Las Vegas # 1

Hello Vegas!



Checkin' out Hoover Dam



Dinner with Don & Cheri at Toby Keith's BBQ joint



Outside New York New York



Caesar's has an awesome pool. This week the weather failed me.



The Conservatory at the Bellagio



The lobby of the gorgeous Bellagio



Last week, Al and I flew to Las Vegas for a State Farm Convention. As I have been to MANY such events, and Al is required to go, I had 3 glorious days all to my self. With the weather report predicting sun sun sun, I was looking forward to lots of pool time and some good shopping. Tuesday was wonderful! I spent many hours at the pool (in the shade) and then went to the sales showcase with Al late in the afternoon. Delish meal with friends that evening and a walk through the Forum Shops to cap off the evening. Wednesday I awoke to a familiar pitter patter on the window of our room. Knowing it was too early for Santa and his 8 tiny reindeer, I knew that the rain had come. How can this be? It's the desert! It never rains in the desert! But alas, rain it was. So, for the next 2 days I shopped. For me, for the kids and g-kids, for now and for Christmas. Lots of fun stuff and some pretty good deals.

After convention, Al and I stayed 2 additional days to hang out with our friends Don & Cheri. We went to the lovely conservatory at the Bellagio and then went to the "Bodies" exhibit at the Luxor. If you haven't seen this, look for it and go! It is a fantastic look at how wonderfully God made us. It will amaze you...I promise. The next day we rented a car and went out to see the new Memorial Bridge that has replaced the drive over the Hoover Dam. After 9/11 security closed the dam for car traffic and tours. Now you drive over a crazy high bridge to get into Arizona. Scary to look at from below, but driving across it is easy. You don't even know you're a million miles from the canyon pit.

So even though it rained for most of the week, all is not lost. This Thursday, Al and I, along with my Dad and my brother Marek and his wife Suzie, are headed back to Vegas to meet up with my 2 brothers and thier wives who will be coming in from Phoenix. Stay tuned for Las Vegas # 2.

Leftovers

My sweet grandbabies


Porter sang Happy Birthday to Nammie while playing the guitar. So so cute!



Shopping in Portland as part of my birthday celebration


I can't remember if this aircraft is a B-17 0r a B-24. So fun to crawl around these vintage WWII planes at the Salem Airport.


Can you imagine sitting in one of these during a dog fight? NO THANK YOU!



Porter & Maggie spent a morning in Corvallis decked out in their Beaver gear. The quizzical looks on their faces reflect the outlook for the OSU football season



Bubble Boys



Happy 82nd Dad.

Oregon State Fair

Our 37th State FairHonoring Oregon's fallen soldiers
Just a portion of the gorgeous gardens
The art of glass blowing in the Artisan Village
Maggie lovin' her first State Fair
Gigantic sandbox at the Recreation Station
City kids checking out the cows
Mags and me trying to decide on what to eat for lunch
The cutest "colts" in the horse barn
AJ & MA stollin' in the Ag Barn
JJ & Finn check out Native American life

Finn & Nammie Do San Diego, Jana too.

At the beginning of August, Jana attended a conference in San Diego. Like last year, I went along as Finn's nanny. Watching a four month old was easy. We spent most days at the mall doing what I wanted to do. Finn could sleep right through my marathon shopping. Taking a 16 month old this year was quite a bit different. We spent our days doing what Finn wanted to do. In the mornings while Jana got ready for her day, Finn & I would head to the hotel lobby for coffee with the staff. Robert the bellman, Antonio the concierge and Annabelle our sweet housekeeper loved visiting with happy charming Finn. After coffee we would go to the restaurant for breakfast where Finn was treated like royalty. The minute we were seated scrambled eggs and fresh fruit showed up in front of Finn. The wait staff hovered and met his every need. By the end of the 8 days, the staff would sit with us when they weren't busy. And believe me, they weren't there because of me. Everyone loved Finn. After breakfast we would go exploring.We walked and ran and jumped and balanced and climbed all over the lovely hotel grounds. We covered miles and miles I'm sure. After a light lunch it was nap time. Whew! For both Finn & I! At 5:00 when Jana got back, we'd jump on the Trolley and all see the sights of San Diego that we didn't see the year before. Old Town, Balboa Park, Mission Valley Mall, Seaport Village and the famous zoo. We became experts at navigating the San Diego transit system. After sightseeing and dinner, it was back to the hotel for a good nights sleep. All and all it was a wonderful week and I loved hanging with Finn and all his new BFFs.

