SUNDAY MORNING CARTOONS

I went downstairs Sunday morning only to find Mimi and Eloisa huddled together watching "Scooby-Doo". After breakfast we headed back to Burger King for some more playtime. The weather up here in the northwest has been kind of crappy lately. All day Saturday and Sunday it rainned and rainned. By 5:00 it was time to head home since it is a 170 mile drive for us. I did however learn one thing on this trip. In Oregon and New Jersey, you are not allowed to pump your own gas. It is required that an attendent does it for you or you will be fined $500.00. I almost made that mistake when I pulled into the Chevron gas station and thought that I had pulled up to the wrong pump.

Right off the 5 interstate is the Great Wolf Lodge (indoor water park). I thought that it would be a great idea if we stopped by to check it out. When I found out that it costs $350.00 for one weekend night, that's where they lost me, but then this morning I found out from another mom that during the week her family paid $199.00 and you could bring your own food and you could use the water park before you check in and after you check out. It might be something to think about for this summer although we are taking Mimi on the same camping trip as we went to last year. I am most definitely sure that Mimi will not let me forget about the Great Wolf Lodge either. She absolutely loved our visit there. It is I must say a very family oriented place.

AFTER DINNER DESSERT

Mimi always loves to help out when she can. Here she is helping Eloisa with the warm brownies that just came out of the oven and she is helping scoop vanilla ice cream on them. YUMMY!

TOM AND ELOISA

On Saturday afternoon we left our hotel in Beaverton and then headed over to Tom and Eloisa in Hillsborough. On the way we stopped at Uwajimaya for Mimi's "Treasures". Dad found it the night before when he and Mimi were scouting around the town. It's not as big as the one in Seattle but it will do.

Tom and dad were school chums from way back when. Tom and Eloisa were married four years ago and have two teenagers between them. Tom does not have any of his own biological children. The kids are from Eloisa's previous marriage. When we were moving up here from California Mimi had met Deverett (13 yo boy) and Devani (15 yo girl) and absolutely adored them.

Unfortunately we did not get the chance to try out the Thai place that Princess Teri told us about. Will have to do that on our next trip. Eloisa wanted to take us out to a Indian market to eat and we did just that. Although Mimi is great at entertaining herself, Eloisa thought that it would be a great idea to take her to Burger King where they have a play area so that she could get her sillies out. So we did just that. While Mimi played for almost 3 hours, the adults were able to enjoy a quiet conversation in the next room. Mimi being Miss Socialbility had no problems making new friends. It's wonderful to have friends that have been this route.

NEXT AMERICAN IDOL???

This video was taken on our way back to the hotel. Mimi and Zoe have been really into Disney's "High School Musical". Mimi has the movie down pat.

ESPARZA'S

The other day while sitting in the cold watching Mimi practice t-ball, I was thinking about our upcoming trip to Portland and since I am not an Oregonian, I had no idea where to go to eat Neither did our friends. Then all of a sudden what comes on into my head you say??? A light bulb!!! Ding, ding, ding! Princess Teri! She's been to Oregon and loves food as much as we do! YEAH! So I wrote to her and she said to go to Esparaza's. So we did and it was a hit with everyone. Thank you Princess Teri! Of course no Mexican meal is complete without a glass of cold margarita with a shot of Don Julio.

MAN CAVE

We arrived in Portland around 11:30 last night and hooked up with our good friend Maggi and her cousin Sarah early this afternoon at Sarah and Duane. Here we are sitting and playing cards un Duane's "man cave" Mimi is the dealer but unfortunately we could not show her the cards as they were of the porno nature. However she had loads of fun just playing with the chips

SIGNING OFF

In a couple of hours the Putney's will be on their way down to Portland Oregon. Will try out the places to eat that Princess Teri suggested. They sound delicious already. Will report everything that happens this weekend. Can't wait to head out of Dodge.