Family pictures 2018

After we discovered Jess and Jon at Cascade Photography last year and fell in love with the great job they did on our family photos last year, we asked them to come back and do some more photos for us this year.

Fall is a perfect time for family photos in Portland because the leaves are beautiful and colourful and of course we can include those pictures on our Christmas cards.

Continue reading “Family pictures 2018”

April – June 2018

As the weather cleared up and Ellie completed her fifth trip around the sun, her personality just keeps coming out more and more.

These photos help to show how much she’s coming out of her shell and that she isn’t afraid to be her, which I love. I don’t want her to ever apologise for being who she is.

She upgraded from her balance bike to her first real bike at Christmas and once the weather cleared up, she was able to start riding around and she’s getting pretty good at operating the bike by herself. She’s still got training wheels / stabilisers on for now, but those’ll come off soon enough with how well she’s progressing. Continue reading “April – June 2018”

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]”

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’s first day at school

This summer, Ellie started school. She’s currently going three mornings a week and it’s been fantastic for her. She’s making friends, enjoying the independence and it’s making her much more confident and assertive.

The other day was the first time I got to take her to school and meet her teachers and classmates and I’m really happy with where she is. I’m very happy that we made the decision to have her go. Continue reading “Ellie’s first day at school”

Ellie’s trip to NH and MA over 4th of July

This 4th of July, we took a trip to MA and NH to visit family, attend a christening and enjoy the summer in New England.

While there, Ellie got to know her second cousins Addison, Mason and Emmerson much better and enjoyed all sorts of outings and events, like the 4th of July parade, Santa’s Village and she even got to sit in the cockpit of the plane that took her to Boston! Continue reading “Ellie’s trip to NH and MA over 4th of July”