PDX in unseasonal splendor...

I requested one thing of Pawl during my visit to Portland...a nice, long, but not too strenuous hike with lots of waterfalls. He delivered...

(playing around with Picasa)

(howdy mam)

He also delivered on one of the most beautiful rainbows I've ever seen. I'm going to go ahead and commit to this statement...it was THE most beautiful rainbow I've ever seen. It lasted a mere 45 seconds in it's most brilliant vibrancy, but was amazing. Unfortunately my camera is sub-par and I couldn't fully capture it's brilliance, even with the help of Picasa. So in the words of the great Jack Black..."This is just a Tribute. You've got to believe me. Wish you were there, just a matter of opinion..."

I don't quite know how he did it, but when I thought the hike couldn't get any better, it did. To round off our hike it hailed perfect, pea sized hail for a mere two minutes. I love hail...I love rainbows...I love hiking with my brother. The day was more awesome than I could have ever planned.

(and once again, food trumps nature)

Pawl and I had a great time, but as often happens, I forget to take pictures. We visited my uncle Dennis, helped make a pre-Thanksgiving happen with his housemates, totally freaked out his co-worker Cindy into thinking I was a Reed student stalking Pawl (way to not give any of his personal information out Cindy), sang Karaoke with cousin Shea, ate at some awesome restaurants with Beth and biked/walked/hiked to our hearts' content! Thanks for such a great visit Pawl.

Pawl doesn't forget to take pictures like I do, so if you liked what you saw and want to see more please see his Picasa site:

picassaweb.google.com/drxenosmith/MleWeek1109#

Next stop...Tacoma, WA!

Sweet Madeleine...

Good times never seemed so good (SO GOOD, SO GOOD!)

This song was sung often during my time in Alameda. I had these last few images of Miss Madeleine and wanted to share them with you. Such a sweet baby girl Becky and Jason produced! Kudos to you two!

We often found her just chillin under the piano, taking it all in!

She was quite the dancer, but also proved to show early signs of being a singer. Move over Britany...because Madeleine doesn't believe in lip syncing!

For Grandma & Grandpa Lowry...

Visiting Becky, Jason and Madeleine...

After spending quality time with Jackie and Dave in San Fran, I took the BART to meet Becky (my dear friend from UND) her hubby, Jason, and their precious little Madeleine. Some of you loyal blog followers may recall a little trip I took a year ago taking my cat, Gus, to New York in preparation for leaving for Ireland. Well, Becky and her 3 month old daughter (at the time) were my partners in crime.

Here is Madeleine enjoying her spaghetti...

she really likes cameras..

super cuddly after a bath...

Becky...blurry

someone is a little bit chilly after another bath...

And daddy Jason...

Miss Madeleine in my favorite onezy (is that how you spell that?)...she's such a cutie...

she loves bellybuttons, especially her own...

I really enjoyed my time in Alameda...drove for the first time being back in the states and let me tell you, though most everything makes more sense to me over here, driving on the opposite side of the road isn't one of them. I made it safely, but I was concentrating hard on making sure I was constantly on the correct side of the road. Thanks for your confidence Becky!

Next stop...Portland, OR to visit Pawl!

mle...in San Fransisco

After a full 24 hours of flying wonderful AA, Jackie and Dave were kind enough to pick me up from the airport. I was at that tired stage of delirium where everything anyone said was funny...even Dave... After a blissful night sleep in CJ's kick ass bed (she was on holiday and donated her bedroom), Jackie brought me down to an amazing Farmer's Market near the ferry building.

Colorful peppers...

My first taste of persimmons...I don't like them very much. These are two different types. Apparently the one on the left is best when it's as soft as an overripe tomato...it was so squished by the end of the day that we never found out.

There were tons of orchids...

This is called a Buddha Hand and as you can read on the professional signage, it's a lot like a lemon. Upon further investigation we found out that you can't really cook with them as they are mostly for decoration.

Cold chillin'

After the Farmer's Market Jackie and I walked down to see (and smell) the seals on Pier 39. Here are some things we saw along the way...

The seals were especially active and stinky that day, but that didn't stop the crowds...

Though grandma was in a hurry, she wasn't too busy to show her national pride.

On Sunday, Dave and I cheered Jackie on for her soccer (Football) game. Dave is also on the team, but blew his knee out a few weeks ago...

so he can only watch them from the sidelines...

Poor Dave.

Some other highlights from my glorious weekend in San Fran was Dave making Jackie and I pancakes...they were wheat and gluten free, but you wouldn't know it...they were delicious!

After kicking Jackie's butt in Boggle, I found out she has an old school Nintendo game system complete with the original Mario Brothers, Duck Hunt and my personal favorite...Dr. Mario. I was going cross eyed after playing so much Dr. Mario!

The only request I had while visiting San Fransisco was that I wanted AMAZING Mexican food...Dave delivered! We had take away at his fav place and I couldn't stop moaning with pleasure as I ate my carnitas tacos (with soft corn shells) and fantastic chips and salsa!

Next stop...Alameda to visit Becky, Jason & Madeleine!