Wow, I’ve been slacking a bit on my blogging. The holidays sure can eat up all your time. Matt is busy with his last week of interviews. This week he is finishing up with Virginia, Kentucky, and then Missouri. He’ll get back just in time to repack and then we are off the Utah for Christmas! A vacation of sorts is really sounding good right about now.
The girls are doing great. We are all still trying to get over some colds that we’ve had for what seems like forever but other than that we are good. Mckenna is so excited for X-mas which in turn makes the rest of us excited as well. At the ward Christmas party Kenna sat on Santa’s lap a few times just to make certain that he wouldn’t forget that she wanted “lots of Barbies”. This Barbie thing is somewhat out of the blue-actually it is called commercials. I can see how tv commercials can be a parents worst nightmare. We just had Kenna’s 3rd b-day party, a little early but there just was no other time. She had a “Spirit” party. (ya know the horse). We had a good time. The party was complete with little cowboy hats and a horse piñata. To be expected, her favorite gifts were the two “My little ponies” she got and a little snow white cell phone. How hip is Kenna-it’s even a flip phone. She a step ahead of Matt and I already. After all the kids left Matt and I finally got to give her our gift. It was pretty pathetic how excited we were to give it to her. Months ago we got her gift and have been hiding it in the garage. I found it at a resale shop for $30. It was an awesome spring horse. I think every kid has had one growing up at some point. At least Matt and I remembered ours. Anyway, it was a hit and is now her new best friend. She washes it with the bath towels, feeds it real carrots and named it after her real horse in Utah-“Flicka.”
Kyla is really starting to get around on all fours. She is showing particular interest in the light sockets lately. Lovely huh? Still no teeth but they are on their way. This past week she has been eating her first real solid foods. Finally she figured out what to do with cheerios and she loves chewing on big pretzel sticks. Granted they make a mess and usually end up all over me but she loves them and anything to keep a kid happy in the car is worth any mess they make. Kyla took a head first spill off my bed this week. I wish it hadn’t been my fault but like I said she is quick and I wasn’t paying attention. She had a huge knot on her head but the knot in my stomach was even bigger. Poor kid! As expected, Kyla could care less about the x-mas festivities going on around her. We got her a couple little things but we are banking on her being more interested in the wrapping paper than any toy.
Now for the BIG news! Since Matt and I bought our house we have been worried about being able to sell it in time. We went back and forth if we should try to sell it by owner or use an agent. A couple in our ward are realtors and offered to sell our house for just 3%. They came to look at the house, we discussed a few things and decided to put the house on the market now. It went up for sell on Saturday and Sunday an offer was made. The offer was exactly what we were asking. He really wants the house and wanted it Jan 1. Not going to happen considering we won’t even be here but if everything goes through we did agree to be out Jan 13. Can we say AHHH! That is one week after we get back from Utah. We have no plans as to where we will be going. We are just planning to rent a little place for the next few months, save some money and wait for Matt to graduate. We think it is a great blessing but I have to say I’m not ready to move yet. So much for just hoping it sells sometime before May. Who would have thought 24 hrs. and we are done. Nothing is final yet. Inspections still have to be done and what not so this could very well fall through the cracks but I just wanted to let you know what was going on. (Mom and Dad!)
We hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. We love you all. Until next time-
Jen

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Well for as long as Kenna has been waiting for Halloween to come it should have lasted a little longer, but like all the good holidays they come and go before you blink. All Kenna really wanted was to wear her Snow White dress anyway. Halloween or no Halloween, everyday is a good day to dress up like a princess! At least that is Kenna’s philosophy on the matter. The Dahl family made quite an impressive showing at the ward trunk-or-treat party. Matt’s costume of choice was to dress up as a racket ball player-wrist bands, head band, even protective eye wear. This year Matt pulled out all the stops and even gave himself a black eye. I showed up to the party dressed as a bee! It was just about as nerdy as it sounds. That’s what I get for finding a costume the day before. But for $4.00 I was the best lookin bee around. Kenna as you all know was Snow white. Her outfit wasn’t complete without the red bow that she insisted on. Look at my little girl accessorizing already! Kyla dressed as the cutest little bunny you’ve ever seen, but not for long. Being that it was 80 degrees Halloween night, I thought it cruel to keep her in the fuzzy bunny costume all night. All I needed was a few good pictures and off it came. Halloween is one of those holidays where it really pays off to have kids. If Kenna would have been smart she would have taken her candy to bed with her because as soon as she was asleep we raided her pumpkin. By the time she woke up the next morning her candy count had significantly been reduced.
Kyla has had a huge couple weeks. First off, she started saying “dada”. She doesn’t know what she is saying but she sure likes the way it sounds, almost more than Matt does. I’m still waiting for my “mama” but I don’t think its going to be happenin folks-at least not for awhile. It seems like she just barely started crawling but already she is pulling herself up to a stand on everything she can. Every time I turn around there she is standing up with her wobbly little legs moving and a grooving. Apparently Kenna taught her this trick. “I teach her in my school mom” is what I am told. Kyla is getting pretty easy lately ( I shouldn’t say that lest I be humbled before I know what hits me.) You can put her down and she just goes to find something to do. And when she is tired of it she finds something new to do. Eventually, when nothing is fitting her fancy then she’ll cry for a little attention. It is amazing, I can actually take a shower and get ready for the day without interruption. Kenna deserves a little credit. She is really great to play with Kyla. I’ve said this before, but Kenna can get Kyla laughing like no one else. What are big sisters for if they can’t get you laughing once in a while?
Kenna too is getting better at occupying herself. She has begun to have conversations between herself and her dolls. Granted it is usually pretend fights but it’s a start. Its probably her just getting rid of all the suppressed anger she’s been feeling since she has had to start sharing the toys.
Matt is off at interviews for the next few weeks so its just me and the girls hanging out. I’ll be anxious when all his interviews are over to see how he ranks each program. We’ll see how close it is to the way I will rank them based on where I want and don’t want to live. So far though, Matt has really liked all of the programs he has seen.
New pictures are in snapfish so check them out and the Halloween pics should be there in a couple of days. Let me leave you with a question-
Why is it that a baby chooses to sneeze only seconds after you have filled their mouths with green beans or carrots, or some other brightly colored food that you will no doubt be finding remnants of for the next few days? Let me know if you have the answer.
Love you all
The Dahls

