Thursday, July 31, 2008

Wish me luck!


Wish me luck. I am going to enter this contest.

I'll keep you posted on what I enter and when (?) I win!

Here are the details:

Let your inner bartender shine in the "Create the Oregon Bounty Cocktail" Contest. It's simple: design a drink that represents your favorite part of the state, using Oregon's artisan distilled spirits and local products. Pick one or more of the following regions: Portland Metro, Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, Willamette Valley, Mt. Hood/Columbia River Gorge, or Eastern Oregon and then get cocktail creative. Download a PDF list of Oregon distilled spirits; most are available at Oregon liquor stores; for others, contact the distillery for information on where to purchase.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Oaks Park Trip Photos

I took a few pictures at our trip to Oak's Park today. Some good ones of Holly and Emma on the roller coaster ride! Just click on the picture:

Oaks Park Today

Today we went to Oaks Park Amusement. Tom took one of my favorite "blips" today! Click on the image to go to the blip itself.


It's a High Dynamic Range image... whatever that is.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Dominick and Bronwyn

Dominick and Bronwyn came to visit for the weekend. The weather managed to stay pretty much perfect for them. we also managed to show them a little bit of Portland. Dom particularly enjoyed Stumptown coffee; no surprise there. Didn't take very many photos but here are a few:

Saturday night we BBQ'ed in the backyard. Yum!


Sunday night we all went out to eat. Dom and Bronwyn brought Holly and Emma cool sunglasses to wear. The Kids love them.



Dom also played some Wii with the Girls. Here they are playing Boxing. Funny how Dom kept getting beaten up! Nice one, Dom.



Here you can see Emma getting into it. I'm not sure who she was rooting for.

Kruger's Farm

Last Thursday we went to Kruger's Farm on Sauvie Island. We meet up with some new friends of ours and their kids, who are all girls. The evening was perfect in every regard.

We picnic-ed and listened to music on the main lawn.









The girls all went off adventuring about the various fields and planed a berry picking surprise for the grown ups. I was allowed along asthe offical photographer.















There was also a hay ride to enjoy.



All in all it was a great evening.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Day In The Life Of A Portlander

We had a full Saturday.

Started out downtown with lunch at Piazza Italia:



The whole experience was great. We felt we were vacationing in Italy as it seemed like everyone spoke Italian and the Tube was tuned into an Italian TV station showing some crazy horse race taking place in some large town plaza filled with people. Looked way dangerous.


We then caught the tram to Powell's book store. The tram is free to use within downtown limits. The girls love it.






Before going in to Powell's we popped into Pete's Coffee. The girls got chocolate and vanilla milks, and we got coffees.




Finally make it to Powell's. It's a whole city block just crammed with new and used books. It's divided up into different coloured rooms. The kids book are in the Rose Room.








After Powell's we when for some gelato just up the street at Mio Gelato. Yum!



Got the tram back to our car and then decided to go to the park near our house, over at Strohecker's.


We started of by eating some snacks and reading in the shade of the Great Big Tree.



A large group of people were grilling and playing Basketball there too.


Then the girls played on the merry-go-round, over by the play structures. They haven't thrown up yet, but it's bound to happen some day.




Finally get home and crash for a bit. You can see how dirty Holly's feet are.




The girls then rounded out the evening with some Wii action.



After that is was dinner, baths and bedtime.

After all that, Kim and I were well and truly pooped!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Our Visit with Olivia, Kathy and Robyn

It was nearly one year to the day since we last saw Olivia, Kathy and Robyn in California. They moved to Atlanta and we headed to Portland. We were so excited when they called last fall and said they were planning a trip to Portland in the summer. They came to visit last week for 7 days and we had a great time. The girls were with each other nearly 24 hours a day and go along beautifully. We all had such a great time.

Here are some of the highlights. Not neccesarily in order.

Decorating 4th of July cookies. See Tom's photo blog for a nice picture of Olivia and sprinkles


Kathy, Robyn, Olivia

Fourth of July girls


Emma and her Fourth of July socks for Kathy, Robyn and Olivia

Staying cool at Jamison park


Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Meares

Fourth Of July
Fouth of July dinner. Marinated Flank steak, shrimp skewers, corn and the cob and salad. Kathy made the berry tart on the cover of Cooking Light this month.


Our dinner out at Podnah's BBQ pit was bust. We got there at 7:30 and they were out of ribs. I asked them if they had just one rib left, I didn't want to have to come back to try the ribs. They ended up finding 4. By the time we left the "Out of" menu looked like this...... I've read so much about this restaurant, but I will not make an effort to return.
Kathy and I joined in at My Masterpiece Art Studio
Ice Cream Flavors at Tillamook Cheese Factory
Learning on the computers at Tillamook

The beach at Oceanside. Lovely day!
Great dinner at Andina

Singing at the Farmers Market

Foo Fighters

Saw the Foo Fighters tonight at the Rose Quarter

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Monday, July 7, 2008

Girl Time

Kim and the Girls had fun doing girl stuff tonight.