Hooray! A new baby!

Kevin and I are happy to announce (though I think we've talked with most everyone) that we're 12 weeks pregnant and expecting around May 1st (Kevin's birthday!) We are so excited and are rapidly preparing for life to quickly get very different - Willow will have to get used to being #2 in our lives, and Kevin will have to learn to change a diaper!

We had our 12 week appt yesterday and they did an ultrasound to confirm that everything was progressing well. Happy to report that baby has visible arms, legs, head, skull, brains, etc. Additionally, Baby K was flipping around in the belly and waving at mom and dad. That explains why mom has been pretty sick lately :)

Below are some pictures of the newest Kroner/Miller - we can't wait to see him/her grow in the next 6 months!

Are you ready for some football?

The Edwards are!
Go Clemson!
Beat everyone else!

Vacation-ish

Shawn and I were able to take a few days off of work during August and used them for a big summer sweep of the South, with a couple days in Marion, Atlanta and Greenville respectively. We spent the first few days exploring downtown Greenville, including sometime at the new Falls Park downtown, and a dog park stop for Daisy.

Mom and Dad's new house is great-- but I can't even describe how amazing the backyard is. The garden is ludicrous and unlike anything I've ever seen. We had drinks each evening "on the veranda" (aka porch), lit a bunch of the citronella torches, and enjoyed the summer evening. I have a feeling this will become a much-replicated family activity.

We had a little surprise tonight when a very friendly horse on the farm behind the house came by to say hello to Shawn, Daisy and Dad while they were discussing the virtues of composting. "Apple" the horse enjoyed our leftover corncobs from dinner.

Hey Emilie, I figured it out--add photos to the RIGHT of the ABC !!!

Sally & Mike

OK this is the first time Mike or I have ever done this, so here goes.

We are looking forward to Jerry & Marsha closing on their new home in two weeks and plan to be there to help move in on Friday 7/31/09 through Sunday of that weekend.

Susan & Mike may be passing through SC on Labor Day weekend or thereabouts and can't wait to see them.

How do we add a picture?

The Kroner Update - July

This has been a busy, busy year for Kevin and I and I can't believe it's more than halfway done already! Some quick highlights...

I'm back on the road and working in Topeka, Kansas Monday - Thursday for the State of Kansas. We're putting in a new financial management system and I'm leading the Accenture Training team. So far, it's been the best work experience I've ever had - crazy busy but well managed, great people, fantastic client, and all the Kansas barbeque I could want! I've learned a few things working in Kansas:

• 1) tornados are possible, but highly unlikely (still haven't seen one!)
• 2) People hate the Wizard of Oz stereotype but love that it's my favorite movie... I've gotten so many gifts and new collectibles from my co-workers who find something and think of me immediately!
• 3) Topeka, despite being a capital city, lacks an airport and it's a 70 minute drive each way twice a week
• 4) Surprisingly, there is amazing Mexican food in Kansas
• 5) The people are WONDERFUL!

My co-workers threw me a 80s Skating party for my birthday in March... this pictures shows how crazy Kansans can be!

Kevin is still working at Domin-8 here in Cincinnati and loving his job. They have gone through their ups and downs with this economy, but seem to have riden out the storm. He works with a bunch of guys from his previous job so really enjoys going to work. Sometimes I have to pull him away on Friday nights!

Willow turned three on July 2nd and continues to be the most hyperactive, loving dog we could have ever asked for. She enjoys visiting her grandma and grandpa Kroner (who live 20 miles away) and playing with her cousins, playing fence tag with the dogs next door, and snuggling for naps with mom and dad.

With her birthday cake.

Relaxing in her favorite spot.

Let's get this party started!... Again....

Well, it's been almost a year and a half since Susann and I got the grand idea to get a blog started for the Miller family. After being the only ones posting and getting busy in our jobs in the past year, we decided to take a hiatus without even realizing it!

Now that Aunt Patty is so technically advanced (even with a Facebook page!!) and we think the rest of the family is too, we decided to re-introduce the idea of this blog. It's purpose is to allow us to connect, discuss major happenings in our lives, etc.

I sent instructions to everyone on how to post. Let me know if you need additional instructions or call me if you want me to walk you through it.

Emilie

Reminder: Posting Instructions

I've heard from a few family members that they want to post, but can't remember how.

My simple instructions.

1) From millermeetup.blogspot.com, click Sign In in the upper right hand corner

2) In the Sign-In screen, enter the following:

Username (Email): millermeetup@gmail.com
Password: ravennaohio

3) Click Sign-In

TO ADD A POST

1) From the Dashboard, click New Post

2) Enter your title, write in the Subject area, add pictures as desired (by clicking the photo icon to the left of the “ABC”).
3) When finished, click Publish Post.

