Nora decided to finally let go today and walk. Just look at her go! Until today, she would put up a big fuss if we tried to let go of her hand. Today, she started pulling away herself. Just a small taste of her upcoming quest for independence, I'm sure!
I'm sorry that this one is sideways. I was so excited that wasn't thinking clearly. Just turn your heads- too cute not to post!
Nora likes her furry brother!
Hi there!
Dane and Ben had water wars in the backyard.
Nora loves to drink anything out of a straw.
Shucking corn.
Momma's girl.
Playground at Joe's Crab Shack. Quite the headlock Dane has on Nora.
She captured a few shots of Dane playing with his big balloon during the show. Poor Miss Nora is hidden behind Momma in her Kokopax carrier.
The kids loved looking out the back window any time we were stopped.
Beautiful Riverton. Dane and Daddy took numerous walks together. Momma and Nora were both a bit under the weather.
We miss those mountains.
Running along the canal.
Dane and Sarah hit it off like old pals, and spent lots of time chasing each other around.
So very sweet!
Proud to wear Momma's sunglasses.
A new red scooter with a bell!
Two different ways to ride!
Nora helped Momma make cupcakes on Saturday.
The finished product.
Playing with balloons before everyone arrived for the party.
You can see that she is standing very well, but she refuses to take steps yet!
Kiddos playing with Dane's train set.
The candle is lit! Nora is just a bit unsure- mostly not liking being strapped into the high chair when she would rather be playing!
Momma helps blow out the candle.
A cautious finger in the frosting.
Some encouragement from Brother.
Mmmmm... this isn't too bad!
Little fingers full.
Stop with the pictures, Momma! My face is too messy!
Everyone else enjoyed cupcakes, too!
Cute little Cubby.
Pretty girl.
She found a stray cupcake that someone had left unfinished and helped herself!
Presents!
A family picture.
Dane spent the rest of the evening playing with this little microwave that Renee bought for Nora!
Helping Daddy assemble the rocking horse.
Giddy-up!
Nora has taken a real liking to the playhouse in our backyard. It is small enough that she can hold on to things and cruise around inside quite easily.
Dane has been avoiding pictures recently- too much paparazzi!
Also, Plain Cute. Nora has discovered Dane's trike, and she sure loves it. Loves to be pushed around the back yard, loves to climb all over it, or just loves to sit on it and look adorable!
They are quite large this year. Most are about the size of a regular pear. Nora has taken a liking to them. I was holding her while I picked them the first evening, and she grabbed one right out of my hand and started chomping away!
Help unloading the dishwasher.
Dane can now climb right into Nora's crib. If he hears that she is awake, he will run in and jump right in with her. They both love it!
Doggy pile on Brother!
Nora is learning how to wrestle. I think she will hold her own pretty well with Dane!
This is her favorite grin recently. I love how she crinkles up her nose!
A new hairstyle courtesy of Teddy! Nora has quite the "doglick"!
Learning to eat with a spoon like a big girl.
Future stunt man?
Nora is learning to wave bye-bye and blow kisses.
Here is Nora all dolled up on Sunday.
It takes a bit of effort, but Momma is finally able to attempt to style this little girl's hair!
After meeting, we headed directly out to Lake Las Vegas for our 24-hour "staycation." We rented a 1-bedroom "combo" (as Dane likes to say!), and they upgraded us to a lake view gratis. It certainly felt like being on vacation, although we were less than 20 minutes from home!
We spent lots of time swimming and exploring the resort. Dane was Sister's designated driver!
Just taking in the view.
A beautiful calm morning.
Our condo was in the building located in the center of this picture.
Monday morning stroll through the village.
Still pushing the stroller!
Checking out the water falls.
Looking for crawfish.
Pool time!
We got back home shortly after noon Monday, and the kids took nice long naps while we unpacked. Then we decided to take our boat out on its maiden voyage (of 2009). Last summer, Dane mysteriously developed a phobia of our boat, but with some coaxing and his new fishing pole, we seem to have overcome it with yesterday's trip. Nora did well as long as she had food in her little hands! Thank goodness her hat was tied on!
We boated over near Hoover Dam to check out the progress of the amazing new bridge that's going up.
