First Haircut

So, I finally gave in and decided to get Dallin's hair cut. We had hardly touched it these past two years because, one, I love his hair a little long, and two, he throws a fit anytime scissors come near his head- I thought it was a little dangerous. We went to a cute little hair shop just for kids and he did much better than I expected.

As soon as the stylist started Dallin just repeated, "All done!"

My Mom and I tried to entertain him and bribe him with suckers- anything to assuage his grief.
He did an amazing job of sitting still.
So handsome!!! I can't believe how much older he looks.
There's a smile! He didn't want to leave once the haircut was over. Go figure.

His reward: another sucker.

Happy Birthday!

December 5, 2005 - Orem, Utah.

December 5, 2006 - San Diego Zoo, CA (Michael was in San Diego for training so we joined him)

December 5, 2007 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ

For Dallin's 2nd brithday we went to the Phoenix zoo with my friend, Jenna, and her daughter, Cyrena. This was our first time to the zoo and we loved it! We may have to make it a tradition to visit the zoo on his birthday. Dallin's first words in life were, "Dada", "Mama", and "tractor". This kid loves tractors. Whenever we see one around town he will identify it and then just stare at it without blinking- he thinks they are the most fascinating thing in the world. It was so cute to see his excitement when he opened up his very own tractor.

Dallin carefully watches and learns how to handle a screwdriver. . . . . . So that he can do some of his own work on the tractor.

Dallin loved his basketball, soccer ball, and football so much that he didn't want to part with them at bedtime. After he brushed his teeth, he ran each of the balls into his room, one by one, and tossed them into his crib. When I lifted him into his crib he immediately grabbed his green blanket and put it over the three balls as if to tuck them in for the night. It was so sweet.

Lights

I love my boys!!! Dallin just adores his dad. At the end of each day I always ask Dallin what his favorite part of the day was and he always responds, "Dada". When he wakes up from his nap I ask what he dreamt about and he responds, "Dada". When I follow up with, "What did you and Dada do in your dream?", he begins explaining to me something that I can't quite understand. "Who is your favorite person?" "Dada". "Who would you like to clean the kitchen tonight?" "Dada." That's my boy. AZ has amazing sunsets- even in December! Michael took this beautiful photo from our street.

The Christmas season has officially begun! Michael put up our Christmas lights the other day with Dallin's help. Actually, Dallin's job was to climb up the ladder after Dad and make sure he didn't fall. If something is climbable, Dallin will find it.

Dallin with his ladies, Bella and Eva. We have a park just a few houses away on our street and Dallin loves to take a bucket and a shovel and just play in the sand.

Did someone find the oats? So I asked, "Was it an accident?" "Uh-huh". Sometimes when he knows he has done something he shouldn't have (the eerie sound of silence gives it away) he will lead me to the site and just say "oh-no" with a devastated look on his face. "Was it an accident?" "uh-huh". This is why I have learned to not leave pens lying around, humidifiers full of water on the ground, or leave him alone with a toilet. He is ever curious but just so darn cute.

It's a BOY!

We went in for the 20 week ultrasound and were told that Dallin is going to have a little brother! We are so excited! To say I was surprised would be an understatement. For most of my pregnancy I was 110% sure it was a girl; I had even started stocking up on cute dresses! I was certain the baby was a girl because I have been much more sick this pregnancy than with Dallin and my emotions have been completely out of whack (just ask Michael). I just hope the baby will forgive me for referring to him as a "her" for the past several months. Dallin is so excited to have a little brother. He loves babies! If we are reading a book and it has a picture of a baby, he will lean forward and give the baby a kiss. The other day we were over at my friends house and Dallin left the room to go watch the sleeping baby in her swing. He just stood there for the longest time watching her. He constantly points to my stomach and says "baby" and will point out all the babies we see as we are walking through stores. I am sure he will be a wonderful big brother. My only worry is that I am becoming seriously outnumbered. :)

November in review

Dallin turns two in 10 days! I can't believe how big he is getting and how quickly these past two years have gone.

