Photo Series

I've been meaning to put this on the blog since before Norah's birthday. I just got distracted by all the festivities. Here's my favorite photo series of her from the last few months. She rarely has a pacifier in her mouth unless she's about to go to sleep. I was so excited that I got this on camera. I don't know about you, but I just love seeing a baby smile behind a pacifier. To me it just screams, "I'm about to get into some mischief!"

Another Birthday Present Highlight

I mentioned in a post a few weeks before her birthday that Norah didn't have any alphabet blocks. Now, I was thinking of the old-school wooden blocks like when had back in the stone age. As it turns out, even alphabet block technology has evolved over the last 20 years. Who knew!?!

Mark's mom found these Peek-a-blocks from Fisher Price (no, they are not a sponsor of this blog, unfortunately). Each block has something inside it that starts with that block's letter and each little item inside moves, rattles, spins, rocks or otherwise entertains. They're AWESOME! As soon as she showed them to Mark's Grandma Jones (Norah's Great-Grandma) she decided that this was he perfect birthday present and snatched them right up!

Here are some pictures of Norah's first experience with her Peek-a-blocks:

Ok, this first one is pretty neat...

Now what do I do?

Well, I could shake it, that's pretty cool.

Hey! You up there. Check this out!

These blocks are pretty awesome. Thanks Great-Grandma!

Stylin'

Norah's boyfriends, Kyle & Reed got back from a family trip to Yellowstone the day before her birthday. They took the family trip as an opportunity to pick up some very chic gifts for their little girlfriend. Their mom (Jan) assured me that they did, in fact, choose the gifts themselves.

Kyle chose the lovely wolf handbag.

Reed picked the fabulous grizzly bear footwear.

Put the accessories together and you have this spectacular ensemble!

This is the best picture I could get of her because she was so excited about her new accessories! Can anyone say Future Celebrity Stylists? I'm pretty sure that Kyle & Reed have a promising future in Image Management. I mean, this looks says, "I hip, I'm now, and I love animals." It says, "I enjoy nature in all of it's manifest cuteness." It says, "I like accessories that are practical and huggable." It's exactly the look we've been looking to achieve with Norah. We just didn't know how!

Some day, when the boys are famous throughout all of Hollywood for making over it's shiniest of stars, I'll proudly display their first project. Of course, the bad news about this scenario is that they'll move to California, meet and marry twin movie set designers (in a lavish double ceremony studded with the various made-over stars in their portfolio) and leave this nature-loving small town girl behind. But hey, at least she got a great handbag and pair of shoes out of the deal. What else can a girl ask for, right?

Seriously, we were SO excited that our friends the Ingersols made it back from Yellowstone in time for the party. Norah loves hugging her slippers and purse almost as much as she loves wearing them! Her special day wouldn't have been the same without you guys!

Guess Who's One!!

Norah turned one year old last Wednesday (the 5th). Mark's parents and brother came all the way out from California for some birthday festivities. We had family and a few close friends out for a birthday party yesterday.

If I say so myself, the party was a smash hit! As our friend Mark put it, "This is the best one-year birthday party I've ever been to." Never mind the fact that his daughter is only seven months old and he's probably never been to a one year party before. It was still awesome. See for yourself!

My parents got this dress for her on their recent trip to Kauai. I decided to save it especially for her birthday. The flower headband was a Christmas gift from our friendsKevin & Rechelle. She usually pulls it right off but since Grandma put it on her instead of me, she wore it all day!

Her straps were a little long so I took the special birthday pin that her grandma gave her (It says, "I'm 1 years old today"!) and used it to pin her straps together.

Her birthday cake experience went from, "Humm, this feels funny." To, "Hey, this is pretty good." To, "Oh my gosh! This is AMAZING!!" She had tons of fun destroying the cake. Then we threw her in the tub so that she could enjoy the rest of her birthday. By "the rest of her birthday" I, of course mean... presents!

As most kids do, she enjoyed the paper and ribbons just as much as the presents. Still, she DID enjoy playing with the presents once they were unwrapped.

Playing with the doggy blanket from Grandma and Grandpa.

Talking on her new cell phone. Thanks Uncle Frank and Aunt Tina!!

Playing with her new ball toys from the Hendersons and the Russells.

One last good family picture and then....

Our tired little girl was cooked!

Playin' Some Hoops

As I mentioned before, Norah had a big weekend this weekend. Several people from my work spent the weekend camping. On Saturday we joined them for a big camp out dinner. Norah had so much fun taste testing the rocks and sticks! She also enjoyed watching the big kids play with the hula hoop. When they got bored, she decided to give it a try for herself.

Well this seems easy enough...

Is this all there is to it?

I TOTALLY ROCK AT THIS!!!!

What? All that hoopin' makes a girl hungry!

Old Timey - Good Timey

We have a little place in Durango called the Bar D Chuckwagon. It was founded (and is still owned) by Cy Scarborough about a majillion years ago or so. He's done a really great job over the years of getting some fantastic musicians to join the show as well. If you live in Durango and haven't been there, you don't really live in Durango. This place is an institution! In fact, in 2002 when the huge missionary ridge fire swallowed up half the Animas Valley in a hurricane of flames, local firefighters made a stand to save the Bar D. It was the only structure saved on that stretch of road. I'm being a little dramatic, but it's seriously awesome.

Anyway, we took Norah to the Bar D for the first time this weekend. She had quite a big weekend, actually, but more on that later. Here are a few photos of Norah's first Bar D dinner. Oh, did I mention that the show comes with a real cowboy BBQ dinner!?! I'm telling you guys, this place is AWESOME!

Waiting (mostly) patiently for the show to start.

Mmmm, baked beans and BBQ chicken, just like a real cowgirl!

Clapping to the song with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Bob.

Trying desperately to stay awake. She made it through the whole show!