PDX pix - November 2011

On to November...  a momentous month here in Stumptown.  Not only did it include Tom's birthday, visits to friends and family in Seattle, Thanksgiving, and the beginnings of ice-scraping weather, but we bought a house!  (or rather, are in the process of buying one still, to be accurate.)  On to the photos...

 

 Playing darts at the Lompoc Sidebar

At the Tillamook cheese factory, on a weekend trip to the coast.  Wow, they make a lot of cheese.  It was fun to watch the assembly line and see how all the machines and people work here.  And to taste the cheese.

 

 And to take silly photos.

Haystack Rock, the most iconic part of the Cannon Beach landscape.  A beautiful beach and fun, artsy town.  We had a nice stay.  Banjo loved running around on the wide beach.

Visit to Seattle, where we saw Steve, Sarah, and Frank.  Here's Ellie about to launch herself off the dock in hot pursuit of the elusive tennis ball.

 

 Banjo was content to sit and watch.  No cold water for him, thank you very much.

 

 Seattle nightscape

 

 Two-Man Gentleman Band, thanks to Anonymous for the prodding to go see this group, they did not disappoint!  We even got to swing dance a little bit (as much as Kate could convince Tom to do).

  At the Olympia state capitol building area.  Rest stop on the drive to Seattle for Thanksgiving. 

 Playing games (Catacombs) with the family in Seattle.  This one was a favorite because you get to flick the pieces around the board.  

 Our pies!  Apple cranberry on the left, and pumpkin. 

And last but not least, here's what will hopefully be our house in January!  This is us at one of our early investigative visits.  It's definitely not the prettiest one, or the fanciest, and it will involve quite a bit of remodeling and updating work, but we're happy with it and are excited to start working on it!  It's in the Bridlemile area SW of Portland - only about 10 min to downtown, in a nice neighborhood, and has a big dog-friendly yard and a community pool in the summer. Come visit, there will be plenty of space!

PDX Pix - October 2011

We're back.  Hopefully to at least continue with some monthly photos.  Here are some from October, stay tuned for November shortly as I try to get back up-to-date...

 

Here's Kate with Herman the Sturgeon, at the Bonneville Locks and Dam up the Columbia.  Who knew these ancient giant fish were swimming right near us in the river!

 

Also during that visit to the locks we got to see the salmon running.  They were just flinging themselves at these wooden doors trying to get upstream.  Pretty amazing.

 

Got a visit from Wen, Claire, and Dad (not pictured) in NC while I was there for a work trip!

 

Sunset in Beaverton

  

Some goofy "hats" at the Saturday Market with Kate's family

  

Ground Kontrol - quite a selection of pinball and retro arcade games

 A view of Mt Hood from the Rose Garden on one of the last bike rides home during daylight!

 Fun outdoor games at Sky and Sarah's wedding in Rochester!  We braved the cold to play bags, bocce, cowballs, and other games.  Good wedding!

See- we are smiling!  We had a good October, whether it was in Portland or elsewhere on our travels...