My BFF

Ah, a weekend in Indy...no school for 2 weeks, the upcoming holidays, and being with my best friend! What more could a girl ask for? :) Arlan and I traveled out to Indy last weekend to spend time with Clint & Alesa. We tackled a bit of holiday baking...

Dr. Bahler's favorite pastime when he isn't working his insane schedule...

and Arlan's newest friend at the Bahler's...their wonderfully, cozy fireplace!

40 years --- yee-haw!

Last Thursday evening, we celebrated Orlan & Carol's 40th wedding anniversary in true cowboy style! Earl & Dixie, along with David & Kate, were our gracious, western hosts with a wonderful "chuckwagon" meal, great stories, and songs. Enjoy the pictures...

The food was so yummy...if you've ever experienced a Dixie meal, you can definitely relate! Beef brisket, smoked ribs, potatoes, dips and several kinds of dessert all left us very full.

Our wonderful hosts & hostesses

The little buckaroos had great fun playing!

Perhaps the more amazing event was the whole family was together!

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad Miller...we love you!

Milwaukago at Christmas time

Last weekend Arlan and I had the pleasure of traveling to both Milwaukee & Chicago for kind of a Christmas get-a-way weekend. While we love the holidays with family & friends, it was great to just spend time with each other - no students, no grading papers, no real responsiblities...just enjoy the cold weather, pretty lights, beautiful decorations, and lovely Christmas music.
It was a truly magical weekend! Read on for more details...

Our motivating factor for our Christmas weekend was to visit a friend of ours, Richelle. Originally from Phoenix, Richelle landed an intern position with Milwaukee theater and was in A Christmas Carol (very holiday appropriate). It was so fun to catch up with her at lunch before her aftenoon performance. Here she is with Arlan before the show...

...and here she is after the show. It was a great performance!

One of the funniest things one can see during Christmas time - while in downtown Milwaukee we saw all these Santa Clauses on bikes! Not just a few, but several dozen...it was so fun to watch the pedestrians light up with a smile as they passed each street corner waving and shouting "Merry Christmas"...and yes, there was definitely lots of snow in Milwaukee they maneuvered around!



"The Fonz" and I in downtown Milwaukee :)


From Milwaukee Saturday afternoon, we then headed to the crazy hectic city traffic of Chicago...it literally was some of the worst traffic I've/we've experienced. Here are the beautiful decorations and window fronts of Macy's on State St.

Next up ice skating at Milennium Park...Arlan has always wanted to take me here and although neither of us are the best skaters, it was super fun!

After ice skating, we ate brunch at the lovely Grand Luxe Cafe where their hot chocolate is pretty amazing (thanks to a Ms. H.P. for introducing us to it)...they melt real Godiva chocolate into their cocoa! Arlan couldn't hardly drink it without getting his nose frothy :)

fall football

As the sports lover I am, it has been fun to spend the past several weekends traveling and attending football games! The first two pictures are from the Illini v. Ohio St. game Arlan and I attended with Brandon & Sonia-thanks for the wonderful treat & great catch-up time. We had a great time, even if the Illini didn't :(

The second game we attended was the weekend before Thanksgiving as my cousin Cody Doorneweerd led my good ole West Lyon Wildcats alma mater to the state final game. Cody, their quarterback, led them to the runner-up trophy. The game ended 3-0 in favor of the opposing team...it was a heartbreaking loss, but nevertheless, Cody was my hero of the day and I was proud to be his cousin! We love you Cody!

Wildcats (in blue) get ready to kick-off...Cody is #17

2nd half warm-ups


The Doorneweerd clan to cheer on Cody!
(my nephew Levi, brother-in-law Mike, my sister Emily, and in back my brother Adam & his finance Erika)