Evan's First Birthday (almost) and Mt Hood

From Helen

Well we have been really lazy in updating what has been going on with us. We seem to spend a lot of time taking care of business, rearranging things, looking for things (some of which made it on the truck, others not). The days fly by and before we know it, it is 7pm and where is dinner? Real TV shows do not start until 8pm here which means we stay up for the 11pm news, well we try. It is really nice to see stars out your window when you go to bed, I mean "Stars!" The deer continue to use our side yard as their pathway to the canal for a drink. There are reports from the neighbors of a fox and yes a mountain lion in the area. There is a large area of walking paths not far, I am thinking I should not go alone? Perhaps the "kitty" hangs out there?
We made it up to Seattle to celebrate a little early Evan's 1st birthday. He is walking, talking (although some things sound the same to me)- he did get the hang of "Rock Chalk Jawhawk -KU" - and was exposed to his first Final Four at a bar! Stick with Grandma Evan, we will have fun!Everything was blooming in Seattle, one street was lined with Cherry Trees, just beautiful. Great visit, too short, but nice to know they are within driving distance. Check out the pictures.
On our way back we took a chance and drove up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. A visit you don't want to miss if you are in the area. WPA project that has all the craftsmanship that came out of that program. The government would do good to put something like that in place again, if the peoples mentality would put their arms around it, we would have more structures still standing and people who are proud of their craft. Anyway the snow was incredible - we could not see the summit, and just barely saw the lifts headed up there. I think the actual summit was closed because of the snow. It looked like great skiing! Check out the pictures and captions.
Today holds a "ride" to John Day. I am following in the car, with supplies! John Day is about 2 hours away and has some scenic area's we are told.... I will take the camera. We are staying with some friends we have met, she is a quilter who rides a Harley...and he just rides....they have a house over there, I think it is like a cabin in the woods.... we are to take bedding, it is a good thing I am driving?!
Well that is it for me - we head home next Tuesday to Kansas - it will be hard to leave here, but it will be good to see everyone.