Starlight Starbright

Our most treasured location to reside downtown is the restored Multnomah Hotel, now operated by Embassy Suites. I love anything old and historic. This hotel was onced frequented by James Stuart, Charles Lindburg and several Presidents of the U.S. We love the graduer of the lobby, the comfort of the suites and best of all the full breakfast, pool and manager's reception in the evening. I think we swam 4 different times!

Located only 4 blocks from Pioneer Place, and 4 Blocks from the Waterfront, Saturday Market and Max, and 8 Blocks from the Pearl and Powells we were able to walk anywhere and everywhere with the kids. First off we had set out chairs for front row seating along the Starlight Parade route. We simply marked off our spot with tape, set out the chairs around 2 pm, then went on our way....hoping that it all remained intact when we returned 5 hours later. Luckily everything was as we left it. After the manager's reception of nachos, veggies and drinks and some swimming Todd and Griff walked up to do the Starlight Run which follows along the parade route while the girls and I walked along the blocked off downtown streets, where parade watchers and vendors filled the streets.

The run started at 8 pm and the parade immediatly following. Brody and Kennedy, Camdyn and I enjoyed watching the runners....many in costumes pass by, some with candy to throw and others with a high-five for the girls. This group of cute bumble bees from my ward were buzzing along, looking like they were having such a fun time and stopped long enough to let me snap a picture. After tons of awesome bands, drums, illuminated floats, and the Clydsdales below.... the kids were tuckered out. Luckily I was able to go right in off the sidewalk and put the little boy to bed! Todd and I settled the olders then went for a lovely walk downtown where half the city was still celebrating.

What makes Portland unique

Aren't I lucky to live so near to my favorite
city? I love the various districts, sights and flavors of Portland that keep it so unique and changing. From vintage trollys to yuppies in the NW districts. From statues, fountains and sculptures scattered throughout downtown to punk kids with the most unique hair do's! Whenever we stay downtown I always rise early like a birdy and run the most fabulous route dad and I ever made up, with even more fun little trails and turns I've added since they moved. Starting downtown, I run up Broadway, through PSU, to Washington Park, through the Rose Gardens and huge mansions surrounding the west hills, on trails down to NW 23rd, east to the Pearl District, over the Steel bridge, along the waterfront, over the Broadway Bridge, along East bank esplanade, over the Hawthorne bridge, down to Waterfront park and back along the West Bank boardwalk to the hotel. I was able to run twice since we stayed 3 days downtown, the 2nd time taking Todd. He said with all the turns and different places we were running he wasn't sure if he could find this route on his own. I took Griffin out across a few bridges. He's a great little runner and keeps pace with me just fine. We had fun seeing the ships as we crossed the river and running past the festival center, picking out which rides he would go on later. I got 26 miles in within 2 days and LOTS of walking with Todd (while kids stayed in the room) and even more with the kids in tow!

One is sure to find something unique at Saturday Market. I spied some darling beanies, an astronaut, punk kids and elephant ears. We kept having cravings for elephant ears. Splitting 5 ways doesn't go very far. Above is a picture of my most favorite house in the whole wide of Portland. Everytime I run past it, I can just envision sipping lemonaide on a summer night on the porch. We can't houses be built this cute now a days?

Waterfront Festival Center

Mammoth Monday is a great time to go enjoy the rides with no lines and cheap prices. I can't believe what these carnivals get away with! We let each of the kids pick 4 rides. Todd and Griffin opt for the scary, Camdyn the not-s0-scary and Kennedy sticks with the kiddie rides. As for me...I'm happy to take the pictures and hold Mr. Boy. My motion sickness prevents me from even WANTING to go on a ride! I get sick on the swingset.

Rose Festival Fireworks

For the past 14 years we've made it a tradition to come down and enjoy the Firework Spectacular, the kick off event to the Rose Festival. It started when mom and dad took us down, now Todd and I have been coming ever since. We have our favorite spot on the waterfront lawn, right near the speakers that blast awesome music in sync to the fireworks. I loved the music this year...some U2, country and 80's remix! Sometimes we park and ride our bikes in with a picnic....The one time a year we splurge on KFC. That stuff is so good! This year we parked on the East Side, walked over the Hawthorne Bridge and enjoyed the show from Waterfront Park. The kids had fun playing soccer, doing gymnastics, having our feast and treats as we waited for the show to begin. I love this tradition!

Hair and some to spare

This is my very talented friend Amy....she is a hairdresser, a seamstress, and full of creative ideas....many of which she can pull off on a dime! Including our fabuous ward Christmas party, which was the most beautiful one I've ever seen, and I didn't get any pictures (I'm still upset about that). This picture is adorable. It was taken of her in Paris. Ohh, la la.
She gave my kiddies much needed haircuts tonight....this was the closest I could get to a "before" photo. And this..........

is after! So much better. We made Griffin skip scouts in order to get this much needed haircut. Kennedy got 5 inches off and looks oh so grown up. I love it! Griffin had his school track meet today and I swear won by a head of hair in one of the events. He took 3 first place, and 2 second place in track events. Way to go Griffin boy!

