Shots!

We recently had to go to the doctor to get flu shots. Sadie was ready to be brave, but she sort of chickened out at the end. Dallin did great probably because he didn't know what was coming (it's also a lot better than the last appointment where he had to have SIX shots)

Christmas at the Merinos!

As our children get older, we are starting more and more traditions in our home. Making and decorating sugar cookies is a keeper. This was the first year that Sadie really got into it. She rolled them out and cut the shapes (with the help of Dad) and she decorated them. We asked her if she was having fun and she said, "Yeah, it's like an activity." I must say that I was impressed with her skills at decorating. I think that we have a little artist in our
hands.

Another tradition that we have continued is from Steve's family. That is the tradition of a Mexican meal on Christmas eve. Previous Christmas's usually included tamales that we bought from wherever they are available. But as many of you know, there is a sorry lack of Mexican food in State College. So, this year we decided to make it ourselves. I made the tortillas and Steve made the refried beans, red chili sauce and Mexican rice. We worked together to achieve the impossible . . . TAMALES!
It was really yummy and worth all the work because we had leftovers for about 3 days!

Another silly tradition is matching pajamas. My mom started it last year when she sent them some matching Christmas pajamas. I decided to do it again. I just think it's really cute. Don't you agree?



Thanks to everyone who sent us gifts and sent their love. We had a wonderful Christmas! Here are some pictures of Christmas morning.










(As you can see, it's mostly Sadie opening presents!)

He Walks!

I'll let the video speak for itself!

Dallin's first word?

The other day we were all sitting around in the family room. Dallin was messing with the DVD player or TV or something, and as I sometimes do when he gets into something he shouldn't, I said "Älä!" "Älä" means "don't" in Finnish (and the "ä" is pronounced like the vowel in the word "black"). Anyway, we all swear that right after I said it, he said it, too. It really sounded like it. We laughed long and hard. He felt pretty cool after that. Anyway, he's getting old enough to mimic us when we make sounds, so he really could have.

Was "Älä!" Dallin's first word? Hmm. Looks like we've got a budding polyglot on our hands.

Dallin

As I was snuggling Dallin (he is quite the snuggler) The thought occurred to me that he is going to grow up. Just a few months ago, he was a teeny-tiny baby. He is getting so big. If he was walking I would be calling him a toddler. I love this age. His little personality is really starting to show itself. He loves going up and down the stairs. He loves to be chased. He likes to snuggle everyone in the family. Today, Sadie was crying and he came over and wanted to be picked up. I thought he was just getting jealous but after I picked him up he just leaned over and snuggled and kissed (or slimed) her. It helped her feel better. His curly hair and his cute mischievous look on his face is enough to melt any mother's heart. I am so lucky to be the mother of these two extraordinary children.

Losing Weight

Well, I finally have reached a point where I am willing to do the hard work required to lose all that baby weight (I gained 40 lbs). So the 40 lbs plus my basic overweightness means that I am needing to do a LOT of hard work. I was discussing this with Steve the other day when Sadie joined us in our room. She seemed curious, so we included her in the conversation. We told her that mommy and daddy were going to start working hard to lose weight and being healthier. We then asked her how she felt about it. She got really excited and started dancing a little (she's always dancing or jumping or running) Then she said, "oh, goody, then you'll be like a mermaid." (Maybe she thinks I look like Ursula . . .you know, the really fat octopus) We informed her of the tragic truth -- mommy will NEVER look like Ariel.

Then on Monday, my first day of excercise, we were coming out of the YMCA and Sadie stated, "I thought you were going to lose weight." Yes, Sadie, so did I. I wish it were that easy. So far my efforts have been going well. I'll definitely need everyone's support, but I am feeling really good.

Dallin's First Year

I made this slideshow of Dallin's first year and am finally getting to posting it.

O Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree on Saturday! Sadie really loved decorating it. For those who have visited our apartment, the need for a small tree is very apparent. This year, we opted to place it up in our window seat to keep it away from Dallin. It is a cute tree, but people were laughing at us as we bought the tree. We were surrounded by people buying trees at least 6 feet tall. They had to be bound up and tied to the top of their cars. Ours slid right through the binder and it fit in our trunk. I still like it though. Sadie has taken to turning off all the lights and singing in front of the tree.