Dad's visit

Its noon on Friday here - I bet folks are getting ready for Jeremy and Michelle's wedding and the following festivities. Have so much fun! Wish I was there to celebrate with everyone!

We had such a fun long weekend with Dad here....

Picked him up Thursday a.m. from the airport and went straight to Ashley's current house rehab project.

Dad and Ashley in front of the house. They got a signed offer while Dad was here - before it was even listed, woo hoo!  Lots to celebrate.

From there, we grabbed lunch outside in that part of town and drank a beer in the sun - it turned out to be a really pretty day!

That afternoon Dad and Carmen snuck in a nap while I did some work (had to take a photo - so cute). We then dragged him to a work happy hour, dinner at Biwa, a funky japanese restaurant...

...and to Pix for dessert and wine. Look at all that wine in the background!

The desserts are too pretty to eat! Dad was such a champ - Thursday was a loooong day for him.

Friday, Dad and I went to breakfast at Broder, did some shopping in the Pearl District, hung out in the shade at a park (above) and went to dinner at Pok Pok. Another gorgeous day.

Saturday - Dad's birthday! It was so so nice out. We dragged Dad on a 12 mile bike ride along the river and made a few stops along the way. Here at the rose garden's in Ladd's Addition. So many blooms right now.

And laid in the shade for a bit later on. We also stopped for a cocktail and bite on the waterfront towards the end. Dad and Ashley took a nap, I made a rhubarb pie, we went to Noble Rot for some wine, Ken's for pizza, and had that pie for dessert. Not a bad day!

On Sunday, my friend Merritt had set up a wine tasting appt at a vineyard for us - here's Steve and Merritt at Chehalem Vineyards near Newburg. We got a tour of the winery with them, did some barrel tasting,  and drove through the hills to another winery...

Pretty sculpture at Rex Hill Winery

Dad and Ashley tasting on the patio

 Sunday night we cooked a light dinner and Dad and I saw The Great Gatsby in 3d at a theater - I thought it was really good!

Monday morning we did our second breakfast at Broder : )

Pretty rhododendron on the way home

I did a little bit of work from home, and in the afternoon, we went shopping for a chair for the nursery. We found the perfect one. Here is Dad in the runner up - we picked that color but in a different style. One big item for the nursery checked off the list. Thanks so much Mom and Dad!

That night we grilled burgers for dinner, watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (both Mom and Susanne recommended!), and Dad got ready to leave bright and early Tuesday morning. Such a fun visit. Last year we spent his birthday in Santa Ynez, tasting wine at Beckmen's - this wasn't quite that good, but it was still a wonderful and much needed few days together.

Ashley and I are headed to Bend this weekend for his birthday, and Fritz, Susanne, Wayne and Penny arrive early this week - definitely more photos to come.

Can't wait to see photos from Mother's Day, wedding and Grandma's birthday! Have tons of fun : )

XO