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It's been awhile - sorry. I don't even have anything that interesting to update because I need new batteries for the camera, so I can't put pictures of Christmas up yet. I will as soon as I can (not that I did any better than usual, I only got a few pictures, darn it!) We had a very nice holiday vacation with my family this year. As usual with airline travel, things didn't quite start out how we planned. We spent Christmas Eve in a hotel in Denver and ate room service for dinner, then spent Christmas morning on the airplane and in the car, but it wasn't too bad. I guess it's memorable. We were just happy Carli wasn't old enough to care. We saw a lot of disappointed faces on kids who'd already written to Santa to tell him to forward their gifts to Grandma's house, only to find out they wouldn't make it there to open them that morning. Everyone was there except my brother and his family, who now have a brand new baby boy - that's now 8 boys and Carli! Welcome Cameron William!

I stole this picture of some of the cousins from my sister's blog. It looks like I wasn't the only one who did something illegal - look at those mugshots!

Anyway, we're doing well here in the tundra. The high today is -5, but it feels like -20. We are currently enjoying 70 degree weather though, since we never leave the house. Carli is growing, growing all the time. Here's a list of what is new for here:

1. Apparently baby-proofing is an ongoing process since she seems to grow an inch per day and can reach new heights all the time.
2. She learned to dance over Christmas break, and she has all kinds of groovy new moves. I'll get a video as soon as I can.

3. She says lots of words: mom, daddy, hi, bye, bath (everytime we walk into the bathroom where she takes her bath), doggy, moo (she even said it when she saw a picture of a cow!), Jack (her cousin's name), yay, don't and whoa (anytime she falls). She even has a couple of two-word phrases - Yay Dad, and Hi Daddy.

4. She loves giving hugs and kisses to her mom and dad now.
5. She is copying us more and more in both words and actions.

6. She walks around chattering and singing all day.

7. She loves using Mom's brush to brush her hair.

8. She also loves brushing her teeth all by herself - don't worry, I do a touch-up.

9. She now likes to talk to Nana and Daddy on the phone, and even answers back.

10. She likes to be on the couch or bed and climb down on her own.

I'm sure there's lots more, but that's a good top ten. The picture below is from our new keychain digital camera that we got for $5. It's not great quality, but it's kinda cool. I just thought it was a great picture. Who wouldn't fall in love with that face? Gotta love those dimples! What a hunk!