Colorado Getaway: Catharsis Week

Nanners and I packed our bags to visit our besties in Colorado.

Nanners excitedly packed anything she thought Lucy would enjoy playing with.

She would have packed her entire room if I had let her.

 We had a perfect week enjoying the pace of a two-kid household (and taking notes on my future), getting out in the 55 degree sunny weather, watching Lucy and Nanners play, play, play and then fight, fight, fight, and talking until my head and face hurt. 

Did I mention it was a week of catharsis?

It was one of those weeks where I was reminded how much I desperately need friends to help me know I'm heading in the right direction. It's so easy to plod along in life hoping you are, but the validation of a friend can be so perspective-altering. I know it was pure inspiration to visit before I have this baby because I feel filled with purpose and excitement for this new phase.

Plus we had a lovely time watching the season 3 opener of Downton:

Getting Pedicures:

And the girls enjoyed their own quality time watching Dora:

Making cookies (with Gluten, what a treat!):

Attempting a slumber party in matching pj's--not planned.

Slumber party finally ended around 10 when it was obvious sleeping was not going to happen!

Daily "crafts":

And perusing the Denver Aquarium:

I think everyone should stay for a few days at their friend's house.

It brought me such a better understanding of where Jen's advice comes from

and it gave me great ideas on how to shake up my own routine for the better.

They've promised a trip to Portland after the baby arrives.

Until then I will be explaining to Nanners why Lucy can't have a 

tea party with us each day.

Tokyo: The Eccentric

We're home from Japan and finally recovered from jetlag. 17 hours is brutal!

Now we're just tired from packing up our house to move. (Another post entirely)

First off, let me just say that I think everyone should visit Tokyo. It is pristine clean, so safe,

has every modern convenience one could dream of, and my straightener worked in the outlets.

It's just a really easy place to feel comfortable, yet experience a wonderful people and culture.

Every place I've been has it's own eccentricities, and Tokyo is no exception. In fact, I'd say they've got a corner on the eccentric.

The most amusing of course, were the English translations gone awry.

There were just so many good ones.

Now this one's just unfortunate.

Those poor guys? probably don't even know how awkward their band name is.

 Some random art? in an old Edo town we visited. It's just great!

This is an advertisment for a photography studio. The Kanji says "Action."
Our tourguides (i.e., Mike's friends from his mission) said they sensed no awkwardness from this picture. They also have very strict gun control laws in Japan so there aren't many shootings there.

Most people are aware of the absurd amount of vending machines throughout Tokyo.

I say absurd, because some absurd things can be had by visiting them.

Porn, women's underwear and nicotine drinks to name a few.

However, more PG-rated is the canned hot chocolate you can get.

It tastes like the Swiss Miss from a packet, but it comes HOT right in the can. Awesome!

We visited a store called Tokyo Hands. The Pants and I could have spent an entire day there.
8 mind-boggling floors of stuff. Stuff is the only way to describe it. A floor of super cool satchels and bags, another of crafting supplies, another of bento boxes, another of office supplies and signs. One floor was all personal care products.

A mouth slimmer contraption to control "wide mouth." Just one of many great products featured.

And the "baby kiss patting" to maintain a rosy glow by applying a suction cup to your cheeks.

We also visited the perikura booths. They are like our mall photo booths on crack. Teenagers apparently love these. It was intense to get all the shots and editing done. But we ended up with some fantastic pictures of The Pants and I looking like cupie dolls.

We stayed at Keio Plaza, a fairly nice hotel. I'd reccomend it for sure.

It had a fitness center (which is pretty swanky in the limited space of Tokyo).

It was equipped with a treadmill, stairclimber and these mechanical bulls. Naturally.

It had to be done.

This is just the first installment of our Japanese adventure. More to come...

Moshi Moshi, Tokyo!

It's official, The Pants and I are going to Japan in February!

I'm so excited I can barely stand it.

photo from acid cow

Because we like to live life on the edge, we waited until the very last minute to get our passports.
So a quick weekend trip to Seattle and way too much money in expedited fees later...we are legit!
Nanners couldn't help but get excited too.

Moshi Moshi, Tokyo.
See you in February!

A grand ol' Utah time

In August all of the Pants' family flew to Utah so we could visit with his Grandma and Aunt's family.

One of the days was spent caravanning up to the mountains to have ourselves a very Utah time.

We rode 4-wheelers through the trees past cows and horses.

These were the true daredevils. At one point we tried to pass them and we accelerated

so much that my hat flew off. 

That really set us back!

They came back covered in dirt from their "solo ride."

The women folk just really hold them back. 

 We splashed around in the water.

Look into your future Mr. Pants. I think it may look like this!

 Noah and Raylee pontificating about life.

The kids played in the dirt.

This is Nanners' make-shift "shade-that-very-white-babyface" outfit.

Thanks to Jess for the bandana and Gabe for the pants. Mostly she just looked like a thug.

We ate a tasty dutch-oven meal courtesy of Uncle Dale.

And we made valiant attempts to get family pictures.

At least we're all happy.

After our short but fun stint in Price we headed to Park City to get some quality

time in with the Pants' immediate family.

We played at the pool.

Nanners has really taken to the water since her swim classes.

I must remember to get one of these floaty boats.

 It made for such an enjoyable time at the pool with a toddler.

We had a dance party to some bumping primary songs.

This is my favorite picture from the trip. Nanners and Noah dancing in front of the mirror. Yeah, that's the robot you're seeing.  