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If you are still checking out our web site we know that you love us! Or at least are curious enough to read about the crazy fun that goes on at our house. This blog is sure not to disappoint.
For FHE we decided to experience all that New Orleans has to offer so rather than buying a pumpkin down the street we opted for the real deal, the pumpkin patch. What should have been an hour excursion turned in to quite an ordeal and a rather good site seeing trip. A little mix-up in directions took us a wee bit out the way. We had called ahead for a reservation for a hayride to take you out to the pumpkins. Our scheduled 3:30 hayride turned into walking by ourselves at 6:00. Oh but it was all worth it when you see the killer pumpkins we picked. Actually we did get something pretty cool-a creole pumpkin. Other than the fact that its white, it is just the same as the traditional orange pumpkin. I thought maybe the seeds inside would come out extra spicy, but no such luck. McKenna insisted that the white pumpkin was Kyla’s. I don’t blame her, especially after they were carved. I carved the orange pumpkin with Kenna. She was set on a happy face pumpkin. I must admit I did a good job. Matt however did quite a number on the white one. I’m thinking any hope he had of ever doing plastic surgery is out the window. It just wasn’t a pretty job. He’ll stick to the story that it turned out just the way he planned-even better! Don’t worry, in a couple weeks you can judge for yourselves when the pictures are up. I just feel bad for Kyla. The sweetest little girl gets stuck with one mean looking pumpkin!
We are not having the greatest of luck with McKenna and keeping the bed dry all night. The little girl has the cleanest sheets of anyone I know. I have washed them 5 days in a row! It’s not even a surprise anymore when she shows up in our room in the middle of the night-its more of a ritual. Matt strips the bed while hose her down and get some clean clothes on the girl. Someone please remind me that this too shall pass! But she has been doing something that more than makes up for any accidents in the bed. Several times a day, so randomly, she says, “Mom, you know what? I love you so much” Is that not the sweetest thing ever? To Matt, she said, “I love your kisses Daddy”. The kid could make anyone feel special and loved-it’s a talent that comes naturally to her.
Meanwhile Kyla is eating us out of house and home. If you are impressed by Kenna’s pizza eating abilities you’d see she has nothing up on Kyla. I don’t know where it all goes. The little dink averages 5 jars of baby food a day plus still nurses 4-5 times. Granted she is growing like crazy but the kid can put the food down-and in record time. Every meal she eats like she hasn’t had food in days.
Kyla is not a little baby anymore. It changed the day I went into get her out of her crib only to find her kneeling and holding onto the bars. I was proud as any parent could be but at the same time a little disturbed. Life never slows down for anything it seems. Most times I feel like someone forgot to turn off the fast forward button. These two little girls of mine remind me daily just how lucky I am. And to think, …all this because I fell in love.
Well, that’s it for this episode-but stay tuned-there is more to come. We love you and hope you all are doing great!

