We've met Taylor...

...and she is a great kid. We've gotten to spend a Friday evening and a Saturday afternoon with her now.

The first time we met her, we went out to dinner and she talked non-stop the entire time. She is the oldest of 6 kids, is in the 4th grade, is very smart, and volunteers at her school reading to the smaller kids.

She looks SO much like Dan and Bob. Dan has finally met her, although I guess "hi" was about as far as they got.

This past Saturday we were at Wes' parents' house; all 3 Smith grandkids were together, and Taylor hardly said anything. I guess Kayli and Christian talking a mile a minute was a little much to compete with. But the 3 of them seem to get along very well. Shockingly, well, actually, considering all the circumstances.

Taylor wanted to learn to crochet, which made Kayli want to learn, so Mary was very excited to teach the two of them. They were doing quite well working on a blanket.

We hope to have her up to visit someday soon. It is hard to catch up on 10 missing years all at once, but she is definitely worth it.

Goodbye Oliver

We had almost ten years with him. He wasn't the cutest, wasn't the smartest, wasn't the bravest, but we all loved him. And I know how much dad loved his little "surprises". We won't be able to hear his toenails clicking on the kitchen floor anymore, but soon dad's will grow long enough to fill that void. We watched him grow from a shaking, quaking, underfed little puppy into a plump, white-bearded old man. He didn't care to be around little children all that much when they were awake and moving, but once asleep he wouldn't leave their side, intent on standing guard over them. He was always so happy to see us when we got home from work or came over to visit, and he always had a sixth sense about when we were about to get into a vehicle and he had a fighting chance of going along.
Think of how old you were and what your life was like when we got Oliver. I was in fifth grade, Mr. Kline's class, I looked like a boy and wore flannel fairly often. In our family photo that year, I wore a flannel dress that looked more like a nightgown and I was mortified because instead of buttons it had bra hooks to fasten it together. For some reason, the day mom got Oliver, I came in the front door of the house when I got home. Mom took me into the dining room and introduced me to this shivering little black dog that peed all over itself with fear when I tried to get him out of his cage. We tried to make him sleep in his cage that night, but he cried until I let him into my room, and then he scratched at the door until he was allowed to go into mom and dad's room, where he finally went to sleep. I guess he was attached to mom right from the start. The last time I saw Oliver, he was in the back of mom and dad's big monster van. They helped me unload my stuff at OU, I kissed mom and dad goodbye, and I petted Oliver and gave him a kiss before they drove away. So at least I got to say goodbye.
I'm trying to think now. That food and water dish he had, the water dish was all chewed up. Did he do that when he was a puppy, or did Toby do that before him? We've had that dish for a very very long time.
Anyway, goodbye Oliver, no dog could ever replace Toby, and no dog will ever replace you. I'm glad I didn't cut your toenails at the vet's visit just last month, because I wouldn't want that to have been one of your last memories of being with me. Although you were mad enough when I took you home and gave you a bath. Have fun in doggie heaven, and eat all of Mike's steaks that you like.

Sorry, I tried to put a couple photos on here, but I can't get them to load.

name dropping

Ok, we are letting everyone know that when our daughter is born she will be welcomed into the world as..................... Johanna Eden Miller.

I could not figure out to add text to the photos, so I had to do it this way.
In the second set of pics you see a turkey leg hovering above her. That is her left arm with her hand next to her face. Maybe she's picking her nose. ------- ---- Miller stop that right now!

...have some more sllloooppppy joes....

Say hello to granddaughter/niece #2 (Miller side anyway)

• 

Good News/Bad News

Hasbro has officially updated the Monopoly game with modern properties across America and new playing pieces.

THE GOOD NEWS:
Jacobs Field is one of the properties you can buy or sell.

THE BAD NEWS:
It replaces Mediterranean Avenue.

Special Holiday Guest

Steph is mentoring a student from Hong Kong this quarter. Her name is Angel, and she speaks English very well. She is eager to experience all things American while she is in the U.S. Would anyone object to taking her along to Orlando in November?

Claire's soccer

Claire is playing soccer this year. I was waiting to receive a schedule and then I was going to post all of her games here, but I have yet to get one from the coach. Anyway, she has a game every Saturday through mid to late October. They are either 10 am or 11:30 am. If anyone wants to come feel free. They are at the fields behind the elementary - just like softball was.