Visiting Eugene and Portland

Ralph was in a heavy rigging class last week in Eugene.  I worked Tuesday and Wednesday and then Nora, Bean and I headed over the mountain on Thursday.  We got off to a little bit of a rough start when a air-stream camper hit ice and flipped over blocking both lanes of traffic for 3 hours.  Yes 3 HOURS of stopped traffic on the top of the pass.  Hazmat crews and a crane had to come from Salem to clear it.  We felt pretty lucky though as we were only 30 cars behind it.  I wouldn't have wanted to be any closer, but being up front was great once traffic got moving again.  The fact that it was an absolutely gorgeous bluebird day helped too.  We got out and watched Bean play in the snowbank, visited with neigboring motorists, Nora ate in the drivers seat (certainly a 1st), and read a few books.  She handles traffic well.  She did however loose her patience after 2 hours as I kept her buckled in her car seat and ready to go.  

She had a great night sleep in her tent in the hotel room.  Ralph had class again Friday so Nora, Bean and I walked ALL OVER Eugene.  I took her all through campus.  I did get a few looks when I was pushing her through the crowds of students in between classes.  They seemed like pity looks, hmmmm, perhaps people were thinking "ohh that poor mother is taking her baby to class with her."  We visited with Will and Carly and their little girl, Sophia.  Nora and I watched Will and Sophia in gymnastics.  

We traded our sunscreen for raincoats and headed North to Portland and G. Kaplan.

We went out to Kenny and Zukes for a world famous pastrami sandwich.  Grandma gave Nora  her 1st pickle.

Grandma Kaplan got Nora a sweet new back-pack.  We plan to take it to Norway and do some great hikes with her.  I can't wait for this summer to go on overnights with her and friends. Stacey and I have already been scheming.  We've been wearing it around the house and on hikes around town where the stroller can't go.  Grandma Wenger tried it on for size too.  
We all went out to Zydeco for Ralph's 35th birthday on Sunday.  We celebrated his actual birthday with a party at the house last Thursday.  Nora had a great time meeting everyone.  Her favorite thing was the bright red keg cups.   She'd stare at them and reach for them and managed to latch on to a few of unsuspecting party goes that were trying to hold her and enjoy a beer at the same time.  A chorus of about 30-40 people singing happy birthday did scare her to tears though.  

For the last month or so Nora has saved her laughs primarily for Bean and other four legged, furry friends.  Now, however, she has decided that Ralph falls into the funny category.

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Dad's Home

Ralph made it home after a long month.  We all missed him beyond telling.  

Nora has a routine in which she watches us make our meals.  She sits in her bumbo chair and observes the goings on of the kitchen like the blender, a frying egg, or the suds of the dishwater.  Since Ralph has been home she's taken on a whole new level of interest in what's cooking as Ralph has starting showing her fruits and vegetables and letting her explore them.  

And Ralph thought his forearms were tired from using a chainsaw for a month.........