STORYTELLERS CAFE

The morning after Disneyland, I went to The Grand Californian Hotel to have breakfast with Nana & Papa and a bunch of Disney characters.

As soon as I walked in to the Storytellers Cafe, I saw Chip and gave him a high five and a hug!

After I sat down at my table, Mickey came by!

I told him a bunch of cities and asked if he’d ever been to them. Mickey has been EVERYWHERE. Even North River, North Dakota, population 55.

I also asked Pluto where he’s been and he hasn’t really been anywhere.

Dale has been to lots of national and state parks, but he seems to avoid big cities. When I asked if he’d ever been to London, he indicated that he’s afraid of airplanes.

And I got to see Minnie again. She was just hanging out at her house yesterday!

Dale and Pluto really liked the horn on my rhino hoodie.

Even though it was time to go, I just couldn’t stop giving the characters a list of places and asking if they’d ever been there. They answered dozens of my questions.

I originally planned to go to California Adventure after breakfast, but it was so rainy and windy, we had to resort to Plan B. So I basically played with the hotel curtains and hung out with Nana and Papa. It was a nice rest day!

Jan 16

DISNEYLAND

I went to Disneyland for the very first time and it was the best thing ever!

It’s a Small World was my first ride. I’m the one in the red raincoat, my uniform for the day.

Then it was time to run through the rain to the next ride…

…Dumbo the Flying Elephant. One of my favorites, I rode it three times.

Then it was off to Mickey’s Toontown to ride my very first roller coaster, Gadget’s Go Coaster.

I was very excited.

But then…they closed it for technical difficulties right before I could get on. My first roller coaster would have to wait.

So I went to Minnie’s house to meet Minnie Mouse!

I asked her if she remembered my friend, Elle, from school. And she said yes!

Then it was off to Finding Nemo’s Submarine Voyage…

…and Star Tours, where I got to wear cool 3D glasses.

I was still waiting to ride my first roller coaster. So I just took the plunge and made it Space Mountain! I took it like a champ.

Then dreams came true when the ride I was most excited about finally opened up after being temporarily closed because of the rain – Mad Tea Party!

Before the night was done, I also rode on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Peter Pan’s Flight, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh.

Then I finally said goodnight, soaked and tired.

Here’s the ticket to my first trip to Disneyland!

Jan 13

BIRTHDAY AFTER PARTY

On the day after my birthday, I was feeling a bit better – well enough to visit Tongva Park and its awesome roller slide!

It also had this cool rock climbing thing.

And another great set of slides.

There was also this spinny thing where I practiced for the Mad Tea Party ride I want to go on at Disneyland.

Mommy and I climbed up this yellow thing.

And Aunt Sarah took a picture of us so that we’d have an actual family photo!

Sep 3

PORTLAND SPIRIT

For Labor Day, we went on a boat!

But first, I was distracted by this cool bench made from a bathtub.

Then we went on a boat – the Portland Spirit!

First, we had lunch and I had to save my Smiley Potato from jumping off the bread.

But enough of lunch, it was time to get outside and see some bridges!

The Marquam!

Tilikum Crossing!

The USS Blueback parked in front of OMSI! (Not a bridge, but cool anyway!)

After some fun, though, it was time for me to get to the wheelhouse and captain the ship for a while.

Then it was time to say goodbye to the seas (actually, the Willamette River)…

…and head back to port.

Aug 28

GOODBYE, BROTHER CHUBS

We said goodbye to Chubs on Monday, August 27th. He was a gentle and patient brother.

He was a world class sunbather and I’m happy he got to enjoy the hot summer weather.

One of Chubs’ favorite things was taking a rest in the periwinkle in front of our house. He would lie down there, smelling the air, while I played with my ball.

Here are some pictures of Chubs and I through the years. He was the very best. We love you, Chubs.

Jul 20

KAYAK BOY

On our final day in New Hampshire, we went out to breakfast and Hugs had a great time frolicking outside.

After breakfast, we went out to the lake.

I got all geared up for a big outing on the inflatable kayak. I named the boat Chillo. I named Grandpa’s other kayaks Lenny and Dottie.

After Mommy, Daddy, and I all went out, Grandpa took it for a spin, too.

When we got back home, Grandma read me a story as we began to wind down for our trip back to Portland.

Jul 18

LAUNCHING THE KAYAK

Today we walked down through the forest to the edge of Grandma and Grandpa’s property, where a kayak was waiting for us.

I was all outfitted and ready to go!

First I went with Mommy…

…then with Daddy. I helped both of them paddle.

When we were finished kayaking, I helped Grandma make brownies. My job was to stir the batter 50 times!

Jun 11

BEACON ROCK

Mommy and I went adventuring with some friends to Beacon Rock in Stevenson, Washington. These 5-year-old legs walked to the top of a big ol’ rock 848 feet into the sky!

The best parts of the hike were when the path made an “overpass” over another path.

Sometimes I needed a milk break.

Mommy’s friend, Aliah, told me about the little islands in the Columbia River.

That’s Oregon over there!

That’s my buddy, Quinton.

After walking for an eternity, we finally made it to the top.

I told Aliah that the monsters on my knees are named Rocco and Taco.

Aliah’s daughter, Cay, is a squirrel whisperer.

I was happy to get back to solid ground after walking back down to the forest.

Mommy and I celebrated. We did it!

May 13

MOTHER’S DAY 2018

It was Mother’s Day today! First thing in the morning, I surprised Mommy with a LEGO creation I secretly made at Bricks & Minifigs.

I also made her an awesome painting!

Then we set off to Oregon City to go for a little walk. Mommy is one of those people who likes to go outside when the weather is nice.

I wanted to test out every bench along the walking path.

After passing about a dozen benches, we found Willamette Falls.

Oh, and a pedestrian bridge!

Then we headed back to the car because it was really hot and our winter skin was not accustomed to such sunshine. Mommy had a great time!

Apr 4

CRYSTAL AND CHRIS DO PORTLAND

My friends, Crystal and Chris, are visiting here from Los Angeles. For our first day, we headed to the Columbia River Gorge to see Multnomah Falls. But due to last summer’s forest fire, the amazing pedestrian bridge was closed.

So we headed over to another area called Bridal Veil, which I went to with Grandma and Grandpa a couple of years ago. This time, I was a major fan of bridges.