More Portland Photos

The City of Roses

I've unanimously decided, I LOVE the mountains, and we got our share of them last week on our trip to visit Uncle Lee and Aunt Donna in Portland, Oregon. The city is amazing and it was so good to get to spend some time with Lee and Donna since it had been quite sometime since we had last seen them. I flew out on Saturday, July 7th. On Sunday, we were treated to a trip up to Washington state to visit the areas around Mt. St. Helen's...WOW! The area immediately around the mountain resembles the surface of the moon; desolate and sparse. We were all amazed at just how tremendous the eruption explosion had to have been back in 1980 when some 1300 feet of the top of the mountain blew off, LITERALLY! Just now, after 27 years, is vegetation starting to grow back in the area around the base of the mountain. It's kind of spooky actually. Later in the week, we trekked up to Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge area. We experienced our first REALLY big waterfall and took some time to hike up to the summit where the water source is. We visited the Portland Rose Garden (My personal favorite) which has over 4,000 rose types growing all summer. The photos I took don't do justice to the plethra of colors we saw, but it was beautiful. We had a picnic and watched a rehearsal for The Wizard of Oz on the outdoor theatre. Closer to the city, we got to spend sometime downtown viewing the Body Worlds 3 exhibit (see attached link because I can't find the words to describe it other than amazing). http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html All I can tell you is that the human body is amazing and if you don't believe me, find out where this exhibit is showing and see it. These are real human bodies...deceased obviously, but the exhibit shows things inside our bodies that are just amazing, like the lungs of a smoker look like which is a great reason why everyone should quit unless you love charred black lungs and big holes in your tissues representing emphysema! There sure were a lot of folks putting their cigarette packs in the box saying "I QUIT" just outside the exhibit! Overall, the visit was full of family fun (Pete and Donnell visited for a few days on their trip from Alaska back to Florida). We had picnics, shopped, watched beautiful sand castles being built in Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. We were sad to leave! Thank you Aunt Donna and Uncle Lee for taking some time to show us around. I've only scratched the surface on the things we saw and did. My recommendation to everyone: GO TO PORTLAND, you won't be disappointed. Love, Karen

A Birthday Celebration

I was lucky enough to celebrate Dad's birthday with him last evening. Those of you in the family know that from the 1st of July until the 5th, this family is

chock full of anniversaries and birthdays. Dad had spent a couple of weeks in Maine working, but deserved a great dinner out. We went to Collierville to the most charming little restaraunt called, Pasta Italia. Dad raved about the food, but we had no idea just how great it would be. Between the seafood salad appetizer, Dad's Osso bucco, and my seafood ravioli, you just didn't get any better. This place is a treasure trove of good service and even better food. Dad really knocked this one out of the park!!! The chef and his staff had prepared the lucious little dessert tray for us and we shared a little bit of each of the chef's favorite desserts just for Dad. Talk about yum! The tiramasu was by far the best I've ever tasted and the fresh fruit and cream parfait...well it was amazing. Lastly, after a good bottle of chianti, great eats and awesome company, we toasted my little bro, Chris, because it was his birthday yesterday, but he couldn't join us seeing as though he lives in Maryland. We thought of you, guy, and toasted your birthday in style. Happy anniversary and birthday to Mom and Dad, Austin, Dad and Chris. You guys make the first week in July REALLY INTERESTING!!!!! I love you all.

Next Post...photos from Oregon and our visit with Uncle Lee and Aunt Donna...we CAN'T WAIT!!!! Take care....Karen

Expandable Contruction

Well, as you can see, the construction on the house is nearing completion...and not a moment too soon. Today, the electrician will finish his part, and when I return from vacation, the AC guy can complete his part. After that, it's up to us to finish the trim and floors. I am very happy with the results. For those of you wondering why it's such a dark color...this room will be a theatre room in the near future. I intend to put up a screen and projector for ultimate movie viewing. It really is gorgeous....and very soothing. We're going to LOVE our new room...and we know the dogs already do. More when it's done. Love, Karen and Peyton