15 months old

How did this happen? I have a toddler and she's half way to the half way mark of her second year of life! I know it's a cliche' but it really does go fast. I swear it was only last week that she was holding her head up on her own, and now she's reading the joy of cooking in go go boots. We made the switch to a forward facing car seat. Shocking ourselves, we went a little on the loud side; lime green loud. Yep, my car screams "this lady has a baby." I always pictured something that would blend with the interior of my car. Yea, well, there is no blending in about it, it's cooool though.
Jeff and Ralph taking a stroll with little red riding hood
Nora wearing for the first time the coolest Carhartts around. Custom couture by Jessie Haury.

Thanksgiving weekend

Nora, Ralph, and Bean headed to Portland to spend Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa Kaplan. I'm sorry I don't have pictures to share. I'm assured they had a great time; ate a lot of food (Thank you Lynnda for sending some to the coast, mmmmhhh!!), watched more football, and hit up black friday.

I joined them on Friday morning and Ralph, Nora, Bean and I headed to Pacific City to meet up with Paul, Sara, and Essie.

Flying

Ralph took me flying yesterday. We went to Mt. Jefferson, around the sisters & bachelor, did some low flying over our house and the mill district. It was so COOL. I had to share some pictures. I definitely had an imposter syndrome kicking; feeling like we should at least sneak around a little. I played it cool though; I walked out to the plane, (in plain view) didn't run, got in, did as Ralph told me, and sat calm and collected as we taxied down the runway. It certainly was strange and awesome going to the airport and flying away just the 2 of us and it being totally legit at that.
had to add something with Nora, since it is her blog. She's loving "teddy bear, teddy bear" especially the turning in circles part.

Reading, sledding, and new go go boots

It's never too early to practice your balance and improve your core strenth.

Nora found a pair of shades while we were cleaning out the front hall closet. They're a little too cool for either of us, but they worked for her.

She has grown fond of putting things on her head. We are fortunate enough that what she puts on her head is usually supposed to go there, however, a sock, a book, the remote, and the occasional grilled cheese will find it's way up there too.

We went sledding the other day....not a huge hit in Nora's eyes. She got a little too much snow in her face. We'll have to try again when she's in a better mood.

While sledding left a bad taste in her mouth, what has been a consistent source of contentment lately is reading. Ralph and I are amazed and LOVING it. For the past couple of weeks now, she will retreat to her bedroom, sometimes even closing the door, take all her books off the self, sit amongst them, and look them, one by one, independently. It's so cool.
Look at this.....she even looks bothered when I asked her to look for up for a picture.

Reading video and video of her walking in new boots from Casey.

Fall

Hunting for chantrelle mushrooms is the closest thing Nora has to an annual tradition thus far. Last year she was only a couple of weeks old; she had to ride around strapped to Ralph or I's chest, she pooped on the hood of the car (how embarrassing), and really had no idea she was hunting for anything. Ohhh how a year changes things.....while she did do a lot of riding in the backpack, she certainly was more participatory. She was very good at pointing out all the leaves, trees, sticks, moss, roots, etc. Lots of excited "ohhhhs" and "ewhhhhs" then got tired and rode around the rest of the afternoon on Ralph's back.

Nora proved more of a leaf hunter than a mushroom hunter.

We were quite a hive. Ralph was the bee keeper, Nora a baby bee, Bean was a worker bee, I was the queen bee, and Lynnda was a bouquet of flowers.

Bean tried on my crown

Roma and the hive cheering on Wally
x-rated....men riding in thongs.

1st birthday, round 2

We headed to Portland and Grandma & Grandpa's house last weekend to have a duo birthday celebration for both Grandma and Nora.

Saturday we went up to Rainer, Oregon to watch Dad compete in a cylecross race. Nora was in her own category, the 3-wheel category, and was the only one in her age group, 12 months and younger. That being said, she was given a 25 foot head start from the mens masters, 2 wheel, 35 + age group

She was a good fan, cheering everyone on with cowbells

Grandma Lynnda made Nora a big bird cakeshe begun by very carefully and slowly sticking just the tip of her index finger into the cake and tasting it. The demolition of big bird from the neck up began from there as she got increasingly less dainty and more ambitious.

Nora's veiw of her audiance

Nora got a new stroller equipped with baby to push around. She loves it and srtolls her baby recklessly all over the house. Nora is convinced that her baby prefers to ride up-side-down in the stroller.

Road tripping to Colorado

Nora turned 1 on Sunday, she spent the day road-tripping, making her way back from Colorado with Jeff, Casey, Ralph and I. She had her year check-up before we left sprouting up to 29 and 3/4 inches tall and 18.5 lbs

Rest stop to strech our legs and get a bite to eat in downtown Burns. Almost home!!

Taking her new wooden frog for a walk in downtown Ouray.

Jeff and Nora share the same birthday. We stopped in St. Lake City at the famous Red Iguana for a quick birthday dinner.

Nora heading for the dance floor

We went on a big group hike outside of Ouray with the wedding gang. Nora had a blast. She was all smiles and walking funnier than normal.....perhaps it was the altitude, close to 13 thousand feet!

Dad and Nora checking out the shrimp plate
Rehearsal dinner site at Telluride