Friends and Voo Doo, they DO go together

We are blessed to know some pretty terrific friends that live in Oregon and Washington.  Warm, caring, wonderful Christian people....and boy are we bummed they live so far away.  The best part of our 4 day getaway was the opportunity to just hang out and enjoy some time together with these families.

The first family we visited was friends of ours that lived here until just a few months ago.  I was so lucky to have walked into my preschool teaching job and found Kristin's smiling face as my co-teacher.  We shared the room and the supplies and the ideas and I will forever be grateful.  The ironic thing about visiting with her and her family was that we got to spend more time together in one day while living a thousand miles apart than we did when we only lived 10 miles apart.  Kristin and I are alike in so many ways!! Sadly ironic as we both realized.  Ty, Kristin, Riley and Zach, we are so glad we got the chance to enjoy your company...thank you for being such great people and such a wonderful, caring family.

Our other friends, friends who bring a smile to my face just thinking about them, we got to know by chance.  Bill worked with Kevin through a project at work.  A couple years ago we all ended up in NYC for a conference (that the guys were attending, not us girls, no way!) and Bill mentioned 'this guy Kevin that I know with is bringing his wife and we thought we'd try to get together'.   Well, OK.  Sure.

Well, I couldn't have asked for a more lovely lady to hang out with in NYC...Janet is the sweetest and funniest woman and friends we have been, ever since.  Kevin is a hard worker and supportive dad-he and Bill think so much alike, and their kids are so nice....my kids adore them too.

Now, Kevin and Janet have had their fair share of opportunities to tease us.......just say the word IKEA and meatballs and Janet is on the floor.  You see, she finds it hilarious that we shop and eat at IKEA every time we get the opportunity.  And our planning vacations 12 months in advance?  Makes them giggle too.  SO we had to bring some more laughable moments to this trip as well.  For being long time Portland residents, this fine family had yet to visit Voo-Doo Donuts.  So bring in the Barry's........we dragged them along to the donut place, complete with a panhandler outside the shop's door and very, umm, different looking employees?

Now, this place has a reputation.  Even those that don't live in the state know about it.  And the funny thing is that it is a hole in the wall.  Really, a teeny tiny hole in the wall little place.  The lobby, if you'll call it that, was big enough for about 8 people, max!  While I think the atmosphere kinda freaked Janet and Emily out, it cracked me up.  It was so very different....and the donuts were no exception.

There are your garden variety kind of donuts and then.....then, well, there are your not so garden variety kinds.  For example, the maple bacon bar.  You got it, there's bacon on top of that one....see? And how about their namesake donut, the Voo-Doo guy.....

Having a hard time deciding whether you'd rather have cereal or a donut for breakfast?  Well, they've made the choice easy on you.  how about a cereal topped donut?  Fruit Loops, Coca-Puffs, or Cap n' Crunch anyone?

  Tang?  You like Tang?  Well, how about a donut dipped in it?

 We made a purchase of 2 dozen donuts.  On our way out we even gave the panhandler some money! We ate a few donuts, shared a few...would have shared more but they told us no.....and then we packed them up so we could bring them home to the kids!  As we drove to the airport on our final day, we got a glimpse of Mount Hood, for all of about 3 minutes before the clouds moved in.  Just long enough to capture this-

The Voo-Doo donuts miraculously made it through 2 airports and overhead bin storage........I think the kids were pretty thrilled-

Oregon and Washington hold a special place in our hearts.  We hope we get to see our dear friends again soon too!