GWe had a lots of fun with the DiBernardo’s. Vaughn and Viv at the zoo. I think they like each other. Have a whole slew of photos from the trip.
Author Archives: Michele Warther
Good Deed
I enjoyed when the day starts off well. I was driving to work when I passed an older lady walking towards the center of town. She had a grocery bag and a stick/pick with her, gathering up trash on the side of the road as she walked. I thought that was the nicest thing so I turned around and went back to let her know.
I said “Thank you. I noticed you picking up trash as you went along and I just had to stop to say thank you.” She said “Your welcome” then she smiled ear to ear and said “And thank you too!”
That was a great way to start the morning and now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Have you said THANK YOU to someone today?
Forestry Center, Multnomah Falls and Mt. Hood
Last day of the DiBo’s being in town and we had a full day of fun all over the Cascades! First stop was the World Forestry Center in Washington Park. I wasn’t sure how interested I’d be in it, but was pleasantly surprised at the interactivity they had and how interested all of what the world does with Forestry which was highlighted at the Discovery Museum we went to.
I really dug the simulation of what smoke jumpers do and trying to land on the mark in a parachute. Closest I got was a little under 200 feet. John was much better at 100 feet, but Joe kicked all our asses by getting 5 feet from the mark. Upstairs in the center was forestry around the world, a train in Russia, a canopy crane in the Rain Forests of Brazil, a boat ride in China and in this picture a land rover/safari in Africa.Deb and Vaughn mug for the camera, while the baby girl show Daddy her driving skills.
Next stop before Multnomah falls was Arabian Breeze on Broadway in Portland, one of our favorite places to eat. Can’t get enough of the sajh and zahtar to start with and then on to the kibbah snack. Yum Yum.
After the lunchtime fest it was off towards the falls and the neat drive out there. A quick stop on the way at the Vista House where Joe, Vaughn and Deb got out to walk around a bit.
The snoozies – John and Vivian stayed in the car. Viv slept almost until the first fruit farm we hit. Vaughn crashed after the Vista house himself.
Joe, Deb and I headed up to the falls. Got a few photos at the lower part of the fall and then took the quick walk up to the bridge for some more pictures.
Joe got a lot of great shots of the foligage along the way. You can check out more in my photo gallery of each day.
We took the rest of the scenic drive to Hood River, a quick stop at the Starbucks and then it was up the mountain for the “Hood River Fruit Loop” I must admit part of the fun was just saying it. There was a bunch of fruit farms along the way and we stopped for some home baked cookies at one of them before heading up to Timberline to see some snow and visit the lodge. Vaughn and Viv totally dig hanging out together.
After the visit to the lodge and some dinner we headed back down the mountain to go home. Deb, Joe and Vaughn left in the early am for Vermont and we miss them terribly already. Although we won’t miss them for too long as they’ll be joining us again for our next vacation in the winter. Woo Hoo – a fun time was had by all.
Downtown and Rose Garden
The boys heading out into the woods to play airsoft. John set up a man-hunt in Estacada, he and Joe spent most of the day up there. Deb, Vaughn, Viv and I headed out to visit some of the Portland site. We hit the Hawthorne District for a little bit of shopping and then lunch. Afterwards we went over to the other side of town to spend some time in the Rose Garden. The Rose Festival was going on so the place was packed with people. We walked through the gardens and then over to NW 23rd for some coffee and more shopping
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Once the boys got back in town we all napped and then headed over to Benihana for birthday dinner for Viv and Vaughn. Viv ate everything put in front of her – rice, shrimp, steak, lobster, squash, onions, tofu and even some ice cream for dessert. We had a blast hanging out.
Baby Girl’s B-Day Party
Bright and early headed out to pick up the birthday cakes. One for Vivian – TinkerBell and one for Vivian/Vaughn – Pooh and Piglet. Was hoping for Pooh/Tigger and Powerpuff Girls, but couldn’t get those and ice cream cake so had to compromise.
Had Viv’s birthday party at the bowling alley here in town. Figured the girls threw me a baby shower there, so a first birthday party was right in line. There was a bunch of people I hadn’t seen in a while either. First to arrive was Sara, Josh, Brian, Emily and Luke (Josh and I worked together at Tranxtion). Luke is just 8 weeks old and quite the cutie. Josh told me the whole story about how Sara wouldn’t name him Han Solo Graham, but who know sounds like someone might be getting a new name for their first birthday =)
James, Jason and Jason’s new beau came as well. John’s known them since they’ve been teenagers so it’s hard to believe Jason is eeking up on 30. I don’t think I’ve seen that whole crew together since they were all coming over for dinner and Band of Brothers for 3 months. Jason said Tiffany is thinking of moving to Wilsonville, so we’ll have to reach out to her.
Deb, Joe and Vaughn came out and we had a special guest star in from Seattle – Ms Smart Pants – Jen Blackwell! She drove down to hang out with us and then came over after the party and kicked it with me for a bit. Sounds like the Blackwells might head back to California – San Diego this time. It was a great time talking with her.
Jim, Tracy, Sam and Matt (who graduated last weekend) came down from Estacada for the afternoon. Jim got a hold of the toy rockets in the goody bags and fired one off that landed 10 lanes down the bowling alley. Nice one Jim! Zoila stopped by for a few too. She gave Vivian the cutest green dress and a singing frog that speaks English/Spanish. It was a nanny vs. manny when Jared grabbed the baby girl for some games in the arcade. Mama Lisa came by after taking Camille (her kitty) to the vet and commented on Sarah’s jumpsuit present for Viv – “Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner” I love pop culture.
Sykes and Steph car-pooled from NE and hung out for a while before heading to the Rose fest. Mark was huuung over but still got the peanut smiling. He, Steph and Jared all bowled together. Vivian took it all in, being passed from person to person smiling and squawking the whole team.
Just went we though seeing people we hadn’t seen in a while was over with the party, we ran into the Sherman’s at dinner. John’s best friend from college John Sherman, wife Kari and their 3 kids were at Buster’s BBQ after their son’s T-Ball game. What a small world. We pulled a couple of tables together and caught up with them as well. Best bumper sticker in the parking lot (mostly full of trucks) Bush gives Pussy a Bad Name – ah welcome to America ya’ll stay a while!!