet studio does the Nutcracker ballet every Christmas. We have never been able to go before this year. While Ally is able to participate she has never really wanted to partly because she didn't really know what it entailed. Well, next year it is mandatory if she wants to continue on with the same studio. So, we decided we better go check it out so she can finally know what it is really all about.

We had Ethan take a few pictures of us before we left. Of course Evie wanted to be in some of them as well.
Yep, my girls have a little bit of sass in them, that is for sure!
We had a great time. We went to eat at Olive Garden, it has been fun to teach Ally that there is food beyond McDonald's. We had a veritable feast that night and then enjoyed our leftovers the next day for lunch.

Although she was leaning towards NOT being in the Nutcracker next year when we left our house, by the time we hit Intermission she had done a 180! So, next year our whole family will be attending so we can see our Awesome Ally perform in it! Looking forward to it!

When we got out we decided to get a bit of Christmas shopping done! It was a super fun night!

Ryland's Baptism

Ryland's Baptism turned into a crazy busy day. While we didn't intend it to be that way, it definitely ended up that way. We ended up having carpet layers in the basement from 10:30 am to 9 pm (that is a whole other story, one that I'm currently trying to forget), we had a piano recital for our older three kids, plus the Baptism and all that that entails. Believe me, it was a crazy day. I told people that if they saw me sitting in the corner crying to just assume I was feeling the spirit! :) I was worried that I wouldn't be able to focus and enjoy the Baptism, but fortunately when the time came, I was able to put everythig else aside and enjoy the moment.

I still can't believe that Ryland is old enough to be Baptized! It is just crazy to me how fast time is going.

Grandma and Grandpa Burke with Ryland

Grandma and Grandpa Mathie with Ryland

Great Grandma and Grandpa Jackman with Ryland

Unfortunately my Mom and her husband Bob, Grandma and Grandpa Hale, weren't able to come. They are Logan Temple workers and have the Saturday shift. They were definitely there in spirit though and will be blessed for their service and sacrifice I am sure!

It was a crazy, busy, wonderfully blessed day! We love you Chub and are so proud of you and the choices you are making!

Wordless Wednesday: Apparently Jesus Was Cold

(october 2011, evelyn)

Change Is In The Wind

(Michelle Warner 1st Counselor, President Margaret Orton, Secretary Kim Troescher and Me, 2nd Counselor)

Back on November 6th, my life underwent a change.
After five years of being in the Primary, the last almost three of which being spent as the 2nd Counselor in the Primary Presidency, I was released and sent on my way.
While I will admit to feeling a bit burned out at the time, I have to admit also, I sure do miss it.
It was home, I have now come to realize. I loved being in the Primary with all of the kids, but especially with my kids. It was so fun to watch them learn, grow and interact. It was also easy to keep an eye on them and make sure they were towing the line. ;) I'm sure they miss me!

This was also the day I was put in as the 1st Counselor in the Young Womens Presidency. While I am enjoying my time with the girls and getting to know the other women in the YW's better I sure do miss these ladies.

halloween 2011

Okay, so I am obviously a little bit behind on the old blog. Like usual. Let's move on shall we?

I finally got around to putting our Halloween pictures on the computer.
The kids were cute as always.
This year Evelyn opted to be a Mermaid Princess

No, she didn't go trick or treating in her princess shoes.
Actually most of these pictures weren't taken on Halloween night. Nate's work once again had their awesome annual Halloween party, so most of these pictures are from that night. You never know what kind of weather you will have around here on Halloween so I figured I would take advantage of the awesome weather and get our Halloween pictures done this night.

This actually isn't what Ally decided to be for Halloween this year. But at the party there are usually bounce houses, etc. so Ally chose this dance costume for a less high maintenance costume to wear. Good choice Al, and very cute!

Ethan wanted to be a Hogwarts Wizard this year. No surprise there!

Ryland figured he would be Darth Vader this year, since he has been almost every other Star Wars character already.

Aren't they cute!

On Halloween night we lucked out and had great weather again! So, here is Ally in her real Halloween costume! Cleopatra! She has had this one planned out for almost a year now and has patiently waited to be Queen of the Nile!

Imagine my surprise when I caught a glimpse of my shadow! A Hunch-backed Witch!? Sounds about right! :)