Parents Visit

So about two weeks ago my (Kirsten's) parents visited us for the very first time and it was so, so exciting. We knew that Portland was right up their alley, and I think they would agree. Plus, we did much in the "country" and saw plenty of the mountains, the coast and even some orchards...

But let's start at the beginning...

We went to Por Que No?, one of our very favorite restaurants, did a general overview of portland, Powells, the Rose Garden, Council Crest, and the waterfront all within the first day and a half.

Then the next day we drove out to the hood river valley, to pick cherries. We saw some amazing "kite boarders" on the river and then cut lavender, learned about alpacas (and i got an alpaca finger puppet!), and then got tons of cherries, lots of raspberries, and some garlic...

Plus, it was an astoundingly clear day to see Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, which we didn't even know was visible from out there.

 

But that wasn't all...we spent the rest of the day driving around the other side of Mt. Hood, with some incredible views of the peak, and stopped at Timberline to check it out.

Then the next day we began at the farmer's market


and then headed to the coast, officially one of Nickel's favorite place in the world (but a bit windy and cold for the rest of us...she didn't seem to notice...) 

Sunday after church we went out to the waterfalls...

and one of the high schoolers we know got us some free snacks

Mom and dad flew in and out of Seattle, so we got to spend their last day there!

We ate lunch at a pier

Saw the space needle

Went to the market

And took a ferry over to Bainbridge Island

All in all, we stayed incredibly busy and had lots of fun. I am SO SO SO glad we got my parents out here and SO SO SO glad that I'm pretty sure it won't be there last time.

There's someone else who was glad they came...

...really, both these guys were. Nickel and Ben (matt and kim's dog that we dogsat while they were in Hawaii) not only shared (Ben's) bed, but got more walks than either had seen in a long time, I'm sure...

(the view from dinner before mom and dad left...)