Monday, June 28, 2010

Portland and the Oregon Coast

Mike had a conference in Portland, so Oliver and I tagged along and then we all went to Cannon Beach and Manzanita for the weekend.  Portland was awesome - beautiful weather and lots to do.  Oliver LOVED the street car, Powell's books and the hotel pool.  Oliver and I had a wonderful time together while Mike was working.  We had leisurely breakfasts along the river, walked and rode the train all over town, and trekked over to Powell's books, which has a huge kids section.  Oliver went straight for all the books he has at home and then proceeded to try to pull ALL the books off the shelves.  He picked out two books - sheep in a jeep and little pookie - Oliver's new favorites.  We also saw a public open meditation session which Oliver tried his best to interupt...When dad was done with the conference, we went out for dinner and then headed straight for the pool!  Oliver walked right in and went under water for the first time.  He loves the water ("ice") so much!  We left the city and headed for the ocean for our last two days of vacation.  We walked around Cannon Beach and walked out to haystack rock.  It was a gorgeous day!  We then went to our hotel in Manzanita, which was one block from the beach.  The hotel was perfect for Oliver - maybe not what Mike and I are used to.  The new criteria for a good hotel room: 1) a separate bedroom so we don't have to lay in bed in the dark after 7:30 when Oliver goes to sleep, and 2) very little that can be destroyed.  This place fit the bill and Oliver loved the TV/VCR combo - tried to stick bagel in there a few times!  We spent the rest of the timne wandering the beach and playing in the sand.  It was a very relaxing and fun trip.

early morning on the riverfront

reading one of the books he has at home (trucks) at Powell's bookstore
there are lots of fountains in Portland - this one was a bit too scary...
this one is just right!
on the streetcar
downtown portland
we packed up the baby (and all his crap) and headed to the coast for the weekend 
first stop Cannon Beach
the spindrift inn in Manzanita 
good times in the sand dunes
Hug Harbor
wait up daddy!

perfect morning on a nearly desserted beach
"ice"

Oliver's favorite place to be
a bit more running before the long drive home

Monday, June 14, 2010

Father's Day at the Museum of Flight

Mike hds wanted to go the Museum of Flight for years before Oliver was born, but I was not too excited about it.  He finally got to go when Oliver was a few months old, but he slept throught the whole visit.  So when I heard they were having a special father's day event, I decided to surprise Mike with a visit.  Oliver and Mike dressed up in their matching shirts (so cute!) and we headed out early to beat the crowds. Oliver LOVED seeing all the big planes and getting to run around.  It was a wonderful day with two wonderful boys.  Oliver has the best dad in the whole world - he is one lucky little boy!

taking it all in
in the cockpit with daddy
he liked this plan much better than the one on our last flight...
taking his turn in the flight simulator
Mike's uncle Ronald was a mechanic for this type of plane

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two hams
two wild and crazy guys