2 weeks with Isabella in Portland: The 1st week of adventures

In July 2009, I scheduled for Isabella to stay with me in Portland for 2 weeks. Most of our previous visits had been a week at most, so this was going to be testing the father-daughter bond. But, it's worked out wonderfully. Bella has had little to no mention of missing her mom or home, and she tells me everyday, "you're going to keep me for 14 days -right?!?!" Ok Bella - sounds good. The pictures below capture our adventures.

HIKING UP MULTNOMAH FALLS

Isabella's mother flew up on Friday, and was set to leave late Saturday afternoon. We took advantage of the early afternoon at Multnomah Falls. After 2 years of living in Portand, I had never seen it, but had heard the Falls were a good place for kids.

Bella was clearly in good spirits upon arriving

A nice close-up. Bella would spend most of the time on my shoulders on the walk up to the Falls.

Multnomah Falls. The hike up leads to the point just left of the Falls at the top.

After a short walk, you cross back over the Falls, and get an impressive view.

..and can more clearly see the remaining elevation of the hike

Bella and her mom were both in good spirits.

Bella wanted to have a little fun on the walk up when saw this mini-cave. She jumped in and pretended to be scared.

Being the big kid I am, I jumped in as well. Unfortunately, my acting skills are no where near that of my 4 year old. I look like I'm raging at a rock concert -- yeah, not quite the look I was going for.

For most of the rest of the way, Bella wanted to ride on Daddy, except when "Daddy's too hot".

Ultimately, we reached the top and enjoyed the view below. Bella's mother is scared of heights, so I guess 'enjoy' is a relative term.

I was enjoying it.

..and Bella had no issues either. ..though after seeing this, her mother mandated "no more heights for Bella". As usual, I didn't listen.

The three of us.

..and a close-up.

A DAY AT THE DRIVING RANGE

Her mother left on Saturday, so Sunday was Daddy's day. What better adventure than heading to the driving range! Bella has been to the range ~4 times now during previous visits, and she doesn't hesitate. This was one of her 1st swings -- full aggression!

She hasn't quite figured out how to keep her eye on the ball, but we still have time.

The position of the club on the backswing here is almost perfect -- I just need to get her to extend her left arm ..and of course look at the ball! :)

Right before impact.

She was tired by this point, so we took off shortly after. We went back later in the week, and it was a breakthrough session. I have a call into Letterman.

A FEW MOMENTS DURING THE WEEK

Bella and I settled into a good routine over the 1st week. Up at ~6am, into Nike ~7:30am, leave around 5:30pm, dinner at 7, followed by a bath, a movie, and a bedtime story. We watched Shrek and read 'The Little Engine That Could" for the majority. Bella is to the point she can quote the majority of both. "Donkey, Stop Singing!!!!" ..is one of my favorite. Here are a few other moments:

Bella was upset at me at one point, and she grabbed the WSJ in protest and sat on the couch to absorb the day's financials. I couldn't resist here. Too cute!

We found a stool for Bella to stand on in the bathroom. She is quite independent, and enjoys her routine.

Every morning, we would head to Nike, and arrive ~7:30am. She was never quite awake, and this look captures it all.

Bella at the dinner table.

Bella's favorite activity -- "BEATING EACH OTHER UP!!!" Everyday, I would pick Bella up from Nike, and would ask her what she wants to do. Her response, "Daddy, I just wanna go home and beat each other up!" That's Daddy's girl.

A Pillow sandwich is one of my go to moves.

She thoroughly enjoys these moments, ..as do I

A CLIMB UP FALLS CREEK

For her 2nd weekend in Oregon, Daddy wanted to continue the outdoor adventure, so I found a kid friendly hike ~40 miles from Portland -- Falls Creek.

Early on, she was ready to go.

She was astounded by the height of the trees.

..which admittedly, were quite tall.

She trekked along for a good ways

..but soon got tired. Daddy ended up carrying her most of the way up. I realized that when it said kid friendly, it meant, 7-10 yr old boys, probably not 4.5 year old girls. Amusingly, she reiterated to me, "Daddy, I don't think I like hiking". But she trekked on...

I couldn't resist this photo, given that it was exactly against her mother's orders. She didn't mind.

By the time we got to this bridge, and saw this mini-waterfall, we were nearing the top.

A look down

Our first view of the waterfall I had heard plenty about.

It was impressive...

..and definitely a rival of Multnomah, though not as well known.

We stopped for a quick bite.

..then took a closer look.

..including the pool below.

Again, I had to resist her mother's mandates.

Need I mention, great hair!

On the way down, Bella tagged on with a group of Eagle Scouts who were heading down.

She was one of the guys, and definitely in good spirtis. ..and singing all the way! A couple of them asked me, "What is she singing". I had to tell them it was High School Musical - 'Part 3' Bella would yell. They had no idea.

Afterwards, i wanted to show her the beach (which she loves) at Hood River ..and Daddy's new hobby, Kitesurfing!

A closer look

She was entertained, and kept telling Daddy, "Watch, I'll show you how to do it" (..and would then go through some detailed explanation of the Physics of the wind). I just listened.