the dalton family

Well, as I said in my last post, I have decided to try this Project 365 that is going around. If you’ll note in the blog header, there is now a link to our gallery.  Each month I will “archive” the previous month’s gallery and put a link on the main P365 page, that way it won’t get too cumbersome with all those photos. And, true to course, I will likely tweak the set-up as I go along. But this it for now!

Well, I am working on catching up slowly. But I must warn you, if I sound incoherant and/or a little loopy, just know that I am recovering from a migraine and am hopped up on migraine meds. Before the photos, a few items…

First Note:
Today Halle shared her testimony in sacrament meeting for the very first time. She was so cute. She is usually so boisterous and sure, but every now and then has a shy moment, today was one of those moments. But she went ahead and shared her love and gratitude for the Savior, the Church and of course, her family. I was so proud of her! She is growing up so fast!

Second Note:
I have decided to join the latest trend and try Project 365. But I am going to give the Weeds and Wildflowers route a try (see their blog and forum). I am hoping to get a gallery up soon with my photos, memories, thoughts, etc. for each day of the year. So far (4 days in) I’ve gotten at least one photo for each day. I’d like to make it 365 days, but I am notorious for starting projects and never finishing them (just ask all the projects I have laying around the house). But I like this approach because (1) there is less pressure, ie, they make you feel ok about missing days and just picking up where you left off, and (2) you can use something other than a photo to count towards your daily quota.

Now to the Christmas photos (I told you I’d get them up!)

*Sorry no captions, but I am going to bed…maybe I’ll come back and add them later…maybe

Here I am for my second catch-up post of the day. Halle loves the snow, she begs to go out and play in it…which really only happens when daddy is around to take her out (they don’t make maternity snow suits - well they might, but I don’t have one - not to mention, I am not at a point in my pregnancy where rolling around in the snow is really an option). The last two photos are just there because I can’t help myself. Aren’t they so cute!

Before I forget and before I post any photos from Christmas, I need to rewind a little to Halle’s 4th birthday…yes, it’s been 4 years! This year we had a family party, not just any family party though, a family party that included a really long trip to California. We took a trip out to visit Gpa. and Gma. Dalton in Patterson, CA and to commemorate Halle’s big day, we made a day trip to Sacramento where we met with Aunt Helen, Uncle Tyler and Cousins Jordyn, Taylor, and Ethyn and Great Aunt Carmen and Uncle Kent. To round out the party, we had Uncle Darren, Cousin Denali and of course, Gpa. and Gma. It was quite the crew. We first had lunch and presents at the Old Spaghetti Factory and then made our way over to Fairytale Land for some high adventure.

There you have it! Halle is 4 and loving every minute. She is certain that she has magically transformed, into what, we are not sure yet. But she is very happy about being four and is dilligent in announcing it to everyone we meet.

I can’t promise, but I hope to be back later with some snow photos and of course some Christmas photos.

My sister sent this to me in an email after reading it to me over the phone while we both laughed, and laughed. The funniest part is it fits my sister’s sense of humor to a “T”. So, while you wait for me to get around to posting about our trip to California this past weekend and Halle’s birthday party, enjoy your read! (And hopefully you don’t find me totally irreverent and you actually find it at least a little bit humorous.)

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Are you tired of those sissy ‘friendship’ poems?  Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.  You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card-Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship..

1. When you are sad — I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. When you are blue — I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile — I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you’re scared — we will high tail it out of here.
5. When you are worried — I will tell you horrible stories about how much  worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused — I will use little words.
7. When you are sick — Stay away from me until you are well again. I don’t want whatever you have.
8. When you fall — I’ll pick you up and dust you off– After I laugh my butt off!!
9. This is my oath…I pledge it to the end. ‘Why?’ you may ask — because you are my FRIEND!

Friendship is like peeing your pants,  everyone can see it,  but only you can feel the true warmth.

Apparently I am a little behind…I just saw that I was tagged by Misti all the way back on Nov. 2nd…oops!

HUBBY TAG……

1. Where did you meet your husband?
In the singles ward in Medford, Oregon while I was home from BYU for the summer

2. How long did you date?
5 months (would’ve been shorter if he hadn’t gotten scared, those newly returned missionaries!)

3. How long have you been married?
8 years in February

4. What does he do that surprises you?
He cleans the house after I fall asleep, and sometimes leaves “his girls” sweet notes to read when we wake up

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
I love, love, love his clear blue eyes and his smile

6. What is his best quality?
How calm and sure he is…compliments my more volatile nature, and even calms me a bit

7. Does he have a nick name for you?
not really

8. What is his favorite food?
What doesn’t he like?! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten him to fess up to a “favorite”

9. What is his favorite sport?
Basketball and skiing

10. When and where was your first kiss?
About 2 weeks after we started dating, in the parking lot at Dairy Queen

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Sit and talk while playing Ticket to Ride with some sort of yummy treat

12. Do you have children?
2 girls with another little princess due in January

13. Does he have hidden talents?
He is a natural leader…but he is quite understated in his style. Some leaders are bold, but he leads subtly, inspiring greatness in others.

14. How old is he?
29…only 6 1/2 months until 30 - he he he!

15. Who said I love you first?
He did! (While we were dancing in the headlights in his parent’s barn to the radio)

16. His favorite music?
Church music (currently his station of choice - online of course - is www.ydlsr.com)

17. What to you admire most about him?
His quiet strength and his love of the Gospel. His desire to always improve and grow.

18. What is his favorite color?
Blue

19. Will he read this?
He better since it will show up in his email (he’s one of the few who actually subscribed to my blog posts)

20. Who do you tag?
Melissa, Helen, Natalee and Marcee

My mother loves this photo and has requested that I post it. This is how we got the girls to take family photos the other day, they were in no mood for photo taking but that was the only day we had. They remind me of the seagulls on Finding Nemo…Ava would chant, “me, me, me” until a marshmallow was placed in her hand or mouth.

Okay, just slap my hand and get it over with. I know I promised a Thanksgiving post much, much sooner, but things got busy, kids sick, and well, I’m pregnant! But here it goes, so I hope you are up for a long one!

But before I start, a few items of business.

1) Take a look at our new survey on the side bar.

2) Tyler’s conversation this morning with  Halle:

Tyler: “Today is fast Sunday, do you want to fast”

Halle: “I don’t want today to be a fast Sunday, I want it to be a slow Sunday. Can’t you just stay  home and relax and play with me?”

Don’t you just love it! I couldn’t help myself but giggle as the conversation progressed. Too cute!

Ok, ok…now on to Thanksgiving.

As I noted earlier, my sister, Helen and her cute family came out for the holiday. Sadly, her husband had to work, so it was just her and the kids, Jordyn, Taylor, and Ethyn (and her sister-in law/nanny, Alyssa). We had a lot of fun and the girls had such a blast. Here are some photos & commentary of our adventures.

(You can click on each photo to see it a little bit bigger).

As you can see we had lots of fun and can’t wait to see our cousins again!