the great northwest

We arrived in Portland on Friday afternoon and it's been raining ever since. Our townhouse is nice. The moving truck is supposed to arrive Thursday -- so once we fill this place with all our junk it will feel more like home. We have a three story house but Alfonso put up gates so I'm less paranoid about Alejandro taking a tumble. (Well, from the stairs anyhow -- he likes to stand on the coffee table.) We live really close to just about everything we need. Less than 2 miles from Intel, there are groceries stores, restaurants, shopping plazas and parks within walking distance. We found a new church we like. It's on the other side of the railroad tracks. Literally and figuratively! Across the street from our complex there's Banana Republic and Gap and the like but when you cross the railroad tracks you see signs for tattoo parlors, payday loans, pawn shops and the carniceria/taqueria. (We bought some carnitas at the carniceria after mass. Yum!)
Alejandro is adjusting surprisingly well. He keeps asking to play with his friend Julianah but he's excited about the new house. He prays for both of them every night. His latest accomplishment is brushing his teeth. He finally figured out the brushing technique (instead of just sucking off the toothpaste.) He's sleeping in a twin bed without rails (since they are on the truck still) and hasn't fallen out of bed. Talks a mile a minute and sings at the top of his lungs. His favorite song these days is "If you are happy and you know it..."
Dante is rolling all over. He's starting to sit up. He's learning to steal toys back from Alejandro. Still a sweetheart and very easy going. He has gotten up on all fours once and will be crawling before we know it. Life goes way too fast!
Alfonso had his first day of work today. He has orientation this week so he only has to work half days. But Intel will get their pound of flesh later when he's working 14 hour days. He's excited and seems pretty happy about his coworkers so that's a good thing.

Love always,

debi