Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2009 was a big success! It was sort of a whirlwind, but we were thankful to be able to spend time with both the Olson's and the Davis'. We started our Christmas by celebrating at our own house on the morning of December 23rd. We did stockings and had some great family time before heading up to Pasadena for the next 5 days.

Our beautiful tree and stockings

Santa's little helper

I love Christmas!

Dusty got binoculars in his stocking!

Christmas breakfast:)

Dillan's first Christmas:)

After celebrating Christmas at our house, we headed up to Glendale where we spent the night with Oly and PJ and woke up to A LOT of presents....mostly for Dilly and Charlie. It was so fun to be with Uncle Boe and Aunt Chrissy and especially his cousin Charlie. PJ and Oly spoiled us and Dillan received LOTS of new toys and clothes. We then headed to church for a Christmas Eve service at Lake Ave before heading to my parents house.

Oly and PJ loving on Dillan

Oly and Dillan playing with PJ's new

Christmas gift

I love my new toy

Charlie is SOOOO BIG!

Dillan loves wrapping paper!

When we arrived at Papa and Yaya's hosue we were welcomed by a household of family! Drew, Jordy and Beebs were already there and so was Whit. This is the year the Dan, Ann, Tyler, and Decker were with us, which is always fun. We had an amazing Christmas Eve dinner made by my mom and Annie.....so yummy! Christmas day was so fun with the two little ones and once again we were blessed by a ton of gifts. But most important we were able to take time as a family a celebrate the real reason for the season....Christ's birth! I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas season and has blessed New Year!

Dillan opening his Christmas Eve gift.....

new jammies with his name on them!

All bathed and clean and reading the story

of baby Jesus before bed

The beautiful table set for an amazing dinner

Christmas morning.....Dilly's first Christmas!

Our cute little family:)

Goodmorning everybody! I am ready for

some presents! And by that I mean wrapping

paper for me to eat

All the stockings...couldn't fit them all

on the mantle

Beebs and Dilly ready to open some presents

Christmas morning breakfast....and yes,

we are wearing matching pajamas

Whitna, Mom, and Me

Some Christmas lovin:)

Dillan with his new pal Scout....his favorite

gift this year!

It wouldn't be Christmas without a puzzle!

He is on his way to being mobile

Well this video was shot right before Christmas and Dillan is already moving all over since this was shot. But this was the start of Dillan figuring out that he can move. He isn't on all fours yet, but he can army crawl with the best of them. This video kills me because he does this back leg kick. Almost like the is gearing up to go. Let's just say that the days of setting him down and going to do things is long gone....HE IS ON THE MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!

Dillan's first trip to Disneyland!

Disneyland is my absolute favorite at Christmas time! We took Dilly for his first trip and had such a blast! It was a little chilly, so we didn't stay too long. But we were there to see the Christmas parade, ride buzz light year and Nemo, and watch the fireworks. We are blessed to have these experiences and show Dillan the happiest place on earth!

Our first Disneyland picture!

Riding Buzz Lightyear

Dilly's not sure about it yet

But then he found the gun!!!

Waiting to go on the Nemo Sub

One last picture in front of the tree

....Dillan is freezing!!!

Getting ready for Christmas!

Although Dillan does not really know what is going on as far as it being Christmas and everything that goes along with that, we are ENJOYING every moment of it. It just seems as though everything we do, whether it be picking out our tree, going to see Santa, or listening to Christmas music with the fireplace on and the Christmas lights on....everything is SO MUCH more joyful with Dillan here. I feel that this is probably the last year for a few years that i can actually get away with decorating the house. Next year will be a whole different story. Maybe we will just decorate the top half of the tree:)

This Christmas, I think of Mary and what a gift she was given to me chosen as the mother of the Christ child. What a sacrifice she made to travel all the way to Bethlehem (over 100 miles in her 9th month of pregnancy). But how every ache and pain became worth it when she held Jesus in her arms. Not only was this her baby boy, he was the Savior of the world. I am grateful for that night and everything it means for my life. Jesus really is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Dilly and I picking out the

perfect tree!

