Birthday celebration at The Observatory

Last week I celebrated my 40th birthday, and my sister and best friend, Emily, celebrated her 38th birthday.  We're both Gemini's (the twins) and have always been called "the Hunger twins" by our friends (although that had nothing to do with astrological signs).  Although we're two years apart, my birthday is June 19th and hers is June 20th, so we've always celebrated together. 

Last year was a weird birthday, because I was 6 months pregnant, and Em had just had her surgery to remove her brain tumor (on June 1st of last year).  She'd spent two weeks in the hospital, and then a week in a rehabilitation unit.  We weren't even sure if she'd be released from the hospital by our birthdays, but she was just a few days before.  So we were super happy that the surgery had gone well, but her left leg had been completely paralyzed from the surgery.  She's regained some usage of it now, but it's still nowhere near 100%, and she walks with a limp and has to use a cane much of the time.  However, by our birthdays last year it was a whole different story, and she had very little usage and actually had to use a walker.   When I think back to a year ago I realize just how far she's come.  That was a really dark time for us, so this was a much better birthday.

My wonderful boss, Trang, and my co-worker, Jennifer, had treated me to some high class wine at Oregon Wines on Broadway the day before (on my actual birthday), and Julian took us both out to dinner on Em's birthday the following day.  We went to The Observatory, which is in the Montevilla neighborhood, at 8115 SE Stark.  http://theobservatorypdx.com/

One thing that drew us in was their cheese plate - Julian doesn't eat uncooked cheese, and I absolutely LOVE cheese plates.  So Em and I shared one.  It was amazing.  The cheeses were delectable and as you can see they do not skimp on the portion sizes.

We also got some of their oregano fry bread with some yummy dipping sauces (only $4 but we would pay more for it).

I didn't take pictures of our entrees before we dug in and ruined any photo op.  I had a special, which was a blackened snapper caesar salad.  Em had the Idaho Trout Piccata with saffron rice and peppers.  Julian had the pulled pork sandwich. 

The food is super delicious, and the service was great.  It didn't hurt that our server happened to be Em's old co-worker from The Jam on Hawthorne (where Em worked up until the seizure from her brain tumor).

Chillin' before the meltdown he had from being so tired (it was after 7pm after all).

Here we all are!  Thanks Julian for a great dinner.

Party time at my Broseph's

My older brother, Max, and his family have some great bbq's.  We've all been out there a few times recently.  We went out there in April for his oldest son's (Jarek) birthday party.  The weather was super nice at that time.

Then just a week or so ago we went back for Jarek's high school graduation.  In the year before he starts college Jarek's going to work on a political campaign in Washington DC.  Pretty cool job!  He's a really smart kid, so I'm not surprised he figured something cool like that out.  Here are some pics from both get-togethers.

Who can resist the cute butt shot?

Jarek with his friend, Lawrence.

My bro, JK, with Julian.

JK's daughter, Alex, with my sister, Mary.

My sister, Anne, with her favorite nephew, Hank.  Sorry, other nephews!

My bro's, Christian (left), and Max.

My nephew, James (JK's son) with JK's girlfriend Flynn.

The guys, grillin' it up.  JK (left), and Max.

My favorite nephew, James, and me.  Sorry, other nephews!

Self-portrait of me, and my sister, Emily.

Anne, who's due with her son Lucas in early August, and Emily.

Max's wife, Wendy's sister, Sue, and her hubby, Steve.

JK playing with Hank as Julian holds him.

Squatchin' at the beach

In May we went to Seaside with Julian's parents (Jo and Edith) to help them celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

Julian's really into Sasquatch, all the legends, and even some of the cheesy reality shows about finding or just glimpsing Bigfoot.  So we were pretty excited to see that Seaside had their own Bigfoot restaurant (creatively called "Bigfoot's").  But later we found out from my Mom that we actually have a Bigfoot story in our own family.  My Grandpa Hunger (who just passed away earlier in May at almost 91) was a logger in his early years.  Apparently they woke up one morning in the logging camp and found all of the trash cans wrapped around the trees, and they were convinced that it was done by Sasquatches.  Julian was so jazzed about that story.  I just wish we'd known about it and could have asked my Grandpa about it years ago.
So here are some pics of our weekend, which of course included a trip to Bigfoot's, which was pretty cool.  I suggest you check it out on your next trip to Seaside.

Here we are having our "fancy dinner" to celebrate Julian's parent's 40th anniversary.  It was an amazing restaurant, right on the water, in front of a beautiful fire.

Hank in his first big-boy bath.  He really got into the splashing, as you can tell by the rough water.

Hank with Opa, "reading" a book (mostly chewing on it).

We had great weather that weekend, and you can see Jo and Edith's timeshare right behind Hank.

Don't eat my baby! 

Here are the pics from Bigfoot's.  There was some cool taxidermy.

Julian finally found Sasquatch!!

Julian with his parents.