Halloween Message from Miller…..

I received this message through our foundation website a couple of weeks ago.  It is things like this that keep us going.  The fact that total strangers still think of our baby boy makes our hearts smile!  Thank you, Katie, for sharing this picture…..

Hi,

I wanted to send this photo to Meredith, but I didn't see an email address for her on her blog so I'm sending it here. I don't know the Woodruff family, but I've been following their story on their blog. They are such an amazing and inspiring family. My thoughts prayers are still with them.

Story of the photo:  For the last few months, this spider has been spinning a big round web in the garden in the back yard. Several days ago, I was in the yard and noticed a new pattern in the spider web. I immediately thought of Miller and the Woodruff family and I wanted to share this with them. I thought it was funny that this happened right around Halloween.

Thanks so much,

Katie Plauche

Nashville, TN

I hope you all have a very happy and SAFE Halloween.  Enjoy time with your families, and try to stay away from the “crazies” that come out on nights like tonight!!!

Date Night…..

Cole and Ellie had a date night on Friday night!  Patrick and I had a baby shower to go to, and Jayme and Carter were nice enough to watch Cole for us while we went.  Jayme and I are trying to arrange Ellie and Cole’s marriage, so we thought that this would be the perfect opportunity for their 1st official date!  I know the evening didn’t go without a few “3 year old spats”, but overall, I think they both had a really good time;)!  Thank you, Jayme and Carter, for spending your Friday evening with our little man.  I’m sorry that we stayed so late when we came to pick him up, but I couldn’t pull Patrick away from watching the Cardinal’s game in Carter’s “Man Cave”!  I guess we will forever remember that we watched the Cardinal’s WIN the World Series with Cole’s in-laws…….

Halloween Party/Pajama Day

Friday was Cole’s Halloween Party at school, and it was also pajama day!  This was nice for me, since the night before was the school’s Halloween carnival AND we stayed up way too late watching the Cardinal’s game, I was able to let Cole sleep in a little later than normal.  We brushed his teeth, combed his hair, took his vitamins, and were out the door.  I wish every day was pajama day!!!  I also must mention that Cole doesn’t wear “pajamas” to sleep in.  He started refusing to wear pajamas about 1 year ago and will only sleep in a t-shirt and boxer briefs.  This has never been a problem, until Pajama Day rolled around!  Hahaha!!!  I dug through some old pj’s and found these lovely pants and called it a day!  Whatever works, huh;)??? 

7 Month Birthday

Playtime with Mommy

Today would be Miller’s 7 month birthday.  It’s still a little surreal that he isn’t here with us.  I think it’s because he IS very much here with us, just not physically.  I feel his presence more and more every day.  We love and miss you sweet Miller…..today and always!!! 

Cole’s School Halloween Carnival

Sunday Funday

We had plans to come back home on Sunday in time for Cole’s soccer game, but we changed our minds that morning.  We decided to take it easy instead!  We took a barge ride and painted our pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.  I'm so glad we did this!  Sometimes I feel like we are always racing from one thing to the next, and while I’m thankful that we have things to keep us busy, it’s nice every now and then to slow down and just enjoy time with your family…..

The cousins painting their pumpkins…..

I looked over and saw that Brady had painted “Miller” on his pumpkin.  Those boys love and miss their baby cousin so much:(…..

Cole’s finished “masterpiece”…..

What a difference a year makes…..

Just 1 year ago today, I posted this picture on my Facebook page.  We had recently found out that we were having a BOY and we were SO excited about it!!!  It’s amazing how your life can change in such a short period of time…..

Adventures at the Pumpkin Patch

Saturday evening we loaded up all of the kiddos and headed to the pumpkin patch.  It is such a neat place!  Cole and I went when he was 6 months old, but due to scheduling conflicts we have had to miss out the last couple of years.  I was so excited to get to join in on the fun again this year, especially since Cole was old enough to enjoy it;)!

The petting zoo…..

I got nervous when I saw 3 McNeil sisters attempting the corn maze alone…..

They made it…..

Searching for the PERFECT pumpkin…..

and, he found it…..

Going back for our bonfire and smores…..

Now it’s time for the hayride…..

and last, but not least, the scavenger hunt (I must mention that our team won)!!!

FLASHBACK:  These pictures are from Cole’s 1st trip to the very same pumpkin patch 3 years ago.  Miller would have been the same age as Cole in these pictures.  We always miss our baby boy a little more on special occasions.  I can’t imagine what the pumpkins must be like in Heaven.  I hope that Miller has found his PERFECT pumpkin, too.  I feel sure that he has!!!!!