Dear Papa,

I really miss you. Yesterday I went to play with Thomas and we got to swim in his pool. It was so much fun! Today I got to to a huge garage sale with Mama and Granny. They bought me more books and I already tried to eat one, it didn’t taste too good. We stopped and saw Great Granny Midge on our way home!

Also, Nana came over and she brought Great Grandpa and Grandma Rhone. You’ll never, ever believe it, but I laughed so hard in Nana’s arms! She’s a funny lady. After they left Granny and Mama put me in the bath outside and I laughed some more. I kept hearing them laugh too, so it must have been really funny to see me, a naked baby, in the tub.

After I got to splash in the tub and I ate I put on my resort wear and Mama put me back in the empty tub to sleep. I’m was so tired from all that laughing I did.

I’ve attached a couple pictures, in case you are wondering if I’ve grown in the last 24 hours – I have.

I really miss you, Papa. I hope you have fun on your hike, but when you get back can we feed the fish together and will you play a game with me. There are certain things you do that Mama just can’t, even though she tries.  Plus, you need to hear me laugh because Mama says that it’ll make you laugh too!

Love,

Lil M

I had a quiet celebration a few weeks ago when I finally read a non-pregnancy/parenting book. I couldn’t remember the last book that I read that didn’t focus on one of those topics and getting into a book unrelated to either felt so dang good.

I found myself, with Maggie asleep in her Ergo, wandering around a bookstore today and my heart just about burst open from all the great books that I wanted to take home and read. Alas, I left the store empty handed and Barry and I took Maggie to the library this evening and I came home with a pile of books and my name on the holds list for some newbies that I can’t wait to read.

Maggie and I read her books together daily and I can tell that she loves listening to my voice and looking at the pictures and eventually she’ll get to pick out the ones that she loves the most. I can’t wait for that day.

But today, after going to the library and bookstore, I feel like something inside me that has been asleep for the past months has awoken and is ready to begin reading again! *

*Sydney just wanted me to put her picture in this post too. She also wants you to know that she prefers to chew on books, rather than read them like a proper dog.

My dad bought a SUP and brought it to the beach and Barry, not being one to shy away from new water-related experiences, was thrilled to try to SUP for the first time.

After determining that the waves were just right and the cloud cover might go away, Barry opted to put down his surfboard and pick up the paddle and HUGE board to SUP.

I learned my lesson long, long ago not to knock the size of the waves at Neah Bay, or any other beach for that matter. For that reason alone I was so impressed with Barry’s ability to stay balanced and actually ride the board. Go, B-Mills!

After a while Barry came to shore and ditched the paddle, taking the enormous board out to surf on it. I tell you, that Man of Mine was born to be in the water!

He doesn’t really like it when I get all mushy about him on the blogosphere, but he looked suuuuper cute too.

No wonder we’ve got such a cute kid.

We found ourselves at Neah Bay this weekend enjoying the foggy weather and cold water. What a way to welcome in August, right? The campground was crowded but in true Elvrum Style my parents were able to snag our favorite secluded campsite early in the week.

For being a first time camper, Maggie was amazing. I was a bit worried because at home we take her outside to cheer her up and since we’d be camping I wasn’t sure what my secret strategy would be to stop the tears. Having the waves, dogs and plenty of loving arms was enough to keep the Cherub happy.

Barry was able to  surf, kayak and  even try my dad’s SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board), which he ended up surfing on that as well. We took lots of walks up and down the beach, watching Sydney romp with the other dogs and waiting for the sun to break through.

Hobuck has really changed in the past years as it has become much more popular, but I still feel like it was really special to have Maggie’s first camping trip to be there – right on the ocean front! From what we can tell, we think she’s going to love the outdoors. Wahooo!!!

When we pulled up to Barry’s parent’s house Barry’s brother and dad and were playing catch in the driveway and Barry excitedly yelled to them that he had his cleats on and was ready to join in.

I don’t think that either Greg or Brian heard what Barry yelled, but I found it really sweet that Barry was so excited to play ball with his dad and brother.

I’m pretty sure that Barry located his mitt and joined. I think this trio has been tossing the ball around in such a way for years and years.

And when they are done, they talk about baseball because that is what Miller Men do.

We were on our three week road trip down the coast just hitting the Redwoods and excited to hike through the massive trees. After driving on long winding roads, we arrived at the trailhead only to discover that dogs were not allowed!! Since we weren’t about to abandon our hike and head back to the 4th of July crowd in town or leave our pooch in the car, we emptied our bacpack of goodies and stuffed her in and hit the trail.

This 4th of July we’re heading out for a stroll, but this time we’re packing Maggie and Sydney is happily leading the way from the ground.

Hope you have a safe 4th.

So, today was the day that my mom had been predicting that Miss Maggie Mae would arrive and since it was my mom making that prediction, I secretly felt like she knew something I didn’t. Thankfully, moms can be wrong and Maggie is here and I’m not welcoming a May Day baby.

So much is happening this month: I’ll celebrate my first Mother’s Day as a mom, two of my best friends (Erin & Lara) are having babies, and we’ll do our first trip up to Camp Janet, etc.

I’m happy to welcome this month with all the newness that Maggie brings, never again will May be the same now that Maggie Mae is here!

Yahoo!

We found ourselves spending the night away from home on our last mini-vacation (we think) before we add another to the HB Tribe. Aside from the scattered showers, it was a delight to be together roaming the streets of Port Townsend and Port Angeles.

We discovered a State Park we’d never been to and added it to our list of places to return – perhaps with a tiny babe in our arms.

Sadly, my camera did not accompany us to Cock – a – Doodle Donuts, but if you ever are driving through Port Angeles (and I know you are) stop there to get your fill.

Also, my camera didn’t get to document the hilarity of people that were staying at our hotel. There were three distinct groups of people: a wedding party, teenage basketball players (multiple teams) or mountain bikers (apparently there is such thing as mountain bike tournaments). It was a trifecta of oddness, but very entertaining for us. It gave us something to do while we ate our donuts.