I feel like all I had been talking about this winter with Daniel was getting Dayla to see snow for the first time this year, “no matter what it takes”, so when the opportunity arose to tag along with the Friesen family, we JUMPED at it! It was a total adventure and such a blast!

Very few things delight me more as seeing things “for the first time” through the eyes of a child, and experiencing snow through the eyes of a 2.5 year old was no different. I couldn’t stop laughing.

Dayla touched snow for the first time (and declared it cold and crunchy), got scared when she walked in it (“I am sinking mama!”), built her first snow man (carrot nose and all, with mom’s help), made snowballs (with dad), went down a hill on a snow disc for the first time (and did NOT like it), and enjoyed the Moonridge Zoo (where you can see bears and bald eagles and foxes about 4 feet from your face! BEST. ZOO. EVER.)

Of course, there were some pictures taken (warning: a lot of pictures!)

When we got to the house we were staying at, there was snow blocking the driveway. At first there were thoughts of shoveling it, then we all came to our senses and payed to have it plowed.

Dayla enjoying snow for the first time with me (while Daniel was snow boarding…)

She hugs her first snow man. (She is such a lover!)

Learning what a icicle is!

Then Dad comes home from snow boarding and it is “snow disc time”! (Dayla, not really a fan):

Ellie on the other hand….

I LOVE this Dayla and Daddy shot

The adorable Friesen family

Some family portraits

And when we weren’t in the snow, Dayla was busy playing with her friend Ellie and making sure Lucy was laughing (note the awesome headband too!)

Ending the story of our trip with a picture of the Volvo. I have to admit, I think this car just looks GREAT in the snow. The weather was perfect while we were there. COLD, but sunny, and we even got some fresh snow so the girls could enjoy getting snowed on. Here is our car the next morning before we took off.

Hope you enjoyed this little first with us! If you want to see more pictures, click HERE.

I baked tonight without you.  After you went to sleep.  It was the lure of a clean kitchen and a lot more speed that made me do it.  But it was the first time in a long time that I baked without you by my side.

There is no egg shell to hunt out of the batter and the floor is not covered in flour. I didn’t have to chant, “wait til it is over the bowl to turn the spoon over” and I even got to lick the beater.  But it just wasn’t the same.

I baked tonight without you, and I just wanted to tell you how much I missed you.

I don’t ever want to forget this Dayla. The one that laughs deep with her belly at absolutely nothing at all. The one whose heart is so big that she cries when others are sad. The one that is so tender and sweet that after being scolded she will put her hand on my cheek and say “I am so sorry mama. I love you.”

That is our Dayla.
The greatest blessing I have ever received.
And my cup runneth over.

Often throughout the day I ask Dayla to “help” me do tasks around the house.  It usually means the task takes 3x as long, and leaves a big mess after, but we both love it.  It is fun for me to add a little chaos to the routine things of life, and fun for Dayla to feel like she is helping out.  Usually the “tasks” we do are things like unloading the dishwasher or putting away groceries or helping cook.

Tonight as I walked in the door from my yoga class I heard squeals of delight and little girl laughter.  I was excited to see what Daddy and Dayla were up to and quickly grabbed the camera.  Daddy had invited Dayla to experience (for the first time) washing dishes.  It was a HILARIOUS sight to be seen.  She was giggling with glee, alternating washing the pan with washing her tummy and her hair, and leaving the kitchen floor looking like a tsunami had entered our kitchen.

After 3 years Baby Meatball has gotten a facelift.

We moved from our old blog software (Movable Type) to this new blog software (Wordpress) because it’s the same one we use at Sundin Photography and is much more flexible.

We also wanted to expand the width of the page so we could post larger Dayla pictures. Ginette designed the layout and chose the new color theme. She said it was because green is her favorite color (I knew that) and orange is mine (news to me). Well, I guess I do have an orange car… saffron if you want to be picky about it.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy the new layout. We sure do.