We also played a lot of Nerts, hit up the Alpine Slide and watched ourselves a few movies.

We had a really good time and it was a welcomed departure from the norm.

Beach Bums

We day-tripped it to the Oregon Coast about a month ago.
And by "we," I mean just The Pants and I.

Our lovely friends offered to take Nanners for the day and we took them up on it.

They promised a gratuitous text picture of Nanners smiling at some point during the day and another text saying how much fun she was having--no more, no less. 

Perfect.

We spent our day on a short 2 mile hike near Cannon beach to spot a lighthouse.

(These pictures are always more of The Pants' arm than anything else but they work--Mine aren't long enough to get more than just me. Notice the arm crop here.)

We enjoyed some fresh seafood fare and the candy at Bruce's Candy Kitchen in Cannon Beach.

This really is my favorite Oregon coast town. Up until this summer we've gone to Lincoln City which is really just like Beaverton at the beach. Not the quaint charm I'm looking for in a beach town. Cannon Beach however, has been wooing me back to the coast. 

Then we headed for Seaside so The Pants could show me the ways of Fascination. 

He and his brother played a lot of this game every time their family came to the beach as a kid.

It was really addicting and fun. We spent $20 to win these three tickets but they made the little girl we gave them to quite happy. We would have needed about 100 more to win the walkman we wanted!

And an elephant ear for the road and we were headed back to Portland.

This elephant ear symbolizes how well The Pants and I compromise. Berries and cream cheese on one side, cinnamon and sugar on the other. It just works. 

Nanners was so tuckered out from her adventures with her friend Lucy.

She was ready for bed by the time we picked her up.

Perfect.

"The city never sleeps better slip you an Ambien"

Our trip to New York was a success.
We spent a week visiting our family and enjoying some New York hospitality.
If you've ever visited New York you know that "hospitality" is all New Yorkers' middle name.
It's manifested whenever you get a look that says "Wow, I couldn't care less about you," or
"Get out of my way."
However in it's defense, there is something about that city that captivates my heart
and keeps me dreaming about living in an apartment on the park.

Nanners loved the subway because there was always great people watching.
Everyone loved watching her too--they all went gaga over her.

We took a special trip just to take the F train,
in homage of the Mike Doughty song.

We also had some star sightings.
It was really funny to see New Yorkers walking past them pretending to not even notice they were famous.
I once read an article about the juxtaposition of how the west coast and east coast treats celebrities.
Apparently it is true to life.
We represented the west coast perfectly--we stopped, stared and took pictures.

That's Keanu Reeves working on a movie. Spotted in the Lower East Side.

And that's Jordan Sparks--sing her song with me..."One step at a time, there's no need to
rush. It's like learning to fly or falling in love."
The Pants and I had a date night to see the Broadway show In the Heights and spotted her leaving after the show.
She was one of the main characters.
I highly recommend it if you like a little Latin flavor.

We spent some quality time with our nephews.
It involved lots of walks, playing at the park and keeping Gabriel away from Nanners.
Apparently 18-month-olds like to hit babies.

The best trip to the park included feeding this squirrel an almond M&M.
We figured it made sense--there was a nut under that blue candy coated chocolate shell after all.
He loved it. (I'm assuming it's a he by the way he manhandled that M&M)

Nanners proved herself to be a true city baby.
She was awesome the entire time--besides the not sleeping at night part.
She came to love being carted from place to place in her stroller.

She got really good at sleeping in it too.
Not even the bright lights of Time's Square could keep her awake.

I felt like I was back at home in Portland when we visited the new Trader Joe's in the upper west side.
Well until I realized there was a code of conduct for shopping there.
It included not trying to go against the flow of traffic and limiting stopping time to 5 seconds.
And until we stood in one of two long lines and were directed to one of 40 checkstands.
Still, I am very happy that New Yorkers get to experience the happiness that is TJ's.

And a gratuitous picture of the photographer.
Crazy face is standing in front of the home of a very
greasy and oh-so-good pastrami sandwich.
And we sat at the table in When Harry met Sally.

Nanners can't stop talking about her trip to New York.
She is such a city girl!
Thanks Jon and Jess for showing us a great time.

Maiden Voyage

Last weekend marked our first getaway as a family of three.
It may have been our last.
Hopeful dreams of a gay old time were not realized.
Instead we realized that a vacation with a baby is a lot of work.
However reflecting on the experience, I realize my perspective was sullied by food poisoning.
Either way, here are the details:

We went to the not-so-quaint town of Astoria.
I think The Pants picked it because The Goonies was filmed there.
Maybe it was hit really hard by the recession or maybe it was
never really cool to begin with--I'm not sure which it is, but it felt
like a run-down mining town, not a vacation getaway.

We visited the Astoria Column which did have a beautiful view
and provided a killer quad workout.



We trolled some antique and knick knack shops and ate
one amazing meal at the Drina Daisy Bosnian restaurant.
Unfortunately the incredibly delicious lamb I scarfed down
was likely the source of the ensuing food poisoning I'm still getting over.

After exhausting all Astoria had to offer in one day we decided to head
to Seaside to give Nanners her first taste of the beach.

She was underwhelmed, but very calm.
I was nauseated and very faint.
But we still enjoyed the lovely beach walking weather
and the kitschy charm of Seaside.

Hopefully our next trip to the beach in September
will renew our faith in family vacations.