Portland and the Beach!

We surprised my Sister that we would be coming for her Birthday! (what a great b-day present) We had lots of fun staying with her and her adorable family and going out around Portland to see the sites. They took us out to eat at a really good Mexican Resturant for her Birthday dinner--thanks! We all visited the Portland Zoo (Elise cried leaving the Wart Hogs--she probably thought they were dogs), the Gardens, 23rd Street, and went to the Greek Cuisina (which we love...we relived a bit of our dating days). It just never seams that you have enough time with family when you are on trips, we love you guys and will definitely come back soon. You guys were so nice and hospitable. Totally two love birds :), and I LOVE your home, you decorate SO well!! We miss you Isabelle and Conner, thanks for being so kind to us and playing with Elise, she had lots of fun!

Then we headed off to Newport for a little family vacation. Beautiful. We walked along the Marina and dock, there we ran into some local people walking their dogs and we asked just about every one of them if Elise could see their dog. She absolutely LOVES dogs (pretty much all animals). She would Arf! at them and smile. When we would thank them and walk away, she would get tears in her eyes, cry and turn to look at them go bye-bye, until we pointed out another one ahead. We enjoyed the Historic area and were amazed at all of the murals on about every building. Walking along the beach at sunset was picturesque. The Aquarium there is one of the best I have been to.

One thing is for certain, we need to travel more when Elise is teething...I noticed she cut a tooth a couple days later from being home. She was so good! (I guess going places gets her mind off the pain)

Thank you, Curtis, for making this trip happen and making it a memorable one. I love you, you are so kind when it comes to my family.