Yesterday, our dishwasher stopped working. Well, it wouldn't stop running, even though the lights weren't on and then ... it wouldn't work at all.
Eric and I took it apart. What's that? You can think of a better way to spend a Monday night? Well, I sure can't! We located the problem in the circuit board. Something blew ... That big black mark definitely shouldn't be there!
I called several stores who wanted to diagnose the problem for me. We can do that ourselves, thank you very much ... just tell me where I can get the part! Turns out there were only 3 left in the area. So, I headed into Portland, during traffic, yikes. It took us 2.5 hours total, but we got it! Tonight, we conquered our dishwasher! SUCCESS!
Eric and I love our date nights ... Like seriously, we love them!
But sometimes it just seems like a lot of effort to plan one, get a sitter, etc.
However, we know we need to make sure they happen, so we have plopped them on the calendar and are trading off who plans. And this is definitely working!
Tonight, it was Eric's turn to plan. He always does such a good job of making sure the date is tailored to what I love! He knows I love a fun activity (I like the idea of going into Portland - not sure why, haha), a walk, and dinner.
So, for tonight's date, he surprised me by taking me to Voodoo Doughnut. It's supposed to be a major attraction in Portland, but neither of us has ever gone. We parked the car and headed to the shop. We'd heard the line is usually around the block, but we must have chosen the exact right time because there were only 3 people ahead of us! Score! The establishment is ... intense. Something to be aware of - intense as in death metal music and gothic pictures lining the walls.
We ordered our donuts - the classic maple bacon and one with chocolate and peanut butter. When we headed outside to eat them, we opted to go for a walk and find a different location. The smell of smoke was pretty heavy. We started walking toward our next activity (Eric had selected an arcade he was going to surprise me with) and found the smell of smoke only getting heavier and the contents of that smoke changing. We also found ourselves being stared at. We were wearing our nice date night clothes, I had my designer purse, and this was definitely not a nicer area of town. We quickly grew uncomfortable and knowing the walk back to the car after the arcade would take place after dark, we scrapped the arcade idea and started heading back. We were followed by no less than three people. Dodging into shadows and stopping the instant we'd notice them. Two of them gave up after a bit, but one followed us all the way to our car. We quickly got in as he stepped out of the shadow of a large doorway, glaring as we drove away.
We went 4 blocks further and the entire atmosphere changed! It was so sudden it was shocking. We parked and walked in to Powell's Book Store to finally eat our donuts. We hadn't been back there in quite some time... it is one of the places we went the night Eric proposed and I love it!
We found a secluded area to eat our donuts and then wandered through the books until it was time to leave for dinner.
It was a much nicer walk as we headed toward dinner. I'm always amazed at how tall some buildings in Portland are. I pointed out one that was coming up and told Eric how wonderful I thought the view would be from up there - and how lucky the people who work there must be!
Well, we rounded the corner and headed straight into that building! Our restaurant, The Portland Grill, is on the 30th floor! So, I actually got to experience that view, and boy is it gorgeous!
Eric does such a great job planning dates he knows I'll love. I don't know how I'll top this when it's my turn to plan in 2 weeks!
Our first was with Jenaca and her kids Savannah, Tammy-Lee, and Hudson.
We seriously cannot wait to live closer to these magnificent friends!
Audrey is pretty much addicted to the tire swing. She loves it! When I couldn't handle pushing her any more, Savannah sweetly came and took over!
With today's play-date ... it wasn't particularly warm, or sunny. In fact, it was cold and cloudy. But, still so much fun! Today we saw Janey, a friend of Eric's from high school who is in town visiting. (Before you you say, "wait, what?" trust me ... she's awesome, and I'm so glad she made time to hang out with me!) She has two daughters, Emily and Lauren.
On our way to Ibach park, we saw peacocks! How random. They were totally not phased by our van pulling right up to them ... There was a total of 4 and they were having a grand time.
Again, super cold at the park ... it wasn't bad when we left - hence our shorts... Don't judge. At least I keep light jackets in the car for the kids (sadly, not myself) for situations like this...
This sand was pretty fun. Granted, triple A and myself all came away needing a bandaid, or three, from slipping on the sand. Guess we all need to work on our balance!
This large rib-cage ... thing ... was so fun for Aaron to climb!
Yeah, that little jumper used to be mine... Those are totally still in style, right?!
I'm tellin' you guys. Best relationship ever!
He falls down, she races over. "What happen, Aaron?" He'll tell her what happened and she'll say, "Oh no! I kiss it better?" If he agrees, she gives him a kiss, helps him up, and even fixes his bike.
Don't worry. He takes care of her, too! Audrey fell down but when Aaron raced over to help her, she was too injured to agree to him hugging or kissing it better. Later, while playing together, Aaron accidentally knocked her down. he asked, "do you forgive me?" She did not reply; she simply, silently, held out her hand, which Aaron took ahold of. He asked if he could give her a "birthday kiss." (yeah, no idea on that one) She nodded, and after a quick kiss on the cheek, he placed his arm around her and they both smiled.
Aaron also LOVES to pick "flowers" (blossoms) for Audrey, myself, and Adelynn!
Aaron had my phone and took a picture of me comforting Audrey after she fell. After, he wanted a picture of himself and I ... but he wanted one of him squirting me with water!
What a goof!
Each time we go outside they ask, "Can we go outside to ride bikes?" I say sure, and then after 5 minutes of bike riding, we're headed for the dirt...
...so much dirt ... so much fun ...
A small part of me feels bad for this worm ... see, she's been carrying it around for the last 20+ minutes. Then again, the other part of me feels no shame because she's so happy that the worm is "so cute" and that "it tickles!"
We sure love the kids in our neighborhood!
Last night, in the tub, Audrey informed me that she is, in fact, a mermaid. And, that her tail is pink!
She decided this, again, upon playing in the sprinklers. Aaron also wanted to be a mermaid. He even chose a mermaid name ... Sebastian. We haven't watched The Little Mermaid in a loooooooong time, but this means we should definitely pull it back out!
Daddy pulled out the pool - and it has been a blast!
When you want to go outside, but haven't realized the door is locked...
Adelynn learned a new trick! This is something we have ONLY seen her do on the grass!
Sorry the video is all to the side ... I wasn't watching through the view finder.
Adelynn also had her first otter-pop experience at the beginning of this month. It had to be documented... with way too many pictures. You know how it is...
