Last week, my parents and uncle and aunt were in town for a whole week! My dad has been to Portland 6 times, my mom has been to Portland 8 times (wow!!), and this was the first trip to Portland for Uncle Les and Aunt Jennifer. We packed a whole lot into the week! Get ready for picture overload...
First night in Portland: dinner at my favorite restaurant, Ox,
followed by dessert at Papa Hyden's by Dad's request/insistence.
Seriously amazing food that night!
Sunday afternoon wine tasting in Oregon wine country: picnic lunch and wine at Domaine Serene.
Such a fun, relaxing afternoon!
As we drove around the Willamette Valley, Uncle Les said, "Mary, I hope you know how lucky you are to live her." I do!
The perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Quite the set up for our tasting at Soter Vineyards.
And yes, we did work our way through all of those glasses.
Monday night at the food carts on SE Belmont.
We took our food cart dinner to Laurelhurst Park.
And did a little after-dinner geocaching!
Mom's first geocache which she found all by herself! New hobby?
The Carters drove out to Cannon Beach on their own on Tuesday while I worked. They loved their first trip to the Oregon Coast. It was nearly 100 degrees in Portland on Tuesday, so that was the perfect day to be at the cooler coast.
Wednesday evening: walking around Pittock Mansion after happy hour at Oba with the Moores.
My parents seem to always choose the best times to come for great, sunny weather in Portland!
Thursday afternoon: a quick stop at Cathedral Park on our way out to Sauvie Island.
Picking raspberries and blueberries on Sauvie Island. So fresh!
Mom and Dad reliving their childhood.
We stopped at my friend's beautiful home on Sauvie Island to relax and enjoy the amazing view.
Thursday evening we had dinner at Deschutes Brewery and then walked around the Pearl for First Thursday, a night once a month when shops and galleries are open late.
I'm so thankful that my family was able to finally meet and get to know this special guy.
Chris, thanks for spending so much time with the Carters last week!
4th of July morning breakfast at the Waffle Window. It took a while to find a place that was open, but this ended up being the perfect spot.
We drove out to the gorge so Les and Jennifer could see Multnomah Falls. We continued on across the Bridge of the Gods to the Washington side where we hung out and played lawn games at Skamania Lodge.
Not a bad way to spend the 4th of July!
For the evening of the 4th, we headed down to a family friend's home in West Linn to meet Chris' parents. Chris and I took the kayaks out on the Willamette, then had dinner on the patio with the parents who easily hit it off. Later that night, Chris' teenage brother and friends gave us a pretty great firework show.
Amazing views!
God bless America... and Mount Hood (peak barely visible in the background there).
The Carters left Portland early the next morning to head back to Texas. I am SO THANKFUL for family who comes to visit me, for the first time or for the 8th time. Mom, Dad, Les and Jennifer: thank you for taking a week off, flying all the way up here, doing fun things around Portland with me, treating me to great meals, hanging out, and wanting to continue investing in my life despite the distance. Love you all!
A good time was had by all. We had the perfect guide and host!
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