Nora caring for NayNay

Nora certainly loves Shanaynay. She is a very good "mommy." Here is video.

The Huskers Lost....

Vikings Cheerleaders and Fire Chiefs!

Don't worry, Nora has other clothes than just her Vikings cheerleader outfit. She truly has only worn it twice. Apparently the camera was nearby on those 2 days. Anyway, we went over to Ellie's house to watch the game on Sunday. When we were there, we smelled something burning. We looked all over and could not find any smoke.... Long story short, Anna asked if she should call the fire department.. I said heck yes. So, she called. First the Fire Marshall rolls up in his SUV, the a cop, then the huge firetruck shows up with about 9 firefighters in all their gear, axes and all. They are hardcore and prepared! Turns out they had an issue with their dryer which now needs to be replaced. Everyone is fine.....Pete and I had the girls outside while Anna and James dealt with the situation inside. The fire fighters outside gave Ellie and Nora fire hats and stickers. It was cute. It was pretty fun watching the reactions passerby faces.
Cheerleaders and FDC (Fire Department Chanhassen).
Ellie is gonna throw her hat down because she is mad the Vikes lost. Nora is gonna kick some butt. Watch out!

Nora & Charlie

Big brother, Charlie and perhaps Nora's boyfriend gave Nora a "buck" on his sweet ride.
We are throwing up dust.
Go faster, Charlie
Charlie, you have a nice muscular back.
Whoo Hoooo
Nora, you can drive now.

Welcome to the World, Leo

Leo has arrived! Our friends, Beth, Greg and their son Charlie welcomed Baby Leo or in Nora's tongue LoLo into the world last week. We went over for a meet and greet on Sunday. Here are a few pictures of LoLo, Nora and me. Congrats to the Meisel's!

Nora likes babies so she was busy checking out LoLo
She thought the joke LoLo said was funny or was it me?
No flash photography, please

More pictures of Nora and NayNay

At the park with Ellie

Ellie and Nora went to the park tonight. They had a nice time. Nora feel asleep quickly! Hopefully she can sleep through the night.
Chillin' on the tire swing.
Showing their teeth (smiling).
Nora, should we stay on the tire swing or should we go to the slides?

Nona-love the shirt-HOO HOO

Jeff & Nora sporting their Vikes apparel

Congrats Chrissy and James

Congrats to Chrissy & James on their recent engagement! We are so happy for the both of you! Can't wait for the big celebration. We love you guys!

Go Vikes--We like to think you won because of Nora's outfit

Nora with Makayla Levy at the Juvie's on Sunday. We had good food and good times. Yes, I am hiding behind Nora. She kept trying to get away from the picture. I wish I could crop myself out.

Nora & Ellie

Nora has a little friend named Ellie who lives about 4 or 5 houses up the street from us. We are so happy that Ellie and her parents moved here at the end of May. Pete and I really like Anna and James and Nora and Ellie seem to dig each other! YEAH. We have little get together at the park or one of our driveways about once a week so the girls can see each other. It is also nice having adult conversation at the same time! Last week the crew came to our driveway to play. On Friday night, our crew went to their house for playtime and dinner! We had a great time. Here are some pictures from the events. I wish we had more!

In the jumper at Ellie's house. Of course, Nora is going head first down the slide. It is the best when Ellie and Nora both go head first at the same time!
Little pals.
Bounce. Bounce.
Great look, Nora!Really Leah? Wow, you look cool in that thing.

Nora eating a Popsicle at our house and refusing to hold the stick.
Still....

Ellie wanting more Popsicles and Nora still holding the actual Popsicle. About 5 mins after this picture was taken, she began to freak out because her hands were so cold...... A fat lip from that night. Shortly after the meltdown from the Popsicle, Nora face planted on the driveway while pushing her dump truck at sports car speeds!

Meet Nora's baby Shanaynay

Nora is in love with her baby doll, Shanaynay aka NayNay. She enjoys pushing her around in her stroller, tucking her in for bed and nap. When NayNay is sleeping Nora puts her finger in front of her mouth and ShhShh's Pete and me. She also rocks NayNay and kisses her head. NayNay also has her own bottles that Nora feeds her. She really loves her baby. It is cute.
Nora and NayNay along with my keys (they must be getting ready to go to the store)kissing each other.
Comforting NayNay. I think she was crying.
Wrapping NayNay up in her blanket.
I am not sure what is going on in this picture.
Love doves.

Trying to wrap her up again as they head out.
NayNay shouldn't be playing with car keys, Nora.
I am not sure what the problem is with wrapping NayNay in her blanket is....
Hula Girl likes NayNay too. Thank God Nora was not in the house when I took this picture. Nora would have freaked!
NayNay and Nora taking a nap. So sweet.

Donde Esta La Swartzbaugh's?

