These past few days have been, quintessentially, all about pray, eat, move, groove.

I have so much to share with you!

{Background: My family and I took a short trip to Seattle and Portland for a family friend’s wedding, so we did our best to explore the area, since we’ve never been to these northwestern states!}

Wednesday

4:30 AM wakeup for an early flight (that was completely on time, thanks be to God). I brought along a breakfast cookie with some milk for the ride to the airport.

flight included airplane peanuts, watching 12 Years a Slave, and sleeping

I was the first one of my family to arrive in Seattle (we all took different flights), so I was on my own without a rental car for a few hours. First order of business was finding lunch. Might have gotten lost four to five times, but my legs didn’t mind the walking after a 6 hour flight.

Hawaiian BBQ chicken was a good treasure after a long quest

8 minute abs in the teeny exercise room.

We shared an amazing sushi dinner once the ‘rents arrived! God bless Pacific northwest seafood.

everything was excellent except for the bottom right roll—it was basically dissolved in mayonnaise

While stopping by CVS to pick up a case of bottled water, I saw that this was on sale…

…so, yeah. We’ll see if it can make it to 3 oz. by the time we fly back home this morning. (It didn’t, they threw it out.)

Ben flew in late Wednesday night!

Thursday

Off to Portland(ia)!

but first, complimentary hotel breakfast a la Marriott

After 2.5 hours of driving, we arrived at a sweet Catholic sanctuary called The Grotto. Such a beautiful, hidden gem.

{pray…}

We walked around for an hour or so, working up an appetite for lunch at one of the famous Food Truck “Pods” of Portland! This was the Tidbit Food Farm and Garden. 😀 <— literally my face the whole time.

{…eat…}

“Sardou” savory waffle sandwich with eggs, steamed spinach, gouda, artichokes, and honey dijon

Phenomenal would be the word to describe this sandwich.

Ben and I walked approximately a mile to get our dessert at Blue Star Donuts, but we got distracted by the hypnotizing scent of waffle cones. The only solution is to give in. Let it happen.

carrot cake (!!!!!!!!) ice cream in a waffle cone from Salt & Straw // blueberry bourbon basil + dulce de leche hazelnut donut from Blue Star Donuts

The ice cream was out of this world (um, huge chunks of carrot cake IN the ice cream), and the donuts were delicious, but I wouldn’t go back for more. I’m glad we got distracted by waffle cones.

Next stop was Multnomah Falls for breathtaking scenery and some hiking. The hike wasn’t extreme, but it definitely wasn’t a walk in the park. Sup, gravity.

{…move…}

 Ben at the end of every panorama

 We feasted on seafood at Jake’s Famous Crawfish, but it was kind of disappointing. My crab cakes were mostly filler, and everything seemed overpriced.

the most expensive mixed greens salad ever

Ya win some, ya lose some. Still a fantastic day overall! Thanks, Portland ♥

Friday

Seeeeeeeattle!

As many of you said, there’s no way we could miss out on Pike Place Market. It was a fun atmosphere with some awesome shops and eateries.

Enjoyed the chanting every time they threw a fish. Really enjoyed the fact that they threw fish, period.

Side note: If you go to Seattle, look up the best places to park beforehand. We encountered some headaches and ripoffs with parking.

The Great Wall of Saliva:

the one time I forget to bring gum with me

Sightseeing in the PERFECT weather (the kind in which you could be outside in short or long sleeves and still be comfortable).

Ben let me share a couple bites of his single fish taco from Pike Place Market. So fresh!

Then we went on a cruise tour to learn all about this fine city. Eat from the water, be on the water.

Followed by the best seafood lunch of my life at Elliott’s Oyster Bar. This totally made up for the lack of crab in my crab cakes the night before at Jake’s.

grilled seafood salad *angels singing*

Ben and I walked around for a few more hours until we all met up for the wedding rehearsal dinner.

the very first Starbucks, aka the seed of the greatest American addiction

You were charming, Seattle.

Saturday

Wedding day! Not mine.

Dad and I moved and grooved a little in the hotel fitness center after breakfast. Handstands and stretching for me!

Then we watched my lovely aunt tie the knot. I love weddings, ugh.

My family broke off for a late lunch afterwards at a taco place. Hit the spot!

Then we chilled out, went to Mass (to count for Sunday Mass), and then headed to the partayyy. Eating, dancing, and being merry.

{…groove!}

Did I mention that I LOVE WEDDINGS!?

 Congratulations to the beautiful couple!

____________________

Now I’m finishing typing this on my phone on the plane. I just hid my phone so the stewardess wouldn’t see. #rebel. (We’re still on the ground.)

This trip has been incredible, but I’m thankful mostly for the time I got to spend with my loved ones. The greasy food (and extra zits) were also worth it 😉

See you in New York!

So tell me:

Have you ever been to Portland?

Do you like weddings? Going to any soon?

What did you do this weekend?