And more fall...

Sam studies leaf science.

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Fall

To those of you that think we don't have seasons in Vegas...here's proof!
Carson, Sam, and I stopped at the park after school today to play in the fall leaves. It's a beautiful day.

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Gondolas

Carson came to The Venetian with me to pick up my race packet for the half marathon. He was really into the gondolas. Think we might have to take a ride on one soon.

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First pony ride...

Sam took her first pony ride this morning at her buddy Ella's birthday party. Parties just keep getting better and better!!

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A face only a mother could love...

This week Carson said "sayonara" to his nap. Good bye nap. It was nice knowing you. Around 7 o'clock at night, we get a lot of faces like this one.

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Buddies

Carson enjoying an Eskimo kiss with Baba.

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Our Carson at 3 1/2

Carson, you are 3 1/2 now.

I wouldn't be surprised if you pulled up to the computer one day

and read this whole darn blog yourself.

Your smarts and memory are beyond your years. It's almost a little scary at times.

You love being a "Lion" in school and you got rave reviews from your teachers at your recent parent conferences. You can already write your name and you can read several words by sight.

You are a leader according to your teachers. They said that you might be a politician someday.

(Maybe like Daddy was the Mayor of Iowa City for several years.)

You love meeting new friends. When you meet someone on the playground,

you say "What's your name? How old are you?"

You love to talk about anything and everything.

You study life like a scientist. Nothing gets by you.

Samantha is your best friend even though according to you she is "just a baby"....

And you are "a big boy".

We love you, special boy.

If we put together all the neon in our great city,

your future would shine even brighter.

Our Sam turns 2...

It's been a long time since I've blogged about our family happenings.

I thought I would start with the fact that our special Sam turned "2" on 11/3/11.

I want to make sure I write down some of these things so that she can look back when she's older.

So, older Sam, let me tell you a little bit about two-year-old Sam...

You are spunky and bright with a constant glimmer in your eye.

You are extremely coordinated in your movements.

You love "Ghost Bunny" and the iPad. You are so good at puzzles, it's scary.

We have conversations that I didn't think we would be having for years to come.

Your vocabulary is very sophisticated for such a little girl.

You ask for Daddy immediately every morning, and if I can't deliver him, then it's "Where's Carsy?"

You are Daddy's girl and brother's veryclose follower.

Everything he does, you do. And quite well I might add.

You love stuffed animals, reading "your magazine", and climbing.

You are fearless.

You stuck play-doh up your nose on your second birthday, making me run you to the pediatrician and the ENT, all in one morning before work.

It was like you were making a statement...

saying "Don't blink, Mom....you might miss something big!"

You are destined for greatness, my Sam.

We are proud of you in every way.

Halloween preview

Sam as a cat, on her perch. Here comes the cat!

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So fresh, so clean

Mr. Carson got a new 'do today. So handsome!

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My big boy bike rocks!

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A Morning Cuddle

Heading back to Vegas today. All good vacations must come to an end! But we will be back.

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Good Night San Diego!!

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balboa park

They are loving it.

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Del Mar

Went to Del Mar beach last night. It was stunning! Last night we had a fun visit with fam and friends at our house. Today we have a relaxing day planned...perhaps a park or museum, then the La Jolla food and wine fest tonight.

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Got in a fight with the beach....

And the beach won.

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Sand Castle Architect

One bucket at a time.

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beach baby!

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toes in the sand

An action shot from Del Mar Beach!

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Solana Sweetheart

See ya!

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Two boys and a beach

Carson loves the sand and water. Sam...not so much. She hated the sand and was scared of the water! But she will be a beach bum in no time...

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Sandy Eggo

We made it to the beach! More to come...

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Sam and Mom

Self portrait.

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Summerlin Sam

From the Summerlin Art Fest this weekend!

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He was born this way.....

Carson is into dressing up right now. He loves my wellies the most!

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Nadia, Mary Lou, Carly, Shawn, Nastia....Sam!

Yesterday was Sam's very first gymnastics class.

She is in the Kittens class at Desert Gymcats.

There was no better feeling than taking my daughter to a gym for the first time.

Seeing her enjoy a sport that brought me so much joy over the years made me so happy and proud!

I can only hope that she might love gymnastics....or something....as much as I did.

As for her first class, let's just say she was a star.

She tried the vault...

We tried rhythmic gymnastics - probably don't have the genes for this since Mommy was terrible at flexibility - but we tried anyway!


She loved the pit and the trampoline!

A fun, proud day for Mommy and daughter.

First Day of School!

Carson just finished his first week of school.

He's back at TBS for another round of fun.

He is a Lion this year with Mr. West and Mrs. Price.

Here's our boy, ready to go!

Walking into school with Daddy

Posing by his new room...



This is Mr. West. Him and Carson are already buddies.
Mr. West plays the saxophone and loves music, making him and Carson instant friends.

Carson is enjoying making new friends and learning new concepts.

He has a fantastic class this year. We are so proud of our big boy!

Happy Hawkeye Football Day!

The Hawks started their season today.

We cheered them on in our Hawkeye outfits, ate egg casserole, and Dee's donuts.

Not a bad day, if I do say so.

This week we....

Missed this guy on the 2 year anniversary of his passing....

Missing you every day, Papa Dennis.

Played with our friends!

Kicked it in the baby pool with the Bickler boys...


Samantha discovered my wallet.
Now she says "My credit cards!"
Oh no.



Sat half nude on the couch wearing our "Backpack, Backpack"
Just because she can.

Mommy and Daddy made it out on the town to see Adele at the Cosmopolitan.

It was amazing!

Next up? Mommy turns 33 on Friday!

A Rainy Day

When it rains in Las Vegas

It's a really big deal

So we wake up late and put on our shoes

And head outside with our umbrellas

(which are amazing, by the way.)

We march down the street

And we get all wet

And then we have a popsicle!

My favorite picture is above.

Popsicle juice dripping off the chin and everything!

Camp Nana

Carson and Sam have been at "Camp Nana" for the last couple of weeks.

This free summer camp led by an experienced Chicago educator

is the creme de la creme of summer camps in Las Vegas.

24/7 fun, learning, and reading....summer highlight after summer highlight!

Here are our pics from the Lied Chidren's Museum on Monday.

Pretty cute check-out guy at the grocery store - should we ask for his number?

Playing the touch-sensor harp

Smiles and hugs in the science area.

The love of his life....

Anyone who knows Carson knows that he is in love with Dora and always will be.

Last weekend he was invited to a Dora-themed birthday party at this sweet new place called Kidville. The guest of honor was his friend Emma from preschool.

Needless to say, it was a big hit.

A happy ride in the backseat with Nana.

No better way to wrap up a Dora-filled day!