We went hiking today at horsetail falls. It was instant gratification, we could see this waterfall from the parking lot!



Just about 1 1/2 miles up the trail (emphasis on up) we came across ponytail falls. That's Ben and Eli standing behind it.



Eli got tired and took a nap for about half the hike.



He missed some beautiful scenery.


Over all the 3.5 mile loop was well worth it. There were 3 waterfalls, a weeping wall and quite a few stream crossings. The only thing the guidebook left out was that the "loop" dumps you back out on the freeway about a half mile from the parking lot. You have to hike along a narrow highway to get back to your car. I ended up waiting with Eli while Ben went to get the car.

We borrowed a doorway jumper from my friend Traci. Eli hasn't quite figured out how to make it bounce yet, we'll have to give him some more time.

Eli is starting to scoot around. I left him to play with his baby gym this morning while I did some laundry, I came back and he was like this.....

Eli is having fun doing Tummy Time.



He's rolling all over the place.



And of course the Exersaucer.

Eli just keeps getting bigger, he weighed in yesterday at 21 pounds!

We hiked in Forest Park today, it was Eli's first hike.



We hiked all the way up to the Pittock Mansion.



Eli got tired on the way back to the car.
We packed him in with blankets and he took a little nap.

Eli really is the cutest baby ever, well I guess my opinion isn't exactly unbiased.

We borrowed an Exersaucer from the Churches. I thought it might take Eli a few times to get used to it, but it was love at first sight. He still likes his bouncy chair, but prefers being upright so this is perfect.

We were walking by our pond out back this evening and saw this. I was pretty surprised because we've only ever seen ducks there. At first I thought it was a beaver, but Ben reminded me that water rats are common here. It took us awhile to remember what they're called, it went something like this....

Ben: Creature or maybe Urchin
Michelle: No, how about Capibarra
Ben: No
Michelle: Critter
Ben: Oh Yeah, Nutria

Talk about Rodent of Unusual Size, this thing is about 2 feet long (not including the tail).

Graduation was Friday!!! We couldn't be happier that school is finally over.

Eli can stand up for a few seconds by himself. Ben showed me this yesterday, it's always fun to see a new trick. Now, if we could only get him to go to sleep.

We went to the Zoo today with Jen Frydl. Eli had a great time looking at the fish and chickens, but I think his favorite activity was playing with Jen. She was talking to him, bouncing him and kissing him, he just couldn't stop cracking up.


The tigers were out today!


There is a new black bear exhibit. I know the picture is a little hard to see, but Eli is about 6 inches away from the bear. Usually it's a challenge to get Eli to look in the right direction to see the animals, well he saw the bear.

June 15th is the big day!

Ben graduates with his Masters in Public Administration in less than two weeks. He's been in college the majority of the time we've been married (6 years), I don't think we'll know what to do with ourselves without homework, finals and school vacations.

Eli had his 4 month check up today. The Doctor was filling out his growth chart when I asked what percentile Eli is in, she said he's off the chart (over 99) for height, weight and head circumference.

She asked how tall Ben is and I told her 6 ft 1 in, she said he'd be taller than that. Then I told her my Brother is 6 foot 5 in and she said "now we're getting closer".

I guess we never thought he'd be small.

Oh yeah, he cut 2 teeth this week and on Sunday he giggled for the first time. He squeals all of the time, but this was the first giggle. My little baby isn't so little anymore.

We went swimming the other day. Eli kicks his legs all of the time, and when we put him in the water he kicked himself all around the pool. He loves it, we're going again today.