During our walk this morning, I encountered this frog. Jasmine got a bit too close though, and it jumped with a perturbed croak into the water.

[Show slideshow]

{by Jasmine}

This Easter I made a letter to the Easter bunny. He left a paw print on one of the pictures! He also left a lot of goody’s for me and my parents to eat. Then he did an extra egg hunt for me.

The first egg hunt was inside because the Easter bunny did not want the hard boiled eggs to get funkified. The second egg hunt was outside. The eggs this time were beautiful plastic eggs that shined very nicely in the sunlight. Inside the plastic eggs were candy.

My mom and I hand decorated the hard boiled eggs all by our selves {well except we didn’t make the dye}.

In my Easter basket there were a variety of chocolate Easter bunny’s. This year there was also chocolate covered gummys. I know that it might sound kinda gross but its actually very good.

[Show slideshow]

We mixed and matched veggies, meats, and sauces for some stir-fry delight at the Mongolian grill for lunch. The only place this week where overeating feels healthy. Well, besides the ice cream sundae – but that really is more a palette cleanser.

Next we headed to Powell’s bookstore for literary explorations. Mom got several books on her checklist. And Jasmine found a few items to peruse.

Then to the mall for Jasmine to get her ears pierced a second time. Apparently this undertaking can only happen with grandparents in tow. (The first piercing happened when grandparents Lynn and Rachel visited us a couple summers ago. In the following months one earring fell out and the ear healed apparently overnight. )

We shared dinner at the food court and then said our goodbyes to Karen and Ted, as they head back to the snowy North next morning. Thanks for a great visit!

[Show slideshow]

I met my folks for breakfast at the hotel. They made it through the night with the pre-teen unscathed. Jasmine had a lovely smiley face meal. She even shared some of her bacon – if you call a miniscule sliver sharing.

We headed to the coast for another sunshine day (which I keep telling my parents is very rare here – but they seem unconvinced). After walking on the windy beach we drove south for some cheese and ice cream at Tillamook Creamery. My two scoops were butter pecan and black cherry. Jasmine got chocolate chip mint and chocolate.

[Show slideshow]

My mom really likes gardens, especially Japanese themes, so this was a must on the week’s agenda.

This would be Jasmine’s first time here. She was excited to get a day off school and for her special sleepover with the grandparents this evening – for which she had packed a couple days in advance.

To summarize our visit: the gardens was a feast for the eyes and soothing to the soul.

For lunch we went to an Indian buffet. And dinner was at their hotel restaurant which had some fabulous desserts.

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ►