The Dalton's 2008 Year in Review

I can't believe that 2008 is already over. Where did the time go? I have never sent out Christmas letters, but I thought I would do a year in review for the Dalton Family.


Chad is still working for the City in the IT department. He enjoys it quite a bit. He also did a little bit of hunting this year. In June he built the kids an awesome fort/play set. They love to swing and go down the slide.

I am still working at Kidwell as an IT estimator, among other things. I love it! I have also started to work some more on my photoshop software. This year we got a new Canon Rebel so that has given me lots of pictures to work with, I really enjoy it! My 10 year class reunion was this year. I can hardly believe that it has been 10 years! It was great to see everyone, we did miss Jodi this year though, it would have been great to have the three of us together again. Maybe the 20 year reunion, right girls?


Braxton is in his second year of preschool at North American Martyrs. He is constantly amazing us by knowing his letters and numbers. He loves to play with trains and ride his bike! He also enjoys bossing Lilly around! I can hardly believe that he will be in Kindergarden next year already. He has been doing Karate since March, and is already a yellow belt. Sensei told him that he will probably be an orange belt in January. He is doing very well! He also played soccer in a 4 week clinic this year, he really seemed to enjoy that and can't wait for next season. He doesn't have a lot of desire to get to the goal quickly, but hopefully that will come with time!


Lilly is growing up so fast! One second she is a tomboy, the next she is putting on my lipstick! She has been working with a Speech Pathologist since January, and her language has improved greatly! She still has a little ways to go, but overall I am very happy! Lilly loves all animals and seems to be very athletic, she loves to throw and kick balls! I can't wait to put her into dance and soccer, I think she will love both!


We spent our summer vacation in Alliance this year taking day trips around the area. One day we went to the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD. I would highly recommend it to anyone, but especially people with kids who love dinosaurs. It was awesome! We went to the park in Alliance and the fountain which both kids loved! Braxton thought he was magic because he could "turn it on and off". And of course we went to Carhenge. It isn't a vacation in Alliance unless you go to Carhenge!

We hope everyone had a great 2008, and a healthy and happy 2009!

Here are a few random 2008 pictures.

Christmas Question Fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Gift bags, I can't wrap anything! Chad is the master wrapper in our house.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial. Real is too much to take care of, but I miss the smell!

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Shortly after New Years

5. Do you like eggnog?
I have never had it, someone once told me it was like drinking the batter for French Toast. That ended any chance of me trying it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
My basketball hoop and my big stereo

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My Dad. I never know what to get him!

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Braxton. He loves to tell me what he wants.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, but not put up right now. No room.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Nothing is really coming to mind.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
White Christmas! Followed by the Santa Clause movies.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I try to start Octoberish, then I think I am doing good, then I realize it is 1 week until Christmas and I am not even halfway done.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not that I recall.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Um, everything? I love Christmas candies and goodies. My new favorite is oreo balls!

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, they are white. But we have colored outside this year.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Any version.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Either travel to my parents house, or they travel to mine.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Of course.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
One present Christmas Eve, the rest Christmas morning followed by Cinnamon Rolls

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The radio stations playing Christmas songs as soon as Halloween is over.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Snowmen

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
One of those snuggly blanket wrap things. :)

24. Angel on the tree top or a star?
An Angel, but Braxton really wants a star next year.

25. Favorite Christmas dinner?
The year we made mexican, it was awesome!

Our 6th Wedding Anniversary

I can hardly believe that 6 years ago on December 21st Chad and I were getting married in Alliance. It was a small wedding, planned in only 5 weeks. But it was perfect for Chad and I! Our family took time away from the busy Christmas holiday to travel to be there with us. It was amazing!

Now here we are 6 years later, living in a beautiful house raising two beautiful children. Time sure does fly when you are having fun doesn't it? Nobody knows what the next 6 years, or even 20 years for that matter, hold but I know that I want to go through them together.

I love you Chad!

Merry Christmas!

Cutest Sheep in the Manger

On Wednesday, Braxton's preschool class had their Christmas program. Through a comedy of errors, we were not able to get a video of the program, but we were able to get some pictures thankfully! Braxton was a sheep, and so cute! They told the story of Jesus' birth and then sang a couple of songs. The kids did a great job!!!

Candy Making

On Saturday we decided to make some christmas Candy. The kids had a great time dipping things in Almond Bark! We made toffee, covered pretzels, rice krispy treats, peanut butter squares and super yummy oreo ball! They were my favorite!


braxton cooking, Lilly eating.


He always makes this face when he is being a chef..?


Lilly covering her pretzels.

Making some candy!!!

