Dillon Family Review 2016
January- We were getting so excited for a
baby girl to join our family. Hillary's
mom flew out from Utah this month to help.
While she was here we got to celebrate Hillary's birthday, go to Michie
Tavern, go out to a few restaurants, walk around the mall a few times (trying
to bring on labor), watch movies together, go to the children's museum, etc. We had our only big snow storm this month and
had so much fun playing in it; the boys especially loved making a snow fort with
Daddy.
February- It seemed like baby girl was NEVER
going to arrive. We finally made the
decision to do an induction after a week and one day of being overdue so that
Hillary could have her mom here to help; luckily for us Julie extended her stay
for an extra week J We were so grateful
to have her cook, clean, entertain the boys, and help with so many other
things. Aurelia Ann Dillon finally made
her debut on February 9th at 7:22pm.
She was 8lbs 9oz and 21inches long.
It was a hard delivery but we are so glad she is finally here!
March- This month was a rough month at our
household. Hillary got an ear infection
that half ruptured and was a long recovery.
Carston ended up with an ear infection.
Aurelia followed by not only getting an ear infection but a high fever and
RSV as well. Then Braxton wanted to join
the fun and had an ear infection too.
Things were pretty crazy and we couldn't have gotten through this
without many meals brought from friends and a lot of help babysitting. So grateful for prayer, family, friends, and
neighbors!
April- We are finally through the worst (we
hope!) of illnesses for a little while.
We finally ventured out of the house a little more with baby. We enjoyed celebrating the resurrection of
our Savior with Easter at home (and we even dyed eggs which was a big feat for
us!).
May- Patrick gave Aurelia a beautiful
baby blessing in church; it was so special to have my Mom make Aurelia's
blessing dress as well as for her to wear booties that her great-great
grandmother made (and that I was blessed in).
In the same weekend we had Carston's third birthday party at home.
Carston enjoyed a chocolate train cake, presents, and having family come visit us. Carston is very spirited and also very shy at
the same time. He mostly enjoys trains,
diggers, playing in the backyard, and is learning to love his little
sister. His favorite phrase he says all
the time is, "baby so tiny."
June- We loved soaking up some sun while visiting, parks, pools, and splash pads this
month with different friends. We love
having some warmer weather to play outside more.
July- Patrick went to West Virginia this
month to help with the flooding there. Hillary
got to learn more about the refugees in Charlottesville as well as volunteer at
our IRC store a little bit. Braxton got
to take a few swim lessons this month as well as have Kindergarten camp for a
few days. I think he enjoyed
Kindergarten camp more than the swim lessons.
August- Braxton turned six with a delicious
Lego cake and birthday party at a park, broke his arm, and started Kindergarten
(how are we old enough to have a child in elementary school?!) three days after
his broken arm. Carston and Braxton were playing in our backyard where there is
a green electrical stump. After I told Braxton not to be climbing and
to get down he put both feet on top ready to jump down except little brother
pushed him off first. He fell just right
and broke his left arm. He got a dark
blue cast and was bummed he couldn't go on the playground with his new friends
at school.
September- We are still getting in the swing of
school with Braxton and juggling things. Braxton loves riding the bus to school,
his teachers, and his classroom. Carston is still getting used to not having
someone older around to tell him what to play as well as adjusting to new
preschool friends.
October-We had a fireman (complete with
working headlights) and a very handsome construction worker in our house for
Halloween this year. Grandma Jane was
kind enough to make their cute little costumes; Carston even won cutest
costume. We had a lot of fun
trick-or-treating at church, at school, and in our neighborhood.
November- Hillary, Carston, and Aurelia got to visit
family and friends in Utah this month.
We had so much fun going to the zoo, seeing (and meeting for the first
time) so many family members, visiting with friends, going to the train store,
and having Grandpa take us to Chuck-a-Rama.
Braxton enjoyed visiting with Grandma Jane, going to the Lego store, and
having some Daddy time while the rest of us were gone. So grateful that (most
of us) could go for a visit! We miss being there already! We also had Thanksgiving
at our home this year for the first time.
The turkey turned out really well but we have agreed that turkey and
bacon aren't the best mix.
December- Patrick went to Haiti for a few days
as a volunteer for an area hit hard by this past hurricane. The area he is going to is where he spent 6
months of his LDS mission so he is loving this opportunity to serve. Aurelia is
taking tiny steps all by herself and growing so quickly! She is such a happy
girl and a sweet and calming addition to our family.
We love the
Christmas season and celebrating our Saviors birth! We also love doing advents and have about
eight going on right now. We are so grateful for the many family members and
friends who have helped us over this past year!! We have been greatly blessed! Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and
yours!
Love to you
all!
~Patrick,
Hillary, Braxton (6), Carston (3), and Aurelia (10 months)
P.S. Hillary is making a renewed effort this
coming year on our family blog so please follow us there as we hope to post
more frequently to keep everyone updated.
http://www.skunk-monkeys.blogspot.com
