The Big Party

Ya know what?!?!? I haven't told you about Paige's party!

Paige's 1st birthday party was SO much fun! We had it at John Ball Park, which is where the zoo is located here in town. Paige is our "Little Monkey" (one of several nicknames) and she is a regular there...we have a family membership so Matt and Paige go almost weekly while I am sleeping after my night shift. The plan of her monkey-themed party was to do cake & ice cream, presents, then a trip through the zoo. Unfortunately, the zoo was getting ready to close by the time we were finished opening presents! But it was a beautiful day, spent with wonderful family and friends.

Banana cakes, baked by Daddy, decorated by Mommy. The white one slid under the car seat en route...but do I get extra credit for finding the rainbow banana candies?

No messy 1st cake pictures here...the little lady picked up the entire hunk and nibbled away until it was nearly gone...then somehow tore the tray off the Bumbo (I can never get it off!).

She received presents from all corners of the earth...from Houghton to Sok Cho (South Korea)!

Paige Evelyn, you are such a beautiful, wonderful, miraculous blessing. We are so thankful that God chose us to be your Mommy & Daddy!

Happy Birthday!

It's just so hard to believe that this beautiful girl has been blessing our lives for an entire year! Every detail of September 15, 2008 is emblazoned in my memory forever, and we've been changed for the better...all thanks to God giving us our Little Monkey, Sweet Pea, Baby Muffin, PEPpy Paige Evelyn Parrott.

I've been trying to get a little something special posted all day, but having technical difficulties. We also spent lots of time doing fun stuff with Paige today, going to the Children's Museum, the farmer's market (where she got a free birthday flower), a little shopping and dinner. We opened a couple presents and let her have a try at some cake, but she was all tuckered out. We'll have another go on Saturday at her birthday party!

We cannot close this day without saying THANK YOU again to our wonderful friends and family, and the love and support you've shown to Paige as well as Matt and I! Also, please keep the wonderful staff of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital NICU in your prayers, as they continue to heal God's littlest ones.

Back to Skool

Well, I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks, yet I'm always on the computer. This can only mean one thing...I've started my graduate classes! It has been an adjustment, to say the least...lots of reading (unfortunately, no pictures to keep Paige engrossed), and I wrote my first paper in five years this past weekend. We had tickets to the MSU v. CMU game, but I was in such a panic that I sent Matt to the game with friends, Paige went to Grandma & Grandpa Parrott's, and I sat at my desk alllll day Saturday. After the outcome of the game, I wasn't too disappointed about missing it anymore. But enough about that, let's talk about something fun...like Labor Day weekend...

We went up to Mom & Dad Buning's for the weekend. It was nice to get away from the daily grind (me, I read research articles...that is now my new daily grind). Actual Labor Day was celebrated in our usual Miller family tradition of going to the Harvest Festival parade in Manton, then over to Aunt Kris & Uncle Dan's for lunch. When Paige is bigger, we'll go to the carnival after lunch. We used to always meet at Uncle Dewey and Auntie Max's farm, but the torch was passed on to Aunt Kris a few years ago...Mom has been celebrating Labor Day this way since she was a baby! Of course, my camera batteries died early in the day, but here are a few memories of the weekend...

Everyone loves a parade!

This guy has been doing his "Dynamite the Clown" bit since I was little...yet somehow has always looked the same age! What's in that makeup?

This "advertisement" is the comical highlight of the parade...it never gets old. Jack Johnson (who is our cousin somewhere along the line) was a hit this year with the "Cash for Clunkers--NO WAY!" sign.

I have no idea who this is...I just thought it was hilarious that there is a world horseshoe championship.

As you can see, Grandma has Paige hooked at the tender age of 11.75 months.

Paige got comfortable in Aunt Kris' childhood rocking chair.