Home Sweet Home!

When I first got home, my mom was out of town, so I had the house all to myself. It was nice those first few days to be able to adjust to the three-hour time difference, make a visit to see Ann at school, go to McAuliffe to see my old students and staff, and to see as many friends as I could. I also decided to take advantage of the free time to drive down to Oregon to see Jon, Jen and the Supergirls!

I was only planning to stay a couple of days, but Jon and Jen asked if I would like to stay longer and take care of Olivia and Gabi while Jon, Jen and Madi went on a church hike for a couple of days. Uh, duh. OF COURSE!

The thing I love about visiting the Wilsonville Beans is that no matter what we do, we have fun. Playing games at night, awesome meals throughout the day, video games with the girls - it's definitely the way I like to spend time with family.

I had two requests this trip - I wanted to take a tour of Jon's box factory, and I begged Jen to take me to Voodoo Doughnut in Portland. Jon runs Alliance Packaging in Beaverton - basically he rocks the corrugated world. Voodoo Doughnut did not disappoint. That's somewhere I've wanted to go for a long time - if you're ever in Portland, you have to go. Other than that, we followed the girls around to their basketball and soccer practice/games, and just hung out.


I wish I had taken better pictures of Madi playing - she is really good at basketball! She's the hottie next to number 42 in the white jersey.


SCARY! Madi drove us to Jon's office. Let me repeat. Madi DROVE us to Jon's office. Learner's permit. Driving. Freeway. Jen. There isn't anything much more fun that watching a 15 1/2 year old drive with her mom in the front seat. Love you Jen! Madi is a great driver, but that is going to take some getting used to.


Jon's office at the box factory - notice the piles and piles of corrugated beauties back there!


Gabi at her dad's desk. My favorite part of this picture is the husky in the back. Jon was on the phone with a client a little later in the afternoon, and Gabi went up and pushed the button on the Husky making him sing UW's fight song! I thought I was going to pass out I was laughing so hard!


We went to an awesome place for frozen yogurt one night, and this statue was nearby. Being the awesome aunt that I am, I paid them each a dollar to touch his butt and pose in a photo.


I'm happy to be such a positive role model for these girls.


This sign is right outside of Voodoo Doughnut, and it's easy to do. I love Portland.


Jen and I were joking because Madi thinks there are a lot of weird people in Wilsonville, she is so cute and sheltered - Portland is where all the crazies live!


They have lots of bumper stickers for sale.


Gabi in front of the display case.


Gabi eating her donut on the way home.


My three choices - the traditional Voodoo donut (chocolate bar shaped into a voodoo doll with raspberry jelly and a pretzel stick stake), a maple and bacon, and a cap'n crunch one. All delicious.


Oreo donut - we wanted more of it, but this was the last one.


Orange tang powder on one side, orange sprinkles on the other.


My finger for reference - this thing was as big as my face! I have cravings for this place, they were all really good.

When it was time for Jon, Jen and Madi to leave, the fun really began. I first took Livi and Gabi to the grocery store to stock up on junk food and movie rentals. We went out bowling, watched movies, played lots of video games, and just had a really fun time!


Apparently no one else likes to bowl on Thursday afternoons...


Gabi and the fan.


Total hottie. Probably didn't want to be seen with her aunt, but luckily for her if you refer back to the picture of the bowling alley, she didn't have to worry about being seen with me.


After the first game. PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!


2nd game. PEANUT SPIKEY JELLY TIME!

Thanks Jon, Jen, Madi, Livi and Gabi for showing me a good time!