we are ALIVE and WELL!

It has been a while.

It has been 11 months.

So much and so little has happened, my postponement is due to writer's block, not to a busy schedule.

First, we had to say goodbye to Grandpa Ron. 

However, as you can see from the picture above, he has found a lovely new home with our nephew in Seattle.  Grandpa Ron was always intended as a gift to our AWESOME nephew Cole.

With an empty nest and heavy hearts in the absence of our first pet we decided to get, not one, but TWO of the best pups you will ever meet.

They are much bigger now, however I can't get over their puppy pics. 

I've learned some new things in the kitchen.  We have been experimenting with soups and have been three for three so far, including a potato green chile chowder, beef stew, and enchilada soup.  More posts to come with recipes and pics... (if i remembered to take any).

A top ten of other happenings while we have been away-

10.  I won Bowl Mania against Kaleb and my bro-in-law Colton

9. We met the stars of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot

8. Kaleb grew a disgusting beard and met Benny the Bengal

7. It got REALLY cold here

6. We ALL had to dress accordingly...

5. Lizzie drove us all to the vet

 

4. I competed in my very first Heinrich Open (and lost to Grandpa first round)... however I did get third in the pool shark competition.

3. I won my very first game of online Catan against Zak, Kaleb, & Ethan

2. We celebrated our very first anniversary and made paper stars out of strips of paper.  Each strip has something we are looking forward to in our marriage (& family)... 1st anniversary gift = paper.

1. We were blessed to celebrate the holidays with both sides of our family, Millers at Thanksgiving & Heinrichs at Christmas.  While in Iowa, all of us were inducted into Heinrich University.  Pictured below are the (Mark) Heinrich kids with Great Grandma Leota- she has the best laugh

 

Kaleb is well into his research and classes, with a long To Do list ahead of him.  He tackles each day with ease and little stress (some of the many qualities I look up to him for...).  He is a wonderful example of love and support for our present and future family.  As you can imagine all that goodness is VERY tiring- so I bid you well with this snuggly little pic of lizzie and her dad.

Until next time,

Kaleb, Ash, Lizzie, & Luna