My Mom has been to see me in Washington five times!! She is the BEST!!
Lucky me, Mom & I had the same spring break again this year!! Mom loves to come hang out on her spring breaks, but in 2011, I had started a new job and our spring breaks just didn't match up so I was super excited that it all worked out this year and Mom got to have another vacation in Washington.
Since this was her fifth trip here, I had to do a little thinking on what sort of new adventures we could have. I decided to take her to Oregon! We drove just outside of Portland to let Mom see beautiful Multnomah Falls. It was a crazy weather day...sunshine one minute, pouring rain the next. Okay, so maybe it was more typical than crazy. Either way we had a great time and the falls were gorgeous! The Columbia River Gorge drive wasn't too bad either. :)
First we made a stop at Wahkeena Falls
Then it was on to the main attraction!
After our explorations were complete, we finally arrived in Portland!
And I gave Mom her surprise early Mother's Day gift - tickets to see Wicked!
We met up with my friend and fellow Wicked fanatic, Dawn, and we had a fabulous time.
We spent the night in a hotel downtown and set off for some touristy adventures the next day. For lunch, we picked out a pizza place but not just any pizza place. We went to Old Town Pizza - "Portland's Haunted Pizzeria." I didn't see any ghosts, but I did see the lights flicker once. And besides, the food was so delicious, I'd gladly share it with a ghost. :) You can read more about the mysterious haunting here.
Other than the ghost and the great pizza, this restaurant also offers bicycle delivery, how fun!
Then, in true Portland tourist fashion, we waited in a ridiculously long line...for donuts!
And while we were waiting, I noticed for the first time that the brick walls are covered in sparkly glitter, voodoo glitter, I'm sure.
The last time we were here - about a year and a half ago - the place must have been under some type of construction because we entered through a side door into a teeny tiny room and not through the front entrance like we did on this day. It was neat to see the larger inside, love the funky decor.
And just check out all of those crazy donuts!!
We each picked out a few of our favorites and left with our very own pink box.
You're looking at a maple bacon bar (don't knock it til you tried it!), M&M donut, a super delicious Mango Tango treat, lemon powdered sugar, & a raspberry romeo. What you can't see hiding below is a gigantic apple fritter that is half the size of the box - that's the good stuff!
We made a stop at Powell's to show Mom the city block of bookstore.
And then we headed back to the hotel to retrieve the car and start for home. But not before one last stop at a really cool frozen yogurt place called Tart Berry. Patrons are encouraged to leave inspirational and positive quotes/messages on the walls, love it!
After a fun couple of days in Portland, Mom wanted to catch a Rainiers game on their opening weekend and how can I say "no thank you" to baseball? I love it!
It was a beautiful day but I knew once the sun went down, it would take every degree of warmth with it. So here we are at the beginning of the night...
...and this is how I ended up by the end of the night. Burrrr....
We really enjoyed the Friday night fireworks show...baseball and fireworks just make me so ready for my favorite holiday, the fourth of July!
And in case you were wondering, the Rainiers won!
I did a little Pinterest inspired Easter baking over the weekend.
And then Easter Sunday arrived! This was our fourth Easter in the Northwest but only the first where I wasn't shivering in my dress. Seriously, it was 70 degrees and gorgeous!
I am so happy that Mom got to spend her spring break and Easter with us. It's always so wonderful to have her here. It takes an investment of time, money, and effort to come see us in Washington and not to mention there are a million things one can do on spring break and I'm so very very thankful that she wanted to spend hers with me. I am a lucky girl! I'll spare you the teary details of airport dropping off...some things never change. =)
