Bower's Mansion

We went swimming at Bower's Mansion this afternoon. It was a good end to a not so great weekend; Delaney had a low fever on Saturday and didn't nap or sleep well all weekend. She woke up at 5 AM on Sunday morning (with no fever) and we were so exhausted by 7:30 AM that Dave swore off any future babies AND puppies, and I went to sleep in our car!-Pretty pathetic.

Despite the pool water being suspiciously warm (per Dave) and Laney experiencing numerous wardrobe malfunctions, we had a great time.

Dave and Laney have so much fun in the water together-daddy is much more fun than mommy when it comes to the pool, and probably a lot of other things too! Delaney will stay in the water forever-no matter how long it's been or how cold she is. She definitely is our little water baby.

Delaney practices her swimming with daddy.

On the way home from swimming, we stopped to eat at Chili's and Elliot sat in a big boy booster seat-he was thrilled. He looked so big and grown up that our waitress asked if he needed a fork and what he wanted to order from the children's menu (she obviously has no kids!).

And To The Beach Again....

So, I know that the below pictures are strikingly similar to the pictures that I posted a few days ago, but we had too much fun today and they're just too cute not to share! The three of us spent the morning at Lake Tahoe, and it was wonderful. Really, the hardest part of taking Delaney and Elliot to the beach by myself is schlepping all of our stuff from the car to the beach (babies included!) and then back again. It took us about 15 minutes to walk from the car to the beach, and it probably is really only about a 3 minute walk. BUT, we had a great time, and Delaney was a huge help-she even carried a beach towel and her pail and shovels. I was worried that she would have one of her tantrums and then I would have to carry Elliot, all of our stuff and a flailing / kicking / screaming Delaney, but she was absolutely wonderful. Elliot played happily on the blanket-he is the most agreeable little guy.

Oh Cheerios!

We just started giving Elliot Cheerios. We scatter a few on his tray, and he concentrates and works SO hard to get one into his mouth. Elliot is so patient with everything and everyone. The Cheerios usually end up on the floor, his bib or his lap-anywhere and everywhere but in his mouth. However, Elliot is working on his strategy, slobbering down his hand, smashing his palm on his tray and then trying to fit his entire fist into his mouth-which he can almost do-he has quite the mouth!

Beach Days

We are so lucky to live only 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe-it's my new favorite place, and I'm trying to spend as much time as possible there! The beaches are absolutely beautiful, surrounded by forests and snowcapped mountains.

Elliot loves playing in the sand and on the blanket with his toys.

Delaney and daddy play in the sand.

Daddy helps Elliot dip his tootsies into the water. Where's that smile I love??

The New 'It' Toy

Out with the old, in with the new. No more Cozy Coupe, lots more Radio Flyer Wagon. Delaney has decided that her little red wagon is much more appealing than her little red car. So-mommy and daddy are now pulling the wagon around the yard, the neighborhood and the parks. Uncle Mat set a tough precedent and literally ran the wagon around the yard, so now Delaney wants more, more, more.

There are two seats in the little red wagon, so at times, Delaney wants Elliot to accompany her and at other times, she wants the wagon all to herself. She waves like a princess and blows kisses to the crowds.

Buddies

Uncle Mat flew into Reno yesterday, and Mat and Delaney are new best buddies. They had a great time playing at the beach at Lake Tahoe, running into the freezing water, out of the water, into the water, out of the water....... It's pretty adorable.

Wonderful Dad

I know that I don't tell him this enough-but Dave is a wonderful dad. Laney's and Elliot's eyes light up the second that Dave comes into the room. I love watching Laney wrestle with her daddy and show him her muscles, and I love watching Elliot and his daddy jabber back and forth, having whole conversations.

Baby Love

Gramps & Grandma Mary play with Elliot.

Elliot falls asleep during dinner!

More Like Home

Gramps, Grandma Mary, Delaney and Elliot went to Lowe's, picked out beautiful pink and white flowers, and then planted the flowers in big barrels in front of our house. Delaney is watering the flowers every other day-with a little (or sometimes a lot!) of assistance!

What A Relief.....

.....Elliot brought his wonderful smile and delightful personality to Carson City. He has been a real trooper and is settling into his new home quite well.

Finding The Parks

While Dave and I started to unpack the house, Grandma Mary and Gramps took Delaney and Elliot to explore the parks. Delaney looks at home, huh?

Leaving Las Vegas

Well, it wasn't exactly pretty, but Grandma Mary, Delaney, Elliot and I survived the car trip to Carson City. Gramps, Dave and our two pups left Vegas about three hours after we did, but arrived in Carson City no more than a half hour after our arrival. Traveling with two babies is challenging-to say the least!

Daddy kisses his little girl goodbye.

Laney and Elliot, along with enough provisions for the next year or so, are crammed into the car.

Our first break-39.5 miles outside of Vegas.

Elliot and mommy at a small park in Hawthorne--rest stop #3.

We arrive at the hotel in Carson City!

Grandma Mary was a huge help on the trip to Carson City; I couldn't have done it without her (at least not without losing my mind!).

Lucky Las Vegas

Las Vegas has been absolutely wonderful to us. We've had two beautiful babies and made a few irreplaceable friends--we really couldn't have asked for more in the 2 1/2 years that we've lived in Vegas.

Below is a picture of Matt, Lexie and Delaney. We met Jodi, Jeff and the twins during Delaney's short (but painful) stint in the NICU. Since Delaney was about six months old, I've spent countless mornings and afternoons with Jodi and the twins, and I've loved every second of them. We will miss them so much, and there's just no way that we're going to find a family like them.

Matt, Lexie and Delaney enjoying popsicles on a hot Vegas day.

Elliot, smiling at the big kids.

This Is What Happens.....

...when daddy and Delaney feed Elliot! But he doesn't seem to mind, huh?

Today is our 3rd anniversary; Dave made me a wonderful photo collage, including pics from this blog-I love it! The collage was definitely the highlight of my day, considering that Delaney had whacked Elliot in the head with her sippy cup before 8:30 AM (and YES, it was intentional), and I didn't make it out of my pajamas until Dave got home at 6:30 PM.

Laney-Pie In the Sky

Dave's editor and friend Tom Gorman took this picture on Saturday at a BBQ at his house. Delaney looks like she doesn't have a care in the world! This is one of my favorite pictures of Delaney and her daddy.

Grandma B & Pepah

Grandma B and Pepah came into town on Memorial Day, driving all the way from Pennsylvania. Sounds like a nightmare to me, but perhaps driving cross country isn't so bad without two little ones?! Pepah entertained Delaney outside, playing with water and the dirt, and played with Elliot inside, watching sports (with his daddy too, of course!) and playing in his exersaucer.

Delaney quickly decided that Grandma B was her personal playmate and tried to keep her as far away from Elliot as possible. If she could've locked Grandma B in her room, then she would have. Grandma B convinced Elliot to sleep through the nite every nite-I don't know how she does it, but she's two for two now! She's a baby charmer.

Delaney and Pepah playing outside.

Delaney is all smiles (for at least this moment!).

Elliot learns how to swing!

Delaney loves the water.

Elliot tries out the pool.

It was wonderful to have my parents' help and company for almost a full week. We'll miss them, but will see them soon!