Japanese Gardens and belly shots

We had a great (albeit quick) visit with our good friend Jenny up in Portland last weekend. She flew out to the Pac NW for some NOAA divemaster training and we had a fun day exploring around the Japanese Gardens and the waterfront area of Portland. That night, we all enjoyed a great dinner out with Nolan, Summer, Jack, and Kelly.




In other news, the inevitable belly shots have begun. Here's the first progression, from weeks 20-24. Now that I look at them all together, the photos don't seem to show much change, but in person, I can definitely see the expansion occurring...And last night, I finally felt what I am certain were some little kicks - that was exciting and reassuring.

Sunriver

We headed over the Santiam Pass to the eastern side of the Cascades Range this past weekend, to enjoy a relaxing couple of days with our good friends Jack, Kelly, Summer and Nolan at a rental house in Sunriver. The lovable Chetko came along too (S & N's black lab pup). Our weekend highlights were:

1. Great meals: pancakes w/ strawberries, grilled tri-tip steak, smoked Steelhead, delicous cake (a tribute to our Little Monkey!), pecan sticky-buns, and an assortment of Jack's homebrew.
2. Hot tub soaks (by all but me - no hot tubbin' for a pregnant woman)
3. Relaxed hiking and bike riding, followed by an afternoon drink at the Sunriver Lodge - the type of place that hosts Orvis Fly Fishing adventures, etc...I half expected to see Ted Turner or Robert Redford sitting at the bar with their cronies.
4. Fun baby-shower-esque games (even Nate enjoyed them, though you could see terror in his eyes when Kelly first mentioned the idea) and baby gifts for our little Monkey. Thanks again for everything, Kelly, Jack, Summer and Nolan!