She's 7!!

Can you believe it? Happy birthday to the Molls! We've been celebrating for weeks ... water park in Denver, family celebration at home, manicures and ice cream with one best friend, and an afternoon at the arcade with the other. Whew. We spoil this girl, but can't seem to help ourselves. She's sweet and kind and always appreciative. I've loved every minute of her first seven years.

Family birthday party at home - opening presents under the close supervision of cousins James and George

Enjoying her gifts

Relaxing at the water park with Cousin Will. She's starting to look SO grown up!

More fun with Cousin Will

Solo shot of the birthday girl

Portland part 2: The gorgeous gorge

We probably spent more time outside of Portland than we spent in it ... but that's because the Pacific Northwest is absolutely beautiful. We took a half day waterfall tour and then spent a full day with my friend Jeremy from college hiking in the Columbia River Gorge and then exploring the awesome breweries around Hood River.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves for now, even though they don't even come close to capturing the beauty of the area.

Portland part 1: City pics

We're finishing up the Portland part of our 10-year anniversary trip and have absolutely loved it out here. People are kind, the food is outstanding, and there's so much to see and do.

It's a smaller city and pretty easy to get around. We walked along the riverfront and Pearl District, visited the Saturday market, walked along Alberta Street, hit up the food trucks for lunch and the breweries on Mississippi Street.

We haven't made a wrong step for restaurants, so I'll list them here in case anyone has plans to visit.

• Han Oak - inventive Korean food in a converted garage
• Departure - food by Top Chef runner up Gregory Gourdet and a fantastic view
• Pine State Biscuits - because ... biscuits
• Deadshot - Monday night cocktail and bar food pop up from the restaurant Holdfast

I feel like we've barely scratched the surface, so will just have to come back!

This is how we do it

Sometimes it feels like no time at all has passed since high school. Natalie and Dana came in town last weekend for Lindsay's Boys and Girls Club charity event and we had So. Much. Fun. I totally paid the price the next day, but didn't even care. It was worth it to have had a night out with these girls :)

Fun in the photo booth with Lindsay, Dana, and Nat

Fast five

1. What I'm reading:
The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead. I'm in full agreement with the Pulitzer Prize Board ... this is one outstanding work of fiction. It's a re-imagined history, where the underground railroad is an actual railroad and our heroine's experience in each state conveys a different aspect of the horrors of slavery. It's focused on the past, but somehow also feels very relevant to our current day. Not an easy read, but worth it.

2. What I'm watching: 

Breaking Bad ... finally! I'm finishing up Season 3 and, although it's probably the most stressful show I've ever seen, I can see why so many people consider it a masterpiece. Walter White is the star, but Jesse is definitely the best character, yo.

3. Where I'm shopping: 

Athleta. Home to all things cute and quick dry for summertime mom duty. It's slightly overpriced, but I make sure to take advantage of the sales. And, I was lucky enough to have B and Sus treat me to a couple of items for my birthday. Thanks, sisters :)

4. What I'm playing:

Country club sports all around! I'm signed up for cardio tennis classes every Monday and have a season pass to the local golf club down the street from our house. Little Miss Molly is on board with my 2 favorite sports as well. She fell in love with the unrestricted access to Gatorade at tennis camp and even won the girls' effort award at the end of the session (I beam with pride!). Junior golf is up next. 

5. Where I'm going:

We're trying not to go much of anywhere this summer so we can enjoy beach life in Evanston ... but ... we do have a few fun trips to look forward to. Jason and I have our 10-year anniversary trip to Portland in July (finally), we're planning a Wisconsin weekend with friends in August, and Molly and I are also taking a special summer road trip down to Tennessee to visit my grandparents in their new home. Hoping to hit the right ratio of time away/time at home. We'll see how it goes! And so will you ... I'm planning to post more often this summer. Please remind me if I forget :)

Good start to summer

School's out and we've started up our new routine of summer camps, beach nights, and pool days. It has been hotter than hot all week and now the rain is pouring down. Perfect timing to post a few pics from sunnier days ...

U2 at Soldier Field -- The Joshua Tree tour! -- with Jason and B

Manicures with Molls

Weekend nights out on the sidewalk

Improving my golf game

Breaking in the jelly shoes ... official footwear of summer since 1985

Hanging at the park with cousins

Gallery show

First grade wraps up in a couple of days, so Molly has been bringing home all kinds of treasures from throughout the year. Here's the best of the best from the art department. I know I'm biased, but I really do think my girl's got talent. Just like her dad :)

Self portrait (unfinished) ... Molly with a tan :)
I love the dolphin jumping over the duck in the background

Fat cat on a mat (watercolor)
Also featuring a couple of ducks

Still life

Winter landscape
This is the one Molly selected for the YEA (Young Evanston Artists) Festival