Aunt Desi Visits Portland!

So what a great week it was having Aunt Desi in town. Despite a rough start to the trip because of long flight delays, Aunt Desi made it to Portland with an energy and zest to get her vacation started!  The week was filled with sight seeing, many dining experiences, and Bella being spoiled to death.  Is anyone surprised???  It is always a great joy for Rafa and I when family and friends visit : ) 

Started right off with the Greek Festival, a cool and raining evening that was jam packed with people, but that didn't prevent us from eating : )

Here are little honey balls with cinnamon:

Trying out the Baklava (sp?)

But we didn't JUST eat, we watched the dancers too!

The next morning we went to Arleta Bakery and Cafe, where we waited almost an hour to be seated, it was well worth the wait!

Aunt Des had Biscuits and Gravy and I had some egg and potato yumminess.  Is that a mimosa I see by Aunt Desi's plate??

Next we went to the Oregon gardens where the air was very cold!  We walked around for awhile and then ended with a cup of hot tea!

Portland City Grill was next on the agenda.  Had to wait in line for 30 minutes and knock down a few handicap folks just to get a table my the window, but oh was it worth it...look at the view!

Aunt Des drinking her $10 martini, yikes!  We spent a doozy on drinks,  more than the food!

And some of the best food in Portland!

And the best dessert of my life, fresh baked cookies with ice cream!

After recovering from Portland City Grill a few nights later, we went where all Portland visitors should go, beautiful Multnomah Falls! The colors, air, scents, and environment was just wonderful!

And after we enjoy the lovely sights of the Falls, we headed to McMenamin's Edgefield for some gluttonous  wine tasting Edgefield continues to amaze me with their wine, and only $3 for a 6 wine tasting!

An afternoon later, Aunt Des and I visisted the Chinese Gardens, and lucky for us, it was free day!  The air was warm and as the sun was setting we enjoyed tea outside along the water...so peaceful.

We completed our last evening together with Old Town Pizza and a Tour, nothing like the quirkiness of Portland!

And of course a visit to VooDoo donuts, and yes that is a voodoo donut, equipped with a pretzel knife and strawberry jam inside for blood.  Gross!

And one of the most common phrases you will see on bumper stickers in Portland, Oregon (just had to get this shot!)...

What a great week it was, thanks to Aunt Desi, Rafa, Bella, and the wonderful city of Portland!

Polish Festival

Rafa and I had the joy of going to the Polish Festival last night.  Our friend Olimpia plays in the band Chervona.  It was a ton of fun served up with great Polish Beer, Food, and Dancing! 

Olimpia playing the violin...

Girls and Gardens

It was a simple event this year, just a quiet evening at the Oregon Garden Hotel, south of Portland about an hour.  The weather was lovely, the company sweet.  We had dinner outside at sunset, enjoyed a relaxing hour in the jacuzzi and then retired the evening with some beauty treatments.  The following morning we had breakfast and enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the gardens.  My only wish is that all of my best friends could have joined us.  Maybe next time!

Here is a few from the hotel...

Us outside at dinner...

View from the deck of the hotel room...

Beauty treatments!

Flowers during our walk through the gardens...

Olimpia....

Marisa and baby girl...

Just Us!

Family Vacation 2009 - Grand Lake

What a lovely long weekend it was, sharing time with the American family at Grand Lake in Oklahoma. 


The weather was perfect, not to warm and not too cool. We spent our time swimming, boating, skipping rocks, and enjoying every meal outside.  The location was perfect,  for the rental house sat directly on the lake with a flawless view from the patio. Enjoy the pics!

Every meal outside!

Rafa prepping for Smores

How many pancakes does it take to feed a family of 7??










Boater Butts

The fam enjoying the boat

Tenderness...

Lots of activities! Teatherball, skipping rocks, and LOTS of swimming!

And what is the perfect vacation without the sweetest kids of all....

"They are on the right feet!"  Zaid

 

These vacations are wonderful.  It means the world for me to not only spend time with my family, but to create lasting happy memories for the kids.  Memories that they can carry with them forever.   

Another Perfect Summer Evening

 This has been an awesome summer, and while hopefully not over yet, last night proved to us another reason we love living in Portland.  The Oregon Symphony hosts a free outside concert on the Waterfront to kickoff their season. The show starts at 5pm with the Childrens performance, and then at 7pm is the Adult performance.  The concert last about 3 hours and always ends with 1812 Overture with live Canons. During the canons, a huge sailboat puts up an enormous American flag and goes back and forth for the audience to view from land.  Immediately following is a wonderful fireworks display.

This is Rafa and I's 4th year going, and every year we marvel at how nice it must be to watch the show from a boat.  Well this year we did, and it was even that much more incredible!  To be with your family, watch the sunset behind the city, and enjoy the symphony under the warm summer sky among the soft waves beneath you...this is a good life!

Top Photo:Approaching the show
Left Photo: View of the Lawn crowd
Bottom Photos:  Rafa with bridge and Bella hiding from fireworks : )