A beautiful Thanksgiving in Portland

The weather in Portland decided to be my friend and was beautiful the whole time Bry and I were there.

Allison got us from the airport on Tuesday and took us around downtown Portland. If I had been smarter, I would have taken pictures of Powell's which we went to and were able to do some early Christmas shopping, as well as of the food carts where Bry and I got lunch.

Here's a picture someone else took of Powell's that I thought was cool, though. Very impressive bookstore.

After exploring downtown, we headed to a flooring place where we met up with Kurt. Allison and Kurt went in with Reid to pick out flooring for the house they're building and Bry and I stayed in the car with Malia and Damon. After they'd picked out excellent flooring, we headed to the Portland temple's visitors' center which is pretty nice and new.

From there we went to where the Plasters are staying temporarily so that Malia could get dressed for gymnastics.

While at the building for Malia's gymnastics practice, Bry and I talked to a woman who happened to be Canadian and asked Bry a couple questions about citizenship and things. Very nice lady.

We had dinner at Laurel Lee and Robert's home which was delicious- taco salad.

Wednesday we went to Cannon Beach which was beautiful and had some delicious fish and chips. MMMM.

Cute kiddos.

Gorgeous. 

From the beach we drove down to the Tillamook cheese factory which is possibly one of Bry's favorite places to go on the face of the planet. He was definitely in his happy place.

A quote Allison pointed out that I also found amusing. 

CHEESE. 

While we were at the Tillamook cheese factory we bought some super delicious ice cream, as well as this interesting "dry" soda which we tried a couple days later.

It was interesting. I haven't had anything quite like it before. It's basically like soda except it seems to totally leave your mouth when you swallow and almost leave it sort of dry.

Thanksgiving was a great day- mostly relaxed, periodically making the food of which I sadly forgot to get a photo. The Plasters came over and we enjoyed great food with them and the Corkrans. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes with brown sugar, freshly baked rolls, ambrosia salad (an Anderson tradition), cranberry horseradish, and maybe something else delicious I'm forgetting? This is why I take pictures. Hahaha. The food was great and the people were wonderful.

Friday was another relaxing day. We mostly just spent time talking with the Corkrans and enjoying the sweet face of little Valerie. We had lunch with Joan and Leonard which was good.

Bry and I went for a walk outside. Yummy leftovers for dinner. The Plasters came to spend time with us that last night, which was great fun.

SO many trees.

Matching hoodies.

Oh Marlo.... Cute kitty.

Robert was a hero and went to Voodoo Doughnut early Saturday morning before we had to go to the airport, and brought us back some fun doughnuts.

Portland cream was probably the most normal. Dirt doughnut (Oreos). Diablos Rex (the one with the white star and chocolate chips).

Maple bacon- weird. I know. But it sort of works. The first three bites I took of it were great and then the novelty sort of wore off, to be honest, but it was fun to try. Bry ate the rest of it.

Overall a fantastic trip. Amazing food. Beautiful area. Great weather. Wonderful people and a big thank you to them for their time. It was so fun to spend time with them and get to know them and Portland better. I'm so glad we were able to go. =)