Sisters

The kids left early Sunday morning to head back to Provo.  We missed them right away.  I was speaking in Sacrament meeting that day so I had a little something to keep my mind occupied.  My topic was being a good neighbor.

That evening Jim and I and our friends the Jensens went to a fireside over in Gladstone.  Elder Stanley, who had served in our ward two years ago and who Cali had known in Provo as his father had been in the bishopric of her freshman year was ending his mission.  His parents were coming to pick him up.  His mother and I had developed a friendship over the last few years and she was speaking at a fireside in Gladstone.

She is an amputee and shares her very inspiring and faith promoting story.  It was a wonderful fireside and so fun to see Elder Stanley again.  I also invited he and his parents to stay at our house after he was released.

They came on Monday after he was done at the mission home.  We enjoyed having them for a few days.  They spent the day visiting families and we had a nice dinner together.

They left on Wednesday morning and then I headed to Sisters to spend a few days with some friends at my friend Jane's new vacation home.  We had a great time and it was so nice to spend a few days in the warm sunshine.

We did a little hiking while we were there.  There were even some wildflowers still blooming.

 This was a mother daughter trip except I didn't have a daughter at home to take with me - so sad.  Glad they let me come anyway.  Here are the moms.

 After hiking along the Metolius River we went over to the Head of the Metolius.  The spot where the river actually comes out of the side of the hill.  Not too impressive.

 The chipmunks were cute though!

 There was an amazing full moon while we were there.

Perfect Portland Day

The last Saturday the kids were home was truly a Perfect Portland Day.  In more ways than one.

The weather was perfect and it was perfect because three of the four kids were home!  Tessa had to go back to Utah early for classes - we missed her every minute she was gone!

Clark has been waiting for a long time - over a year to go to a certain restaurant in Portland - The Screen Door.  Jim and I had been and had sent him a picture of their signature dish.  He couldn't wait to try it out!!

Chicken & Waffles.  Yes that is 3 chicken breasts on top of a sweet potato waffle.

 Both boys ordered it but only one boy finished it.  Can you guess which one??

I had the Praline and Bacon Waffles which was wonderful!!

After breakfast we headed down to the Saturday's Market.  Cali wanted to pick up some silver rings.

We had fun checking out the various booths and of course people watching.  Clark found a cute Portland t-shirt for Tessa for her birthday. It is always fun to listen to the street performers too.

This cute man kept telling me the picture would be better if I was in it.

From there we headed to the Park blocks for the Portland Farmer's Market where I picked up a few things for dinner.

The day continued from there and we went over to the Mississippi Street Fair which was fun and there were tons of people there.

You never know what you are going to see at fairs like this in Portland.  They are truly what "keeps Portland weird!"

Here is a fun band that was playing and walking down the street.

You could also pay and paint on this old car.  The kids thought it was a great idea and decided that is what we should do with the old white Volvo!!

Even though Logan was born and raised in Portland he had never had a Voo Doo Doughnut which is an institution in Portland - well he bought himself his first one at the fair!  He went for the peanutbutter and chocolate.

There was lots to see!

From there we went home and everyone just relaxed for a while and I fixed a nice big dinner for everyone even though we were still full from breakfast!


A perfect Portland day!!!