"one more time!"

Nora loves to run down the hall into the arms of mom or dad. This morning she did it approximately a dozen times before I had to try and get her to move on to something else :) Every time she ran into my arms she would giggle and say "one more time!"

 

Nora Girl turns 2!!

Our sweet Nora Girl turned 2 in December! What?! She's still just as doted on, spoiled, and loved as she was the day she was born. She is so full of personality, she loves her big brothers, squeals with delight when daddy comes home, and keeps mom company (and entertained) during the day. We love her. Obviously. :) 

She talks nonstop, loves Curious George (though obsessed might be a more accurate word), gives compliments to everyone, she loves when we sing songs and read Sandra Boynton books, She's very bossy in a polite way, loves her blanket that has been named 'fuzzy' and still can't go anywhere without it, excuses people when they sneeze and is very concerned when she thinks someone is hurt or sad. She's perfect, and we love every minute being around her! (okay, 59 out of every 60 minutes! no one is THAT perfect!)

 For her birthday party I made a monkey cake. I *think* she liked it, she ate it at least so that's good. We had lots of family over for her party, we actually combined her party with Kevin and Suzanne since they all share a birthday. But who are we kidding, she was the star.

Blogging photo dump style - October 2013

Nora's hair is getting long, and so much fun to play with! Luckily, if I put a show on, she'll sit still long enough for me to style it. Here's her first teeny tiny braid. It kills me. Love!

We had lots more family/cousin time in October. Kris and the kids were here still, and Josiah came back to get them, so they were all here for a bit. We're always sad to see them leave, but had so so so much fun spending time with them. We can't wait til they move back someday! Nora spent a couple weeks after they left shouting their names through the house, so cute!

Avery had his annual Boo Bash in his gifted program at school, I wasn't able to go last year, but this year I was able to get a sitter for Nora and go hang out with Avery and his class. We made witch finger sandwiches. They had all sorts of fun, spooky food for us to eat. And I think Avery was glad I could go.

 After I left Avery's class I popped in to see Jack while he was having lunch. I think he was embarrassed by mom taking a picture. Oh well. Also, I love his curly hair.

 Trick-Or-Treating! Yay! The boys dug around our dress up box and picked costumes, I wasn't super on top of it this year! Nora was a cute little lady bug. Andy and I recycled our shirts from last year, it works for us. We went to the ward trunk or treat and then walked around with Jensen cousins trick or treating in our neighborhood.

She's a climber

I think she's trying to tell me something...

 

 

 

Trying her hand at sign language

We don't teach our kids sign language, but Andy has always thought it was cute when babies and toddlers know a few signs. So he likes to teach our kids 'please' - because that's the only one we've bothered to learn. :) He's been working on teaching Nora, and she's finally catching on. So here she is demonstrating her new skill. Keep in mind, she's 16 months...so it's not perfect. Still cute though.

Book worm

Her favorite place to read

Traditions worth keeping

Nora wasn't sure what was about to happen at first, but..surprise...she loved it! : ) 

I loved getting a squirt of whipped cream in the mouth when I was a kid (still do!), the boys love it and now 

Nora may start squealing ever time she sees the can of creamy fluff. 

Yum!

 

just chillin'

This is how she rolls...not sure why we got her toys for Christmas and her Birthday!

 She was sitting under the desk staring at me while I was using the computer the other day, she just looks so funny...and shamed...we don't even punish her!

The Party!

Baby Nora had her 1st birthday on December 30th.  Though preparation was largely delayed due to that silly little thing called Christmas a few days before, Kizzie put together a nice little party for the family that was able to attend.

It should be no surprise that Nora was not interested in keeping the hat on that Mommy made for her (despite it being very cute)... same with her clothes, evidently.

 

As with most things around Christmas time, Nora was pretty confused by having her own special little cake shoved in her face....

 

And having more presents to open...

Even when cake time came, she was reluctant...

 

  

  

But eventually dug in with a ferocity we've come to know and expect from her!

She really enjoyed her new toys, once she figured out what was going on!

Happy Birthday Nora Girl!

One Year?!

This girl turned 1 a few days after Christmas.

She is our sweet, adorable, smiley, cuddly, stubborn, tiny, perfect, happy girl. She makes us all laugh every day. 

She wants to be a big girl (sometimes!) and run around yelling and playing with the boys, she visibly perks up when they are within earshot and will squeal with delight when she sees them, even if it's only been a few minutes. She loves her brothers and they love her, they are so sweet and dote on her. I love watching them interact. 

She is indulging mommy by staying "babyish" as long as she can by not walking. She actually refuses to try, but I know once she starts she'll just take off. So we indulge her as well and don't make her try :) Did I mention she's spoiled?

She loves to make mischief and then look to see who's watching, and most of the time someone is...we can't help but sit and watch her learn and grow and be adorable all the time. 

Some of her recent favorite things are - 

Getting into the trash

 Making a mess of the kitchen

 Helping with the dishes

 eating treats!

Playing peek-a-boo!

 AND - being adorable! (maybe that's our favorite..!)

We love our girl, and she definitely knows it : )