Mourning the loss of Dr. Pratt

Have you ever mourned the loss of a T.V. character? Well, I am today. Dr. Pratt from E.R. I have been a fan of ER since its first episode(I was 13 and remember the first show when George Clooney left Julianna Margulies at the alter). I have not seen every season, but have been a viewer over the past 14 years.

It was very sad to watch Dr. Pratt go last night. Sad because he won't be on the show and sad the way he died. It is interesting how just by letting a character into your home every week, makes you feel like you know them some how. (Even when they don't exist).

So, who have you mourned the loss of on T.V.? Post it, I'd be interested to hear.

The Newest Member of the Family

This is our newest member of the Mills/Monteith family. This is Cameron Matthew Cure, he was born to David's cousin Amber Monteith. Isn't he darling! He was born September 19th at 11:52 am. He made quite the entrance coming out arm first!



He was 9 lbs. 8 oz and 22 inches long. He looks so alert and I love all the hair. Congrats Amber and Aaron on your darling little man.

Halloween Tip of the Day

I love Halloween (maybe just holidays in general), but either way I signed up for a daily e-mail from Martha Stewart. She has tips and fun ideas for Halloween. They have been coming for almost a month now. You can even get Thanksgiving and Christmas tips too. I thought someone else might enjoy the fun ideas, if even just to look at. You can visit her website to sign up.

Everyone's favorite season

It seems as I have been visiting other blogs, that many of us enjoy fall. It is my favorite season. There is just something about the fall colors and the crisp weather that instantly warms my heart. I also love Apple Hill and fall is Apple Hill time! If you didn't know, that is where David proposed to me. I am just realizing right now that it was actually 6 years ago this week that he proposed.

He was so sweet. He had asked me to pick up a pie for his mom while he loaded our apples in the the truck. When I went to meet him back at the truck, he was gone. I looked around and discovered a single red rose with a note, sending me on a journey. He wrote out 12 qualities about me that he loved (on beautiful paper that he specially picked out). He folded each one into a heart. Then left it along a trail with a red rose. As I started to realize what was happening I started getting nervous and this nice woman, Wendy, helped me along the path. When I found the last rose, there was David. He got down on one knee and proposed. I was thrilled!





He had given someone our camera so we got these shots of the proposal. He knew that was one of my favorite places and now it has become a tradition to go every fall. Another fun thing is that Wendy actually works there, so we have been able to go back and visit her. She has seen our children and we always make sure to catch her if she is there.

I still think we make a cute couple. These were taken last week by Liz Bell. She did an amazing job! The kids were done, so we thought we'd get some together. I'm glad we did, I think they are beautiful pictures.







Maybe this is why fall is my favorite season?

Jordan's farewell

My brother in-law is getting ready to leave for his mission to Montevideo, Uruguay. On Sunday he gave his "farewell" talk at church. He did a nice job and many members of our family were able to join us. Afterwards, we went Gramma Jean's for lunch. Which the lunch was extra fantastic. (I wish I had a picture for proof.) I took a few shots during the lunch, but mostly of baby Alexa. She is darling.



Some of the ladies hanging out with Alexa. There's Fallon, Yvonne, Alexa, Lauren, & Brooklyn. It was so nice of the Jensen's to travel down for the farewell. Same for Kim & Josh, they had a bit of a drive from Reno too.


This is Uncle Josh, Jordan's BFF. Oh look, he is feeling the distance already...


Everyone checking out the scores


Baby Alexa taking a snooze in Great-Aunt Teresa's arms

Our Parkeroni

For Parker's first birthday I had some announcements made. I didn't send any birth announcements, so I thought we would do something fun for his birthday. They turned out pretty cute.

Also, Parker had a follow up appointment today. He had gained 5 1/2 oz. The doctor thinks that there probably is nothing wrong, but is still not totally convinced. So, we did another blood panel to check his tyroid along with a few other things. He said we will just keep on eye on his weight gain and see if how things progress.

National Stay-at-Home Week

It's finally here, the beginning of a new season. I am excited. Tonight is Dancing with the Stars and Heros. I'll be keeping my couch warm this week!

I love to see the Temple

What a wonderful day. We were able to attend the temple as a complete family, for Jordan's first time. It was so nice to be there and feel the spirit. It had been quite a while since I have been for a session, so I was doubly as excitement. The temple is such a place of peace and beauty. I am so grateful to have my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I can't think of a better place to be together as a family.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!

We took the kids this past month to have their pictures taken. Shortly after we found out that Josh had school pictures and we are doing a family picture with the Mills. So, there will be plenty of new pictures for the blog! Enjoy!

It's through! Now we wait...

Bracken just called and Ruth is finished taping. Of course he didn't reveal how much she won, but she was happy with how she did. So we know she won something! Her episode will air on November 24th. Don't worry, I'll post a reminder or a clip.

No millionaire today

Ruth just called and she didn't get on the show today. She was only one of three. So, she should be one of the first up tomorrow. So... still keep all those good thoughts going in her direction!

