Ella pets an alligator!

The big weekend event was a trip to the Hillsboro Unique Pet Show. Ella saw lots of animals including birds, cats, dogs, turtles, lots of different lizards, snakes, alpaca and an alligator. It was really a fun way to spend a couple of hours.










We capped off the weekend with some grilled lamb. Hanna enjoyed it more than any of us.

Ella

Ella is turning into a big girl and making her own decisions these days. The other night after we put her to bed she got back up, turned on the lamp and got herself a book to read. She was so tired looking at her eyes, but she kept getting up to read.

Anita had an ultrasound this week and daddy won out and we didn't find out the sex of the pending baby. Life still needs a few surprises. We both probably saw things in the ultrasound that let us think we think we know what it will be. The reality is the ultrasound technician stayed clear. Too bad I can't program or I would put up voting buttons for girl or boy.

Daddy got himself some new glass and I think they look supper cool! I could put voting buttons here to find out what I know - I'm a dork. Just remember good guys wear white.

No such thing as bad weather.

I've been told in Portland the locals don't carry umbrellas, it's a sign of the people visiting. It is also an acknowledgement that the weather is bad. But it's not bad, it's just wet. Today I rode to work in a hard rain it wasn't cold just wet, and the fenders on the bike sure help keep things in the minor mess vs. a major mess. Putting on wet clothes to ride home isn't fun but it's no big deal.

Anita got the girls some ice cream as a treat. Who cares what the weather is outside when you have ice cream inside.






Saturday we went up the Columbia river valley and saw some water falls. They scared Ella when we were up close, lots of water and noise coming to get her. Then we went to a fish hatchery. They had thousands of Trout and Salmon. They also had this cool pond with huge Sturgeon, six plus feet.




Sunday was swimming and a short bike race for Daddy where he got to meet some of the Oregon racer crowd. It was a fun to race after a six month lay off, especially to ride rocket wheels over the system wheels and it was also dry. With presidents day weekend we had Monday off to play. Hanna started the day in what is probably the first of many raids on Daddy's wallet!

We went to see the Currier's. They colored and the Hanna's played. I also am in favor of Ella making a long standing tradition where the boys chase her but never catch her.

A new pet was rejected.

Things are good in the Pacific NW. Hanna is walking all the time and scares her momma when she heads for the stairs. We had Jackson over Sat night and he and Ella were inseparable. They went right to bed without any horseplay. I think they were wore out from the swimming pool and a good hot dog dinner.The next morning we did a long scooter ride.
Here is the Hanna Hannah combo. Big H is trying to give baby H her bottle.I found Ella a pet on my way home from work and used some paper cups to bring him home. We even had a make shift aquarium to keep Sally the Salamander in. Regardless of the name Anita invoked catch and release and she is now a resident of our yard along with all the croaking frogs around the neighborhood.

Hanna is One Year Old Thursday!

First Gift: Flying Lessons!
Second Gift: Pizza! (also counts as a gift for momma and dada with no cooking)
Third Gift: CAKE!!! CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!
We really like Gift #3!
Gift 4: A baby doll and some new books from Grandma and badminton rackets for Ella.

Happy B-day to Jackson!

Jackson turned 4 Sunday and he invited Ella and Hanna to his party Saturday. Sunday we went for a hike in Forest Park with the Currier clan. It rained all day Saturday and the trails were slippery and muddy. Ella had a moment of doubt and contemplation before deciding it was fun.

Weather has been clear and dry for most of the time we have been here with only a few days of rain. From Forest park we had a clear shot of Saint Helons.

Then it hit on the way home! Baby #3 has taken his/her first shot at kicking mamma's kidneys!

I grabbed this shot of Mt Hood Driving to the pool. If there weren't so many trees you could see Saint Helons, Mt Rainier, Mt Adams and Mt Hood all at once.

It was very warm today, almost 60 deg. We went to the pool for a swim with no crowds instead of watching the Superbowl. Hanna, who spent the hike in the back pack, spent her evening trying to get get Ella to play.