Millers + 11 PCHS students = FUN!

The week of March 29 - April 2 found us traveling to D.C. with a great group of PCHS students to attend Close-Up D.C. Academy. The kids got to sight-see, meet their Congressmen, attend workshops, and see the politics of our beautiful nation's capital well, Up-Close :) The Presidential & war memorials, Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian Museums, Arlington Cemetary, and Capital Hill Day (pictured) were some of the many highlights. One of Mrs. Miller's highlights was the fact our Close-Up week fell on National Cherry Bloosom Festival which meant the trees around D.C. were in beautiful full bloom! It was spectacular! While we came back with almost 1000 pictures, I'm just going to post this one as the credit for a great group goes to our wonderful students. We were so proud of each of them as they were the cream-of-the crop from schools around the nation that week. They lead discussions, wrapped up moderations, and were overall the leaders other students looked to...thanks for making the Millers & PCHS proud!

The Aunts & Mom

Last weekend, Arlan and I were privileged hosts to my dear mother from Iowa (far right) and also her two sisters, Lois & Lavonne (from left). Let's just say it was quite entertaining! All three flew in for a funeral [friend of their mom's in Eureka] on Friday and stayed until Monday. It was great! From the Mennonite Relief Sale (which they thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the vast array of AC attenders) to shopping on Saturday to Gridley church on Sunday, I'm pretty sure Central IL will not be the same...it was such a pleasure hosting all of you at once...please, make this an annual trip!

Lois has a knack for finding the stresses in your life...all from your feet!
While painful, it is helpful :)

My mom & me

Let's Rodeo San Antonio!

Valentine's weekend saw the Miller's whisked away to the fun city of San Antonio, TX! We have always kind of had this city on our "let's visit someday list". Arlan surprised me at Christmas time with this trip & rarely in the education world does Valentine's Day fall over the lovely 3-day weekend called President's Day (yeah for Abe & George)! While we hoped for a bit warmer weather, the low 60s proved quite nice for some sight seeing on the famous Riverwalk, the Alamo, botanical garden, and some great grub in San Antonio.

Quite a famous shot from the river boat tour of the first restaurant, Casa Rio, to open on the Riverwalk.

Valentine's dinner on the Riverwalk...some of the best seafood we've tasted!

La Villeta - a quaint, historic village filled with small shops, crafts, and artwork.

The Alamo - while it was okay to walk around and look at, it wasn't what it's cracked up to be (think Gatlinburg or Branson). There were a few neat historic items but for the most part, quite disappointing. And for all of you out there who thought the Texans so bravely defeated the Mexicans at the Alamo battle...they lost. Sorry if this ruins your day!

And who can go to San Antonio without experiencing smoked baby-back ribs!


FYI - the post title comes from Arlan's phrase of the weekend...there apparently (from all the wranglers and ropers we saw) was a national rodeo in town and a huge banner flying from the tallest hotel in downtown proclaiming "Let's Rodeo San Antonio"! You can imagine how much fun Arlan had with that phrase :)

Cyclones forever!

Hello my readers...if you are actually still out there :) Though you may be few, I feel it is high time I update you on our past travels...

Feb. 7 & 8 we traveled to the Cyclone country to see our good friends, Bruce & Renae. We met up to catch up and also see Gus & I's Cyclones in action (sidenote - Bruce is actually a graduate of Iowa State as well, but for some ODD reason prefers the Hawkeyes). Much to our dismay they got schooled my the Mizzzou, but it was great fun walking on campus, eating at Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co. (some of the BEST pizza ever), and being with great friends! WE love you both & yep, you made the blog!

My dearest Gus...I love being with you & how you haven't changed a bit!

Bruce & Renae's 2 1/2 year old darling Kylie...while she wasn't able to be with this in Ames, I know she was cheering them on in her heart!

SNOW DAY!

Wahoo! When you're a teacher or a student, there are NO better words than receiving a phone call to let you know school has been canceled :)

[Please remind me of this however by about oh, June 1st or so]

Arlan and I have spent the day catching up on few things around the house, reading books, and lounging. I'll admit not a lot has been accomplished on Robin Ave. today!

I have great memories as a child in NW Iowa & having Mom come in & tell us these glorious words because as geography & weather attests up north, we heard NO SCHOOL fairly frequent. In fact, my alma mater has several snow days built in to their school year (I think it was 5) and only if you exceed that amount do you then make up days at the end of the year. My senior year we exceeded plenty ensuring the seniors had to come back after graduation to take finals...yep, we only got a diploma cover & NO diploma at the big ceremony :)

Other great snow day memories include:

• going sledding with the town kids down down the viaduct near Lester...we'd literally brave some pretty incredible conditions to get outside & play
• playing hours of Monopoly at my cousins...in fact, if the weather was really badl, the Monopoly game board would stay in the exact location for a day or more & my cousin Curt would keep a running tally of debts owed to other players for property-it was GREAT!

So...any snow day memories out there to share? I'd love to hear them!

Catching up...again...

Since I haven't blogged since yep, Dec. 24th, I thought I'd take a moment to catch up my readers (if you are still out there) and events, etc. occurring the last several weeks:

• Spent Christmas Eve & Christmas Day with our Miller family; highlight was a wonderful Christmas Day message & amazing "Joy to the World" by the Gridley congregation!
• Traveled to Lester the day after to spend with our Kellenberger family; my Dad's SURPRISE 60th party was a highlight as friends & family helped celebrate. My Aunt Vonnie from AZ was also back in Iowa & it was special to spend time with her. Also special to meet my new cousin, Lucy-what a beautiful baby.
  
• School started again Jan. 5th & since then our lives have been consumed with students, lessons, grading...the usuals that go along with education.
• Cousin Tom Miller went to meet Jesus this past Sunday so Thurs. night & Friday morning will be spent saying our final, temporary goodbyes. He is Orlan's first cousin, never married & a special part of the Miller family-he will be missed!

-

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!