Burgess Family: Trip to Portland 2011

We did it! Brandon and I went on a trip kid free for 4 days and 3 nights. I would be totally lying if I said it was easy. I missed my kids so much. Don’t get me wrong, we had a great time, but boy did we miss them. While we were gone Owen & Autumn went to stay at my parents house, Nana & Pampo’s house. I don’t think the feeling was mutual as the kids had the times of their lives. Not sure if they even noticed we were gone. Guess that is what Grandparents are for. They got s-p-o-i-l-e-d rotten. Anyway, back to the trip…

We left the house about 1:30pm on Thursday to head to the airport. We had a layover in Salt Lake for a couple hours so we didn’t arrive to Portland until about 8:30pm. By time we took the train and streetcar we didn’t arrive to our hotel until around 10pm. Needless to say we were pooped from traveling so we didn’t do much on Thursday night. For those of you who don’t know, our main reason for going to Portland was because Brandon’s cousin was getting married. We also rarely get to see that side of the family so it was also a nice mini reunion. And lastly, it was a great excuse for Brandon and I to get away for a long weekend. So I will do the norm and try and break the trip down into days as far as blogging goes so here we go…

Thursday:

Traveled. I pretty much already gave you all the rundown.

Our home for the next couple days. The Inn @ Northrup Station.

Brandon was ecstatic when he found out the lobby was stocked with jars of salt water taffy 24/7.

The hotel was really neat and super contemporary. So much fun and very different!

Friday:

Woke up to this beautiful view off our hotel balcony.

By beautiful I am mainly referring to the greenery and awesome big trees. Stunning and the weather was so nice!

We met up with Brandon’s Dad and his Aunt Janet, the grooms Mom, to have some coffee and chat with. After that we headed downtown to walk around and check things out along with my Father-In-Law.

It is an absolutely Beautiful City with a huge downtown and lots to do and see.

We walked down to the Willamette River where we were meeting up with my Sister-In-Law and Brother-In-Law to go on a 4 hour Brewery Tour.

Here was our ride for the next 4 hours. We went on the Brewvana Brewery Tour of Portland, OR. Here is the bus we got to ride around in along with the mural painting that was inside the bus. Lol.

The Rules of the Bus/Tour. Simple enough right?

Here is Brandon and his Dad all ready for the tour with their pretzel necklaces and all!

The tour was really neat and I actually learned a lot. I have always liked a good bear here and again but I have to say I had no idea how complicating the process is to make it. We got to go and tour 4 local breweries and sample some beers from each one. After sampling the beers we got to go in the back and actually talk with the brewers and learn about the process to make each one. So cool. I have a whole new respect for beer.

At the second Brewery we went to we got to sample some new beers they are making…Sour Beers. Yes, SOUR. I have to say it was very interesting. They were so sour they reminded me of the candy warheads. They weren’t terrible but I would compare them to a dessert wine meaning you could only drink one. Lol.

On this particular tour we were able to sample a beer strait out of where they brew it. So cool.

Chillin on the brewvana bus.

The 3rd place we went to we got to eat a delicious lunch at the brewery and sample some beers. The tour afterward cracked me up because there were guys all dressed up that looked like Mad Scientist. Lol.

The picture on the left is a picture of a big bucket of Hops, one of the four main ingredients in all beers. In Oregon the “hoppier” the beer the better. See ya learn something new everyday!

Cheers!

That night we enjoyed a nice Italian dinner downtown and dessert at a local bakery. Yum!

Saturday:

Saturday morning we woke up, met up with Brandon’s Dad for breakfast at our Hotel and headed to Portland State University to check out the local Farmers Market.

Every Saturday they have a HUGE Farmers Market on the Portland State University Campus. It was so much fun to walk around and sample some delicious fresh market fruits and veggies.

Who knew there were Purple Bell Peppers? Crazy. There were also some beautiful flowers for sale.

The campus had some beautiful views. Check out that castle!

