Can't ever have too many cute kid photos!

What darling little ones there are in our extended family! ... Elizabeth Miller, just turned 7, the princess of first grade.

Elizabeth and Avamarie Miller in what dad Chris Miller wryly calls their "fake smile" photo, but we think they look genuinely pleased.

Hey! Enough pictures! says Avamarie. We suspect the ones we've posted on the blog so far are just the first few of several hundred thousand more by the time she's a teenager!

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, little Maria, daughter of Tanya and Levi, granddaughter of Cindy and DanO, great-granddaughter of Joe and Mavis, recently turned 7 and celebrated at a "messy party." What, you ask, is a messy party?

Here it is! The guests had a great time doing, er, messy things, many of them also artistic. Perhaps we should try this at next year's Burnt Wienie! Among the party-goers above are Maria's siblings, Sonia and Perrin. Happy Birthday, Maria!

How every cousin should decorate!

We've enjoyed cousin Cindy's Facebook photos of her decorating/design at her and DanO's Eau Claire home, especially this one. Check out the blue plates, cousins!

Happy Birthday to Sarah!

Look who's 46! Happy Birthday to dear cousin Sarah Broberg! In this photo of a delicious homemade cake you may also notice a cousin. It's SarahBroberg, SarahBroberg!

Sarah with nephews Alex, Zachary and Tyler Broberg.

Bonus photo: Tyler, who is a senior at Eagan High School, has been visiting colleges lately. He got a tour of Minnesota State University Mankato from his second cousin Moriah Miller, who is a sophomore there.

Blue sky, blue lake, no more blues

Your scrapblog editor has had a somewhat harrowing few days, so was happy to spend a day off in good ol' Lake City. Uncle Joe kindly launched his boat for a little fishin', despite a brisk wind. Not many fish were caught -- Uncle Joe reeled in two perch and your scrapblog editor caught the world's smallest bluegill (which is saying something, since they're all diminutive), but it was a excellent stress-busting morning nonetheless. Saw eagles, herons, ducks and pretty Lake Pepin under a blue sky. A couple of snapshots:

Sending good wishes to...

Our thoughts this week are with Noah's dad, Steve Johnson, and his wife, Ann, who were injured Saturday when their motorcycle hit a deer near Buffalo, Minn. Ann suffered minor injuries, but Steve was seriously injured and remains in the trauma unit at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minn. Here are a couple old photos of Noah and his dad: In late 1989.

In 1995.

American as can be

Today (Sept. 20, 2010) is momentous indeed: Avamarie Miller's adoption was finalized and she became a bona-fide American citizen. Congrats, Avamarie, and congrats, Millers! And watch out, world! This kid will go far. With proud parents Chris and Mary, and the judge who made it official.

Avamarie, American citizen and Miller.

First day, first grade

Little cousin Elizabeth Miller's first day of first grade at an elementary school in Centerville, Minn., was proudly recorded by her photographer mom, Mary Miller: At the bus stop: "Who, me?"

Sneaking a polite peek at one of those cute older boys.

"OK, Mom, that's enough pictures; you can go home now!"

Lotsa Millers

The Miller siblings -- Pam, Chris and Cathy -- and their families had a fun Minnesota reunion in August. Here they all are in one photo: front row, Elizabeth, Chats and Michael; back row, Zachary, Mary, Avamarie, Hannah, Pam, Noah, Moriah and Chris. Wouldn't Bill and Alverna be proud?

A friend hits the big time

Congrats to your scrapblog editor's old pal Laurie Hertzel, who just published her second book, "News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist." It's a great read, with lots of humor and history. If you're on Facebook, friend Laurie and tell her you're my cousin! She loves the cousins! Laurie's publisher, the University of Minnesota Press, held a book-launching party for her Tuesday night at the Open Book at The Loft in downtown Minneapolis.

A few of the old Duluth News Tribune crowd at the Loft party: Steve Stearns, Joey McLeister, Doug Iverson (Laurie's husband), Laurie, Katy Read and yours truly.

Sprick-style decorating

Love this photo that cousin Cindi Sprick O'Donahoe sent of one of the redone rooms in her new home. As soon as we get translations of the old German plaques, we'll add them. They go great with the deer head! The only thing missing? BLUE plates!

State Fair '10

On the last scorching day before the weather grew chilly, we went to the Minnesota State Fair, which we love. A few snapshots: Do'oh! Jamie and Noah as Marge and Homer.

Before Noah could do the fun stuff, he had to do some work for his job as a reporter for the Minnesota Daily. The story was about DNA testing some U researchers are doing with the help of fair-goers.

Ah, the seed art. We miss seeing Lillian Colton, the seed-art expert who died a couple of years ago.

At the Horticulture Building.

The deformed vegetables exhibit.

The Christmas tree exhibit at the Horticulture Building is always one of my favorite places to go. It's cool, restful and beautiful.

Yes, they're 21 now!

On the Ferris wheel.

For much of the day we were at the fair, there was a big power outage going on. Couldn't get much to eat, even, during its duration! When it was over, Jamie celebrated with cheese curds and Noah with a deep-fried Twinkie.

After the power outage ended, we were able to ride on our favorite ride, the Sky Glider.