BFF and the frog attack

It's official, Dalia likes Neva as much as Mark likes Owen. Maybe more. Not to mention Cecily. It's just a crazy love fest with those guys. We went to dinner at their house last night and I hardly saw Dalia except when she was running through the house screaming and laughing or riding Neva's bike, Neva always close by. It's hard to tell who is leading who with those two. But it is not hard to tell how much they like each other. Oh, but the main point is that I got to sit and have a conversation with my husband and our friends for hours!!!! I can get used to this. Anyway, there were a million missed moments last night (had my camera, but just didn't take any photos), but just a couple weeks ago Neva and Owen came over for a little visit where we got a peak at this remarkable friendship and we did capture it.

Dalia's Grammy Karen gave her this frog for Xmas that croaks the tunes to Old McDonald, London Bridge, Are You Sleeping. Until now, Dalia was a little scared of this croaking frog, but Mark and Neva helped to make it into one of her favorite finds daily.

We are so grateful for these three friends. Hope to have many more nights like last night.

princess

Yesterday, Dalia had her first experience in a princess costume. Her girlfriend's Nora and Emma are regularly decked out on any ol' afternoon, but this special play date Nora really wanted Dalia to wear one too. These photos make it seem like Dalia wasn't exactly thrilled, but really, she couldn't have imagined wearing anything else ever after this. She threw a mega tantrum when I told her she had to take it off. She took to calling it her big girl dress. She looked so cute running around in it, I coulda just died. Thank god for girly girl playdates. And for their mama Nancy who has given me so much lately...

Have you seen my beautiful daughter...
and her cat?

Ah toddlers and technology

Yes, Dalia has an iPod. It's my old one, but it's filled with all her toddler tunes. It's all I can do to get her to keep the volume down when she's wearing headphones. At the beginning, when she first saw me, she is saying "cheese" since I'm holding the camera.

Below is Dalia with her new "computer" she got from Scott, Robin and Connor for Christmas. Emulating her daddy, laying on the couch "working" on it. She carries it around saying things like, "I'm going to work now." "I have to work everyday." "Only Dalia can work on my computer." And my favorite, "Don't bother me, I'm working."

2010

What could be more fun for a two year old than hanging out with her teenage cousin?

good times

Some Christmas photos. We had a wonderful couple of days. We are blessed and thankful for the abundance in our lives.

Xmas Eve at Deanna's

Yes, Dalia took this photo of my mom and dad

Xmas morning and day. Thom and Steph were there, too and we got some fun photos
of them on Dalia's new camera, but don't have them downloaded. We're lucky they were with us.

after dinner Xmas cookies

Peace and Joy to You

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a peaceful and healthy year ahead. Thanks for keeping up with Dalia's blog and our life. For those of you who are a regular part of it, thanks for making life so great. For those of you far away, know you are always in our hearts.

love, Juli, Mark and Dalia