After the Farmers Market we headed down to the Willamette River to check out the highly talked about Saturday Market. There are tons of booths set up with food and lots of local stuff like jewelry, clothing, and different craft booths. It was fun to walk around and check things out.

Brandon had fun drinking out of the bubbly water fountains that were all over downtown while I enjoyed searching all over for a McDonald’s $1.00 Dr. Pepper. I know I have a serious problem!!

Brandon was so excited he got to get an Elephant Ear as he hasn’t had one in about 10 years. An Elephant Ear is basically a big fry bread with a giant dollop of Jelly on it. Not my thing, buy I was happy to watch him enjoy it so much.

I was much more excited about the TERRIBLE Prince Impersonator. Hahaha…

And we had heard so much about the Portland's famous Voodoo Doughnuts that we had to go. If you can’t tell, the line basically wraps around the building. It took about an hour to get in. Well worth it though, they were amazing. They have to most interesting doughnut flavors. We liked the Maple Bacon best!

Yum!

After the Doughnut experience we did a little downtown shopping….

at my favorite store EVER!!!!!!! I wish so badly we had an H&M here!!!!

After shopping we caught the streetcar, our main form of transportation while we were there, and went to visit some of Brandon’s family before we had to get ready for the wedding. It was so much fun catching up with family we rarely get to see. After that we headed back to the hotel to get all dressed and freshened up for the wedding.

The wedding was in a beautiful little park, Tanner Springs Park. It was so gorgeous but so very HOT! Here is Uncle Art, Aunt Anne and Dan chit chatting before the ceremony.

On the Left is obviously Brandon and I and on the right is Brandon’s Sister Megan and her Husband Dan. Doesn’t she look gorgeous with her little Baby Bump? They are expecting our new little niece in the beginning of January. Yay!

It was so nice and convenient that the wedding reception was right across the street from the park. There is Uncle Pete walking from the reception location right before the wedding started.

The two little flower girls were absolutely adorable. Made me miss my kids even more watching them.

One of the groom’s men played a song on the guitar and harmonica durring the ceremony. So nice. And check out on of the adorable flower girls. Her name is Ava and she is 19 months. She was such a cutie pie.

The Bride was stunning! They made such a beautiful Bride and Groom and you could very much tell how in love they are with each other. Seems like so long ago this was Brandon and I.

Introducing Mr. Devon & Mrs. Veronica Lorrain.

After the ceremony, we headed across the street to the reception cocktail, reception, dinner and dance. We had a blast that night. So glad we were able to make it up!

Bruce (Brandon’s Dad), Brandon, and Aunt Anne.

Bruce and Nana.

Nana, Aunt Janet (Mother of the Groom), and Brandon.

Me, Nana & Brandon.

The mother of the Bride gave a touching, sweet speech. The Bride and Groom shared their first dance and then the party started….

Here is Aunt Janet, Cousin Brandon and my Brandon getting down on the dance floor. So much fun!

And before we knew it, the night was over and our trip was coming to an end.

Sunday:

Time to pack up and head out bright and early.

Goodbye Home for the past 3 days…

and Goodbye Portland!

We got into Abq about 3pm and headed strait over to my parents to get the kids. I was DYING to see them by this point. They were also very excited to see us too when we picked them up. A HUGE HUGE thanks to my wonderful parents for watching them with open loving arms while we were gone. We are so blessed to have them in ours and our kids life's. The kids absolutely ADORE my parents. I was also so pleased to hear that they were both so so well behaved while we were gone. Autumn was in desperate need of a nap when we finally got home. We put her down and had a very nice indoor picnic with Owen for dinner.

YUM…McDonalds. What can I saw we had no food in the house and McDonalds is right down the street. Lol. At least Owen enjoyed his dinner and I enjoyed just spending time with him.

Monday:

The kids got up, so glad to be home, as well as we were. They were both extra snuggly. Neither one of them wanted to leave our sides.