The unseen garden finally was seen

Portland's Japanese Garden

in Washington Park

Harlan and I have lived in this area for over 34 years and have never done a lot of the touristy things. On Veteran's Day the Japanese Garden had free admission. Hayden's Japanese teacher told her class about it and he got extra credit for visiting there. So Cam, Har and I  tagged along and made it a family outing.

It is located just west of the Rose Garden in Washington Park which means it's up further on the hillside. We walked through the entrance gate and hiked  up, up, up until we reached the admission's gate. I'm so glad we took the time to visit. I'm tempted to buy a membership to be able to go up there to walk, take photos and just be in the serenity that surrounds the place.

Enjoy this photo tour ;0)

It's a gorgeous place to visit in the fall!

Cam mentioned that he'd like to go at cherry blossom time in the spring.

Looks like that membership may be on my Christmas wish list.

Happy Veteran's Day

All day Monday, I was thinking of those men and women who have serve this country in the Armed Services.  I'm proud to say that I am related to many of those individuals. 

Thank you for making those sacrifices.

May we never take our freedoms for granted.

A weekend with Grand-girls

Enjoying the color while we can

We actually looked at our house in the end of October twenty-five years ago. I fell in love with the river rock porch and chimney and the beautiful maple trees. Those maples have been a source of glorious color over the years. They are almost always the last leaves to fall so we get to enjoy them the longest. This past weekend Genevieve and Danika got to enjoy those leaves too.

Breakfast out with Grampa and Gramma is a treat!

We love the senior menus at most restaurants these days. It's kind to our waists and our pocket book.

Har and I are like Jack Sprat and his wife in reverse. He got to indulge in a pumpkin coffee with whipped cream and I enjoyed my dark roast coffee without cream.

Those girlies had the full Jr Slam with pancakes, eggs, sausage and pancakes. Though they could have split one meal as Danika polished off all the pancakes on her plate and some of the eggs, whereas Genevieve ate only the eggs and meat (including her sister's). 

A bit like Jack Sprat's grandchildren, hey?

Bath time beauty

 Danika decided that she was bathing and Genevieve passed. So I went up and sat while the tub was running and made sure that her hair got washed and rinsed well. I would tend to have a problem getting all the bubbles out if I had lovely Rapunzel type of hair like this one. G'vieve and Gramma, we like ours short and sassy ;0)

Coloring projects

A while back I picked up some holiday type crafts and stowed them for times like these. After church the girls got to color and write down several things they are thankful for.

I don't know if you can read the items after the coloring was done but..

I, for one, am thankful for weekends like these.

And any time I can spend with those sweet girls!

Family birthdays this month

November is full of festivities

The first day was the first celebration

Way over on the east coast, on November 1st, Rowan turned six! I think this was the first time that we weren't celebrating with him. From all reports and a few photos, it appears that he had a very very nice birthday.
We sure were thinking of him!

A few days later, also in Virginia... 

Alyssa celebrated turning 28! 

she got to have a day in D.C. with her mum-in-law, Kathryn. They went to an art museum and ate lunch and took lovely photos near lovely architecture and fountains and monuments.

I've been to D.C. in mid-winter and hot summer so far. Next year we hope to be there in the fall and perhaps before these kids are stationed somewhere else I can see those famous cherry blossoms in the spring. It really is a spectacular city to visit.

Her day out was followed by a family dinner

Thank you Kathryn for sharing your photo moments of Lyssa's birthday so we felt a part of it.

What a great looking gang!

Alyssa sent me a picture later in the week of the view from her porch. It is gorgeous in the autumn!

So I was inspired to take a picture, not from my porch but of my porch. We are slowly losing the maple tree on the left in this picture. It sure is pretty during this time of year though.

More celebrations to come

On 11-11 we not only honor our Veterans but we also wish our son-in-law, Kiel a wonderful and happy birthday!

We hope you have a fantastic birthday being appreciated and spoiled by that family of yours.

THIRTY!!!! Congratulations, Sir.

We are very happy you joined this family.

Another milestone event

It was three years ago this coming week that another fellow braved joining this family. Courtney and Charlie will be celebrating their 3rd wedding anniversary on opposite coasts. Soon they'll be able to have a nice dinner and commemorate the anniversary properly... in person :0)

Looking ahead...

A lot of my facebook friends are posting something they are thankful for each day this month. I've got way to much to list in the 30 days allotted. 

I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving Day with many of our kids and theirs. Several of them won't be gathering with us but our love and thankfulness with be surrounding them as well.