Fish Tacos - Part 1

In October, we went on a Mexican vacation with our friends & their extended family. We consider the 4 of us adopted children/grandchildren/siblings.
Hosts Ron & Margaret.

The boys went fishing and caught Mahi Mahi. We brought a bunch home with us & it's been living in our freezer.
Here is Ron (Ward's Step-Dad). He caught the delicious fish and graciously shared it with us.
Waiting for Ron to pull up the fish.

Fish on board! Time to celebrate.

We will be eating our very last package of frozen Mahi Mahi tonight with delicious fish tacos. While we are munching away, you can be sure we will be remembering this wonderful vacation and the memories we will never forget.

Fish taco photos to come later tonight...

Beacon Rock

The kids & I headed out to the Gorge today to climb Beacon Rock. Those sessions at the REI climbing wall have really come in handy.

Check out my form on this first photo. Concentration galore.

I was waiting for Nas to finally snap a photo.

It took forever!

Just kidding! For those of you who aren't sure, the above photos aren't really me!

Nas was eager to get hiking (in her flip flops).

Matty checking our snack supply.

Trailhead

On our way....

Look out!

Snake hole ?

Greenery.


Almost there.

Victory! We made it to the top in 25 minutes.

View from the top.

Persian Dinner + American Dessert = Delicious!

Omid made kubideh for dinner.

The kebab mix. Ground Sirloin + Persian spices.

Kebabs ready for the BBQ.

The chef at work.

Almost ready.

After dinner, I whipped up a batch of Rice Krispie Treats (Omid's favorite dessert).

Ooey gooey goodness.

I would like to visit...

Espana. After reading The Sun Also Rises many years ago (great read!), I have wanted to visit Spain. I don't think I would mind living there for a year or two either.
Greece. Nothing more needs to be said. Rent Shirley Valentine for a fun movie about Greece. *Warning: There is a bad part in the movie.*

Cinque Terre & Portfino, Italy. I must, must, must visit these two towns before I die. I must. Frank Schaeffer's book Portofino. Check it out - a super read. I just close my eyes and can see the bougainvillea on the sides of centuries old buildings. I am so ready to hop on a plane and spend my summer there. So ready.

Japan. Such a nice clean country. Everything about Japan (that I encountered) was cute. Hello Kitty. Is she not cute? Also, the Japanese seem to love dogs as much as I do. How cute is that? I think I could also live in Japan for a year or two.

Australia. So much there I want to see. The famed Uluru, climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, visit Steve Irwin's Zoo (really!).

Morocco. I have always wanted to visit Morocco. The closest I've been to seeing/experience Morocco is the Morocco exhibit at Epcot Center & eating dinner at Marrakesh in downtown Portland & Seattle.

Who would like to help finance my trip?

Matty trimmed the hedges for us this afternoon.

Nas visited the doctor today for an upper respiratory infection & allergies.

The patient Patient.

Omid made delicious chicken pita sandwiches for lunch. Nummers!

We spent the evening with the Kelloggs. Sangria + chicken burgers + jojos = fun. BBQing chicken & making kissy lips.
sangria.
talking diesel trucks...it's complicated.

Remy & Omid.

Chicas

Gimme a kiss!

Kissy Lips x 2!

Kids playing Nintendo Wii.

I forget what is exactly happening in this photo.....

Lia lost a tooth.

.Preparing ice cream for the puppies (what pampered pooches!) .

Double vanilla ice cream so delicious (Remy loves vanilla ice cream).

Jack + ice cream = happy puppy

So good! - rootbeer floats

Playing Wii tennis & bowling.

Discussing more sangria...?

Ward & Jack (click on this photo & look at the window)
" Let's try frozen blackberries in the sangria!"
Wii tennis.


Tasty!

This was a very confusing game. Amy & Ward kept winning (again & again) while Omid, Lin & I got 0 points every time. I think this game was rigged.

Vanilla ice cream for the doggies.