Let's get outta here....it's COLD!

O Christmas tree!

Our new stockings:)

Jax all worn out from decorating all day

My love

Our perfect gift from above

I LOVE CHRISTMAS AND I LOVE

MY FAMILY!

My little reindeer!

My sweet boy is 6 months old!

How can it be that my little baby boy is already half a year old??? If you follow my blog regularly, you know that I have a post each month celebrating another month lived and bragging about all the milestones hit. This month has been a little bit harder to swallow. I feel as though so much changed, and with the change I lost my little infant. I found myself putting away the items that still defined myself as a mother of infant. I said goodbye to the swing, the playmat, his infant bouncer....all of these things Dillan just doesn't want to play with. It's as if those are for little boys and he is a big boy now. My son is now eating veggies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When we got out to eat, he doesn't just stay in his car seat. He now sits in a high chair, wears a bib, and eats like the rest of us. Is this real? Where did the little sweet babe that slept on my chest go??? As sad as mourning this loss has been, we have also celebrated 6 months of a healthy baby who might love life more than his mom and dad. Dillan is the HAPPIEST baby on the block and we are so blessed to call him our son. Check out our big boy!

Sitting up and grabbing EVERYTHING!

"Look at me....I am 6 months old!"

He is almost on the move....YIKES!

Long and lean!

Sooooo CUTE!

What a HAM!!!!!!!!!

Honestly, have you ever seen more of a ham in your life? It's like as soon as the camera is on him, he poses like he has been doing it for years! The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree:)

Thankful

Dillan's first Thanksgiving was amazing. We spent some great quality time with the Davis family as well as with the Olson family. We were reminded of how GRATEFUL we are to have such amazing families who love and support us. Dillan loved his feast of oatmeal and told me he can't wait for next year when he will get to sample everything at the big kids table.

This year I am thankful for many things, but at the top of the list are....

*My Savior who gave his life for me and who loves me when I am really unlovable.

*My amazing husband who as it turns out is also an amazing daddy. I am so thankful for his hard work and success at Federated. I am thankful for how much love he pours onto me.

*My SON! It still amazes me to even say that. Dillan is the biggest blessing in my life. He brings me joy every second of the day. I am grateful he is healthy! So he barfs....big deal! He is so happy. His smile just kills me, and he smiles A LOT! I am thankful that being a mom has brought me the greatest fulfillment in this life thus far.

*My family and friends. Dusty and I are surrounded and enveloped by people who love us, want to hang out with us, and pray us through our journey. We just couldn't be more blessed by the people we do life with.

I AM ONE LUCKY LADY:)

"I am thankful for my mommy!"

Blessings Overflowing!

The last few months have been filled with joy as we have watched Dillan grow up. Not only have we had our cups overflowing by loving our son, but we have been blessed by our friends that we journey through life with. Dusty and I truly are so blessed by the people we do life with. The last few months have been filled with such wonderful blessings....babies, weddings, and more! Here are some of the highlights we have had over the last few months. GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack Michael Bettino! Born to our great friends

Matt and Leslie on September 22nd, 2009. I got

to be in the room with Les and it was such a GIFT!

Proud parents and our best buddies

James Cefalia turns 1! We celebrated his birthday

and dedication with a fun party at the beach.

Sarah and Jimmy are great parents!

Bennett James Gardiner is born on October 12th 2009.

He is perfect and will be Dillan's best buddy, just like

me and his mommy:)

My best friend and new mommy Steph

Our nephew Charlie turns 1 and gets to dig

into his cupcake:) It has been a JOY to watch

him grow up and can't believe he is already 1 year old!

Dilly is celebrating his cousin with his party

hat on!!!!!

My friend Kate married Daniel on November 13th!!!

The last of the "Loma Girls" weddings.

Grace, Anna, Me, Kate (The BRIDE), Jamie

Lexie, and Steph. Best Friends

The mommies of the group....Jamie and Norah,

Me and Dillan, and Steph and Bennett.