Hello!

Dane really loves phones of any kind. He has started to say "Hello" when we hand him a phone.

Dane tries out the pay phones at the Bellagio.

All smiles!

A bit ticklish!

Stayin' busy

Walking along the walls takes intense concentration!

Little electronic specialist in the making tries to rearrange some extra cables.
Wrestlin' match!

Pushing buttons!

Over the last couple of weeks, Dane has become quite infatuated with pushing buttons. Doorbells, elevators, cell phones, garage door opener- he gets his little finger ready to push as soon as he spots a button in the vicinity. He's also learning to push Daddy's and Mommy's buttons by doing things like sorting out foods he doesn't like and spitting them back out of his mouth!

Spring is here!

The sun is out and the weather is beautiful. Dane "helps" Mike mow the lawn!

Some early blossoms on our flowering crab apple tree.

The NBA is in town!

Las Vegas is hosting the NBA All-Star game this weekend, so the town is even crazier than usual. Last evening, Mike and I attended the Touch a Life gala sponsored by the Wives of the NBA to honor Elaine Wynn, Cookie Johnson (Magic Johnson's wife), and Dikembe Mutumbo for some of the community efforts they make. Part of the proceeds from the evening benefited the organization that Mike works for, so we were invited to share in the evening. There were quite a few celebrities present including: Magic Johnson, Dave Winfield (former Minnesota Twins player!), Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Alonzo Mourning, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to name a few! Here are some pics from the evening.

Dikembe Motumbo (over 7 feet tall!) with some of the participants of the After School All-Stars (the program Mike works for).

Posing with Magic Johnson, an unknown (to me) ex-NBA player, and Dave Winfield.

Arnold's surprise appearance to present Mrs. Wynn's award.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Some pictures of our favorite little Valentine in his cute new pj's from Grampy and Grammy. Hard to get him to sit still for a good picture!

XOXO

The Canyons

We recently returned from a lovely little vacation to Park City, Utah. Thanks to Mike's sister Melodee and her husband Hugh for inviting us along to meet them at The Canyons ski resort. We had a nice little "family reunion" of sorts with Hugh and Mel's kids, Zachary and Ellie, as well as Mike's brother Mark and his wife Anna, and Amanda's parents, Steve and Pearl. (Click here for some of their pictures!)The conditions were a little less than perfect for skiing/boarding with temps in the 50s and melting snow coverage. However, I think we all enjoyed ourselves. Here is a picture of Hugh, Melodee, Mark, Amanda, and Mike in front of one of the many beautiful homes built right along the ski runs.

A video of one of the long, lazy runs at The Canyons.

Swimming!

The kids enjoyed numerous hours in the beautiful pool. By the time we left, they were having issues with dry skin from all the swimming they had done. Here's Dane's big cousin Zachary!

Mike, Ellie, Dad, Mom, and Dane. This is the best picture we got of Ellie- she's at a stage where she doesn't really like having her picture taken. However, she was in her glory in the pool and couldn't help but smile!

Dane really relaxed with Grammy and let his little belly hang out!

Check out this wrinkly little foot!

Little Drummer Boy

Dane inherited a drum from Cousin Zachary. He seems to like it... Dad and Mom aren't so sure!

Finally, some snow!

We woke up to a couple of inches of fresh snow on Sunday, so Dane made a mini snowman with Grampy and Grammy.

The snow really started falling as we left town, and The Canyons reported 10 inches by the time we made it home that evening! Just a little too late!

Not moving to Park City anytime soon...

...by the looks of this price tag! (Click on the picture to enlarge and appreciate!)

Counting down the days...

We're excited for our upcoming ski/snowboard trip to Park City, UT. We plan to leave Tuesday after work and spend the rest of the week there. We'll be meeting up with Mike's siblings and their families as well as my parents. We're looking forward to some good snow, some R&R, and most of all, time with our families! Until then, Dane is keeping busy!

XOXO

The sound and video are a bit off, but Dane sends kisses to everyone!

Patty-cake!

I have been trying to teach Dane how to clap his hands together for months. He loved to play patty-cake with my help, but never even tried much on his own. He woke up in a great mood about a week ago and started clapping his hands like a little pro! I love the proud look he gets on his face! He also demonstrates his kneeling dance moves- his latest trick anytime he hears music.

Sunshine

I love this picture with the sunshine on Dane's little blond head. We are thankful for temps back up in the 60s again. Our blood has thinned in our 2 years down here, so the past few weeks with temps in the 30s were a bit rough!

Busy boys!

"Carter, let me show you how to play my xylophone...

...and this is my headlock!"

Cutie Carter!

Goofin' around with Auntie Renee!

Dane tries to help Carter out of his Bumbo. He demonstrated earlier that he had no problems getting himself out of it!

Hands full!

Dane helped himself to Carter's toys while we enjoyed an evening just hanging out this past week.



No need to put things down while he crawls. This is much more fun, and it makes more noise!

Snugglebug!

Dane snuggles with Mommy and Blankee before falling asleep.



For any of you who know Dane's cousin, Zachary, I think Dane resembles Zachary alot in this picture.

Music Man

Dane has a new favorite toy- his new puppy xylophone. Sometimes he plays with the keys...




...sometimes he uses the mallet.