While in Portland we got to hang with Kelli/Sprout, Beeb/Moonbeam, Millicent/DifferentDirt, Walternatives (incl. Goob) and FDChief + his fam. Good times! Really good times. The unspoken understanding that we all have of each other (via a year++ of blogging & posting yahoowise), the normalizing of emotions surrounding our mutual China adoption experience, the inside jokes, the nurturing via food and drink...it was all priceless.
We also got to experience the joyful anticipation in sending off a few from the posse: FDChief and Millicent. They are both in China (as I type!) meeting their daughters for the first time. Now that's pretty f'ing special!
Here are some of us in Millicent/Floyd's rebuilt home. You may have read about it on their blog. A devastating fire really took out the back of their house. Lemme tell you, it was extremely cool to see all the amazing work that has been done to restore their 1899 beauty! Man.
*photo removed by author*
(from right: Beeb, Kelli, Moi & Millicent)
Whenever you hang out with Auntie-Types, you know there are going to be presents! (Some presents were unwrapped by the TSA and re-wrapped at Auntie Kelli's!)
Of course, Iris had to sniff everything! Does she think that she can hide behind the toy giraffe??
Check out all the glorious goodies! Auntie Millie gave me some fun BDay goodies - a Chinese phrase calendar & a "Stuff on Your Cat" book (hil-flippin-larious). How about stuff "with" your cat? That could be the title of this picture. Tante Walternatives gave us some gorgeous handmade stationery (the pic does NOT do it justice) it is beautiful. And, thoughtful. Special. Auntie Beeb gave buttercup a very sweet patchworky giraffe that we LOVE & shared a story about how she had her own giraffe stuffed animal as a child. Awww! Thanks, Auntie Beeb!
So, one of these things is not like the others, right?? You may be wondering about the flippin' schweet tennies in the middle of the goodie pile?? Those are from Auntie Kelli - swag from her work. Lucky me fits into the sample size! Woot! Thanks Easter Bunny!!! I mean, Auntie K!
Ok. It is clear to me now, this trip post is going to be far too long as one piece. Stay tuned for part 2 when I talk about Mt Hood, Tacoma and Seattle!
I don't want to scrimp on the details....(isn't scrimp a great word?)
Man! Was this a great vacation! I didn't realize how badly I needed one until I was on it.....
18 comments:
That is SO COOL that you got to meet all those great folks. So cool! Sounds like a wonderful trip full of love and laughter.
What a great photo of y'all! It was a magical trip, wasn't it? The Goob and I were honored to be part of that extraordinary group. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your trip post Portland. p.s. Glad you were the right sample size - our feet were too big.
I couldn't have said it better myself. Really. It was truly amazing to meet all of you great folks and bring a little more "realness" to the cyber friendships. Fun, Fun weekend.
What fun! Great people and the Pacific Northwest - a perfect combination.
How fun to meet with everyone! You're so lucky! I just love that area of our country, so I'll be waiting anxiously for your next installment. No scrimping!
Sweet!! Gorgeous gals. Nice shoes. And I spotted Walternative's amazing cards immediately and wondered if that's what they were...
Looking forward to part deux!
Wow, good for you! Sounds like so much fun (and bonding). You'll always remember that special trip with all of those wonderful waiting parents.
Looks like lots of fun! Tell all about Seattle! We may be going there soon.....
You've made me realize how badly I need a vacation.
I gave you a little award. Check out my blog to see what I mean.
:-)
Sounds amazing all around! I love the Stuff on my Cat website, and you reminded me I haven't been there in forever! It's so fun to read about the get together from everybody's different perspective.
Oh I love the word scrimp, and I can't wait to hear more. I'm glad you guys had such a wonderful time.
I was SHOCKED to see your photo. It's just weird how we picture people in our heads, and then they look nothing like what we imagined. Don't worry, you're gorgeous in both pictures (the real and the imagined)!
Sounds like a great time. Am glad you enjoyed it and felt restored.
Sounds like a hooter of a time! I love the Pacific Northwest. I feel lucky because one of my BFF's lives in Portland, so I have a place to crash. Yummy restaurants, huh?
Oh what fun. Looks like a great group of parents to me. Hanging with good friends who are going through the same craziness makes it easier, doesn't it?
I am so glad you had a great time on the vaca! And how fun you got to meet some more amazing people.
Was so great having you in Portland! Looking forward to another round of get togethers whenever & wherever it may be!!!
Late catching up -
Too excited you got to meet my SIL! She and Floyd are a lot of fun. Now I'm waiting to find a chance to go and meet my new neice. AND see the new house. Last time I saw it was right after the fire (except for some e-mailed pics and copies of the blue prints). So much happening!!
Cool you got to meet some fellow bloggers. There's a couple in AZ but we haven't gotten together at all!
And I am still SOOOO jealous about the concert and dying to hear all the details....
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