Fall Fun

Even though it doesn't feel like fall here in Colorado yet (we're still in the upper 80s daily), we have been trying to get in the fall spirit. Right after returning from Minneapolis, Grandma and Grandpa Rudolph came for a visit.

Nora did some hiking while the Four Mile Canyon Fire burned nearby.

We had a picnic lunch in Golden where Nora checked out Coors' famous cold water.

And pounded on some big fish.

Grandma had to go home and work, but Grandpa stuck around for an extra week to paint our fence. It was a tedious job, but looks great now. All our neighbors are jealous!

Now for some eating pictures...first, Nora had fun with a cob of corn.

Sunglasses make breakfast taste better!

On a date with Finn, they split a bean burrito and side of rice. Nora ate a few crayons too; nice to know she isn't afraid to show her true colors in front of him!

On Saturday, Nora was so tired at lunch that she just couldn't keep her eyes open.

Yesterday we visited an apple orchard and farm with the Berg family. Orchards in this part of the country are very different from home. The trees look more like sticks, and you need a 'picking reservation' to pick your own apples. Nora enjoyed the horses, which she called doggies.

Everyone enjoyed the hayride!

Nora flirted with Rocco.

And who can resist a fresh apple donut?

I should mention that Nora had her 15 month check-up 2 weeks ago. Clothes, diaper and all she weighed 20 lbs even (10%) and was 30 inches tall (45%).

Next Monday Nora is going to Grandma and Grandpa Koski's house for 5 nights without Mom and Dad! It might be a while before the next update.

Minneapolis

As mentioned in the previous post, we headed to Green Bay just before the Labor Day weekend for Jeff's Grandpa's funeral.

The good part about events like these is that the family gets together. Grandma and Grandpa Koski got to see both grandkids at the same time!

Bennett and Nora got along famously, as usual, and Nora was especially interested in the arcade games at the luncheon.

Grandpa Dan and his girls.

We headed to Minneapolis for the Labor Day weekend as originally planned. Nora was curious about her cousin Croix, but was more interested in her own activities most of the time.

Here, she eyes him up...

and touches his nose (she is very interested in noses these days).

We headed to the farmer's market Saturday morning

where Nora enjoyed some milk.

Then we went to the Como Zoo where Nora enjoyed the monkeys.

We finished up the morning at the conservatory where the plants and koi pond were so tempting.

Sunday morning we headed to Lake Calhoun for a walk and to visit with friends Heather and Troy. Jeff and Michael enjoyed the view.

A family photo.

Sunday evening we visited with more friends. Nora made some new friends, Chloe and Ben, who are twins just 3 weeks younger than Nora. How many one-year-olds can play with one push car?

Nora and Uncle Mike, strolling. Monday morning we went to the Teddybear Park in Stillwater and took lots of pictures!

What a great picture!

Mike and Emily came up with so many fun activities for Nora; we had such a nice visit. And Nora couldn't have been a better traveler!