The Great Traveling Kate!

When we told people we were going to take Kate on a week long road trip, we were met with many skeptical looks. I'm not sure anyone really thought it was a good idea. Well, my friends, she got along fantastically.

It is a little different traveling with an infant, I'll admit that for sure. Instead of driving to Red Lodge in one day like we probably would have, we took two days there and two days home. We quickly learned that when Kate was done being in the car seat, she was DONE. But we also learned that she loves being hiked around in the Baby Bjorn, doesn't mind having an entire queen-size bed to herself and absolutely LOVES the new stuffed moose we got her in Red Lodge.

Sometimes, traveling requires two pacifiers.

Showing Mom on the map where we need to go. Idaho!

Kate and her new fuzzy friend, Reggie the Moose.

This is what happens when I tell B that Kate needs her diaper changed and that we should pull over at the next convenient place. He takes the very next exit and we end up here...

Big Sky Country

B was recently presented with the awesome opportunity to shoot a wedding in Montana. Of-course we took advantage and turned this business trip into our first official road trip as a family of three.

We left on Thursday, spent the night in Coeur d'Alene and then arrived in Red Lodge, Montana on Friday evening. What a great little mountain town! Lots of shops, galleries, restaurants and great views. Kate and I spent the Saturday cruising the sights in town, while B shot a gorgeous wedding in the countryside near Joliet.

Downtown historic and scenic Red Lodge, MT.

On Sunday morning, we got up early and prepared ourselves for the Beartooth Highway, the highest pass in North America which tops out at 10,947 ft. The Highway connects Red Lodge, MT with the Northeast gate of Yellowstone National Park. It's the craziest series of switchbacks that take you up above the tree line, past alpine lakes and over a high plateau into Wyoming. An absolutely stunning drive.

A brand-new Olson

With all of the excitement surrounding Kate's arrival, I fear she has stolen a little bit of thunder from the newest Olson family addition. Bridget and Craig tied the knot on September 3rd on a gorgeous sunny day in Oregon City.

Congrats C & B! Bridget, welcome to the family!

A revelation

Kate and her new friend Clyde. Kate is 6 weeks old. Clyde is 5 months old. Ladies and gents, we have a big girl on our hands.

A heads up

Just a heads up Kate: this will not be the last time you get your diaper changed on a picnic table by a river.

Back on the trail again

The hardest part of pregnancy? All of the inactivity. All of the "don't go skiing, running, hiking, rock climbing, cycling, etc." Now that I'm getting back to my normal size, I'm anxious to be active again, doing everything we love. First up, hiking.

We took our first hike as a family on Friday afternoon--a scenic stroll along the Clackamas River.

B explains all about trees and the sun and wolverines and the mystery of Sasquatch.

All primed for a picnic table diaper change.

Happy hiking family

Kate does a photo shoot

Some shots from recent photo shoots with Little Miss Kate.

Two weeks old

One month old

Kate learns about football

Since Kate's parents grew up in Nebraska and Texas, she is bound to have football in her blood. Well, Husker football in her blood anyway. We introduced her to football over the weekend by taking her to our local high school for Friday night's game and then carting over to Ryan and Dacia's on Saturday for the Husker/Husky game. She thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Kate, chillin' with Dad at Lake Oswego High.

All dressed up in her Husker best for Saturday's game.

Athlete of the Month

One month of Kate

So, little miss Kate Suzanne has been in our lives for one month. B and I always say that we can't remember what it was like before we met and now, we can't seem to remember what it was like before Kate. She really is the light of our lives. We are getting a reasonable amount of sleep as we are starting to figure out her eating and napping habits. And, believe it or not, but I take a shower almost everyday. Unheard of, right?

Kate is developing quite a personality already--her two favorite things to do? Stare at the sheep that run in circles above her crib and poop in a fresh diaper that has been on her butt for about 30 seconds.

Five Years

Kate's First Week

Some photos from our first week at home with Kate. She eats and sleeps and we sit and stare at her. It's turning into a really nice routine.