From Snow to Ice

Although we don't get a lot of snow here in Virginia, something we do have during the winter are Ice Storms. Unfortunately that is what our latest snow storm turned into. This morning we woke up to a world covered in a thick sheet of ice. School and Church activities were canceled today, but luckily we weren't affected by any power outages. The girls tried sledding again, and actually liked the fact that the track they made yesterday was covered in ice. Watching them "rocket" down the hill reminded me of Chevy Chase's sledding scene in "National Lampoons-Christmas Vacation." :)
(If you've scene it you know which one I'm talking about.)
All and all it wasn't a bad day. Sometimes it's nice to have a reason to sit on the couch wrapped in a blanket and sip hot chocolate.
(I should try that sometime =)

Let it SNOW!

Finally! The first snow of the season is here!
After living in Virginia for the last 3 1/2 years I've learned to accept the fact that this is not a part of the country that gets much snow during the winter. But in past years we've at least seen some snow before the last week of January! I think Joe prefers "snowless winters." I... on the other hand...happen to love the snow, so I was really excited to wake up and see big fluffy snow flakes covering the parking lot of our apartment complex.










































The girls were dismissed from school 2 hours early because of the weather, so we had a great afternoon playing in the snow!
We don't own a sled, so Becky and JJ tried sliding down the hill on some big black garbage bags. It worked great! Who'd have thought?



















Dallin squealed with excitement the whole time we were out side. It was so fun watching him discover snow for the first time.

1 YEAR OLD!!!

Yesterday, JAN. 17, 2009, Dallin turned ONE!!!! I can't believe it. I don't remember any of my kids first year going this fast! Granted, this has been a pretty busy year for us, but WOW....time flies! He has been walking for about month and he has started to say a few words like: Mama, Da (Dad), ball, boo (when playing peek-a-boo), nummies, dance and hot dog. (he likes to do the "hot dog dance" from "Mickey Mouse Club House.")

After church today Padilla's came over and we had a little party for him here at home. Dallin had fun playing with his new toys and eating cake!!! YUM!
We love our little man so much!!!

Here are a few pictures from his party:

























































First, Dallin ate cake......



















Next, he ate his plate.....
























Then, he ate his tray......



















And finally, our little one-year-old boy was all tuckered out.

(It's hard to tell because the video is a little dark, but as we were sitting around the table talking we looked over and saw Dallin falling asleep in his high chair=)



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLIN JOSEPH!

Tagged....The 8 list....

8 TV shows I watch:

1. Super WHY!
2. Little Einsteins
3. Mickey Mouse Club House
(What can I say? These are the TV shows I watch =)
4. The Office
5. So You Think You Can Dance?
6. Dancing With the Stars
7. Home Cooking with Paula Dean
8. Good Eats, and America's Test Kitchen

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Drove the girls to school. (we missed the bus!)
2. Watched my friend's little girls.
3. Went visiting teaching
4. Went to Walmart
5. Went to Shoppers (the local grocery store)
6. Picked the girls up from school
7. Taught piano lessons
8. Made dinner

8 Things I look forward to:

1. The weekends
2. Warm weather
3. Not having two kids in diapers
4. My trip to Utah in May
5. Dessert! =)
6. Serving a mission
7. Getting my degree
8. Moving into my new house!!!

8 Places I like to eat:

1. Chick-fil-a
2. Panera
3. Chipotle
4. Five Guys
5. Tony's Pizza
6. Red Hot and Blue
7. Akasaka
8. Home (when Joe Grills Steaks!)

8 Things I wish for:

1. To be more organized!
2. A Baby Grand Piano
3. To be 15lbs. lighter
4. To raise kids who know who they are, know they are loved, and choose the right.
5. To be a dancer ( I know it's a little late for this one. However, I took lessons on and off while I was growing up and loved it. I always regret not going further with it. Oh well, maybe in the next life! =)
6. Tour Europe
7. A Motorhome (yes I'm a hick... and proud of it!)
8. A ski boat