The real reason for our trip

After all the lessons in water, we decided to focus on the real reason of our trip to Portland:  our people. 

First up was Dad B and Sharon, or Opa and Oma as we've been known to call them.  Dad B retired and they moved closer to family in Vancouver.  They have a fancy new house and we had to go check out the guest room because you know we'll be back!

Oma made lunch, while Opa gave us a tour.  It was a little sparce on furniture because they sold their couch to some really aweomse people (us).  As a special surprise, their new furniture arrived while we were havnig lunch.

It was great to see them settled into their own place and starting the next chapter of God's plan for them.  I'm not going to lie, I got a little choked up saying goodbye.  I miss them something fierce.  Fortunately they are only a few hours, a river and a waterfall away.

Not to mention they have lots of stuffed animals and some of them even giggle.  Be prepared Oma and Opa, we will be back!

After we left their house, it was off to the wedding of our cousin Gary.  According to my cousin Don, the groom's dad, we witnessed "history in the making."  We arrived downtown at The Old Church for the ceremony.  I heard from a very reliable source (my friend Jamie) that this place is THEE place to get hitched in Portland.  Apparently it books out years, not months, in advance.  I was a little excited to see this place.  It didn't disappoint.

This was the only picture I got from the wedding.  I can assure this is THEE place to get married.  It is all things gorgeous.  The bridesmaids each wore a different dress in autumn colors, the flowers were bright oranges and yellows, the bride wore a beaded, sparkly, ivory dress and the candlelight made the whole place absolutely romantic.  To say it was gorgeous is an understatement.

Unless you're two.  Zoe stood on the pew and kept asking, "Wiggles coming?"  She thought we were at a Wiggles concert.  When she realized the guys weren't coming to perform The Shimmy Shake, she tried to blow out the candles from the back row.  We ducked out a bit early to roam the church and check things out. 

Then we heard clapping and ran upstairs in time to see the pastor introduce Gary and Sage. 

We got our coat, ran outside to see some family and so Zoe could blow spit bubbles (one of her many talents).  Plus she had her umbrella because after the zoo that morning she was convinced we were going to get stuck in another downpour.

Poor thing.  The zoo scarred her for life.

Maybe that's because she didn't get to see The Wiggles and she needed a new trick.