Crazy-Fun Week!

Here at the Gardipee Hale, we've been taking full advantage of G's "sabbatical" and resulting flexible schedule by enjoying all that our awesome city (and other cities) have to offer! First was my birthday present - Depeche Mode! Anyone who knows me knows two things: I heart Disney, and I heart Depeche Mode. They've been my all-time fave since about 1985 when Some Great Reward came out. I've been to too many of their shows to count. (Actually, if I tried, I could, but why?) Because of this, G has been to too many shows period. With each new one, he states that if I can find someone else to go with, that's preferred. He's my last resort date! This time Beth joined me for her first - a Depeche Virgin! Great show as always, though even with a pre-sale, they were the worst seats I've ever had to see them. I'm not so sure pre-sales are worth it!

The next night held an M's game for G and I with the best seats we've ever had in Safeco - 3rd row on the third base line! I always take my seat pad (due to my ever-sore-from-being-broken tailbone) and found to my surprise that when you have great seats, they're padded! Unfortunately the M's lost to the White Sox in the 9th, but we had a blast nonetheless!
The following day was Kealan's birthday and the early morning was spent like this:

The day was completely up to her and she planned a good one! The morning was spent at her favorite park, followed by lunch at Red Robin where she didn't eat any lunch, though ate her entire sundae, and a casual night at home.

She was howling like a wolf here

She can't believe she ate the whole thing!

Then it was off to Portland for a 24 hour date, courtesy of my Mom-in-Law and Sis-in-Law. They kept the kids while we were having a great time with my cousin, Rhonda, her husband Chris, and their son, Tanner. We had a fab dinner at Mamma Mia, followed by a walk around the Pearl District and gelato, then happy hour for G and I atop the US Bank building at the City Grill at a window-table with an amazing view of the city and river. Thank you, Rhonda, Chris, and Tanner, for joining us and showing us around! The next morning we hoofed it (not far, due to our hotel being smack in the middle of downtown) to Voo Doo Doughnuts. For those of you not familiar, this place was our inspiration for one of our fave breakfast treats - the Bacon Maple Bar Sandwich. They have a Bacon Maple Bar that is divine, along with countless other flavors of doughnuts you only wish you had thought of on your own! A few blocks away was the Saturday Market that put most to shame! It was HUGE (basically a fair) and had rad things! I wanted soooo much! Needless to say, we'll be back and I appreciate Portland so much more.

The line ahead of us...

the line behind us...

and the payoff! 50 minutes from first waiting in line to first bite.

The kids had a blast as well, not wanting to leave when we picked them up! Auntie Skye has a new nickname courtesy of K: Auntie Miss Bossy Head. T just calls her Ty Ty. Grandma has a new name as well as T was calling her O'ma, the name of his other Grandma. After saying, "O", he realized he was calling her by the wrong name and finished with "Gma". So it came out, "O'gma". T loved "helping" out with Grace, their 7 month-old cousin, and couldn't get enough of her. Thank you, Skye and Mom for the opportunity!