Party for Adler!

We had Adler's birthday party a few weeks ago at a park here in town. The weather was perfect for an outdoor party.....it was so much easier than Owen's December birthday parties!
Of course this is what Adler did for the first hour of her very first party......

And while she was napping, Owen and his buddies played with the ducks.

I finally woke her up so she could PLAY!

I'm pretty sure Owen thought this was a party for him!

CAKE!

Look at everyone who came to wish her a happy birthday....what a lucky girl!

Owen, Kameron, Ethan and Sofia

All the babies.....Luke, Jimmy, Richie, Theo, Izaiah, TJ, and Charlotte

Get this silly hat off me!!!!

Lucky Dogs.

Yay! Now she won't have to steal Owen's water bottle all the time!

I think Owen likes Adler's new toys more than she does.

What a cute little horse purse from Grandma!

Mimi & Olfa

Here is an update dedicated to Mimi and Olfa's recent visit to Nevada.

Olfa and Owen (Owen thinks it's way cool that Olfa's name also starts with an 'O').

On the train in Virginia City

Adler and Olfa

I thought Adler would like this popper toy, but it just frustrated her.

She's a very big girl riding in Owen's old car.

Owen pushing Adler around the house in his chair (don't worry, they were being supervised).

Reno Balloon Races

I'm a little behind, but here are some fun pictures from this year's Reno Balloon Races....my favorite community event!!!! It's the only day out of the year I willingly get out of bed before 5:00 am! Ans this is why......

Micah's parents were here specifically for this event.....it was a nice gift for Ann's birthday!

watching the sun rise and the balloons blow up

A very special moment, remembering September 11, 2001.

Thanks for coming to see this event with us, Mimi and Olfa!!

My One Year Old

One year ago tonight I was lying in a hospital bed, cuddling with my newborn daughter (surprise)! Fast forward 365 days and I have a fiercely independent, opinionated, chunky, bright-eyed one year old that we are trying our best to raise. She is the most adorable little girl that has brought so much joy to our lives this past year! This is a list of her recent tricks, talents, interests and stats:

• She blows kisses to anyone who gives her attention (sound effects included)
• She loves baby dolls and prefers to play with them rather than other human babies
• Her favorite room in the house is her big brother's......so many cool things in there!
• She loves to be outside
• She's addicted to those little puff things they make for babies
• She still doesn't really like to eat baby food. If she eats solids, she wants to feed herself (preferably puffs or yogurt bites)
• Her favorite meal is still from mom
• She loves adult water bottles (forget the sippy cup.....remember, she never took a bottle either)
• She imitates her mom by putting her hand up to her ear and saying "hi" (apparently I talk on the phone way too much)
• She weighs 21 pounds, 9 ounces and is 29 inches tall (over 4 inches shorter than Owen was at one)
• She's still crawling but gets closer to walking every day. She's very proud of herself when she stands alone.
• She loves to clap
• She is constantly being entertained by her big brother.
• She can store a piece of dog food in her cheek for hours without anyone knowing.
• She is quite the communicator.......she talks, babbles, sings and chats constantly.
• She naps 2-3 times a day (preferably three)
• She only has 2 bottom teeth so far
• She likes to wake up in the morning , crawl to the edge of our bed, point to the dogs on the floor and say "dog"
• She likes to be sung to sleep
• She is very cuddly
• She is a super traveler with lots of practice. In her short little life she has already traveled to Washington DC, Wisconsin, Sacramento, Texas (twice), Mexico, and this week she's headed to San Diego!
• She loves music and likes it loud!
• She also loves to dance
• She is mine.

Happy Birthday, Adler Joy.

Owen riding a bike

Here is the O-Dog, enjoying his bike. We finally hid the tricycle, because that was the only thing he ever wanted to ride. Now he seems to be having fun riding a big boy bike....so, when do we take off the training wheels???

Adler Crawling

Poor, poor Adler. She doesn't have the cool, creative home videos that her dad made for Owen when he was a baby. We just figured we better get a video of her crawling before she starts walking (which will be very, very soon).

Camping at Grover Hot Springs

Last weekend we went camping at Grover Hot Springs with our friends Brenda, JP and Ryder. The weather was much, much colder than I would have liked. Some freak cold front blew in the day we left to camp, and I was not thrilled about packing jackets and hats. Regardless, we had a great time. We went hiking, played Micah's new washer game, cooked smores and of course visited the hot springs. And Owen had a blast with his buddy Ryder.

Fridays at Third

On most Fridays nights throughout the summer a band plays on third street, right outside of Firkin & Fox, one of our favorite local restaurants. The kids love the bands and Owen really cuts loose and shows off his dancing skills to everyone watching. On this particular night we arrived early and ate dinner on the patio before the band started.

Owen and I were being silly, making different faces for the camera. Here are our mad faces.

Sad Face.

Happy Face!

Ethan, Owen & Sofia

My friend Gladys & Adler

Next Friday is the last night for the Fridays at Third events, until next summer. Boooooo.