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Hi family and friends! The Dahl’s will never let you down. We will always have a good story or two for ya’ll to enjoy. Jumping right into the good stuff-
Kenna has learned, or I probably should say, has grown, so that she can now scooch her little bum up on the potty without having to stand on the stool. This milestone of some sort has brought with it a new level of pride, independence, and thrill of going to the bathroom. Whatever keeps it exciting enough to be in the potty and not the floor is good for me. Now, if she could just learn to wipe a poopy bum in the right direction we would be set.
Kenna is learning how to share her frustration, disappointment and any negative emotion with an oh so lovely sound. To describe it best I must say that it sounds like a drawn out grunt or groan. It is a really rather impressive noise. Matt is proud of her as he insists that this is a healthy display of emotion.
Kenna is also becoming quite the little perfectionist. She has been learning to draw sunshines, triangles, and happy faces-all of which you would be impressed if you saw them. However, if they don’t go just right you will often hear that animalistic groaning I talked about. The groan will be followed by the head down on the table with her saying, “I just can’t do it-it’s not perfect.” It is cute and funny but it also breaks my heart. Who ever told her that a sun had to be a perfect circle, or a smiley face can’t have four eyes?
Kyla is becoming known around town as the kid with the smile that doesn’t stop. Seriously everytime you make eye contact with the kid she is smiling at you. We are not talking about a little smile with just the corners of her mouth turned up-I’m talking, the huge smile to let everyone see that indeed there are no teeth yet! She really is a happy little angel who is sooo dang loved at our house. I thought being the second, she might get a little shafted but in reality she just has more people to love her.
I was right when I said that next time I write Kyla would be crawling. She is crawling! She is no speedy, but she always gets where she wants. Frequently she makes circles as she is trying to follow Kenna around, but by the time she gets going Kenna has moved on and Kyla has to change directions.
Kyla is starting to get a little more predictable. I feel like we are finally figuring out a good schedule. She’s up about 7am, down around 10am, up at 12 just in time for lunch, down about 3pm, up at 5pm. That is as far as we have gotten. The nighttime is still up in the air a little. Me and Matt will take all the credit for that. Kyla is so much fun to play with at night that sometimes we have to take advantage of the one on one time with Kyla.
Enough about the kids, even though that’s all anyone wants to hear about. Matt had his interview in Mississippi and really really liked it. There are 2 “reallys” on purpose for emphasis. I’m all for him going to the place he likes best but I will have to humble myself to be able to admit that I lived in Mississippi. For some reason I find that a little embarrassing. Who knows, I might not have to worry about it at all.
We love you all and before you close this site, check out the new picture Matt put up.

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Hello devoted readers! Hopefully you have all already checked out the new pictures that we put up for your viewing pleasure. They are pretty dang cute! More will be coming soon so just hang tight. This past week has brought some much anticipated good news to the Dahl home-more interviews! Matt’s been invited out to Baylor in Houston, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Word must be getting around that Matt is a hot commodity in the ENT department. He still is waiting to hear from quite a few schools, but in the meantime we are really excited and proud of Matt.
We have been enjoying some awesome weather here in Louisiana. So good in fact it makes you want to stay here-but not really. We thought we’d better take advantage of the beautiful weather, so for family night we took McKenna to fly her first kite. If you were watching, you would have thought it was mine and Matt’s first time flying a kite too. It was no small feat to get that kite up in the air, and once it was up it didn’t stay for long. But with a little teamwork (which quickly became the theme for FHE) we managed a little success. We quite possibly looked a bit pathetic to the onlookers but we had a good time. Matt and I both agreed that we didn’t remember kite flying to be so much work!
This next bit of news is a little disturbing so brace yourself. Our little Kenna is now requesting to wear a leash. Yep, you read it right-a leash! If you can’t tell, I am less than thrilled about this new development but to add insult to injury it started the day after I had been making fun of a child on a leash at the zoo. I might understand the theory behind a child on a leash but to actually put the harness on them is a bit over the top. McKenna brought me a long piece of ribbon and asks if she can have a leash. After a brief attempt to persuade her otherwise she reminded me that she was a little puppy and she wanted to go on a walk. Disbelieving what I was about to do, I tied the leash to Kenna. For obvious safety reasons and because I just couldn’t bring myself to do it, I opted not to tie it around her neck. Instead I tied it around the sleeve of her shirt. It gets worse-I then had to spend the remainder of the day taking “Baxter” on a walk. I could let some things slide for a couple days but I don’t think this trend is going anywhere. She has been wearing a leash all week! Dogs are not the only animal Kenna is enthralled with. Horses are also at the top of the list. McKenna informed me this week that she would be having a “Spirit” Birthday party complete with the horse piñata and cowboy hats to go around for all. The poor kid is going to be a little disappointed to find December 15 isn’t next week.
Kyla is getting so dang big. After a good night sleep Matt brought her into the room and we seriously both said, “are you kidding?” Literally overnight she looked so much bigger. Kyla is just about to crawl-in fact she has taken a few little steps crawling. I’m convinced that next time I write she’ll be all over the place. Kyla is awesome and again she makes her mom feel loved and needed. She has recently developed a slight case of separation anxiety. Walking out of her eye sight is just not acceptable. If she had her way, she’d probably request to be on a leash too. Although it makes things a little more difficult at times, it is also endearing and I love her for it!
Well folks, this wraps up another update with the Dahls. Talk to ya’ll again soon!

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