We're back! I have been a blog slacker! I really have wanted to make an update but life has been a little busy. We hit the MN State Fair, have gone to the beach, we had Pete's mom (Nona) in town, we had our friends John & Sage in town, Nora has not been feeling the best and we are just plain old busy with life in general. Nora is now 18 months old! We went to the doctor for her well check yesterday. She has a double ear infection so we did not get her shots. She had pink eye a week ago and she has had a cold and teething for about 4 weeks now. Poor kid! Nora weighs 21 pounds 7 ounces, she is 31.5 inches tall (officially half way to me) and her head is 18 inches around. She is developing well. She is starting to talk more and more. It is funny. She can say, Mama, Dada, Hula Girl (not clearly), dogs, outside, inside, shoes, burrr, what, more, oh geez, no, yes, this, please, Megan (our next door neighbor), pa (for grandpa), that, yuck, ball, let's go, alright, cheese, hot, up, downstairs, hi there, hooray, bus, milk, bub bye-there are many more but I am drawing a blank. She points at airplanes and says buh bye, waves hi to the cars that drive by, points out school buses and trucks to us. It is so incredible watching her mind grow! Oh, she loves to dance as you all know from previous posts. She has taken a huge liking to dancing to George Jones (country singer) she literally goes to the IPOD to turn it on if we say George Jones. When she hears any music come on she stops what she is doing and starts dancing. She also knows all of the parts of a persons face and belly button! Nora also enjoys coloring (she has even colored the back of our sofa). She has moved rooms at school and is doing pretty good in her new room. She takes her nap on a cot now and actually takes 1.5-2 hours naps on most days. Nora also has been enjoying her little friend Ellie who lives up the street from us. Ellie will be 2 next month and they both like each other a lot! It will be funny when they can talk to each other. Ellie is very good at talking! It is great because we like Ellie's parents a lot too! Nora is obsessed with her daddy right now too! Last night Pete went to a friends house to watch the football game. Nora cried for an hour looking for him...... Here are some pictures from the last several weeks. We hope all is well with you all! WARNING--there are lots of pictures!
ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nora, don't drink the lake water---YUCK!
Nora Phelps Torres
Beach Bums
Loving the water

OOOPS did you get your face wet?
I am done...

Sexy!
Dad, do you really need me to mow again?
Oh geez.... The flowers are dying... Who is supposed to care for these, Mom, Dad???
I will just mow the flowers up.

Nora, you should wear tennis shoes when you mow!

Scooby you have a call. I think it is Daphne.
Apparently Scooby was only allowed to talk to Daphne for a second.
Sup?
On our way into the MN State Fair!
Nora checking out a baby pig aka piglet

THIS!

How would you like to be this pig? She just gave birth and is still in labor with more piglets and she is already nursing?!?! Give the pig a break!

It is hot in here, Dad.

Oh my gosh! We ran into the Olson's at the fair. Maddie and Nora posing for the camera.
At least Maddie is smiling.
Seriously why is it so hard to get kids to take a picture together?
Slide time! Thank god Nora didn't go head first like she does at the park. We are at the top with Maddie and Brent getting ready to slide.
We're off!

Maddie and Brent are kicking our butts!
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Nora wanted to go again...
Carousel time. Like her reindeer with bling?



Nora wasn't sure about the carousel at first. She started to like it half way through.

Maddie enjoyed it too.
Notice Nora rubbing her tummy? That is her want "more please!"
Please!

She is mad that the ride is over....
Hey Maddie, wanna play with the garbage can and rocks? It is good clean fun.
Sure, Nora that sounds like a brilliant idea.
Bee ride.
HI!

Time to say good bye to the Olson's.
Hugs.
Strangle
Maddie wore Nora out!

Nora wakes up to some chocolate chip cookies.

YUMMY
Messy Nessy!
Nora sporting one of my tank tops....
Go Huskers! Nona gave Nora this lovely cheerleader outfit. We love it!

Go CORN! I hope you have a super season. I wish my parents would take me to a game...

Where is my lipstick?
Beep beep....
Nora cruising her way through Byerly's
Wanna ride?

Here is Megan (our neighbor) her mom Lynn and Nora at Pablo's celebrating Lynn's 50th birthday! Nora said Megan for the first time that night. She absolutely adores Megan and Lynn.

Cheeseball!
At the lake this weekend.... It was COLD!
Captain Ronnie and Nora
Sage and I at the OX
John, Sage, Pete and me at the OX.

Nora talking to Solomon the St. Bernard.
Solomon, HG and C
The Lewis' and Nora

Again...

Can I please have a snack?
Driveway art....


Nora enjoyed rolling in the artwork.... She had on new clothes too. Oh well, she was having fun!

Crime scene.

Notice the owl and Nora both have pink bows?!

Good lord..... Look at the chalk!

At McDonald's play land....Prior to the header she took out of the play set.