Family flying

In anticipation for a longer flight this coming weekend, we took Nora up in the Denver Bronco (notice the colors) skyhawk to see how she would do.

She not only tolerated wearing swimmers earplugs and Ralph's ear muffs he uses while running a chain saw; she played the part of a cool tri-pilot (I'm claiming co-pilot), eating a gardenburger, drinking some water, and acting thoroughly bored with the whole operation.

Paddle Fest took place the other weekend. There were stand -up paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks galore on the Deschutes. We found a board that has a viewing window made so you can watch fish and other ocean/river life. We thought it made a perfect toddler seat. So did Nora.

Spain

SPAIN... We had a fantastic time! Being able to all be together is such a be

autiful place was wonderf

ul. We drank liters and liters of good wine and balanced our health by drinking gallons and gallons of fresh squeezed orange juice.

Nora was a superstar traveler to and from Europe. This is her in the Barcelona airport, worked, but not complaining. Nora loved Loci, a huge, gentle, mastif that lived next door and would come to visit. He remained bashful despite Nora's advances.

If you look close you can see Ralph reading and Nora sweeping, her new favorite past time.

Nora and Caden sharing Grams lap.

Caden chilling at one of the crags

Nora loved her easter basket and decided it would serve a good handbag.

Easter egg hunting

She got used to looking up to watch everyone climb. She really wanted to help belay too.

Chores

Feeding Bean has become Nora's first chore.

Leaving on a jet plane

A plea to the blog readers (all 3 of you):

Please think of us, Nora specifically, on Wednesday. She will be confined to laps and narrow aisles for a very un-reasonable amount of time. Ralph and I always agree that when we're nervous about doing something with her (late dinners at fancy resteruants, a road-trip to and from Colorado, flights, day-care, long ski tours, concerts, pedicures, and other not-so baby friendly endevours) she always holds up her end of the bargin and a little bit more. Please don't let her be tapped out of patience. 3 weeks with her new cousin on a spanish isle is sure to be worth it!

New words, new teeth, new hobbies

"Glass, dog, milk, duck" Her new words are very fleeting. You'll hear one and then it's gone, for a long time. She remains reserved and is content most of the time to listen vs. talk. Even though most of her new diction has only graced my hearing once or twice, they were perfect and clear.

"Bye" has become a more routine word. She does have a delayed reaction affliction though. She'll wave good bye after the door has shut and someone has left, and she'll say bye to whoever I'm speaking to on the phone after I hang up. True to her personality, I think she's just staying out of the spot light.

I've tried to be better about getting in the habit of brushing her teeth before bed. It's not eay. She loves to eat the toothpaste. I'm sure she equates oral care with dessert time. Silly Strawberry is the toothpaste flavor, the only way it could be more

enticing is to make it strawberry kiwi flavored.

Aunt Rena came for a spur of the moment visit last week. We had some great girl time.

February at a glance

While February didn't necessarily equate to Winter like we're used to, it was host to alot of fun. The three of us cross country and skate skied quite a bit. Nora made her first tele turns up on Tumalo. Grandma came to visit and introduced bubbles. Ralph went to North Carolina for an EMT class and I went to San Diego for a girls weekend. Nora went to day care at Juniper swim and fitness center first time. Currently, she is cutting 3 molars...bring on the crunchy food.


You'd think after the head bonk and the surprise dunk at the end that she wouldn't like the slide....not the case. She wanted to do it again and again.

February

While the new year has left us wondering when Winter will arrive (it's been a fairly horrible ski season), it hasn't stopped Nora from accepting a position as a cross country ski coach. She's gone several times.

I think she may be more hopeful for Ralph as a skiing protege' though. She pushes him harder with motivating babble. The last time just her and I went my turtle pace lulled her to sleep....hmm....I still haven't decided if I should interpret this as a complement or insult.
Going down the BIG slide continues to get more and more exciting. Now it requires a countdown from 3 to 1 to go before she'll push off.


Even though I say "she's growing up too fast" all the time....we're not quite sharing clothes yet

Skiing on skinny cross country skis without edges can be high excitement, any downhill slope is a serious endeavor. Unable to turn or snow plow or stop makes me a little nervous for coach, a helpless passenger.