California meets Portland

This post is so far-outdated.... I put it together after grandma's birthday in mid-March but never posted it because I thought I'd take time to write a story. Instead, I want to share these fun pictures so bad that I'm just going to make this a picture post!

Grandma Patti turned 70-something on March 11. I know the age, but I also know she doesn't
usually like to share it! Here she is at her birthday party at the Chart House with the grandkids.

Remember when our little family went down to California for Christmas and we were welcomed over, and over - for celebration after celebration. Well in March, California came to Portland! And everyone took advantage of what our beautiful northwest region has to offer.

To celebrate grandma's birthday, we got a giant room at the Chart House in the West Hills, with a gorgeous view of Portland and the Willamette River. Grandma's kids, grandkids, great grandkids and friends flew in - mostly from California. I can't recall the exact number... but I think we had about 30 people!

The family stayed for several days to soak up everything Portland.

My grandmother's oldest son - Uncle Butch - and his wife Dana took their kids to Voodoo Donuts in downtown before donning rain jackets to hike Multnomah Falls with coffee cups in hand.

My sisters Leslie and Jamey and her husband Adam (along with their two kids) stayed with us and the little cousins had too much fun! The morning after grandma's birthday, Jamey and Adam went to wine country to visit friends and Erath.

Cousins playing dress-up!

The night before grandma's birthday we did a first for everyone - Kava. Our dentist friend's son owns a Kava bar on SW Division. It's some sort of root that is said to create feelings of euphoria, relaxed muscles and sweet dreams. Oh yea, it also numbs your lips and gums because it is consumed by drinking an awful tasting potion.

Uncle Butch played bartender. The Kava came in these big bowls along with cups for each of us.

A few sips of Kava, and Uncle Chris (grandma's youngest son) found himself with a guitar.

Aunt Dana and Marci toast their Kava and down it quickly...

The night of grandma's birthday, we made sure to capture plenty of memories!