While in Portland....

We had a great time in Portland! And spent lots of time with family! Here highlights of our visit.

Nate and Chris are awesome readers! It was lots of fun having them read to me!

As much fun as we had playing the Wii, we also had fun playing traditional games. Kathy was so excited to have 6 people to play Chinese Checkers.....but after nearly 45 minutes, none of us made much forward progress. So, we called it quits.

When we were out in October, Connect Four was THE game. Chris is working hard to beat Uncle Frank. Daniel has taught them several rules (or things to keep in mind) and they are pretty darn good about remembering them....well, most of the time.

Rock-Paper-Scissors is the best way to determine who goes first.

These boys are so smart! Daniel taught them to play poker and they remember all the different versions and what trumps what. For Christmas, we sent a real poker set (complete with chips, cards and silver carrying case.) Nate starts dealing the cards for this round. Not only are they smart, they are pretty good at bluffing too! It was fun to watch 'the guys' play.

Yes, that is snow on the car! I called it nearly an inch (but Portlanders called it a dusting.)

Kathy is a woman of many hats, one of which is the family stylist. A step stool, old towel, clippers, lollipop and Chris is on his way to looking like a big five-year-old!

On Sunday, everyone gathered for brunch to celebrate Allison's birthday at a Portland place called 'The Screen Door' (which as one of the boys pointed out....there is no screen door). Richard, Ian, Andrea, Frank, Nate, Allison and Chris all patiently waiting for our table.

Frank, Allison and her boyfriend Ian.

Cousins...Richard and Andrea.

Not many places in the Pacific Northwest that serve southern food. But Frank found something on the menu he wanted to try....chicken and waffles (rather 3 huge pieces of fried chicken over a thick sweet potato waffle with warm syrup).

Nate digs into his biscuits and gravy (with a few pieces of Uncle Frank's chicken). Can't get much more southern than that!

We enjoyed spending time with everyone and look forward to the next visit - hopefully the weather will be warmer then. :o)