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"The mil10s enjoyed their first white Christmas!"

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Christmastime is Here

The mil10 Christmas tree has been up since Veterans Day weekend. It has been a tradition for eleven years now to put it up early. Originally, we did this so we wouldn't have to put up the tree at the same time that EK was due. We put up the tree early that year and have done so ever since.

Although the tree has been up, it never looked fully finished. It was missing one thing. The presents! Today we wrapped all of the presents that we bought on Black Friday. mr. mil10 wrapped the gifts in paper. mrs. mil10 glued on all of the bows. Now the presents sit under the tree waiting to be given away.

Once all of the gifts have been passed out, the tree will look funny again.

Getting Ready to Spread Christmas Cheer

It is that time again!  Let's dust off this little blog and take a moment to share this year's Christmas card design.  For several years now, we have used Shutterfly to design and print the Christmas cards that we mail to friends and family.  In this day of email, text messages, and social networks, the tradition of sending a card by mail is a nice change.

What do you think of this year's design for the mil10s?

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Modie made her own design.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Merry Christmas!

johnmmil10 shared an Instagram photo with you

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"EK"

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"Blessed"

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Written in Code

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"He didn't get his athletic ability fro me! Way to go EK!"

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"I love how excited EK looks in this #selfportrait "

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Spring is Here

Any Texan knows that it really isn't spring until you can stop and take your child's pictures in the bluebonnets.  After this week's torrential rain, there won't be much time before the state flower is overrun with weeds and other wildflowers.  We didn't pass on tonight's opportunity to take pictures.

As you know, for the mil10s taking pictures in the bluebonnets can be quite an experience!  Unusually there are tears, a loss of patience, use of threatening and bribing and other less than desirable activities involved when we take pictures.  All in all, however, it is a great opportunity for making memories.  Take a walk down memory lane and you will have a perspective why we even shared the pictures below.

"Oh, the sun!"

"Cheese!"

"Open you eyes when I count to three."  At least he was smiling.

"Can we stop now?"

This picture really captures how EK was really trying to pose well, smile for, and look at the camera.  He really was trying.

Perhaps if I zoom out further, no one will notice that EK's eyes are closed.  Perhaps not!

No tears here!

 This one is a keeper!

This one is nice!

After loading back into the car, EK quickly proclaimed that this is one tradition that he will not continue with his family.  He insisted that traditions should be something that the entire family enjoys.  "We will do stuff like Waffle Wednesdays and Fajita Fridays," he said! Fajita Fridays?  Hmmm.  He may be on to something!

A Colorful Day

Today was a day that the mil10s had been waiting for.  The Color Run was finally in Dallas.  The Color Run describes itself as "a kind experience that is less about speed and more about enjoying a color crazy day with your friends and family."  Clothing starts out clean at the beginning, but at each kilometer runners are plastered with colored powder.  "Runner/walkers begin the 5k at the start line like a brand new pristine coloring book, they end looking like they fell into a Willy Wonka… tie dyed… vat of colored goodness."  Sounds like fun, right?


We were worried that the weather wouldn't be too cooperative, but it turned out to be dry and warmed up to about forty degrees come race time.

Our morning started early, so we had a few minutes to explore a couple of sights at Fair Park.  Malia and EK are ready to run!

When you are running water is a good idea, but sharing this massive water jug is just asking for someone to share ebola. 

Everyone was clean before the run!

mr. mil10 broke Color Run ettiquitte and didn't wear a white shirt.  But with colors like that, his shirt was practically begging to be worn at The Color Run.  Besides, how many places someone wear a neon green School Walk for Diabetes t-shirt?

mrs. mil10 and Malia sported their colorful socks.

Waiting for the race to begin was probably the hardest part for EK.

Here you see a group of people that have just passed through the end of the second kilometer.  Here people were liberally doused with pink powder.  

We saw mrs. mil10!

After the purple kilometer

Strangers kindly offered to take mr. mil10 and EK's picture.  We took theirs in return.

This is the view of stranger's legs as we crossed the finish area.  There was powder EVERYWHERE!

We did it!

Modie managed to bypass most of the color at the end of each kilometer, but EK did manage to splatter her with a bit of pink.

Notice the purple neckline and a pink forehead.  mr. mil10 still has a purple neckline and a pink forehead after showering and scrubbing.

A group shot! Color, color, color!

This is where the post run party took place. Each runner was given a bag of color before the race began.  Everyone was encourage to save them until after the race.

3, 2, 1, Now!  All of the runners that managed to keep their powder tossed it up into the air at the same time.  The color cloud was pretty neat to see.  Eventually all of the colors blended into a brown cloud not unlike a mushroom cloud.  You didn't really want to be standing downwind!

A post-run rest.  Again, the powder was everywhere.  The Color Run says the powder was safe to ingest.  It's a good thing considering how much was inhaled.  Sneezing color and purple Q-tips were just a natural part of the clean up!

Before loading into the car, we had to do a little clean up!

Before heading home, we made a quick trip to Twisted Root Burger Company in Deep Ellum.  Who knew that everyone else had the same idea.  At least we didn't look like complete weirdos going to eat covered in colored powder.  There were so many of us there that the people not covered in color were the ones that looked out of place.  On a side note, why can't every burger joint have a pickle bar and fresh sweet potato chips?

What did the mil10 think of  The Color Run?  Although the over-crowded color stations at the end of each kilometer probably slowed down the most serious runners, it was fine for us.  Of course part of the fun of the day was the novelty of getting pelted with colored powder, but it was messy.  Messy enough to not do it again?  Probably not!  All in all, it was a lot of fun for the whole family.

RWRS 2012

Attending the Rock and Worship Roadshow has become an annual tradition for the mil10s.  We have been every year since 2009 and have enjoyed every year.

This year mrs. mil10, EK, and Modie made the trip to Big D without mr. mil10 as he was on a work trip in San Antonio.  But that did not stop them from having a great time!

EK bought a glow stick.  He dropped it and broke it just a few minutes after this picture was taken!

Moriah Peters was the first to take the stage with "I Choose Jesus."

Next up was Rend Collective Experiment.

MercyMe's Bart Millard took the stage and made interesting hand poses.

This was the second time to see and hear Sidewalk Prophets.

Disciple was next.

The crowd inside the American Airlines Center was having a great time!  It was a full house.

This was also the second time for the mil10s to see Hawk Nelson.

Uncle Justin moved down to the floor seats to be up close for a few acts.

Lacrae was next to take the stage.

Finally the part of the night mrs. mil10 was most excited about was here. Tenth Avenue North.  Earlier that day mrs. mil10, EK, and Modie met them and about twenty other people at a church in Dallas.  They were that to record background vocals for the upcoming TAN record.  We will be buying that on release day!

The final act of the night was hometown's favorite.  MercyMe.  Their new album will be out soon and we are already enjoying their new single "The Hurt and the Healer."  If you haven't heard it yet, you are missing out.

Another great night at the Rock and Worship Roadshow.  See you next year!