Plenty of big birthdays lately! Today was a surprise party for my Mom's 70th down in Vancouver. Though her real Birthday isn't until later this month we had to plan early to make it a surprise. Her friends and family gathered (Toni and David via Skype from Scotland!) and the surprise went off without a hitch. We talked, we ate, and we caked! As I said at the party, here's to 70 more! Love ya, Mom!

Connie and I made the soggy trip down into a business trip as well so, tonight after the party, we headed over to stay the night in Portland. We hit up dinner at the incredible Tasty 'n Alder after an hour wait. Fortunately, our wait was spent at the nearby Powell's. After dinner we walked back via Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square and enjoyed seeing it and the surrounding neighborhood decked out for the holidays.