We went to see the Christmas lights and nativity scenes at the Mesa, Arizona LDS temple.

Dallin is such a good helper in the kitchen! His specialities are dumping ingredients into a bowl and stirring (my speciality is sweeping the floor when half of his scoops don't make it into the bowl). He really is fascinated with baking; I think he might just be the next Emeril Lagasse.
How's this for a little munchkin under the weather... This past weekend Dallin got croup for the second time this month. He is feeling much better, but we had to triple his asthma meds for a few days.

Our 2nd annual trip to "Zoo Lights" on Thanksgiving. Visitors welcome for year 3!

The world stops when the garbage truck is near our home. The driver knows us now; he does cool tricks with the "arm" for Dallin.

"Mom, I'm gonna count to three and you better have that camera (with its too-bright flash) in its bag!"

Dallin cuddling with his favorite stuffed animal, whom we have cleverly named "Bear".

Dallin and Megan. . . BFF

Missy came out to visit us about a month ago. When we took her back to the airport I explained to Dallin that she was going to fly home on an airplane. Now everytime we see an airplane he will point to it and say, "Mis!". He still asks for her everyday and doesn't understand why we can't just go the airport and pick her up.

Dallin and Mama Fran (His great-grandmother McKay)

Grandma Marian and Grandpa Paul (Dallin's great-grandmother and -grandfather Flandro)

Visiting Santa at the mall with Missy and cousins Tasha, Megan, Addi and Darci. Dallin was so scared of Santa; he was trying to get as far away from him as possible during this shot.

Michael found this flower on the side of our house. It was his first round with my camera, and now he wants one of his own (I'm teaching both of my boys about sharing).

Dave and Nancy's visit

Dave and Nancy came from Seattle to visit us this past weekend. We had a great time! Dallin loved spending time with his grandma and grandpa and was even known to show off his running, jumping, and climbing skills for them a time or two. Dallin loves to look at pictures right after we take them (especially if he's in the picture).

Just in case the ladybug is thirsty. . . Dallin thought to do this himself, so I quickly grabbed the camera. I thought it was so sweet.

Michael and Dave taking a breather before another round of golf

Our fearless climbing machine

Oat Bran Muffins

I made these yesterday and Dallin loves them (he's getting a little pickier with heath food now that he's tried pop tarts). They really are good though- I hope you like them!

1 1/2 C. Oat bran (I used rolled oats)
1/2 C. brown sugar (could probably use honey as a sub)
1 1/2 C. whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 C. applesauce
5 Tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 smashed banana

mix dry together, add wet. bake at 400 for about 14-15 min. Yields 20-24 muffins

I added 1.5 cups of diced apples to 1/2 the batch (which were really, really good) and diced peaches to the other half (didn't love). I also added about 3/4 C. of wheat germ (because Dallin won't eat it in his oatmeal anymore, I sneak it in where I can). You can also add ground up flax, raisins (soaked in water for 10 min first), cranberries, chocolate chips, or blueberries, etc. We froze what we didn't eat yesterday and when we want one I just pop one into the microwave for 15 seconds. Enjoy!

Watch out, Captain Jack!

Dallin was a very cute, but very scary, pirate for Halloween.

All pirates carry around their blankie, right?

Fishing for ducks at the ward trunk-or-treat.

"Mom, you seriously need to stop following me around with that camera."

Dallin insisted we take his bike around the neighborhood to trick-or-treat. He would ride it up to the door each time and sit and wait for someone to give him candy. We tried to teach him how to say "trick-or-treat" but it just came out as "treat" (smart kid). He would then graciously say thank you. After going down a few streets, we headed home to hand out candy. We sat outside on lawnchairs with our bucket of candy and Dallin passed out the treats to the neighborhood kids. We had so much fun!