Christmas time in Portland

This year rather than spending Christmas in sunny, warm Hawaii and rather than spending it in snowy, cold Wyoming we settled as a family on in between (both space and weather). Mom, Dad, brother Josh all joined me in Portland for Christmas this year. It was nice having them all around. The last time my brother was here was for my college graduation nearly 9 years ago. 

Ezme helped me get ready for company. Laundry was her specialty.

 When they were here Josh had a movie streaming on his computer-Ezme decided to fix that.

 She also made herself a good, soft bed guest-morphed into a pillow.

 And she napped when she was tired from watching all the excitement.

 And she even was the queen of the box mountain for a bit. Her reign didn't last long.

 And now, we can move past the cat pictures (I promise I'm not a crazy cat lady-really).

Here is Josh watching Dad cut the turkey.

 Master carver?! At least not a limb cutter-offer (this time)!

 Ah, turkey!!

 The table!

 Mom and me (me in my cute Hawaiian apron wishing we were in Hawaii again)!

 The fam!

 The fam strangling me post lots of picture attempts...

 Mom and kids!

 Dad and kids!

 Sister and brother- we coordinated our colors (on accident)- purple and orange.

 And another cat picture! Sorry, I just can't help it.

We did Christmas dinner on Christmas day as I had to work on Christmas eve. After Christmas dinner we hoped into the car to go find some lights! We went to one area in Portland called Starkwood. Beautiful lights, little crowd. Then we went to Peacock Lane. Beautiful lights, big crowd. We got out and walked because it probably took less time to walk it than drive it.

Star Wars themed: Christmas Yoda.

 Darth Vader

 Pretty lights.

 The Grinch!

 Charlie Brown themed:

 Peacock Lane sign! Since 1920.

 More Star Wars!

 Family pic!

 We then went to an area that had lights in Gladstone and saw these fun santa hatted pink flamingos!

 On the 26th we went down town. Rode the Arieal Tram. Mom and Dad had both been, but Josh hadn't gotten to see the view. Thankfully it was a clear day. The only clear day we had. It didn't rain, but it was the usual Portland overcast and grey skies and REALLY foggy while they were all here.

 Mt Hood!

 Josh and me with Mt Hood in between us. (Hard to see.)

 Josh and Mom

 We also went to Powell's Bookstore (we all loved it) and then went to Deschute's Brewery for dinner. Yummy! When John and Diane and I had been there John talked about the urinal...so I challenged my Dad to take a picture of the urinal so I could see what was so facinating. Apparently it's a "fancy" urinal.

 The last day the family was here we went to Bob's Red Mill (for breakfast but they were remodeling the kitchen so we moved on after buying some goodies). Here we are!

 After getting Mom and Dad on the plane Josh and I ran a couple errands, went to McMenamin's Kennedy School to look around and have a drink in one of the bars and then home for dinner. Ezme crashed. She loves company, but she uses all her energy entertaining- life must be rough. She didn't budge from this spot for over an hour-even with dishes crashing and photo flashes.

Merry Christmas to all!
The End!

Birthday Celebrations!

I am truly blessed by all the lovely people in my life. It is something that is apparent consistently and I feel this love and how blessed I am at times in concentration. My birthday is one of those times. I've got lots of lovely people who want to celebrate with me. This year I had a lunch date at Deschute's Brewery-one of my faves with Diane and John (co-worker friends from a previous "life") on Friday. 

 Aren't we all good looking?! Above are Diane and myself and below are John and myself. We were all stuffed, but still went back to Diane's for dessert! I didn't eat again on this day.

 Then on Saturday I had a brunch at Old Wives Tales (another fave) that I scheduled for more friends. There were several people who couldn't make it for a variety of reasons, but they still sent their love. Below are the friends that could join me (minus Marta who left before the picture).
Mary, Holly, Rose and Xander in the closest row. Me, Stasia and Ella and Tera in the back row!

I think I'm ready for the coming year since I got to send out the previous feeling so loved.

Christmas-time in the City

Doing something for two years make it tradition...right?! Last night was the second year Jenny and I went to the Christmas tree lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square. I'd say that can make it tradition. This year her roommate Angel also joined us and this year it was dry and (as opposed to the buckets of rain we had last year) and this year we returned to Rock Bottom Brewery for dinner (also tradition) and watched the UO and OSU football clash-the Civil War. It was a lovely night out! Enjoy the pictures!

Waiting the the lighting...

As we were waiting for the lighting I made a comment that it would be cool if Santa made his appearance by ziplining into the square from one of the many tall buildings surrounding the square. Next thing Angel said people around us had all started looking at the building tops around us and wondering out loud what building Santa would zipline down from. I guess I started something...maybe Santa needs to consider it! :)

Love, LOVE the lights. There were mini strobe lights blinking too. I love the atmosphere of the whole event as well.

 So pretty...

Too bad it can't be up all the time. I would love that.

Evenings full of laughter

I have worked with some amazing people. Most of them I still keep in touch with. This evening Mirjana hosted a lovely and lively with laughter dinner. It was great to see all these wonderful people that I used to work with.

Pictured: John, Mirjana, Jan, Diane, Jenny, Sara and me in front. 

Thank goodness for timers on cameras!