So Excited!

This home project isn't complete but I couldn't resist posted the progress pictures.

Before:

 After:

That is right people... all the navy is GONE!!!!

I will post more details later.  When it is done.... weeks from now.  I had no idea how long it takes to install shower doors (or how much they flipping cost!).

Portland, OR

I am finally getting around to recapping the trip to Portland.  Only about 6 weeks after the trip.  

We had planned an anniversary trip to New Hampshire but Joe needed to be in Portland about 3 days before we were going to NH.  So, we just changed the trip and headed to OR instead!  It was a great choice.  Loved the city and the people we got to visit while there.  

This will be a quick and dirty synopsis of the trip.  Mostly photos and a few captions :)

I had the day to explore on my own while Joe was working.  I took full advantage and did things I couldn't drag him to.  I started with the International Rose Test Garden.  It was AMAZING!  Hundreds of thousands of roses in bloom. 

 Next stop (literally across the street) was the Japanese Garden.  I was able to catch a tour that was just starting.  Very informative and interesting. 

 I bought this adorable owl at the Japanese Garden.  I love him.

Ended my time alone with an amazing sandwhich at PBJs Grill food cart.  Portland has city blocks full of food carts.  We basically ate lunch everyday at different carts.  great food!

Joe surprised me with flowers, champagne, and chocolates in the room!  Love that guy :)

We explored the city the next day (including Powell Books, Voodoo Donuts) and then hit up the Bite of Oregon the next.  Fun food/wine/beer festival

 

The next day we headed to the coast.  On the way, we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Nice tour, great cheese, amazing ice cream.

We loved the coast!  Cool weather and plenty of sun.  We were just in time for the last few days of Dungeness crab season.  We shared a delicious whole crab at Ecola Seafood Market. We brought a bottle of local wine that we got at the festival, cheese from the factory, and sat on the beach and enjoyed.  Seriously, a great day.

 That evening we celebrated a great 5 years at Jake's Grill.

Other food/drink highlights from the trip include:

Tasty n Sons

Laurelhurst Market

Portland City Grill

and Russel's private grill (good food/beer/friends)!

Love a good mullet

Kamden was sporting an awesome mullet for about a month.  I refused to get his hair cut before the 1st birthday mark but Joe couldn't handle it any longer.  He did really great at the appointment. 

The Mullet

 

 Ummmm... what is happening?

YAY!  All done! (clapping... other hand below cape)

 recap:

Hello Mullet...

 

Hello Adorable:

12 Month Update

5 Years

08/12/07

 (c) Portraits by Lucinda

(c) Portraits by Lucinda

Five years later - plus a kid, a dog, many "muddy adventures", and a beard :)

... Portland & Oregon Coast trip details to follow!

Bookworm Brunch Details

I can't take credit for many of the major ideas.  Friends, google, and pinterest are my lifeline for creativity these days.  The food consisted of:

The Very Hungary Caterpillar's- fruit salad

 The Atlantic Puffin's - puffins (pancake-muffins)

 

 If You Give a Pig a Party- ham sliders

Winnie the Pooh - Rabbit's salad

 Curious George's - monkey bread

 

 (not) Green Egg's and Ham - egg cups (aka quiche)

frap jars were cleaned (lids painted white) and reused as "milk jugs" with OJ, milk, and chocolate milk.  Straws were purchased from amazon.

Decorations included wrapping paper runners & books wrapped in ribbon with balloons on top

Take home gifts for the kids were 90% furbished by target's dollar spot.  They included reusable bags, books, pencils, erasers,"reading glasses", nerds candy, "bookworms" (aka gummy worms).  Some of the  younger kids received baby food or goldfish for practicality :)

 

Some bookworms modeling the glasses (they were wizard glasses purchased from amazon)

All the family pictures aren't usually on our mantel but it worked well for the party.  The "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" banner is made of fabric and will be used for years to come. 

1st Birthday Bookworm Brunch

I can't believe Kamden is ONE!  Seriously, sometimes I feel like time is slow (because... is it naptime yet?) but other times I feel like it speeds by!  The books brunch theme was decided very early but luckily, this kid really does love books.  

I will post details of the birthday party in a separate post :)

 

 Cake batter pancakes...

 

Yes, those are mighty tasty!

Would you like to try them, Mama?