portland

PORTLAND

i arrived friday night to the lovely

this weekend trip was planned to spend time with my adopted dad for his 60th birthday!

Friday we headed out to his favorite place

dinner at

SIMPATICA

"I stumbled across this somewhat mysterious eatery almost by accident and it turned into the surprise of the year."

- Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY, Food and Wine Review -

fantastic food, special treatment

and singing for Rook!

saturday morning after a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel restaurant

Nel Centro

off to do some cardio & read at 24 hour fitness

ordered some room service & lounged for a bit.

these hotel rooms are beautiful.

very simplistic and clean.

the bed was so comfy, all i wanted to do was snuggle :(

with MYSELF....never mind not as fun

that night, in my not so warm attire we talked to two blocks to the CLUB, where sandy planned this phenomenal evening for her husband.

THERE the party began

black jack

roulette

and craps

drinks

jazz music

and laughs

old friends/new friends

and family

what a great time

or as Rook would say, "oh, how fun"

i am so blessed to have become a part of this family

they mean so much to me

for his birthday i got us 2 tickets to the Trailblazer/Celtics game in Janurary

coming back up to take him

CANT WAIT

ALSO found out that we are able to get FREE box seat tickets

to the Lakers Trailblazer Game in Feb

DUUUUDE SWEEEET

SUNDAY

last day here

went for a morning stroll in the 34 degree weather

of course had to see the NIKE store

got some peppermint tea

and continued on to see the sites

one of my favorite things about

being up here

is the seasonal difference from southern california

i couldnt get enough of the colored leaves

the reds

yellows

and

oranges

i love the layering of clothes

scarves

and sweaters

it is so great to walk around

or use the trams

to me....

this city is a newer/smaller/cleaner/greener

version of NYC

before i jump on a plane to head home, i might get some Christmas Shopping done in Bridgeport Village...then back to reality

see you all on monday

if not

have a happy thanksgiving

and will see you monday the 29th!