Mateo celebrates Cole's birthday at Book Club

We had a great time in Boise 2 weeks ago...we went for book club and to celebrate Cole's birthday...he turned 5 last weekend. Mateo showed off his nerdy geek laugh when Natalie tickled him. Mateo and Cole are good buddies! What a great celebration for Cole...first books at book club...then on Saturday, Mateo stayed with Aunt Rachel so that Lukas and Sarah could go to Cole's party at the Discovery Center. It was fun...all the boys got to make "snot" to take home. We are so lucky to have good friends...we miss Boise!

Fun with Friends

We had so much fun with our friends Dan & Kristi this weekend...we didn't do much, mostly hanging around the house watching Mateo, playing some games, and eating way too much. We are constantly amazed at the new and different stuff that he does...like this week he clapped his hands for the first time over and over again. Yesterday, he crawled up and down the 2 carpeted stairs in our living room without falling...of course, he made up for that by falling today. But he's fine...scared mom more than it hurt him.

Dan & Kristi were gracious enough to watch Mateo while we went to marriage group...first time we have left him with a babysitter when one of us wasn't around the house doing something else. Of course, he loved hanging out with them...and vice versa, and he was sleeping ever so peacefully in Dan's arms when we got home about 10PM. We are so excited about his connection with them...and we can't wait to spend many more weekends with them out exploring the world.

After we dropped Dan & Kristi off at the airport, we had dinner with our friends Diana & Francie...it was great food and just a plain good time catching up with them. They have been so patient in waiting to meet Mateo, and they bought him the most precious rainbow colored jacket...it is beautiful!

Mom's back to an almost full-time work week this week...looking forward to developing a routine again. Matt's praying for some sunshine mid-week so he can finish the deck and stop having to work on the outside projects.

Here's to hoping you have a good week...love, the Millers

Halloween fun

We had a good time at MamaNona's giving out Halloween candy...we gave out about 175 full size candy bars. Mateo was the center of attention in his bumblebee outfit thanks to Sarah's friend Shannon from Boise. Earlier in the day, Mateo was the star of a reception at Mom's work...he wanted nothing to do with the women Mom works with...but he was climbing all over the scary server and mainframe guys. And they all loved the Halloween cookies that Mom made as treats.

Now are best friends, Dan & Kristi Rose, from Salt Lake City are visiting us...we always have a great with them...and this weekend is no exception...Mateo is especially fond of Padrino Dan...and he is warming up to Padrina Kristi slowly but surely.

More pictures soon...Sarah & Matt & Mateo

Back from Sac Part 2...

So like Father, like Son...my Grandpa & Uncle Steve hanging out on the swing together (this is where they go to smoke their pipes)...and Aunt Marsha was inspiring my single cousins with some reenactment of Liza Minelli singing about saying yes to guys who ask for dates!

On Sunday, we followed Aunt Cathy home to Monte Rio in the Sonoma Valley. This town was hosting the 7th annual Mermaid festival (that is a larger than life mermaid on the stage behind the local bands)...Mateo liked rocking out to the music with Matt. Aunt Cathy and her partner Dawn live less than 10 miles from the ocean, and they were with us for Mateo's first ever visit to the sea. The beach was incredible and very much reminded us of the Oregon Coast with big huge rocks not far from shore.

Dawn is an excellent cook and she kept us well fed duringour short stay in Monte Rio...her Port Chocolate Balls are phenomenal, and Matt just finished the last of them last night.

Mateo was a champ on the plane trip home...it is amazing how accustomed he has become to traveling. Perhaps that has something to do with the 6 plane flights he has been on in the first month we have had him home (October 20th actually marked a month since we returned from Guatemala). How fast time flies...and how grateful we are that the next trip isn't scheduled for almost a month from now (Boise Book Club in November).

I have been getting back into work slowly. The part-time schedule has been good for both Matt and me...trying to figure out a routine is exhausting! But we are getting the hang of it. And having MamaNona so close has been really nice...she has been able to spend some afternoons here keeping Mateo entertained so that Matt can get some work done outside while it's still nice here.

That's all for now. We will try to post more pictures more often...but at least once a week.

Hugs to you all. Sarah, Matt & Mateo

Back from Sac...

So it has been a whirlwind tour recently...we spent four days in Boise what seems like ages ago...we had a great time and got to spend some quality time with Aunt Rachel, Uncle John and Cousins Lukas & Nathan. We also had a great open house at my friend Shannon Barnes new house. We had so much fun and I reminisced about how much I loved living in Boise.

Then last weekend, we were off to California to introduce Mateo to my dad's side of the family! We flew into Sacramento (Mateo has become a regular pro at flying)...however, Mom & Dad have not yet become pros at packing. We flew with a family of four (3 mo old baby & 4 year old & mom & dad) who picked up one large checked bag and a car seat. Made us a bit embarrassed to pick up four checked bags and a car seat. You have to take SO MUCH STUFF when you travel with kids...or at least that's what we believe to be true. My parent friends tell me I will learn with time.

We stayed at my Aunt Marsha's ranch in Arbuckle (north of Sacramento). She and her husband Klaus rented an RV for us to stay in. Her daughters, Kalie & Lindy & Lindy's husband, Brett were great with Mateo...and played a mean game of croquet with Matt.

My aunt Julie, AKA Sister Julie Ann, was home from the Poor Clare's Monastery in Minneapolis for a visit for the first time in 3 years. It was great to see Aunt Julie and get to tell her thanks in person for all the hours of prayer that she and the other sisters said on our behalf.

My Uncle Steve and two of his daughters, Lauren and Alexa were there for the party on Saturday for my Grandpa Don who turned 77. Mateo was particularly fond of chewing on Uncle Steve's PDA wallet. My Aunt Cathy fell in love with Mateo...that's her giving him a bear hug. And Aunt Julie & Aunt Cathy hugging him on the couch.

Everyone said that my cousin Kalie was a natural with Mateo...that's her on the floor playing with him. And then of course, Mateo fell in love with Uncle Klaus's addition to the pool...the fish fountain was a big hit.

I'll attach some more pictures in the next one.

Love, Sarah