Category: Daddy

Ellie snuggling, playing with and terrorising her daddy

Family vacation to Bend, OR [VIDEO]

This summer, we made the decision to take our family vacation in Bend, OR. Bend is characterized by the high desert climate, notably different from the wetter climate on the west side of the Cascades (where Portland is), but its craft beer scene and its many options for outdoor adventure.

It was a pretty low-key affair and more than anything, it was just a good break from the everyday slog of life at home, but while we were there, we definitely took the opportunity to do some activities that we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do.

For example, we took Ellie and Jack horseback riding which went really well. Jack definitely needed some convincing, but once he realised he was OK, he loved it up on the horse. Continue reading “Family vacation to Bend, OR [VIDEO]”

January – March 2018

December was largely a write-off because of sickness throughout the house, however we got right on with enjoying the new year.

Ellie spent a fair amount of time building the Lego sets that she got at Christmas. Ellie and I also participated in a 13-week Daddy-Daughter Ballet class: she was definitely the better ballerina, but it was nice to have that special experience with her.

It was a pretty mild winter all told, to the point of us being able to visit vineyards towards the end of March in the sun with short sleeves on. Continue reading “January – March 2018”

December 2017

Last December, we were settling in for our first winter and our first Christmas in Oregon, and we certainly made the most of it.

We took a trip up to Mount Hood to go tubing and build snowmen, we took a ride on the Christmas train, we made gingerbread houses and generally had a jolly old time. Continue reading “December 2017”

Ellie and Daddy do Seattle [VIDEO]

This past weekend, I took Ellie to Seattle for a little daddy-daughter weekend before she starts school in a couple of weeks! We had so much fun seeing the sights and I cherished the opportunity to dote on my little girl, and do things like get dressed up and take her on a date.

We got up to write a lot during our time in Seattle. We:

  • Rode the light rail and the monorail (this is exciting to Ellie).
  • Went on a dinner date together, with Ellie in her princess dress and me in a shirt and tie.
  • Went up to the Space Needle and watched Seattle from high up, with the city lights aglow (Ellie often says how pretty the city looks at night because of all the lights.
  • Went to Pike Place Market.
  • Grabbed breakfast at Wayward Vegan Cafe (this wasn’t planned, but Ellie wanted waffles for breakfast, so the girl had to have waffles!).
  • Spent a few hours in the Pacific Science Center.
  • Went on the Seattle Great Wheel.
  • Grabbed breakfast together at Starbucks.
  • Went to Genessee Park to the Seafair Festival so that we could watch the Blue Angels. Continue reading “Ellie and Daddy do Seattle [VIDEO]”

Eclipse

Last August, we were lucky enough to have the solar eclipse pass right by Portland. Because of the promise of absolute bedlam on the roads, we decided not to drive 30 minutes south into the path of totality and instead settled for 99.64% totality.

Ellie was very excited in the run up to the eclipse (prompting her to gain a real interest in astronomy) and loved watching the whole thing.
Continue reading “Eclipse”

Nicola & Max came to visit

Last August, my sister (Ellie’s aunty) and my nephew (Ellie’s cousin) came to Oregon to visit us all.

During that time, we fit a lot in. We went to the Chinese Gardens, visited Powell’s, went to the coast, went up Mount Hood, enjoyed a jet boat ride on the Willamette and visited some wineries (naturally). Continue reading “Nicola & Max came to visit”

Ellie making her first electrical project [VIDEO]

A couple of weekends ago, in the hopes that we could stop Jack from playing with all the light switches in the house, I made a simple box with four switches, each controlling a different colored LED. Pretty simple, but it did the trick.

Then one of Ellie’s friends wanted one and she also wanted to make one for herself, so I took the opportunity to teach her the basics of electricity and circuits and we made it together.

Now that she made one for her friend, she’s excited to make her own! Continue reading “Ellie making her first electrical project [VIDEO]”

August – November 2017

We all spent the summer (and the autumn) making the most of the weather and exploring our new home. We’ve done so much and seen so many new places.

It’s also becoming clear just how much Ellie loves the outdoors, including hiking. She’s also looking forward to camping next year. Continue reading “August – November 2017”

Ellie’s 4th birthday

Our sweet baby girl is not so little anymore. As she continues to grow, she amazes us more and more with how intelligent, funny, creative and curious she is.

For her birthday, we went to the Evergreen Air & Space Museum and Ellie had a blast looking at all of the planes and rockets.

Then, her main birthday present from us was a big girl (double) bed which she was ecstatic about. Continue reading “Ellie’s 4th birthday”