So last night we finally got home around 11:30 at night (driving back from Texas) and it was a freezing 50 degrees in our place when we got in. We didn't want our poor baby to freeze in his own little bed so we gathered up all the blankets we could find and had a little slumber party in mommy and daddy's bed. After sleeping for most of the drive, he was wide awake when we got home. So the slumber party started with some chit chat and giggles and ended with loves!! Who needs girlfriends to paint toenails and throw pillows when you've got a little one as cute as Dallen :)
I am worried this sleeping with mommy is going to become a really bad habit, but I can't help it when he is so stinkin cute!! It's gonna be so hard to move him to his own big boy room with the new year. He has been so cute lately. In just the last week, he has become so responsive. He smiles and laughs at just about anything and everything. I just love this little guy!!

We had a wonderful day and thanks to so many, we had a plethora of gifts. Dallen wasn't a very active participant, but at least he wasn't crying! I was sad that I couldn't be with my family this year, but we were so glad to spend it with Mark's WHOLE family. We got a picture this year because we were all here, so exciting! Hope everyone had as merry a Christmas as ours. We love you!

This is our real Christmas card. Yesterday's pictures was taken when we were taking family pictures and apparently Dallen was sick of it! Sorry for all those who may have been offended, I just thought it was hilarious :) We really do wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year!! We love you all :)

Mark, Jacki and Dallen

...I'M A BIG KID NOW!!
We tried Dallen out in his cousins' Bumbo and it worked!! He sits up and he looks absolutely adorable :)
Dallen and his cousins, Zane and Gage, are already the best little friends. We took some super cute pics of the boys in their Christmas clothes at Aunt LeAnn's house for Christmas Dinner (that was actually breakfast..yum!) It was so fun and then, the boys started wrestling :)

The photos started like this...Then progressed to this...And the winner is...GAGE!!! (and by the way his onesie says "Who needs Santa; I've got Grandparents")

This is my Uncle Billy. Yes, Uncle not cousin. He is my same age :) It was fun growing up together. However, we haven't seen each other in probably a decade and when he called to tell me his band was coming to Phoenix, we made arrangements. We weren't able to stay for the show (obviously because of the little one) but we got a miniature private show in the parking lot behind the van. It was really fun and really good to see him after so long. Mark had a good time too, and he got his first client!! Mark offered to be the band's attorney :)

Billy has always been especially talented when it comes to music. He plays lots of different instruments. You can check out his webpage @
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=66746589.

As for the band he is currently playing with their music is chill. Billy (the only one without a beard) plays the cello. It sounds way better live but if you feel like checkin it out visit their myspace page @
http://www.myspace.com/larryandhisflask. Sorry about the lack of hyperlinks, for some reason my computer refuses to do them!

Dallen is 10 weeks old!! No, that is not a type-o, although it seems totally unbelieveable that my baby is so big :) Just last night, Dallen starting holding his own bottle. He is not quite strong enough to hold it the whole time, and he hasn't quite figured it all out yet, but we were so proud.Also, here are a bunch of pictures from the past 10 weeks that have no cohesive theme, other than that they are of Dallen and I hadn't posted them anywhere yet. Enjoy!!

Dallen loved looking in the mirror at my parents house when I was changing his diaper. It was hilarious!!Dallen's first of many trips to In-N-Out.Meeting his Uncle Matt who is home from Hawaii. Yes Dallen, that's what a tan looks like, someday I'll get mine back!A collage I put together a while ago of the funny positions we catch our baby in.

Meet Chloe:

This BEAUTIFUL little girl has inspired me to experiment with my photography abilities. I am no expert but any picture with this doll in it turns out gorgeous.She and Dallen are going to grow up to be the best of friends.
And of course, my own beautiful baby. I am excited for when he is older and can pose :)

COUSINS, COUSINS AND MORE COUSINS!!!I just know Dallen is going to have so much fun growing up around best friends and family.

...that's why we invited you!!

Dallen was so sleepy he slept right through the cake and presents. We thought he was being such a little stinker, but it turns out as soon as the crowds left, he was the life of the party!! Gotta love that kid :)
We had so much fun at your party Chloe, thanks for sharing it with us!!

My awesome sister (http://aubreymessick.blogspot.com/) posted on her blog the coolest little story. She googled herself and stumbled upon something she didn't expect. When she was here visitng (back when I was prego) she took this beautiful picture of the temple. Apparently she submitted it to the church website (http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mesa/gallery/) and they posted it with a credit to her name. How cool is that?!?!

The other night for family home evening we went with our cousins to the Mesa temple to see the Christmas lights. I thought that Dallen would sleep through the whole thing because he almost always falls asleep in his stroller. He really likes lights though and stayed awake the whole time to look at all the pretty colors. We should do more fun family nights in the future.

On Thanksgiving my cousin Jason, who just graduated with his photography degree, took some gorgeous pictures of our little Dallen. I can't thank him enough for these adorable pictures!! I love LOVE love the way they turned out, and best of all, they were free :)















THIS GORGEOUS BABY IS 2 MONTHS OLD TODAY!! WOW HOW THE TIME FLIES :)