Family Fun!

Lots of family happenings since I last posted.

My parents were up to visit for a few days. While they were here we saw a lot of the Millers at a surprise celebration for my aunt's 60th birhtday. We also celebrated my mom's birthday with out close family friends, the McMullens.

When my parents left for Madison last Thursday I joined them. We spent a couple days at Kelly's place. We toured the governor's mansion, saw Julie & Julia, toured the state capitol, had a great salmon dinner and went to the Silly Yak gluten free bakery.

Saturday we got back in the car to head to Chicago for my grandma's 91st birthday. Almost all of the Abells were together for a fabulous celebration. Sunday we took my grandma to lunch and hung out at her place. I flew home Sunday evening.

Ryan missed me terribly (or not!) but was able to fill his time with poker, watching the Vikings, golfing and shopping at Mall of America.


7 of the 12 Miller kids


Bored in the car...do you see me!?

Kel and I - Chicago bound!

Almost all the Abells!

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It's a BOY [toy]!!

Please help us welcome the newest addition to our family!!

We just upgraded our 42" plasma to a 52" LCD. Ryan is a happy camper! As always, Ryan found a great deal! If you want to hear the details let him know...he loves to tell the story!

The plasma is being moved to the basement and the basement TV and entertainment center have to find a new home. Any takers!?

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Brian and Kristin's Wedding

Our friends Brian and Kristin got married on August 15th. It was a beautiful ceremony and fun to spend the evening with all of our friends. We even had the fun surprise of seeing my old neighbors - it's a small world!


Pre-ceremony


Exchanging vows


This is what happens when Ryan is in charge of the camera


Congrats, Schellings!

Us

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PGA Championship

The PGA Championship came to MN this year! It was at Hazeltine National Golf Course which is about 10 miles from our house. Ryan got tickets for the entire week. He sold a few of the days and traded with our family friend for a few others. Tuesday he and his friend Aaron went to the practice round (that's where all the pictures are from; no cameras during the actual tournament). Thursday we both took the day off and went to watch. Luckily I had an alternate ride home - Ryan stayed for 12 hours!! He also went with a family friend on Sunday to watch the exciting last day. I think Ryan is still waiting for Tiger to make that big shot.........(FYI, he lost)


WELCOME!


Tiger coming down the fairway


Tiger

Tiger II


Tiger III (he's kind of a big deal!)

Peeking through the huge crowd of Tiger followers

Grandstands at 18th hole


The course was in great shape!

Ryan IV (he's a REALLY big deal!)

Actually, Ryan just shot an 81 at Edinburgh and a 78 at Chaska Town Course. I'm thinking he should go pro and I can tour around to beautiful places with him!

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An Update...in Pictures!

In lieu of a long post about the happenings of late, here's an update in pictures! (That's the only thing people want to see anyway, right!?)

We were in Burlington for Ryan's 10 year class reunion. Here's what transpired...


Brenna got a new 4-wheeler. She was a pro at the driving part, still working on the steering!


We shot guns at the farm. Ryan and his dad used the clay pigeon thrower.


I stuck to stationary targets.

But did go 3 for 3 right here! And only ended up with a small bruise from the shotgun this time!

After the reunion (we forgot to get a picture before and everyone was sleeping when we got back)

And since returning to MN, here's what we've been up to:

Ryan brought me beautiful flowers this week!


They're my favorite...gladiolas!

Yup, he's romantic like that!


I've been hitting up garage sales for the Rude babies - kinda fun to be able to choose boy AND girl stuff! Keep them all in your prayers...Meg is on bedrest to hold off premature labor.

Found a delicious GF cornbread recipe. I've been eating it all day. A little butter and some syrup...yum!


And just in case you were wondering what I've been reading...here it is! Next up...A Thousand Splendid Suns. And for bookclub, The Time Traveler's Wife.

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Happy Anniversary (of multiple sorts!)

July 14th is an important day for us!

Two years ago today we got engaged! It was a pretty perfect day!

Click here to read the story of how it happened...

And its also our 4 year anniversary of when we started dating.

And it's our good friends Marshall and Sarah's 2 year wedding anniversary. We're so glad we could be part of your day 2 years ago! It was a perfectly sunny, gorgeous day and it was so wonderful to watch you guys commit your lives to each other. Have fun celebrating today - a lot has happened in two years!

I think we'll go to softball tonight to celebrate! :) haha...

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The Van Cleaves Visit - 4th of July

We had a great weekend with Ryan's sister and her family.


They arrived Friday afternoon just in time for some hanging out on the deck and dinner outside. After dinner we headed to Excelsior to get ice cream at Lick's and walk by the lake. It was a gorgeous night!


Saturday we got a Jamba Juice (YUM!) and then wandered around some furniture and home stores. After lunch at home Brenna and I napped and the boys golfed. That night was burgers followed by a fire out front. We had never used our firepit so we set it up in the driveway. We were out there for a few hours and enjoyed s'mores and could even see some fireworks (from the middle of the road!).


Sunday we had a late breakfast at a little diner near our house. Before Van Cleaves left Ryan tried to convince Brenna to run through the sprinkler with him. She thought the "waber" was really fun the day before when she helped him water the lawn. Once he got the sprinkler all set up this time she wanted nothing to do with it! She went through a couple times in Ryan's arms but it didn't last long. Ryan, however, kept us entertained as he ran through trying to show Brenna how fun it was.


A good weekend!


The pictures are not in order (and as always, click to enlarge).




Enjoying our Jamba Juice

Watching the sprinkler from a safe distance!

Brenna liked my mint-chip ice cream


I always tilt my head in pictures...Ryan likes to mock me!

Sunny Sunday

"I'm not sure about this sprinkler business!"


Touching the water

The many faces of Brenna


Roasting 'mallows


Watching the fire

Driveway fire

Ryan trying to convince Brenna that the sprinkler is lots of fun!

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