Christmas Parade

Here are a few pictures from the Christmas Parade. Luckily we were able to sit inside in the building Chad used to work at. Thanks Martha and Deb!!!

Ready for Work!

I really wish I knew where he worked!

Christmas Tree!

We actually put our Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving since we were going to be in Alliance, but I waited to post so we didn't look so weird! The kids had a great time putting up the tree! We got a new Christmas train, Lilly has a hard time keeping it on the tracks, but they both enjoy driving it!

Braxton getting ready to decorate!

Lilly taking a decorating break!

Setting up the train.

The train.

Driving the Train. Braxton thinks he wants to drive trains when he gets older!

Putting the ornaments on!

Lilly putting ornaments on. She put them all in the same place. =)

Teamwork!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! We certainly did! We left Wednesday afternoon and headed to Alliance. I have no idea when my kids stopped sleeping on long trips, but they didn't sleep on the way there. Needless to say, it was a long trip!

Thursday we had an awesome meal! My mom and I made turkey (smoked and regular), chicken and noodles, green bean casserole, you name it! It was so yummy! After lunch we played a little guitar hero. We had a great time even though I am not very good!

Saturday we decided to hit the Alliance Bowling Alley for some real bowling. Braxton had been practicing on the Wii, but quickly found out it wasn't the same in real life! Here are some bowling pictures!

Lilly and her bowling buddy Mike!

Braxton threw a great ball!

Lilly enjoyed waiting for her ball to return!

Braxton had a good time, even if it doesn't look like it.

Isn't she cute?

Hmmmm.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ The First Time

Today we are having Thanksgiving with Chad's family. His sister Kristi came down with her family, Chad's parents, grandparents and Aunt are all coming over to our house for lunch. I am a little nervous about preparing the meal, but super excited! We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving whenever you celebrate and remember to be thankful for everything that we have!

Wedding Time!

Friday night was Jackie (our daycare's daughter) and Kurt's wedding. The kids had a GREAT time dancing! Kurt's dad has a polka band and the kids had so much fun dancing. We finally got Braxton to leave around 11 or so because Lilly was SO tired! The other kids from the daycare and Cindy's grandkids were they and they were running and jumping all around. Here are some pictures, they aren't great because it was dark, but you get the point!

Lilly made some friends at the wedding!

Lilly danced with Seth, Maria's husband.

Braxton was taking pictures all night!

Braxton dancing with the bride!

Lilly and the flower girl became fast friends!

A Day with Friends!

Last Saturday my great friend Jodi brought her two kids, Radley and Sabrina, down for a playday! The kids had a great time playing with the trains and the legos while us "moms" got to talk. It was nice to catch up!


Playing with Legos.


Braxton, Radley, and Sabrina playing with the cars.



Lilly and Radley watching some TV.

Random Update

I thought I would post a random update on the Dalton household. I don't have any pictures to post right now.
The kids are starting to get pretty excited about Christmas! Once Halloween was over, all of us shifted to Christmas mode. We have actually got our Christmas cards done and they should be printed and delivered in the next few days. woo hoo for us! I am also trying to plan to use SCRIP through martyrs for Gift Cards for Christmas. That way Braxton gets the credit for it at school, and I can budget for christmas with the cards that I have. So far it is working great!
Lilly is talking more and more! Her favorite things to say right now are "I don't know" and "No, Mom" anytime Chad tries to do anything her for. It is so nice that she is finally able to communication with the rest of us! Braxton understands her more than any of us though, so he spends a lot of time translating.
With the days getting shorter and colder, we are trying to find things to do inside. I am afraid that we are quickly going to run out of ideas! I have no idea how their daycare does it.
We hope everyone is doing great!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

We hope everyone had a great Halloween! We certainly did! On Tuesday night we went to Boo at the Zoo, it was a great night for it and the kids got lots of great stuff! Thursday night Braxton got to do Karate in his costume, and he thought that was pretty fun! Of course, his Chef outfit was quite different from all of the more "dark" costumes. Ninjas, Star wars, Spiderman, etc. After karate we carved pumpkins, the kids had a great time getting the ickies out. They had some help with the carving though. :)

Last night we just went around our neighborhood. We were probably only out an hour and a half or so, and the kids really cleaned up! then we came home and braxton handed out candy to the "customers". he kept calling them that, we don't know why for sure!

We hope everyone had a great halloween! can you believe it is November already?!?!

Lilly the witch didn't want to wear her hat!

Chef Braxton! he got a lot of questions about baking pizza.

Happy Halloween!

Braxton carving his pumpkin!

Lilly and her pumpkin!

the pumpkins!