Oregon! First week

Flying into Portland feels like coming home. To see 'ko maunga', Mt. Hood, and 'ko awa', the Willamette, brings a tear to my eye and swells my heart. It's the landscape of my turangawaewae. But interesting now that I am able to best define it using Maori words...

A perfect representation of Turangawaewae!

Even though Lucas has a work conference in LA, he very sweetly shepherded us to Portland. We all vaguely woke that first morning to see him heading back to the airport for LA. Moriah picked us up from the airport hotel and we all hit Cameo, for a big American breakfast. What a great way to start the trip! She very kindly loaned us her car for the week so we were able to get around town with ease.

We stayed with Ali and Bernat our first week, while Lucas was away. It was so generous and kind of them to put us up in their house, despite all the business of the week. It gave us a chance for some extra hang out time with them in between events.

We love visiting summertime!

Uncle Nick stopped by for a visit before his work trip the next day to Japan for two weeks. We were so glad to catch him!

With the help of Moriah's car loan, we visited Andy and Mabel. The girls were so excited to see their Grandparents! Porch swinging with Grandpa.

Lunch out on the back porch with Nani and Grandpa. 

A Portland must-see for the girls, Oaks Bottom Amusement Park with Heather and Myles. The girls found two rides that are still scary for them, aging out of many of the other preschool rides...

Milk and cookie time with Chippy the Chipmunk, Myles and Heather.

We extended the time together with a trip to the new splash pad at Colonel Summers Park. The girls and Myles get along so sweetly, like cousins. 

The next day Wren had an all day playdate with her best friend from preschool, Ilana. Still good pals. I got to catch up with her mom, over pastries, fruit and tea.

While Wren was at her playdate I took Quinn to the the Portland Zoo. So many great animal encounters there.

Lots of Pacific Northwest old favorites that we don't see anymore, sturgeon!

Lamprey!

One evening took Burt for a walk/hide-and-seek-in-the-fennel with Michele and Tara. So lovely to see these ladies again. Michele showed the girls her growing rock collection. 

Summertime hanging out at Ali's

We got to see Heather an Myles each Tuesday and Thursday when Myles was home from preschool. Thursday's agenda: Mt. Tabor playground and summit. The kids counted 99 steps and played a game of soccer at the top.

On the weekend, Beth flew in from Minneapolis. I got to experience the new crazy of PDX on the way to picking her up. To add to the crazy, my car tire went flat on the way there. We parked at arrivals until AAA and Moriah could get there and help us on our way. A special welcome for Beth!

Lucas got home late that night, Heather and Myles camped in the yard, and, even with Ali and Bernat away at Pickathon, we had a full house. 

The next day Lucas and girls visited Nani and Grandpa and Heather, Beth and I took in the Columbia River Gorge at Latourell Falls, my favorite gorge hike.

It was hot enough for a swim at Rooster Rock on the way home. A special Oregon treasure, and clothing optional!

After Beth left we packed up at Ali's headed over to Michele and Tara's to stay.

Thank you, thank you to Moriah, Ali and Bernat for helping us make our first week in Oregon so much fun!