Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Great Northwest

We've been home for a while now, but these pictures deserve documentation.
We had a great time in The Great Northwest... Jake officially turned one, we hit up Cannon Beach, Astoria, the Goonies house, Portland, the Portland Art Museum, and even Seattle.
I know that I'm a little more than biased about the Northwest area, but this really is the most beautiful part of America.
 Jake and Daddy blowing out his candle. He didn't care much for the coconut in the German Chocolate Cake my mom made.
Opening presents.


The Columbia River in Astoria. This was pretty much our view during lunch at the Wet Dog Cafe--best fish n' chips ever!
Blaine and Jakey

Our waitress at "Wet Dog" told us we had to check out the sea lions and we are so glad we did. Look at these beasts! She told us that the fisherman really don't like them because they eat the bellies out of the salmon and leave the fish to rot. They tag the lions and put them out at sea, but these dudes make it back to port before the people who tagged them do. Crazy.

Just a pretty bed and breakfast in Astoria. This city has such charm.
Okay, this is not the Goonies house {my Goonies house picture turned out really crappy}, but this house is the reason we ever found the Goonies house in the first place. When Val, Becca, LaChae, my mom and I first came to Astoria {ten years ago!}, we talked to the lady who lives here, she gave us Craisens, showed us her really, really old car, talked all about when she met Steven Spielberg, and pointed us in the right direction. Thanks lady!
Self portrait on Cannon Beach... my beach, actually.
The funny thing about the self portrait is that you usually get someone else to feel bad for you and offer to take your picture. Thanks man!
Just admiring Haystack Rock.
*Sigh*
Funny boys.




My mom and this fatty were pals while we walked on the beach for a while.



Okay... um this is my baby brother with his buddies, Tanner and Daniel. They are hilarious. They came downstairs dressed to kill and I took about a thousand pictures. Well done, boys. Well done.




This one is blurry because we got ambitious and tried the sport shot feature on my camera. A little blurry without the flash, but I had to post this one. It's classic. I love Matty {even in a wrestling onsie--where did he even get that?}
My parents took Jake for a night so Blaine and I could go into Portland and eat at Portland City Grill. It was amazing. The food was freaking great and the view was killer. We counted eight bridges from our table's view.
There's totally a glare through the glass, but you get the idea. We got the see the sun set and everything. I just love the Portland waterfront.

Now, there's a handsome boy.
Little Jake trying to play my mom's piano. Too cute.



Seattle. This is such a cool city. I love it!
Blaine got tickets to a gamers convention up there, so my parents were awesome enough to drive us up and stay the night. My dad was even great enough to shop Seattle with my mom and me all Saturday... well, Jake loved Pop Pop's company. Who else was going to carry him around on his shoulders while we hit H&M?
The original Nordstrom. There it is.
Jake with Dee Dee and Pop Pop.
Jakey loves my dad... it was really sweet to watch them together.
Just some more city shots... I got nothing on Pike's Market. It was too insanely crowded to walk and shop, let alone take pictures. My mom and I made the venture, but the stroller stayed with my dad and Jake. Oh well... next time.

13 comments:

Christy said...

Wow! I'm actually the first commenter? I'm usually like #284 on your blog. hehe. Maybe it's cuz I'm ahead so many hours and everyone else is asleep. So! I love all these pictures. I've only been to the Northwest once and was smitten then. I actually stayed on an Indian reservation which was super cool and toured into Seattle and Portland. My intrigue with the Northwest has continued because of the choice of books I seem to be reading these days. That and the East Coast. Way cute pictures and way cute vacation. Glad you guys had a fun time!

Elizabeth Moon said...

Oh my goodness, love this post. Ever since seeing Rojo's pictures of that beach I have been dying to go! Jake is a babe and so are you!

Becca Jo said...

How fun! You and I should totally road trip there in October. Eli's off track and really what's stopping you? You have freedom with a one year old! ;)

Think about it.

Michelle said...

Yay!! I'm so jealous! These pictures are amazing. (Especially Daniel's pedosmile.) BTW, it's 8:22 and I'm "teaching" right now.

tammy said...

I am a little disappointed not to see the Goonies house since you had a teaser at the beginning but....you had the beach so I forgive you. It looks like you had a good time. I need to visit that place or those places.

Scott and Megan said...

On so many levels this is my favorite post!
1. I am so impressed with your "animal" documentation..the seals and the fat little pigeon oh leesh...you are a girl after my own heart...I just love animals!
2. Everytime I think Jake is cute..I'm wrong...he's cuter than cute! WE LOVE HIM! i don't know if I can tell you that enough! He is such the little man and I love the pics of Jake and pop pop! Those are tender! I can only imagine how it feels to have your own son loving your dad. Precious!
3. I need to get my fat lard ace out there STAT I forget how wonderful it is! Parts of me want your parents to move here and be close, and the other parts want them to always stay there so I "have" to visit that gorgeous part of America!
4. You look fabulous and I really love that Blaine guy! Patience of job! Good sport, never complains, puts on a smile, etc. He is a great guy and the two of you together just bring out the best in each other and I love it and love you both (and the little Jake man) so very much!!!
5. I'm submitting this comment to reader's digest for them to help create a condensed version SHEESH! Verbal vomit!

dxeechick said...

looks amazing! definitely on my list of places to go

Lindsey said...

Jake seriously calls your dad Pop Pop?? Please tell me that your mom is Gangy!!!!!!!

Markelle said...

dang, I am still a Washington virgin. glad you guys had fun, but of course you did!

btw, I had fun with your two main men tonight. missed you though!

LEE BIEN said...

The second best part of living here is seeing how excited you guys get when you come visit. Nice pictures too. Come back!

Unknown said...

Hey Shad and I were just in Astoria and Seattle! Love that area! We actually happened upon a map that showed us where the Goonies house was. Shad refused to walk up the hill to see it but I got an excellent picture of the road leading up to it:( I also got a picture of the Kindergarten Cop school. I was a lot more excited about this sightseeing adventure than he was.

Unknown said...

P.S. I am thanking my lucky stars we missed the gamer's convention.

Jessie said...

How fun!!

Those pictures are awesome! I have never been, but I really want to someday!

ps. One of my girlfriends LOVES Cannon Beach. Although I have never been, I am a little partial only because Cannon is my maiden name.