Grandparents and Portland

Miss M was really excited that Grandma and Poppy were coming to visit. Andrew and I had plans to head to the Portland area for a few days as Andrew was officiating a wedding of a friend of his who now lives out there. Miss M had their play dates planned out for days. She knew where she was going to take them and what she was going to do with them. Thankfully she forgot because Grandma and Poppy weren't up to taking the kids too many places.

At some point in Miss M learned how to write letters when no one was looking. I genuinely don't know where she learned to write her letters b/c I haven't worked on them with her. She's doing pretty good for being three and apparently being self taught. She wrote Poppy's name on something she was probably going to give to him. The Y needs some work but the gist of it is there. 

They arrived on Tuesday and by Wednesday Miss M had Grandma's iPad out so she could brush up on her Candy Crush skills. I don't have Candy Crush on my phone or iPad and I have zero idea how to play. Although I am really good at working the Amazon app and buying lots of nonsense.

We stayed in Hood River which was about an hour from Portland. Andrew kept saying it reminded him of a ski town. It was really pretty.

Andrew was busy with wedding festivities each day for some duration of time so I spent a lot of time by myself. It was fun the first day but by the third day I was starting to need someone to talk to. Since I have Miss M who talks all day every day and is one constant stream of consciences a day of not talking was peaceful but by the third day it was kind of lonely. I can't say I really missed the kids as it was nice to have a break especially since I hadn't been feeling very well but I did worry about them. I probably was more worried about their caretakers than the kids themselves but everyone was fine each time we checked in.

The river was a few blocks from our condo and I enjoyed going down and sitting in the grass and watching the kite/wind surfers do what they do. It was quite an amazing feat.

Andrew was the officiant. And a dapper officiant he was.

He worked with the bride and groom to ensure the ceremony was what they wanted. I thought he did a great job. I was probably more stressed out about his officiating than he was which is about how everything in our life goes.  They are all laughing here b/c the bride jumped the gun on her "I do's" rather than Andrew saying something funny or screwing up. It was a really laid back atmosphere at a winery in WA with Mt. Hood as the backdrop of their ceremony.

I tried to upload a snippet of video from the wedding but it isn't successful right now. I am going to have to work on it and get back to you with some footage. 

I don't have much commentary for this. I will just let you all know that the stewardess on the plane on the way home told me I looked really small for as far along as I am. I should have hugged her but instead just said thank you. There aren't many people telling me I don't look very big at this point.

Upon arriving home we learned that everyone was alive and well.  Mr. Man had learned how to go up the slide and down on his belly...just like Miss M.  I think the grandparents had fun but I think they were ready for the parents to come home so they could take a break for a bit. The kids definitely had fun. Miss M still is talking about the games her and Grandma played.  

We wouldn't have been able to go to Portland if not for the help of the grandparents watching the munchkins so thanks again for the help and allowing us to take a break for a few days!!