Conley and Friends

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Eating our way through Portlandia...and Seattle

Although we haven't kept up with it as much lately, a few years ago we really loved watching Portlandia and couldn't wait to one day visit the city behind the popular show. This "Spring Break" we finally ventured out to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to finally visit Portland along with a trip to Seattle as well.

This being our first solo trip with two kids we didn't quite make it to every attraction or restaurant on our list (as was to be expected), but we still had a nice visit with lots of good food and memories! Conley was especially excited about the number of ice creams he was able to consume, especially in Portland. I loved just walking around and seeing all the cute little bungalows that seemed to be all over this very friendly and walkable city. While it's often compared to Austin, I felt like Portland had a much more noticeable organic food presence and lots of walkable neighborhoods - and we lucked out with nice cool weather and just a little bit of rain. Conley loved our visits to the Children's Museum and the zoo (which were inside the grounds of the beautiful and green Washington Park) and we also stumbled upon the Full Sail Brewery outside of the city (makers of Peter's current beer of choice, Session) and took a hike to the top of Multnomah Falls.

Seattle definitely had more of a big-city feel, but I loved seeing all the beautiful homes in the Queen Anne neighborhood where we stayed. Although it was quite a haul up the hill with two kids in tow, the reward was great views, an awesome kids park that Conley loved, and a cute little strip of restaurants and shops with a great breakfast spot (the best French toast ever!), a lovely chocolate shop and the sweetest little book store. Conley had a ball watching the fishmongers at Pike's Place and we also paid a visit to an awesome farmer's market in the Ballard neighborhood.

We'll be back for more great food and memories someday - hopefully sooner rather than later!

First night at Bollywood Theater near our rental in Alberta Arts District - awesome Indian food!

Followed by the first of many ice cream desserts a few doors down at Salt & Straw

Yes, we're eating again! A great breakfast at Pine Street Biscuits - another spot we would return to later in the week!

A visit to the Portland Zoo

Great pizza and kale salad at Oven and Shaker in the Pearl District

We kept driving one day since the kids were asleep - and stumbled upon Full Sail Brewery, makers
of Peter's favorite beer!

So we took a tour!

A stop en route to Multnomah Falls

Putting those new rain boots to good use!

Pre-hike to the top

Catching a music show by Red Yarn at Mississippi Pizza

Our final meal in Portland - an awesome brunch at Tasty N Sons!

Conley picking up some Voodoo Doughnuts on our way out of town

Making friends in Seattle

Great pizza at Serious Pie - although Kate wasn't impressed!

The view from the park a few blocks up from our house in the Queen Anne neighborhood

The best breakfast spot - the quiche and brioche french toast were probably the best I've ever had - wish
I got a better picture!

Love the cherry blossoms - reminded me of my Tokyo trip!

Taking a tamale break at the farmer's market in Ballard

Conley and his requested tulip!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Rounding out 2014

And finally I've gotten around to Part 2 of my end of 2014 recap...and it's March. Well, better late than never I guess! We had lots of fun everyday moments along with a lot of first holiday traditions with Kate (and some old favorites with Conley.) And my sweet little boy turned three (or as he would correct me, my BIG boy!) I still can't believe he is three, it really is so bittersweet. He is still the same sweet, smiley, funny little boy I've always known and now he's also a loving and caring big brother too. He talks nonstop and I'm amazed by everything he remembers and how curious he is about the world around him. "Why?" is the question I hear constantly these days and every explanation I offer is usually followed up with another...and another. I love hearing little tidbits of French from him after starting at his new French Montessori this fall - we don't hear a ton from him yet, but it's so cute when we do! An "au revoir" here, repeating little phrases they use in school, snippets from their Christmas songs - I love it! He was so excited about his "happy day" and talked about it constantly - and how when he turned three he would start eating tomatoes, berries and carrots and how he wanted all those things to eat on his birthday - that turned out less than successful, but it was worth a try! He loves making his little sister smile and laugh, give her hugs and kisses, tell her it's ok and that he's there when she is sad - and the feeling is mutual! His favorite foods are tacos - especially from Tacodeli with beans, cheese and "mole." He also has a love for hummus, gnocchi, raviolis, pesto, lasagna, chili, veggie burgers, pizza and pizza rolls, heart cookies from The Steeping Room, bunny crackers, "tea" (juice), smoothies, ni-ni's, purees and spicy water. He sleeps all night in his crib now (which happened a few weeks after Kate was born) with one or more of his rescue dogs. He absolutely loves his cousins and has so much fun with them and is all smiles when they are around! And he loves all sorts of vehicles - especially construction vehicles - but also trains, cars, trucks, boats - you name it. He has gotten the hang of his balance bike and loves reading books and doing puzzles. Every night he tells me he loves me and good night in multiple languages - "au revoir, buenas noches, ciao ciao, good night!" is a common good night message. I love you so much my sweet little 3 year old!

I really feel so lucky everyday and am so thankful for all the holiday and birthday memories we got to make with my two favorite little people.