The progress of our millionaire

So... we got a phone call this morning around 7:30 am from ABC. The man gave Dave and her two lifelines (Dan her brother & Joey a friend) information about their call. They have to be by the phone from 9 am- 4 pm (pacific time). They will call when she is on the hot seat. Then they just wait to see if she calls. It is just a long day of waiting! We just are so anxious to see how it all turns out.

She did have a bit of a problem with her flights. Her's was canceled. They were able to book a flight with a different airline. She got there last night. Then had to be there bright and early at the studio.

Well... let's keep our fingers crossed!

Who's going to be a Millionaire...

Ruth Mannion is! Alright, if you didn't know my close friend Ruth is flying to New York tomorrow to appear on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. She tapes on Tuesday the 16th. All the good thoughts and prayers you can send her way will be appreciated! I talked with her tonight and wished her well, then after we got off the phone I was so nervous. I think I will be unsettled until the taping is over. The show will actually air on November 24th. Another fun thing is that Dave is one of her life lines. He had to send a picture in and has to be close to the phone from about 7 am to 4 pm. (So, don't call us on Tuesday!) She probably won't reveal how she did until it airs. So... say a little prayer for her, especially that she makes her connecting flight in Houston (because of the hurricane). Good luck Ruth!!

Mom's shouldn't be allowed to get sick!

I had a great plan to blog everyday until my brother in-law leaves on his mission. My blog is part of his morning routine and he has mentioned that I haven't been posting often enough lately. Then it happened, I got sick. I have a nasty bacterial infection, a touch of mastitis, and a really back kink in my neck. Not to mention I've lost part of my voice! (My home is much quieter right now.) So, I have pretty much taken to laying where ever my children will let me. Yesterday I laid on the family room floor and napped on laundry with Parker crawling over me. Surprisingly, I did a bit of a nap. Dave got home earlier this week, so I survived until he got home.

A special thanks for Ruth for the homemade chicken noodle soup, biscuits, fruit leathers, and a get well picture from Chlo. It certainly made my day. I am only feeling slightly better today, but am convinced that by tomorrow I will be back to my normal health. Right?

Cakes

As I was downloading pictures from my mother in-law's camera tonight, I realized I have made quite a few cakes this year. I am not a "cake maker" per say, I use only box mixes, but enjoy fun ways of decorating them. Maybe some day I should take a class and learn some actual skill. Until then, here are some examples of my "homemade" talent.

Uncle Jordan's Chipotle Burrito Cake
It was a chocolate cake roll with chocolate filling. For sour cream- yogurt, lettuce-coconut, pico de gallo- strawberries, mint, and pear. Possibly my best cake ever! It was about a foot in length.



Aunt Teri's 50th Birthday Cake
I baked and designed, Janell assembled.



Josh's 3rd Birthday "Pool Ball" Cake



Janell's Birthday Cakes
Cake sushi made with pound cake. The idea is from The Family Fun Magazine.





Parker's 1st Birthday
I thought up the idea, but have since seen it elsewhere. It did turn out cute though.

Camping at Sugar Pine Point

Dave and I decided to take a camp out, kind of spur of the moment (only planning it two weeks in advance). We went to Sugar Pine Point in Lake Tahoe. We were happy that the Mannion's could join us, along with Uncle Jordan. The weather was beautiful, the campsite was great, and Dave's dinners were delicious. He is a true boy scout. He has quite the talent when it comes to camping. The Mannion's tease that they wouldn't have it any other way.

While we were there the we did all the "camping" things. Roasted marshmallows, played games, went for a walk to the shore, went to a nature center, and of course got dirty. Especially, our little ones. Addie was good about wearing shoes, but not Parkeroni. He hung out a lot in the back pack. When I asked Josh and Chloe what their favorite parts of camping are Chloe said, "Sleeping in the tent" and Josh said, "Roasting marshmallows." I wish I could say Josh had the best time of his life, but he was having a difficult weekend. Hard time sleeping which translates to, a hard time for everyone to sleep. (One thing I learned this weekend, a queen size Aero bed can fit in the back of a Honda Pilot. At least it sound proofed us!) By the time he is five, lets hope we have him figured out.

I have to say, the men took care of almost all the cooking and clean up. Including Jordan, who had no wife to please. I was so glad he joined us. He is such a good uncle and camper. He did all the dishes this morning, which was quite a task. (We have less than a month with him!) Ruth made the best blackberry cobbler ever! Jordan also helped Ruth practice for Who Wants to be a Millionaire with the game on his phone. Bracken was great at helping with whatever, whenever. I think when all of our kids combine, everyone ends up just takes care of whoever needs the help. It works out nicely.

Overall, it was a nice time (even with excess crying). I have to say the most amazing moment happened randomly when Chloe (who was standing on a rock) threw a ball that bounced off my head, happened to bounce off Josh's head, and then bounced off Parker's head who was sitting in my lap. Truly amazing timing. If only it was caught on tape.

Thank Jordan, Bracken, Ruth, Chloe, and Addie for coming. I hope next time around we can have even more fun!