Pinot in Portland-Em's 30th!

CHEERS!

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The end of May found us in Portland where we joined Emily and the Portland crew, already beginning to celebrate Emily's 30th …word has it they had facials, shopping, lunch and Ruby-time long before we arrived at midnight Friday.

Friday was a big day ---Torrey turned in her final written thesis (oral presentation was earlier in May) and Em and Mitch joined her late Friday for an end of term party at Pacific Northwest College of the Arts (check it out! PNCA). 

Emily has recently heard she could "expect a contract" after a very long winter of job hunting (contract came on Thursday morning!) and Mitch was accepted to the 2015 UNMC med school class. Last but not least, Nick and Nicki were welcoming us to their first home. This group was ready to "celebrate" Emily's 30th and everything under the sun on a Willamette Valley Pinot Wine Tour this Memorial Day weekend. 

Ruby surprised by the arrival of more guests!

Spa day-a girl's quick changing station-look at how cute she is!

Favorite perch

pretty much ready to crawl-loves to "plank"

She was wary of Kevin arriving and had started at a babysitter's this week for 2 days-lots of new faces!

Peg Reinecke sent this handmade wooden heart "book" with me for Ruby, and included a Powell's Book store card.

Handcarved flexible binding

Again, fav spot :D

Three beauties dressed for the day!

2 cars loaded for our all day wine tasting….Emily looking "gorg"!

Willamette Valley Memorial Day Wine Tour

Wineries (200)

Starting at "Hawk's View" Vineyard -Ruby was great traveller today!

So sweet!

Life is good -May 2015 

Can't beat the views at every vineyard

Checking the list of offerings with Aunt Em

Briefly held  :D

cute little pumpkin pie--oh yeah, we were supposed to be here for the wine...

Emily teaching us Petanque (this is also what she asked for as a birthday gift for the cabin-coincidental!)

First stop-Hawk's View Winery
---we became members of the wine club today and will get 12 more bottles this year :D

Hawk's View

Emily Nicki Torrey 

Happy 30th :D

On to the Treehouse at Vista Hills Winery--cheese tasting :D

Treehouse Vista Hills

Mitch and Torrey-life is changing as they start their "Portland Bucket List"

Doesn't get any sweeter!

This winery had cheese tasting as well

I adore this raincoat-she does too because its slick and noisy to play with 

The last stop featured 17 vineyards and chocolate artisans, etc--all for $10 fee and they gave you $5 back when you returned the glass….dangerous prices for so much wine ;D We were pretty much finished but he Waimea chocolate was a hit!

Ruby booty, Ruby cutie, it all applies!

The view from Mitch and Torrey's rooftop deck

Mitch and Torrey

After taking a look at Mitch and Torrey's apartment and great rooftop view of the city, we headed to the Portland Japanese garden and its Bonsai Exhibition.
Such a stunning garden near the zoo, and several other botanical parks. We were delighted (once we found parking!) Portland continues to impress-what a fun city to visit.

Portland Japanese Garden

Ruby at the garden

trying to capture the depth of the gardens for you......

my fav-these were huge!

Beautiful shot of   Nicki

Bonsai exhibit captivated all of us. Many different species can be trimmed and trained to be bonsai-it was remarkable and miniature and mysterious.....

a favorite of ours

Meditation sand garden-"karesansui"

Serene babbling brooks and fountains throughout. You leave feeling richer of soul and humanity-seriously it is a growth experience :D

typical day--sitting with dad and sorting diapers :D

Dinner on the deck-love Nick and Nicki's private yard!

Mitch and Torrey brought 3 slices of (gigantic) cake and surprised Emily as we finished dinner enjoying the fire.....

they were the "best darn" cakes too!

Nicki has started wood burning crafts-this is on the hall bench they made!

Last look at my sweetie--see you at the lake, Ruby