Visitors Bring Good Weather

Our friends Matt and Krysta visited last weekend from Seattle.  After a week of rain, we have had a run of several days of clear blue skies.  I have come to the realization that whenever we have friends or family visit, the weather is usually nice.  So, the doors are always open.  

Matt and Krysta were only in town for a quick visit so we concentrated on showing them our neighborhood, both the urban and forested parts.

As you can see, Priya hasn't developed any stranger anxiety yet.  She loves everyone.  We had to take them to a brewpub, which is where the picture below is from.  Notice we ate outside and it was November 15th!!!  Only Ami had 15 layers on, I was in a t-shirt.

Matt and Krysta brought their dog Deena.  Sona and Deena had a blast playing together all weekend.

Fall Colors

I have adopted the Northwest mentality, which means I have not let the rains - which have arrived in all their glory - stop me from getting out and enjoying Portland.   Priya and I took a nice long walk today from home through Nob Hill and into the Pearl District. It is great to live so close to Downtown.  Here are some shots of the fall colors from today.

The top shot is of the Lower MacLeay Park Trail which is right below our house (and the origin of the name of this blog).

These shots are from our street - Thurman St.  The one below is our nearest little commercial district with a coffeeshop, an art gallery, and the thai restaurant we walk to often for takeout.  That is Priya bundled up in her waterproof pod.

The shot above is of a church on Couch St. (pronounced "Cooch" for some reason).  The shot below is quintessential Portland.  Note that the tricycle is actually locked to the bike rack!

Happy Diwali and Happy Halloween

We traveled back to Houston last week for Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights.  Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil and uplifting of spiritual darkness.  We started off with Priya's first puja or prayer ritual.  

Then we made a trip to the beautiful Swaminarayan temple which is handcrafted from marble.  Stunning.

After celebrating the Hindu New Year, it was time for Halloween.  The point of Halloween and infants is to put them in a big furry costume that makes them look ridiculous. Something they will laugh at in 15 years.  I think this monkey outfit did the trick.

Of course, Ami and I had to join in the festivities.  My Ghostbusters costume was a hit (it helped that they were showing Ghostbusters the movie outside that night!).

I think that is Slimer (the green ghost in Ghostbusters for those less geeky readers) in the lower left of the picture!  As for why my face came out so red....not sure.