Finally!

Hey we bought a couch! As you can see, its gorgeous, but a monster! A little bigger than expected... Also new is the end table and tv stand (complete with Family Guy in the background).

A little distraction for this hard week I guess.

IT'S LEAH'S BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday to you L Diddy,
you sure have turned out pretty!
I've noticed that you get giddy
when those guys of yours do something witty.
You've moved away to a far city
and at times it makes me feel sad and sh----,
but your heart's not dirty or gritty,
you're loving and kind and show pity,
we could even find you on a committee
pointing others to the Celestial City.
So I hope you like this little ditty
that says my love for you is not itty-bitty!


Newborn Leah 1978

School Pics. Can you guess youngest to oldest?

Leah's early years.

Leah and Eric 1999.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday Leah! I love you babe-
Mom

Must Read

I just finished reading Extremly Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. It was AMAZING. Its about a 9 year olds search for a lock to a key that he found in his dad's closet after his dad died in 9-11. Its real and sad but the saddness is tolerable and shouldn't scare you away for many reasons. I highly recommend it if for all.

For your convenience.

Thanksgiving

What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving? Eric and were talking about having everyone up for the weekend. Would that be doable? We don't have tons of bedrooms like the sauna house in MO, but the basement will be done, so lots of people can crash there and Cal can crash with us. So, we'd have two extra bedrooms plus the recroom. What do you think?

Staceys' Shower!

Today Mom hosted Stacey's shower at their beautiful condo. I wasn't the photographer of the event so the following pictures are the "after party". (Tom was only part of the after party - he hung out at the beach while we invaded the condo). We stayed and enjoyed wine with Mom, Tom, Nurse Jackie and Cheryl. While we were enjoying this wine, Mom hatched the idea of having monthly Sunday dinners at her place which turned into Saturday night dinners with the McElroys coming maybe once every other month. Sounds fun, right??! What'd'ya say?
Miller's, maybe we can get you here once or twice!



Anyway, has anyone seen the movive "Jaws"?..... The one with the sharks?

Gavin Thomas

Kim & Lee had their baby this morning! Gavin Thomas, 8lbs, 3oz and everyone is doing great. Cheryl and I went to the hospital tonight to meet him. He has fuzz all over his body and a conehead! I love him already.

Title

Hey family! We had a ton of fun on vacation. I think we should do something like that every month or so. Maybe we could at least get together for a steak dinner? No? I miss everyone already.

It's Gonna Be HOT, HOT, HOT!!

Hey everyone, I just looked up Lake of the Ozarks weather and they are saying hot! Perfect swimming and boating weather. And if I'm as savvy as I think I am you'll be able to find out by clicking on weather. And if it didn't turn out I'm just a loser after all. FYI this is Sally (obviously) and not Dad no matter what this #&*% thing says.

5 Days!

I'm so freaking excited about vacation, I could pee my pants!

Das Tube.

UPDATE: Nevermind! It's losing air after all Richard's hard work. Sorry, guys! :*(

What do you guys think? Is the tube big enough or do we need to get a different one?

Games and Cereal

1. Please write down which games you will bring for the week so that we don't bring doubles.
2. What General Mills' cereals do you like? (HN cheerios, Oatmeal Crisp, Cookie Crisp, Golden Grahams... go to the website for a complete list)

Hell Card

I can't stop laughing at this card. I'm posting this mainly for Eric, Richard, Kari and Scott. And I think Leah too. I showed my Mom at dinner and she said "All of your girls are going to heaven!"

I just found out that Jason actually reads this blog too! I'd like to include him above.

Becky's Birthday Dinner

Alright, where did Cheryl go?














Becky & Cheryl














Me & Beck














Cheryl, Julie, Stacy, Jackie, Becky, Tammy & Alisa















Jackie made a delicious vegan cake and Becky was too
high to eat it. JUST KIDDING!! Becky did one of her
"take my picture and I'll close my eyes" poses. Oh well,
it was her birthday and she can do whatever she wants!

I had a fun time w/Becky and all her great friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!!!

Today is Becky’s birthday and I’d like to say a word
About my middle child, in case you haven’t heard
Of just how great & fun she is, her talent & her fame,
A few of her adventures I’m gonna’ pause and name.

The time she jumped out of a plane, her dad & I did miss
When I ask if she’ll repeat for me, she says she’s now a wuss.

Or how about those cars she’s had from a T-bird to a Del Sol
But now she’s giving all them up cause biking is her goal.

She’s more in stores to buy some yarn than in the local bar
She knits with passion and she wants to be a fiber star!

She loves to cook and stir things up from soy she’ll make a treat
Just get outta’ the way when she gets hot and don’t ask her to eat meat.

Being an Aunt to Cal & Ike is something she enjoys
She waits for visits expectantly and buys them clothes & toys.

She loves her family & friends and to that circle she’s loyal
Just don’t do wrong to any of them or you’re gonna’ see her boil!

She’s so much fun to laugh with and we did till we felt pain
When I picked her up at Midway and was found in the cab lane.

She’s forgiving and forgetful and expects the same from you
She doesn’t hold the past in grudge and every day is new.

She grew up in a small hometown and camped and hiked for fun
Now city life has got her heart, a new era has begun.

So here’s to Becky at 32, my daughter and my friend,
My love and admiration of you is never going to end.
Have some fun, enjoy the day, give thanks and look around
All the good things brought your way, may this year they abound!!

I love you Beck!
Mom

Question.

I was trying to do the title of the post all Dwight Shrute style ("Fact . . . fact . . . question . . .") but I decided it would be too long. So, anyhoo. I do have a question to pose to all you McMiltons about vacation. My best friend since high school lives in Missouri and she planned to visit for one night while we're on vacation. Originally she was going to get a hotel room somewhere near the area, but she's run into some financial difficulties and asked if it would be all right if she could instead stay at our vacation house for a night. She and I both understand if you guys aren't comfortable with that, but I wanted to give it a shot. So, let me know your thoughts on the situation. :)

Harmony Info

Hi everyone!

I received this in the mail from the owner of Harmony. It has directions and all sorts of useful info. I hope you can somehow read it. I'm not very advanced with these "computers".

Items you may want to bring: seasonings for cooking, wine from TJ's, coolers, beach towels (not supplied), citronella candles, iPod and dock, beer can chicken cooker, fishing poles

I should be getting a call from someone regarding check-in, but so far the time is 5:00 p.m. on Sat.

Can't wait to see everyone in Missouri in less than 2 weeks!!

Boat, boat and more boat

Hey, family.

I put a 12 person deck boat on hold for the 13th-16th. The total is $1380 (plus gas and tax). We don't pay until we get there, but I suppose we could send mom and Tom the money whenever we have it.

$1380 + $110 (I'm assuming 8% tax) = 1490
1490/5 couples = $300.

I'm guessing about another $60/day in gas. 60 x 4 = 240
240/ 5 couples = 48

So, all that to say, save $350 for the boat! Woohoo!

It's Time.

Vacation is around the corner. The bill has been charged to our credit card and it's now time for everyone's final installment! Please remit asap.

We are gonna have such fun!

Party Hardy with Lisa on her 30th

Lisa and Me









All of Lisa's Mpls friends










Fancy raspberry dessert









Leah and Jess










Leah trying to be sexy. Lisa succeeding.

The whole table- 12 of us.

We all dressed up and went to eat at this super fancy French restaurant with awesome food. It was so fun. Lisa's husband flew in her two sisters and best friend as a surprise.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

I know I already sent this to a couple of you, but I just have to make sure you all can listen to it. It's so dang catchy, right?