Little fisherman.
Still eating!
Back to work today- we all survived!
Smoothies.
Watermelon. Nora can't get enough!
Silly imaginative shirtless little boy running around the house. He came up to me like this and told me he was an astronaut!
Long naps after playing hard. On Saturday, Dane decided that he needed to sleep in Nora's room for nap time, so he set up this little bed next to her crib. So sweet!
The most certain sign that summer is here- the thermometer that keeps pushing over 100 degrees. Thank goodness for a good air conditioner!"Pitch please!"
So fun to blow dandelions!
It won't be long, and she'll be off and running!
Just kickin' in the pool.
Saturday afternoon picnic at the park...
...with a view!
Crazy little crawler!
Nora thinks it is just hilarious when you stick her feet up next to her face!
Saturday evening, Jeff and Renee and boys came over for dinner. It was a lovely time, complete with live entertainment! The Shepherd blog has more details.
Mother's Day balloon and bouquet.
Dane and Nora take a spin in the fun shopping cart.
Nora loved hanging out in the pool.
Yummy treats after dinner.
One monkey (with a little mohawk) kisses another.
Peek-a-
Boo!
Las Vegas 51's baseball game with the Shepherds. They have more cute pictures here.
So happy! Look at those top teeth that arrived over the past two weeks!
She loves brother!
And Camden, too!
Our little baseball players.
Two silly kids in the playpen.
Dane had to wear his new goggles while swimming in his pool.
She looks rather proud of the mess she made!
Mmmm.... bananas!
Toothy grin!
Dane enjoyed a smoothie after the rough ride. He actually hiked much of the way himself, except when it was very steep.
Playing with cars together.
Happy little scooter.
Again!
Squirt gun fights in the backyard with Daddy.
Scootin' the stool across the kitchen floor.
Out for a little bike ride in the driveway.
Here are some videos we have taken recently of our little monkeys.
Dane convinced Daddy to let him have a sip of his fizzy soda.
Don't you think Nora's a bit young to kick the bucket?
Waking up happy after a nap.
Learning to dance.
Tickling the ivories.
And the new, fresh look. For more details, you'll just have to come visit!
The Dane and Nora version of London Bridge.
It's so fun to see how much they already love to play and interact with one another, even though Nora's abilities are so limited when compared to Dane's. I don't think that there's anything that brings a bigger smile to my face than the smiles that my children have for each other!
Getting mobile enough to make messes!
Happy to play with brother.
The pretty girl in the mirror.
Our little scooter scooted herself under her jumper. Peek-a-boo, I see you!
Such a big girl, walking with some assistance.
Jeff and Renee and boys came over for a little playtime last Sunday evening. Our boys are continually asking, "Mommy, can we go to Carter's/Dane's house?" We are glad they are such good buddies!
Luckily, a few miles down the road we came to a nice pullout with an outhouse and a little hike as well. After duties were taken care of, we headed up this trail to see the sights.
Pretty views, but hard to get good pictures because of the gray skies.
We hit the road again and soon arrived at the fair. Of course Dane (or was it Daddy?!?) had to have some cotton candy.
There were many animals to see. Checking out the chickens.
Meeting a friendly little goat.
A big pig.
We ended the night with some rides for Dane. He was in his glory.
Nora happily watched from Daddy's arms.
Time to head home to bed!
...our little conductor still spends multiple hours daily running his trains,
...and sometimes he plays "drums" in his undies for his captivated sister while wearing his "mining hat." (He has the greatest imagination these days, and it makes life so fun!)
The end of a performance.
It's so amazing to see wildflowers blooming in the dry, rocky ground.
Dane loved running along the rocky trails.
If you squint, it almost looks green.
Family shot.
After we got home, Jeff and the boys came over for dinner. These handsome dudes cruised around the backyard for a good portion of the evening.
On Monday, Tyler and Kim called to let us know they were back in Vegas for a couple of days, so we were glad they could stay with us. We went out to Peter Piper Pizza to let the kids run since it was so windy outside that day. Little Miss Avery was our ticket collector.
Dane loved the air hockey table.
Carter and Camden took the motorcycles for a spin.
