Farewell 2011

We spent the last week of December in St. George with family for a little post-Christmas get-away and rang in the new year while we were there.
60 degree weather meant golfing for Rick, and extra hands around to help out with the girls meant a little bit of sleeping in for me. It was great!

After a few rough years, 2011 decided to be good to us. Really good.
2011 is the year that brought so many wonderful things.
We have cried, laughed, cleaned, yawned, smiled, stared, and kissed more than we ever thought possible.
It is often exhausting and chaotic, and more often than not I can't wait for the girls' 8:00pm bedtime to roll around.
We have made more than 2000 bottles and changed approximately 2194 diapers.
It has been double the spit up, double the cries in the middle of the night, and a double formula/diaper monthly bill.
With all of this, as cheesy as it may sound - if I could sum up this year in a word it would be blissful.

Every day is more loving and purposeful since we have become parents.
We hoped and prayed to be parents for a while, and it has definitely been worth the wait.
I often get stopped by strangers when I am out and about to glance at our twosome.
I hear all types of comments from these strangers, but one that is the most common is "You are so blessed".
We couldn't agree more.
Goodbye 2011, you will forever be a year we will cherish and never forget.

Christmas, Christmas!

On Christmas Eve we had the whole Dayton family together.
We ate, played the White Elephant game, read about Christ's birth from the Bible, opened a few presents - all of the great traditions we have.
As we were opening gifts, my mom and dad announced some exciting news that they would be taking the family on a Caribbean cruise in 2012!! We can't wait!

Barry was so excited(as you can tell by his stone-cold face) to receive our donation to the White Elephant. A Richard Simmons workout tape for the elderly. Oh yes!

My mom and I stayed up until 4am wrapping presents,talking, snacking, and preparing food for the next day. A little tired the next morning, but it was so fun.

Christmas morning we woke up and went to church at my mom and dad's ward.
It was a nice change to have Christmas on Sunday.
A different Christmas morning than we are used to, but a very good different.

We came home from church and got back in our pjs.
We opened presents and it literally took all day!
We opened some, then took a break to eat and visit.
Then opened some more, then ate some more.
It was nice and relaxing. Just how we like it.
The girls were actually really interested in opening all their presents.
Christmas takes on a whole new kind of fun with kids. It was the best!

Little Miss Clara is officially a crawler

Great Christmas!
Can't wait until next year.

9 Month Christmas Pictures

The girls turned nine months old right around Christmas.
So, it was fitting to do some Christmas themed pictures to capture their sweet faces at nine months.
Christmas pjs and Christmas dresses it was.




Bree was all about getting her picture taken this time.
She was playing and laughing with the photographer the whole time.
All smiles.







As far as Clara being happy about getting pictures taken, well, let's just let the pictures speak for themselves...


She hated the hat on her head, so we compromised on setting it beside her. Eh, close enough.



Bree=Happy. Clara=Sad







After much sweat and tears(from both myself and Clara), we got a decent shot in each outfit of them together.
Clara didn't smile in either, but she still looks pretty darn cute.
Also, she gets points for keeping her Santa hat on for more than one second without ripping it off...enough time for us to snap the picture.
And Bree, oh Bree, your little face is too sweet for words.

December Festivities

The Christmas festivities were in full swing this year.
Here are a few of the fun activities that has filled our December:



Our annual 'Dayton Family Christmas Get-Together' was a blast.
Unfortunately, Clara got sick on our way so we turned the car around and took her home.
Rick stayed home with sick little Clara, and Bree and I met up a little late with my family for dinner at Nauvoo Cafe and Temple Square lights.
It is great spending time with family during the holidays. As always, we had a great time.
Nothing seems more like Christmas to me than the lights at Temple Square.

Rick and I made sure to get out again later in the month with our little family to see some lights
because Rick and Clara missed Temple Square.
We headed down to Provo's Riverwoods where they have some beautiful lights on display.
We walked around, had some dinner, and got a little shopping in after.
It was a fun(and bitter cold) night with our family of four.

The week of Christmas, my sweet mom treated me to a night out with just her and I to see
David Archuleta's Christmas concert.
I know everyone out there thinks they have the best mom ever, but it isn't true. I do. :)
She would literally do anything for our family and is the most giving person I know.
I'm so incredibly grateful to have her.
The concert was great.
The best part of the night was right before his encore performance when he announced for the first time to the sold out crowd that he would be serving a mission for the LDS church!
He then sang my favorite Christmas song, "O Holy Night". So powerful and spiritual.
Great night with my momma!

Christmas Card 2011

Photography and card design by Dana Sorensen

Well, Hello There Santa

We originally had planned to go meet Santa for the first time last weekend at my dad's work.

No crowds, endless time, and free.

As we were leaving town to head up, Clara started throwing up in the car.
That plan didn't work out too well.
So, we decided to bite the bullet today and go to the mall, where it very boldly states, "no personal photography" and you spend the big $$ to get a shiny picture with Santa.
I was betting that Bree would cry. She has been a little on the sensitive side lately, but she pulled out the big guns and gave us a smile.
No tears on either side....success!

Bree and Clara, meet Santa.
Santa, meet Bree and Clara.

Babies' First Christmas Tree

Happy First Christmas Bree and Clara.

My Heart Explodes

I couldn't adore this girl more.
I love you Bree.