Two heads are better than one

But if you don't have two heads, just wear 2 hats!!
Dallen did this ALL BY HIMSELF :) Cute kid huh?!?!

Student Teacher

It is amazing how fast little ones grow and how quickly they learn. Every day I am realizing how much Dallen is learning, and mostly by example. I am so proud that he is so smart and getting so big.

Dallen has been learning sign language and knows the signs for: please, thank you, sorry, more, eat, drink, cracker, milk, banana, all done, day, rain, tree, bug (although he basically just sticks his finger in his nose), outside, and probably a couple others I can’t remember right now.

Dallen has started to fold his arms for prayers and sometimes even initiates this before dinner (melts my heart).

Dallen plugs his nose and/or mine when something is stinky and I say “pee-eww”.

He can flex his muscles when you ask him to show you his muscles.

His vocabulary increases by the day and he says words like “apple, bubble, bath, football, backpack, turtle” and most recently “poo-poo”. He is even saying and understanding words in the right context now, instead of just repeating them, although he still does that.

He is learning the different animals and knows that a cow says “moo”, a dog says "woof", a monkey says “Ooo Ooo” and most recently a horse says "neigh".

He is the most HILARIOUS dancer. He pretends to snap his fingers and sways back and forth whenever he hears music: cars driving by, in the store, walking through the parking lot, anywhere.

He is starting to pose for the camera, but only if he gets to see the picture right after (thank goodness for digital technology).

Big boy has, count them 10 teeth and more on the way!

At Dallen’s last doctor appointment for a wellness check we learned that he is SUPER tall :) As if we couldn't tell by looking at him or his giant feet!! He is 32 inches tall, which is almost off the charts for his age.

We are so proud of our growing boy and love him so much!! It is so fun how he is really starting to understand and respond to the world around him. My little man is growing up so fast!! Most of this information is just for my own benefit, to have it documented, but I thought you’d wanna know too!!

I can’t believe that amongst all the things this little boy learns, he still teaches me so much. He has taught me more about love, patience and humility than I ever knew. Being elbow deep in poop and boogers night after sleepless night has a way of teaching you things! And so the student becomes the teacher. Love you Dallen :)

More photos...

Here are some more pictures I took of Dallen in an attempt to get one for the contest. They all turned out so cute I couldn't NOT share them on the blog.








This was in Urban Outfitters. I thought it would have been cool and industrial looking but Dallen was way too busy for pictures!! Still cute.Dallen paused for a few moments while shopping on Main Street. Turned out decent pictures huh?!?!


And the one we ended up submitting was...You can check Dallen out in the online gallery here:
http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/contests/beautifulbaby10/gallery.html
And starting March 1st, you can vote for yours truly!!

Beautiful Baby

We are entering Dallen in a beautiful baby contest but we need your help. I can't decide which photo to use. The pictures have to be taken by me, within the last month. I am a little biased and have him completely memorized so even though there could be something missing or better expressed in one picture than another, I don't see it cause I am his Mommy :) So, please vote (with a comment) for your favorite, I have to submit by the end of the week. Thanks!! Wish us luck :)

Picture #1
Picture #2
Picture #3
Picture #4
Picture #5

Shout Out

We were so lucky this last week, Auntie Aubrey came to play!! She helped with doctors appointments and bath times, also we slept a lot, but mostly we just played :) We went out for 5 Guys burgers (twice)!!We went over to see the McMullins twins and play in their fun backyard!

And we went walking and shopping on Main Street!!
We had so much fun with Auntie Aubrey and hope she comes back soon :)

Speaking of shout outs to Auntie Aubrey, some of you already know that my sister was featured in the "Real Simple" wedding magazine for some flowers she did. You should check it out. And to see more of her beautiful creations and lots of pictures of baby Dallen, visit her blog at: aubreymessick.blogspot.com

Back to Basics

I feel like we have been on vacation for months, and while it has been so fun, we are ready to be at home for a while a get back to the basics. We are ready for long days of lounging around, eating and sleeping on a schedule, playing with all those new Christmas toys and of course, discovering new ways to get in trouble...

Yes, we did!!

How many people do you know that would fly nearly 500 miles to go to a basketball game? Yes, we did!! Many of you know Mark and his father are BYU faithfuls and we made the trek to Mark's hometown of El Paso this past weekend to see our Cougars take their victory over the UTEP Miners. It was Dallen's first basketball game and he had a blast!! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the tickets and a super fun weekend.



And while in El Paso, Dallen had a brief love affair with guacamole...

While we were away...

We had so much fun in California for Christmas. We were so blessed to spend time with family and friends. Here is a recap of our trip...

Walking around the harbor:
Or riding around the harbor

Celebrating Kellie's 21st birthday:
Only Miss Kellie would have a pool party in December...so fun!!
Downtown Disney:
Our first attempt to do Disneyland was drowned out…literally!! The one day that worked for everyone in my family to go ended up being the one and only rainy day we saw on our entire trip to CA in all 9 days. What are the odds?!?! So instead we had lunch at Rainforest Cafe and did a little shopping...works for me



Dallen watched movies with his Mimi:

Visiting with Dallen's ALL female cousins at the Gardners:


Seeing old friends: And I mean OLD. I have known these girls since I was a little kid. Now we are all married, 2 with kids and one on the way!! Crazy :)
Dallen got to see his future wife, A LOT:
Nevermind that Dallen is totally chewing on a dog bone...opps!! Who you callin' safety mom now?

So cute!!Gazing out the window...
Threatening with tickles...Getting frisky on the couch...(Siena's daddy thinks Dallen may be a little forward for his daughter!)
Dallen opening his present from Siena (She is wearing her gift from him)
"Hey baby, how you doin?"


Teamwork
Do you think I am forcing these two together?Apparently Dallen thought so, he LEAPT out of my arms!!
I can't help it...I just love these cute kids :)


Stopping by the Browns:
At the VERY end of our trip, on our drive home, we stopped off to see this little birthday boy!! Cousin Gavin turned one the day we left and was right off the freeway on our way home so we let the boys laugh and play for a bit. So fun!




I wish I knew what they were saying here :)

We had so much fun on our holiday vacation and are missing it already as we are trying to get back to normal life. Thanks to everyone who made the trip so wonderful!!