Avery joined Dane for some air hockey.
Nora thought the tickets were the prize- so fun to chew!
On Thursday, Mike turned 35. We have yet to celebrate properly. However, Derek and Sara arrived that evening, so that was a treat in itself. Friday, Kari and Kyle got married, and Derek photographed the beautiful event. Yesterday morning, Dane helped Daddy make smoothies for breakfast. His favorite part is licking the peanut butter off the spoon! 
After breakfast, Derek did our family photo shoot, and we can't wait to see the results!
Train time!
Now three years later, my little man blows out his own candles on the cake Grammy made him today.
On Sunday we had a party for all Dane's buddies. Here is his cupcake cake- chocolate of course!
Lunch at the little people table.
Opening presents is a group effort!
We're still trying to find room for all the wonderful gifts Dane received. I'm sure Grammy and Grampy will post more pictures later. They have been here since Friday, and we all have been loving it! We will be sad to see them leave on Friday morning, as they head back to North Dakota in hopes that their house is still on dry ground!
Posing with Grampy on the walk to the park.
Snuggles with Grammy.
Big bubbles in the backyard.
Naptime sweetheart- she loves to snuggle with her Blankees.
Dane found this old palm frond and used it as his broom out in the desert today.
Nora's first slide.
Here comes big brother.
Dane's version of a heated pool- Daddy brings out warm buckets of water!
Cali usually runs from Dane, but she seems to be much more tolerant of Nora. A little pull on the tail!
Not bald anymore!!
She wasn't exactly happy about the wig here, but I believe this is the first picture in which her teeth have been visible!
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So many more new things this past month has brought. Learning to hold herself up on things to stand, eating finger foods and absolutely loving them, giving kisses, and babbling, to name a few. Still no interest in crawling whatsoever, but that keeps things simpler for Momma and Daddy. She absolutely loves her brother, and I can see that they will be the best of friends. This makes me happier than words can express. Little Peanut, YOU make us happier than words can express.
Poppies in the conservatory at the Bellagio.
Tyler, Kim, and Avery met us for lunch on their way through town. Always fun to see them!
The aquarium at the Silverton.
Dane has started holding his hands behind his back while he concentrates on taking everything in. It's pretty cute.
Here he is again, watching the kite Daddy bought for him.
Trying very hard to catch it.
Daddy and Nora fly the kite together.
Dane and Nora with Allysa after her final high school choir concert. She'll be graduating this spring!
Little girl loves finger foods. 
Sweet little kisses.
Sweet little girl just watched all the action from her walker.
Sandbox time.
Big grins on the teeter-totter when Momma would rock him up high.
Driving the Hummer, but not really paying attention to the road. Guess we'll have to give him lessons about not kissing girls while driving before he gets his license! (I know the picture is a bit blurry, but too cute to not post- I was trying to back up far enough to get the picture while staying close enough to catch Nora in case she toppled!)
Brought the tools out for some "fixing."
Hugs for Teddy.
Loves all the finger food recently!!
Big grin. Still won't show us the teeth for a picture yet!
Standing up in the crib. She doesn't pull herself up yet, but she's learning to hold on to things to keep from falling when she stands. She likes to stand for a while, then she'll start fussing because she wants to sit down but doesn't know how to sit without falling yet. Looks like the crib mattress needs some lowering!
The other day, I had to put on these cute little scrubs that Nora got as a baby gift. She is almost too big for them, so I had to take a couple of pictures. All her stats are on the pocket.
Standing so big!
The girls all "scrubbed up" together.
These last three are random pictures taken on my phone over the past month. The cute bunny ears we bought Nora at Target a while back.
Every now and then while we're riding in the car, we hear Nora squealing in delight and hanging on for the ride!
Nora is happy to play with her pink spoon while the rest of us eat frozen yogurt at the great new yogurt bar near our house. It's self-serve and you pay by the ounce. At least 10 different flavors of yogurt and all the different toppings you can imagine. They have lots of fresh fruit- strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, pineapple. So yummy! (Recognize the shoes, Sarah S.?)
Grampy and Grammy will be here in less than two weeks to help celebrate Dane's 3rd birthday! We can't wait!
