For our fourth day of vacation we asked our friends Melissa and Ryan if they wanted to go on a hike with us. I warned them that I am a big wuss and hiking usually causes me to not be able to breathe so well and I have to go slow and stop a lot an am generally a pain in the butt. But they still agreed to go with us and so we headed out on Thursday at about 10:30. We went straight to Vista House and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day with almost no wind at all! It was really a perfect day other than a little bit of fog in the distance.
Then we went up to the falls and were amazed to find a parking spot. We were flabbergasted at how many people were there on a weekday lunchtime. It was pretty crowded at the base of the falls.
After much wheezing and finally agreeing that we should let me set the pace, I lead the group to the top. Everyone was happy to make it, but especially me!
Steven took this photo of me on my new iPhone. I'm so happy here! It is the second time that I've hiked to the top. It is still a most spectacular view. I love this rock- last time Steven and I had our picnic here when we got to the top. This time all I had was water and goldfish snacks, but they were still awesome.
Here is Steven taking a break from snapping gorgeous photos and having a snack.
Afterwards, we stopped at The Viewpoint Inn on our way back into town. Melissa wanted to see the Twilight place where they filmed. It is so lovely there. The sun was shining and it was just beautiful. After we got some pictures we decided to go to Bella Cupcake in Gresham, which has Red Velvet cupcakes on Thursdays. On the way we were headed down Stark Street and I looked up from my iPhone to see a kid. All of a sudden he throws down his bike, rips off his shirt and by now the car has passed him, so I turn around and he pulls back his arm and lets a punch land on the boy who has been throwing rocks at his back. It was the most amazing slow motion punch I have ever seen. He just pulled it back and let it fly. The other kid (on the receiving end) literally fell backwards into another buddy. It was most epic.
At which point Ryan says "Welcome to Gresham".
It was all very funny, we were in histerics in the car.
After cupcakes we headed over to Foster Burger where we were going to eat an early supper, but they didn't open until 5. We had an hour and a half to kill and so we went to HUB/Hopworks and had beer samplers and an amazing pretzel appetizer with stout mustard. Amazing.
After beers we finally did get to Foster Burger and here are the guys enjoying the Foster Road Pile Up. It was an awesome burger place and I highly recomend it. They have the place plastered with vintage and new concert posters. It was really pretty cool.
After this it was all we could do to get ourselves back home. It would be really hard to top such a great day with anything, so Friday we spent relaxing and getting ready for the weekend.
A big thanks to Mel and Ryan for spending pretty much an entire day with us! We had so much fun, we have to do it again sometime soon. I feel ready to try another hike, though maybe not the one that Ryan has in mind... sorry Ryan!
But the baby gifts will be put to good use for Darrel and Carrie who just had a little baby girl Payton:I made three large receiving blankets, two burp cloths and a "Baby's First Blanket" for little Payton. They will be mailed back east soon.
Congratulations to the Thorson Family on their newest additon!
This is my best shot of the night! This wine was so tasty and the most unique color I've ever seen. I love this photo so much:
A fantastic group shot of us:
I love when they do a special dessert at a restaurant. This one was over the top. The coconut sorbet was to die for.
I love that I always get a good photo of these two together. I can't wait to scrapbook this for Shelley. It was an amazing night with good food, good times and lots of laughter. It was a very memorable Birthday, Thank You SO much!
Steven took this photo of me on my new iPhone. I'm so happy here! It is the second time that I've hiked to the top. It is still a most spectacular view. I love this rock- last time Steven and I had our picnic here when we got to the top. This time all I had was water and goldfish snacks, but they were still awesome.
After this it was all we could do to get ourselves back home. It would be really hard to top such a great day with anything, so Friday we spent relaxing and getting ready for the weekend.
I love how this commemorates both our special day and a special day in 8/9/10. I can't wait to frame this.
I can't stop thinking about that chicken cordon bleu. Luckily, we found a recipe for it while we were in a coffee shop looking at books from the area! Steven's promised to make it for me sometime soon. Another great way to hang on to the wonderful feeling of being on vacation.
Yes... I did do a "U of O" apron, but it is a gift for a U of O grad! So that makes it "ok". I'm still a Beaver at heart.
All of these are actually gifts for people getting married this summer. I have yet to make a apron for me to keep! Soon... Soon...
"Now, here's what is going on today"
"Oh My God."
I LOVE this B&W of his face. This quilt was made by his great grandma.
The blue of his eyes and the quilt make this antique setting beautiful.
Steven, Larry and the Groom. Brian is one of Steven's oldest friends.
The entire wedding was "Carnival" themed, and the candy buffet was too cute. She also had home made jams and lemon curd! Yeah, I snagged three lemon curds- enough for a lemon meringue pie! (I got mine, Steven's and Larry's). She also made her own three tier cake and the buttercream was divine.
THEY ALSO HAD A COTTON CANDY MACHINE. BEST.WEDDING.EVER.
Her cake topper was obviously hand made and so cute. Her dress was reflected by the little wooden bride- it was very original!
The sun was super hot out, but we still got some shade. Me and my sweetie in the sunshine.
Me and Tara before the dancing (slow dancing only- they were afraid that barn floor might cave!) and toasts.
Best of Luck to the newlyweds Brian and Carrie!
