Kristin Comes to Town—Part 3

Monday was Japan day.  Tenley couldn’t wait to take us to a Japanese ramen restaurant, she kept promising us it wasn’t anything like  Top Ramen.  So after the twins got home from school we headed downtown to The House of Ramen.  We started off with some gyoza that were ok.

But then we started slurping our delicious ramen.

Some of us really needed to use those bibs.  In all fairness, it was really messy.

Even Isaac and Grace liked it! They slurped their bowls down!  They refused to wear bibs though.

Tenley was so happy that she was able to have some ramen!  I’m anxious to try some different ramen restaurants. 

Then we headed to the Japanese Gardens. 

Even in the middle of the winter the Japanese Gardens were beautiful. 

There is the most gorgeous view of Mt. Hood and downtown Portland, we were lucky to be there on such a clear day.

I would love to go back to the gardens during the spring, I bet they are even more beautiful then.  When we were done there mom, the twins, and I headed to our house, while Lee went with my sisters to Salt and Straw.  Again.  They joined us back at our house for dinner and FHE with the missionaries.  We had to make it up to Emma for not being able to go to all the fun places that day (darn school and swim team practice!), so I checked out the scary movie House on Haunted Hill (1950’s version) from the library.  My sisters are always telling Emma how good it is.  It didn’t disappoint. 

Kristin had to leave the next day.  It was so nice to have her here for a couple days.  We are so happy that Tenley is home and we were glad that Kristin could come celebrate with us!

January 26, 2015

Kristin Comes to Town—Part 2

The next day, Saturday, we went on a hike in Forest Park in Portland.

Lee had to work and Emma had an all-day swim meet.  We missed them.

The hike was labeled “easy” so we were surprised with all the hills, but we were rewarded with a beautiful view at the end. 

Isaac even came up with a gospel analogy about all the bumps and ups and downs of life.  I love him!

Dad’s hat was pretty popular.

Gracie Lu was my hiking partner.  Those hills got to her a little bit, but she kept going!  She fell down twice, but got back up and kept going. 

You can see Isaac running up way ahead in this picture.  The hills didn’t seem to bother him.

Somehow Grandpa ended up with the bags at the end.  He’s such a good grandpa!

The hike wasn’t quite what I expected, but we had a great time and I’m anxious to try some more hikes in Forest Park.  After our walking we decided we needed some Salt & Straw.  That Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache is so darn yummy!  We had to drive around NW 23rd forever trying to find a parking spot, and then we waited in line, but it was worth the wait! 

On Sunday we all went to the old home ward to hear Tenley give her homecoming talk.  She did a great job and we loved hearing about her mission experiences and the things she learned.  The Evans girls took up the whole back row in Relief Society so a sweet friend took a picture of us.  We had fun back there!

After church we went to Grandma Dorothy’s for dinner and then the rest of the family came for dessert.  Emma had to bring Tenley up to speed on some of the Studio C episodes she missed while she was gone. 

It was such a nice few days just being with family!

January 24-25, 2015

Kristin Comes to Town–Part 1

Kristin came to town to welcome Tenley home.  We missed Darcy and the kids, but it was nice to have time with just Kristin and to go when and where we wanted.  We started her time at home right by going to the temple and out to lunch for our monthly birthday outing with the ladies in our family.  It was wonderful as usual.

We went P.F. Chang’s for lunch, which meant we got chopstick lessons from Tenley.  We weren’t the best students, but we tried!

The birthday girls, Kristin, Elene & Joan, got their desserts. 

After lunch we went to Uwajimaya to do a little shopping for Japanese food.

Tenley was so excited to see some of her favorite foods that she enjoyed on her mission.  She also told us what things to stay away from!  There are some pretty disgusting things there.  Kristin got Parker the grossest looking dried squid.  The report when she got home was that he ate it and liked it!  Crazy kid.

I went home with delicious coconut cracker/cookie things, and some fun treats for the kids.  We all got to try mochi ice cream which was really yummy!  Our weekend with Kristin was off to a good start.

January 23, 2015