King of the Town & Country

Exploring at warp speed

Finn loves to swim

Waiting for coffee with the hotel staff

Old Town

Are we having fun yet?

We loved the bigger animals

I'm with ya Finn

Stealing AJ's Thunder

The Taj MaCoop

The front door

The architects/builders

Porter has named all the hens and loves to throw scratch into the coop.

For the last couple of months AJ has been working on a chicken coop and hen house for his 5 beautiful hens. Al has helped on and off but because of terrible spring weather, the project took much longer than expected. Finally, finally the feathered ladies have a cozy and safe place to live and lay their organic eggs. When it's time to say goodbye to the chickens, Maggie & Porter will have a fun little playhouse. Way to go AJ!

A Mini Vacation

If you're looking for a close to home get-away, check out the Allison Inn in Newberg. It's snuggled into a vineyard and although you are really close to town, you feel like you're out in the country. We spent our first day lounging in the luxurious spa. A great massage, healthy snacks, cozy couches and chairs and a good book made for a reeeelaxing day. My intention on day 2 was to explore the outside of the Inn but the wonderful window seat called. A little room service, same good book and no deadlines or responsibilities kept me in my jammies till noon. It was wonderful! After check out, we hopped in the car and were home in 40 minutes. I highly recommend the Allison Inn for a fun little "retreat".

Grand Floral Walk & Parade

We started the walk at Memorial Collesium. The crowd spreads out as the walk progresses

Maryanne & I made rose wreaths for the girls

JJ & I pushin' the kids. Maggie is facing backwards next to Porter

Nammie & DuPa at the finish line

The Reesers Food Float

The Alaska Airlines Float

The Budweiser Team

The grandboys loved the equestrian units

At the end of a very long day, what's better than a nap on Daddy's shoulder?

I know it was a while ago, but Al took some good pictures of our walk and the Grand Floral Parade. For the second year in a row, our fam participated in a charity walk prior to the GF Parade. Several thousand people walk the parade route to the adoring cheers of all the parade spectators. It's a great people watching activity whether you walk or are settled in to watch the parade. The weather was fantastic and the 4+ mile walk was fun fun fun! Some people dress up, the Hari Krishna's sing and dance, people decorate their dogs or stollers and everyone has a good time. At the end of the walk there is a reserved area for parade viewing so we don't have to wrangle for a spot to sit. The parade is always gorgeous and the grandboys are old enough to be amazed by the bands and horses and floats. I'm pretty sure this event is going to become an every year family tradition. Join us next June. You won't be sorry.

Pre Iris Festival Fun

Gorgeous Columbine

I guess Al was tired of looking at non blooming Iris
Last Thursday evening on our usual family dinner night, everyone was out of town except for Al and I and AJ, Maryanne and the kids. It had been a gorgeous day and I decided that rather eating inside at our house, I'd make a big pasta salad and we'd picnic at Schriener's Iris Gardens. It is such a wonderful place and I figured that because the Iris aren't really blooming yet (too cold & rainy & cloudy) we might have a chance at snagging 1 of the 4 picnic tables. On the way home from work, Al bought some yummy Great Harvest bread, we packed some fruit and sodas in the ice chest and away we went. We did indeed have the place pretty much to ourselves so Porter ran around and enjoyed the fish pond and all the flowers that were in bloom. The best part for him was sitting on the tractor that was parked in the barn. AJ was mortified that I'd let him sit on the tractor w/out permission, but as my Dad always says, "all they can do is say no" or in this case, GET OFF OUR TRACTOR! Fortunately Mr Schriener was in having his dinner so we escaped unscathed. And even tho the Iris were not in bloom, the Columbine and Rhoddies and Azaleas and trees were all gloriously decked out. If you haven't been to the gardens, take some time and visit. It's a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours.