Feb 16-28

The highlight of the second half of February was a visit from Oma (Grandma Luoma).  Cadel and Senja had a splendid time with her, and we're pretty sure she enjoyed their company as well.  Stacey, Justin, and Senja took an overnight trip to the coast (our first trip without Cadel since Senja was born).  We went on a great hike out Cape Lookout -- the Oregon coast is indeed spectacular.

We celebrated Justin's birthday on the 23rd. And on the 24th we got our first "big" snow storm in Portland.  School was canceled, the local hardware stores sold out of shovels, people were storing up rations, all for an inch of snow.  Yes, an inch.  Cadel and Oma made a very cute little snowman (I think he was about 6" tall) just outside our house. 

Feb 15 (Senja 6 mo)

Happy 6 months Senja!  Senja brought in her half birthday by getting her little knees under her in crawling position.  No movement in any direction yet, but she definitely seemed pleased about trying out her newly discovered position.

She weighed in at 19 lbs and is now 27 inches tall.  She also is now ready to start eating solid foods.  We gave her a wooden spoon for her half birthday and she seemed to know exactly what to do with it (well, regardless of what we give her, it ends up in her mouth...this time that happened to be where it belongs!).

She seemed to enjoy her first taste of rice cereal, though we think most of it ended up dribbling down her chin or onto Justin's lap. 

Feb 1-14

We started out this month with a visit from Gimpa (Grandpa Luoma).  He is doing some consulting work for a company just outside of Portland and extended his trip out here for work to include some time with us.  We went to the Portland Zoo and visited the rhinoceros; when he stood up and opened his mouth Cadel said, "The rhinoceros is talking."  I asked, "What is the rhinoceros saying?".  Cadel replied (using his BIG animal voice) "Hi Cadel.  I am a rhinoceros today."  Ah, the entertainment of life with a two year old!

We took a visit to Salt Lake City for a long weekend from the 10th to the 13th.  It was so great to see all our old friends there and Justin got in a great day of back country skiing.  Cadel even got his first taste of Utah powder.

Happy Valentine's Day!  Cadel happily climbed on a chair in the kitchen and baked some cookies for the occasion.

Concentrating on the task at hand...

But never being too serious for too long!

Senja celebrates her first Valentine's Day by eating her present (it's not a box of chocolates).