Baby, It's Cold Outside

After living in the insane heat of Las Vegas for two years, we are actually welcoming the cold weather. Dylan and I haven't been leaving the house too much lately, so I decided to give him a change of scenery. I got him all bundled up and took him out in front of our townhouse. He was so excited to explore the great outdoors. As soon as I put him down, he took off running down the sidewalk.

I kept trying to put his hat and mittens on, but wanted nothing to do with them. He was more interested in trying to pick the grass and eat it.

Dylan thinks it is very cool to make funny noises and faces. I am forever trying to capture them on camera, but he usually will break into a grin as soon as he sees it. I was finally able to catch him coming out of a silly face.

All that cold wind made for some rosy cheeks, but he sure was a happy kid after getting out in the fresh air for a little while. I guess that's going to become part of our daily routine.

Bring It On 2008!

I know that change is something that I should work on constantly, but the fresh start of a New Year is always a great motivator. Obviously, 2007 was a huge year of change for our little family. We survived our first year with a child, Mike accepted a new job, we moved across the country, I started working again, we visited with family more than we ever have. With such a busy year, it was hard to feel any sort of consistency. When I really sit back and think about it, however, I do notice a couple things. We have our families, we have our friends, and we have the Savior. What more can we really ask for? I think as long as we continue to recognize and accept those three things in our lives, we can handle everything else that comes our way. We are ready for all the possibilities this New Year brings.

Christmas with the Daniel Family

Because I work part time in retail, Old Navy to be precise, I was not allowed to take time off during the holidays. From the time I got my job, we had told our families that we would be staying at our own home for Christmas because we thought I would have to work. When my schedule finally came out, I ended up not having to work the 21st-26th. So, at the last minute, Mike and I decided to surprise my family by going to my parent's house for the holiday. The week before Christmas I received an email from each of my siblings saying how disappointed they were that they wouldn't get to see us while they were home. Imagine their surprise when they arrived at Mom and Dad's house and saw us sitting on the couch. The only person that knew we were coming was my Mom - the only reason I even told her was because I wanted to spare her a few more days of crying! It was a great surprise for all and we had a wonderful time visiting, eating, playing games, and bonding. It is not often that we are all together and I will cherish those moments forever.

My mom does so much beautiful decorating for the holiday season. This is just one of her many many displays. She really should charge a fee and let people come take tours of her house. It was absolutely gorgeous.

All the kids in front of the Christmas tree. My mom has a picture of all of us in front of the tree as far back as I can remember. We all think it is kind of cheesy, but it really is a nice tradition. It's fun to look back at old pictures and see how much we have all changed. I think the older we all get, the more we resemble each other. I am so proud and blessed to have Aaron, Karl, & Kathleen as my siblings.

It was hard to get any posed photos with Dylan while at my mom's house. He was too busy exploring to be bothered with getting his picture taken. I forced him to take one with his Mommy.

Dylan helped his Daddy open the presents from his stocking. His lips must have been a little chapped because he sure did take a liking to the Blistex package.

Doing Big Boy Stuff

Dylan has officially joined the land of the walking. He took his first three steps a week ago and has been adding to that every day since then. He loves it! Every time he realizes he is walking by himself, he gets a huge grin on his face and starts laughing. He knows he is doing something really cool and will look around to make sure that someone is watching him. He is also increasing his vocabulary. In addition to Dada, gog (dog) and yum, he has started saying Hi Tazzy (that is our dog, Taz) and waves Bye Bye on command. We are so excited to experience all of these learning steps with him. Being parents is such a wonderful blessing.

O Christmas Tree

My mother has always loved the Christmas season, and I picked up on her enthusiasm for it. I had no idea that having a child would make me enjoy it a hundred times more than I already did. Dylan has been so good with the tree, decorations, and even the presents. He has not tried to take any of the ornaments off the tree. He will just sit and stare at it and occasionally reach out and lightly touch the branches. Sooooo cute!

Dylan recently discovered our Swiss ball in the exercise room. He has made a game out of rolling it around the house. He gets this huge grin on his face and then just runs laps pushing the ball.

I believe that we have found the greatest toy on Earth. A box of trash bags!!!!!!

Dylan spent about 40 minutes taking each back out of the box, then rolling around on the kitchen floor, then trying to shove each bag back into the box.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Dylan literally spent all of Saturday morning whining and screaming, EXCEPT for when we sat on Santa's lap. Santa jingled the bells and Dylan actually laughed! I am convinced that he didn't want Santa to put his name on the naughty list. I, of course, had to sit between Dylan and Santa -- otherwise this picture never would have happened.

It's My Birthday, and I'll Cry if I Want To!

Dylan's special day started with a trip to the pediatrician for his 1 year check up. He is a shorty with a big head. He currently suffers from MAJOR separation & stranger anxiety and screamed for the entire 20 minute visit. He was running a fever from his cold and teeth, so no shots. Yippee! He did get poked in the toe for some blood tests.

Great Grandma & Papa Burt bought Dylan this 'motorcycle' for his birthday. Doesn't he look so cool on it?

Dylan was more interested in climbing all over and pushing around his presents than he was in opening them.

Dylan ordered Cheese Tortellini for his Birthday dinner. Mike and I could not cut it up quick enough for him. Dinner was a big hit.

Most people do not believe me that Dylan can throw a tantrum. But, here is the proof. These last two pictures perfectly exemplify the past two days.