Portland Getaway

With our house on the market, I am all for finding ways to stay out of the house to preserve the clean look. Since this past weekend was also Jeff's and Alona's birthday, we thought a weekend getaway would be just the thing! Our friends, the Walkers, were heading up to Portland, so we decided to team up (as Luke's birthday was also over the weekend).

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn. The main requirements were free breakfast and a pool. Jeff requested that we swim for his birthday because he hasn't really gotten to swim this summer. So swimming commenced upon arrival Friday night. We also got to swim Saturday morning and Saturday evening! The guys took the kids to OMSI on Saturday afternoon while Marianne and I headed over to Fabric Depot. Then we went to Chuck E. Cheese because it is Luke's favorite place. Funny how Alona wanted that for her birthday as well!

On Sunday, we contemplated swimming, but decided wet swimsuits in the car wouldn't be too fun! So we skipped the swimming and headed straight for the zoo. We planned to visit the Rose Gardens and Japanese Gardens, but got worn out at the zoo. The gardens paired with Marianne and my camera would have made some awesome family pictures, but it just wasn't in the cards. :( The zoo was exciting for the kids- Ashley and Alona brought note pads so they could write down all the animals that they saw. The train was quite a delight for all! It is about a 35 minute train ride that goes over to the Gardens and back to the zoo. The kids had a great time (and I am hoping the adults did as well)!

At Chuck E. Cheese:






The zoo:


Ashley writing what she sees.

There was a log the kids got to climb through.

The eagles nest.




Alona writing down what she sees.



On the train:













What a great way to celebrate!