Chris Millard's World

Yas came home from China and brought gifts from my Chinese daughters. There was a note, so I know the exquisite doll is from Lavender. Thank you so much, Lavender--I love it! There is a gorgeous red shawl (I think this is from Nadia), and silk pajamas with some embroidered handkerchiefs from Christina, with a beautiful note that I will treasure forever (and some photos of us in China). I love all these things. Nadia and Christina will have to tell me for sure who sent which so I can properly thank them! It is such a joy to have my little girls in China. We miss them. Someday I'm headed back to their town. Lavender will have a baby soon, so I will have a Chinese grandchild! Hugs to all of you!

I know I have been slack in updating the website. I promise to fix that this weekend. In the meantime, check out my new favorite website: Criminalsearch. This is hilarious. Go ahead: look up your family. I did! Apparently you can't even get a ticket for riding in an HOV lane without the world knowing!

Grandpa, Sophie, and Jillian at the movie theater. We remember Emily used to say "Movie Feater."

Porky Boy Max

Here is Porky Boy Max at Costco. His parents wanted to be employees of Western Engineering and Construction so they could have a membership at that fine shopping mecca. This is the first time Max sat up in a shopping cart. His brother was in the basket part. His father was pushing the cart. His mother quickly disappeared! Every mother should take advantage of time away from the rug rats when she gets the opportunity. Go Shamane!

Grand Finale

This is Connor's general reaction to the fireworks.

The girls went to see the movie, "American Girl." The guys stayed home. We met up at the Pizza Factory.

Sophie, Ellie, and Jill wish everyone the best holiday! This is a video, but I can't get it to play. Dennis will work his magic and then I will know how to do this!

Max has pizza

I got up early in the morning, picked up Shamane, and we went to Centerville to run the 5k. I can't believe I actually did it! Shamane's mom took a picture of us after and Shamane emailed a copy. See how red my face is? I might be smiling for the camera, but I was ready to have a stroke. See the beautiful and amazing Shamane? She sailed over the finish line like it was a breeze. Notice she isn't even winded.

I was exhausted. I took immediate remedial action. See where I drove?

I did come in 6th in my age bracket. According to the newspaper there were 1,100 people who pre-registered, but there were many more who registered that morning. I'm guessing there were 1,500 people. I started out slowly, and people with strollers were passing me, kids were passing me, then old men with canes were passing me, and I got really scared and decided to book it! I never got that runner's high they talk about. I just know that when I saw the finish line I practically fainted!