Portland, Oregon

So our vacation this year went from large to small.  We had planned to go back to Poland to visit some family in Warsaw but we became pregnant with Miss Emma so overseas travel was out of the question.  Then we decided on a two week trip to Oregon to visit family and friends, but then Uncle Sam came for his taxes so that took out the Bend, Oregon portion of our trip. (For those of you who don't know, Uncle Sam is a term we use for the United States, and he wanted his cut of our paychecks this year)  So we spent 5 days visiting the Ward Family in Portland.

So here we are!  Ahna is a neighbor we grew up with down the street (about 25+ years) and she now lives in Oregon with her husband Ryan and their two kids Cooper (4) and Olivia (almost 2)

The flight over Connor and Toni did so good.  They didn't sleep much but they were at least quite, unlike the one little boy who cried all the way there and lucky for us, all the way back.  On Saturday we went to the street Market which happens every weekend.  It was really big and I could get into a lot of trouble there, but I managed to keep myself under control :)  We even found traditional Polish food which was great!

All business Connor

Now we were able to visit the much talked about Voodoo Doughnuts.  Now I had never heard about this Voodoo Doughnuts until someone brought it to my attention the week before we left.  Apparently they have been featured on the Food and Travel Channels here in the States.  The donuts were really good.  They are famous for the different types of donuts that no one would ever think of to make into a donut.  Just to describe a few (minus the names as they are not really the best names to list on a G-rated blog)

One had vanilla icing and Captain Crunch Cereal on top. Another with oreos (a Cort fan fav)
Another was vanilla with fried coconut on it.
We had chocolate donut, with chocolate icing and chocolate cereal on top.
They also had a deep fried donut with chocolate chips, icing, bananas and a whole other mess of stuff.

This pink box was pretty much a heartattack waiting to happen, but they were so good and we ate them more as a dessert than a breakfast item (I don't think I could start my day with these donuts).  Still my favorite though was the vanilla donut with chocolate icing and cream filling, a name which well, will remain nameless (if you really want to know the names, you can either ask me visit them at voodoodoughnuts.com)

At the bottom of the falls

After naps we went to the famous Multnomah Falls Park. The water fall really was amazing.  Connor loved it (as he loves water) and even hiked most of the way to the actual bridge in front of the falls (about 150 yards)  He didn't hike down as his shoes were really not weather friendly, plus mommy got tired real quick since it was uphill.

Connor hikin with daddy

Bridge we hiked too. This is the top of the falls

Connor and Olivia feeding the goats

On Sunday we went to a county fair that was near by so we could walk around and so the kids could visit the petting zoo.  Connor does so well with animals that he had no problems just having the animals eat the food right out of his hands.  Another chilly day but it was fun to just get out and walk around, a free event :)

Washington Park

On Monday we went to visit the Rose Garden at Washington Park.  I'm not sure I've seen so many roses in one location and the smell was amazing.  The kids did great running around and mostly staying out of the roses for the most part.  Connor of course took a small spill but the mark on his nose is practically gone now :)

Cort, Ahna and Colette

Connor loves swinging!

Monday even we just spent at the house which was great because the kids got to run around and play and then when bed time the parents got to play, which is always a laughing good time!

Olivia (22 months) Cooper (4 yrs) Connor (21 months) Toni (23 months)

We had such a great time and it was nice to just get away from life here in Arizona for a few days.  It rained the first couple of days there which was great for us Zonies are we dont see rain that much, and they were good solid rains as well!.  We thank the Wards so much for opening up their home to the five us and hopefully we'll get to go up there again soon.

Miss Emma update:

I had my 6 month appointment today and everything looks great.  Doctor says I'm right on track, weight, baby heart beat, blood pressure and all other things baby related are great.  I'm measuring a bit bigger than what I really am (measuring 25 weeks when I'm only 23 weeks) but the doctor is not worried, next time I could be right where I need to be.  Who know, maybe Lady E will come early.  But I'm not counting on it.  I can feel her move daily and she is getting bigger by the minute!

Till next time!
Courtney, Jonathan, Connor and baby Emma.

Connor at the falls with daddy.