The Sing Off!

Matt & I love The Sing Off. Matt was in Barbershop in high school and secretly wishes he were still in an a capella group :) This season was so fun to watch, we loved The Backbeats and Committed. Tonight while we were shopping in San Luis, we saw Joanna, the lead singer of The Backbeats! We both saw her and debated over who was going to talk to her. I made sure it was her and then we went up and talked to her. She was so sweet! We told her that she should get a record contract because her voice is incredible! I had no idea that she was a local girl, so cool. Here we are in Gap :)

Little Helper

Ada is a busy little girl. She's fast too!

Before you know it, she's into something. 

Example A:

 Helping Poppa load the dishwasher...and clapping for the good job she's doing :)

There are pictures of me the same way on Nana's dishwasher.

One of my little footprints even stayed there for years!

 Here's one of my bowls...

 See Ma?

 I love my little helpers :)

Sometimes

Being a queen is really hard work.

Oakland Temple

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Oakland Temple to see the beautiful lights.

I love Ada all bundled up in this jacket and hat my mom bought for her before she was born!

 It was so fun, we went with another family in our ward and my mom and sister. The Visitor's Center was wonderful (and warm!) and Ada made friends with everyone there. They had a beautiful photography exhibit called Reflections of Christ. Here is a video compilation of the photos. My favorites are Walking on Water & Resurrection. 

It was the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!

Millers Visit

Matt's parents came up to visit us last month and see our new home here in Santa Cruz! 

Ada showed them around town.

We took them to Steamer Lane, where a junior surfing competition was going on. They make it look so easy!

Father and son checking out the surf. I love this picture! 

 Oh Matty :)

They took us out to lunch on the wharf and then treated us to Mexican for dinner because I was too tired to cook. We all had colds and were wiped out! 

Thank you for coming Marc & Diana! And for watching Ada while I went to the adult session of Stake Conference. 

Who's going to come visit us next? :)

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Wednesday in Santa Maria at Ryan & Kandie's, then the rest of the day in Lompoc at Marc & Diana's.

Ryan has Xbox Kinect, it is SO MUCH FUN! I'm not a video game person, but I love that. You actually work up a sweat and don't even have to use a controller! 

 Ben & Alissa were up from LA with their kiddos, and Alan & Karina came out from Utah!

Focused little drummer boy:

Ada wearing Grandma Diana's hat; I feel like she's hiding from the paparazzi!

Here are some of the Miller Men Rock Band:

Ryan, Matt, & Marc

Thursday was spent in Santa Maria with my family.

Auntie Linds gave Ada her tiara and she walked around all morning like a princess. 

She even came into my room to show me. A few times :)

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Ada loved the Sesame Street float, she was up on her toes dancing! 

After the parade, I finished making rolls and Ada got her first haircut from Auntie Linds!

I love this picture, she's just a little floating head.

Then we went to Nana's, where Ada was a little giddy about eating turkey with all the fixins!

The turkey man with the beautiful spread!

Evidently it was plaid day...

Uncle Sean LOVES Ada!

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving...living away from everyone makes being home for the holidays so much sweeter!

Ada is One Year Old!

One year ago today, our lives changed forever. Announcement post here, birth story here, newborn photos here. I've been strolling down memory lane...thinking about our adorable little girl with such a big personality. Right now she is taking the nativity pieces down one by one and there is a wise man under the table, baby Jesus in her chubby little hand, and Mary in her princess tent.

She had her one year checkup on Tuesday. She weighed in at 23 lbs. 4 oz. (93rd percentile) and is 29 in. tall (73rd percentile). 

The doctor said she is the picture of health and her language skills are very advanced. When he came in the room, she looked at him, said, "Hi!" and waved :)

She had three vaccinations, and we watched her closely all night to keep a high fever at bay. She woke us up at 6 AM and had another febrile seizure. It was scary for Matt because he didn't see her the first time it happened, now he knows why I called 911. He was able to give her a blessing and she finished seizing. Then she looked up at me and said, "Ohhhhhh!" Like, "What just happened?!" We got her in the tub and brought her temperature down. She slept really well after that. We did everything they told us to do should it happen again, and she has been herself ever since.

We celebrated her first birthday while my mom and sister were in town.

Auntie Linds gave her the tiara, she loves it! She'll touch it on her head then come over to show you how pretty she is :)

She loves Mr. Pony & her tent!

I love this face! She's looking at me like, "Really?! I can keep digging into this cake?!"

Oh happy day!

 A girl after her momma's own heart :)

Time for a bath! 

This little lady has brought so much joy and laughter to all who know and love her.

Just look at the pictures...she is constantly cracking us up with new faces and antics!

Ada, you are a beautiful girl that your momma and papa feel so blessed to be the parents of. We have loved this past year with you and cannot picture our lives without you! We are so excited to watch you continue to grow and learn about this big world around you. Happy birthday my little noodle nugget!