Memorial Day Weekend

When my family moved us up to the NW from the sunny desert of Arizona, 18 years ago....I never knew such beauty existed! Now I know I am a true Northwesterner. I love the rain, think anything over 72 degrees is too hot, and enjoy the year round outdoor recreation and scenery surrounding it all.
My parents bought the most quaint cottage here in Cannon Beach when I was 18 years old. So many memories exist there that I get verclempt when I bike past there each year that I do my solo coastal ride. It took only 70 min. from our home in Beaverton to drive down. Todd and I would head down almost every other weekend. When my family all moved to Utah, they also sold the cottage. Looking back, we should have bought it!
Now with our own family we still carry on the Cannon Beach tradition, going down a few times a year to stay overnight....only now we must pay for our lodgings:> Schooner's Cove is our all time favorite. The location is unbeatable, the view magnificent, the rooms clean and large and the private hot tub is a big selling point. We've been coming here for years and love the ambiance and memories we've created at this location.




The first night we stayed, after our walks, and hot tub we took a stroll through town, enjoying the nice evening breeze and peacefulness of the quiet steets as we peeked in storefront windows. To our surprise we saw that Bruce's Candy Kitchen had added on and renovated the inside after all these years! It was so adorable. We couldn't wait to get in the next day. Who will ever forget Sara's room on Francesca. I wonder if that paper is still up?

We celebrated Todd's Birthday there as well. Griffin and I went down to the office and made this sign at the last minute, I bought him the yummiest cinnamon roll from Bella Espresso (the other rest. owned by the Pizza Nazi). Todd cooked up Salmon outside on the Cove's BBQ. Delicious!!!

We grabbed some bread and went down to feed the gulls. We have found several items washed up on the beach in years past, but never have we come across 6 beautiful long stem red roses. I figured some woman threw them in the sand as an act of anger against her lover....either that or it was a memorial for someone lost at sea. We decided to take them to Derek's grave site on the way home. The next day we met the lady who'd gathered up the other 1/2 dozen so I didn't feel too bad.


The private hot tub is the best Jerry....2nd to that is the enjoyment I get from watching the older's enjoy the exploration of their little baby brother. They are so smitten with every move he makes. He is such a blessing to our family.

Our 2nd day, we woke up to a healthy breakfast, packed by me...and a stop at Cannon Beach Bakery for fresh, delicious donuts. We took a loaf of bread to feed the birds and headed to Haystack Rock. Lucky for us there happened to be some hands on conservationists with telescopes and displays of sea life creatures. It was very educational. We stayed until someone had to pee :> and then it was time to head back for pizza a feta and shopping. Todd gave each child money to spend on Candy at Bruce's and shells at Duber's.



Stopping in Portland on the way home we placed roses at Derek Lake's gravesite. 5 years have now gone by. I believe no one can image the pain of having lost a brother, husband or son, unless the loss has happened to you. Having a knowledge of the eternal perspective helps us to teach our own children about this earth life test and that we will all be reunited again someday.

Family Ties

Since we are some of the few who reside out of Utah, our visits are filled with many visits. Logan is a hot spot of warmth, welcome and when time permits....sleep-overs, pot lucks, entertainment and games. Having the mecca of cousins willing to babysit my kids is a bonus as well :>














My mother's sisters are some of the best aunts a girl could ask for. They have always been so good to me as a little girl and now to my own family and small children. I feel a close bond to all of my mom's 4 sisters and love spending time with them. Even Todd enjoys coming to visit and partaking of thier hospitality.
Above Top: My littlest sister Lindsey and The Jensen clan (I know, it's hard to tell which one is the mom :>)


My aunt Carol is an inspiration to us all. She is raising 4 beautiful children and continues to be a pillar of light and strength.
The Pete's had us over for dinner. Some say Sar and I look alike, infact the other day at Annies Jaken saw my picture on the fridge and thought it was his mommy. Hmm, must be the hair, cause when it was dark I looked like Linny.

Linny's little Emma was so funny! Where's "Toad"? She would ask.
This is a funny tale of how powerful the mind can be. Linny had us for dinner and my Mom made this dessert. Apple dumplings. It smelled wonderful. The boys were served and were raving over the yumminess. I was served, took a bite and even though it was supposed to taste good, something was amiss. I said "it's really yummy mom, but something in it doesn't taste sweet.". Linny gave me this look like "yeah, it's sick", but we politely kept eating because the boys thought it was great. Ryan tasted Linny's and said "yuck, garlic". Mom came home and searched all the ingredients. No garlic. I told her to check the cresent roll packages and sure enough ONE of them was garlic! Nice, what a waste of calories! I made up for it later by eating something more yummy :>
Linny bought Emma this bunny. Brody was more smitten with him than the coyote, but that is another post. I however, am not an animal lover. I still get the heebie jeebeez when I think about that sicky sick snack around my neck. YUCK!!!!