E-mail me at emiliemiller@hotmail.com if this does not make sense and I'll walk you through it

Quick Update on the Kroners

Haven't written in awhile (though neither has anyone else), but I'm still holding out hope that this blog might catch on with the Miller family sometime! Quick update on us:

Say Goodbye to Delta!

I stopped traveling full-time at the end of February and said goodbye to my sister and Shawn who I've been lucky to see almost every week for 1 1/2 years. Though sad to leave them and the friends I had at my previous client, I'm ready to be a full-time wife and mom to Willow :)

I started a new short-term (one month) role at Abbott Labs in Columbus, Ohio and am working up there (about an hour and a half away) a few days a week. I will probably have to spend one night away from home a week, but mostly they let me know they understood my desire to stop traveling and could work remotely. So, it's been fantastic!

Been doing alot of cooking, working out, and spending time with my two favorite people/dogs.

Go UD!

Kevin's life has been consumed by the Dayton Flyers basketball team for the past few months. They, like our beloved Bengals, looked like they were going to have a great season, but around January it all went downhill. We're still hoping for an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament, but after today's loss to Xavier it's not looking good (though I'm not mentioning that to him...)

Sluggin' Along

In late February, I took Kevin on a surprise weekend getaway to Louisville. I dubbed it the "Thank you for putting up with my travel for four years" trip. We took the quick hop down to Louisville on Friday and stayed through the weekend. It was alot of fun! Many casino games were played, a few drinks were consumed, lots of karoake was sung, and we even visited the Slugger museum. All in all, a successful getway.

That's all from us. Anyone else?

Rest in Peace Beau: Sept 15, 2007-February 3, 2008

We will miss you.

Checking In...

Well Susann got on me for not posting as I should so we are sitting here watching the Ohio State game (Go Bucks!) at her place so I figured I'd update the Miller family on the Kroner family!

It was a busy holiday season with lots of work events, Christmas cookie makin, and spending time at home. It's been a bit difficult for me to travel lately for work as I've been missing the home life, especially these folks:

But, being home for 2 1/2 weeks was wonderful! In addition we got to spend some time (though it was a quick trip, with Rybolt and Baikal). It was wonderful to see Matt and Erin, the parents, and Susann and Shawn too (though I see them on a pretty often basis in DC!)

Other than that, we spent the majority of the past few months cheering and crying over our beloved Bengals. As most of you know, we left my favorite sister's (and new brother in laws) wedding weekend a bit earlier for a quicker than anticipated to be on the sidelines for the Pittsburg (or as I refer to them, the S$$itsburg) Steelers / Cincinnati Bengals game. It was amazing! (well until we lost :( ) Here are some pictures from that event....

Honeymoon, Etc

We're about 80 days into marriage, so far, so good! The honeymoon was fantastic... we went to Paris, Rome, and Florence for 12 days. Stayed in some amazing places. Ate some delicious food.

All the photos are online, so I'll post the link to those (http://http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=87885450406.477089823306.1199722755428&page=1 ), if you have any interest in looking at a lot of old buildings and some schmoopy newleyweds.

Once we returned, holiday season got into full swing. Dozens of parties, lots of miles of driving, and a new puppy later, we are getting ready to enjoy some weekends at home. Our newest addition to the family, Beau, joined us Thanksgiving weekend, when someone we know was going to have to give him up for adoption. He's now a 4 month old Jack Russell, and as Shawn says "all boy". I say he's a "little shit". But Daisy's loving having a built in playmate, even if he does terrorize her. They are smiling nicely in this picture. Trust me. They usually aren't this calm.

Dress

Picked up my dress today. If that doesn't make you feel like you are getting married, I don't know what does. Headed out first thing Wednesday morning. How come I'm the only one posting?

Daisy

Our wedding day will also be our 1 year anniversary of having Daisy. She wants to say hi!

Wedding Countdown...

We are in the homestretch for the wedding-- 9 days. No longer even double digits. I'm getting through my nausea, and on to excitement.

Rehearsal is at 5pm, Rehearsal Dinner immediately following at Creek Club at I'on. We will do brief family photos after the wedding on Saturday, and then on to the dancing! I think most other folks know where they need to be and when.

Know what I'm TOTALLY excited about? (Other than the joy of spending the rest of my life with Shawn, etc, etc...). The awesome beach house that is the hospitality house! See above. It will be a general gathering place if you are looking for folks to hang out with. I'm sure I will see many of you there. Thursday night we'll be hosting immediate family for a cookout, so plan on being there!

Welcome to the Blog!

I admit it... Susann and I stole this idea from Matt and Erin, as well as Erin's family blog. In such times of technology, I set upthis blog so that all Miller family members can post and share information about things going on in their lives, pictures of their activites, and more. I can't wait to hear all about things, see new pictures of Daisy, talk about upcoming events (i.e. Weddings!) and more. Let me know what you think!

To post:

Sign in with the username: millermeetup and the password: "ravennaohio". Then just go to add new post and write something to publish.

Have fun!

Emilie