Photos: Oregon: Horsetail Falls

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Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Multnomah Falls, Oneonta Gorge, Multnomah County

Height: 176 ft.

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Does this resemble the tail of a horse?

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Dad and Lydia are at the falls.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 12, 2009 at Horsetail Falls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Photos: Oregon: Multnomah Falls

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Multnomah Falls sign

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Multnomah Falls, Multnomah County

Height: 611 ft.

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Dad, Lydia, mom, and Auntie MayLee

Note: We were fortunate since we visited this waterfall on a weekday in the late afternoon when there were not too many visitors lingering at the overlook. As this is the most popular waterfall of the seventy seven found along the Columbia River Gorge, this overlook is usually filled with so many people during the summer, particularly during weekends, that making a successful group portrait without the presence of strangers appearing in the image is nearly impossible.

Photo note: Because of the height of this waterfall, an extreme ultra wide angle lens was necessary for this shot.

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Lisa, Lydia's new friend, and Lydia are playing at the overlook at Multnomah Falls

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 12, 2009 at Multnomah Falls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Photos: Oregon: Wahkeena Falls

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Wahkeena Falls sign

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Multnomah Falls, Multnomah County

Height: 242 ft

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Auntie MayLee, Lydia, mom, and dad

Note: This picture was taken just next to the parking area at Wahkeena Falls. The overcast conditions of the day were perfect for both people pictures and waterfall pictures.

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Family picture at the falls

Note: "Wahkeena means "most beautiful" in Yakama Indian. Wahkeena Falls tumbles 242 ft. down a mountain side. There is a short half-mile hike from the road up to a closer vantage point on a bridge crossing Wahkeena Creek. You'll get so close to the falls here, you will get wet for sure. There is usually so much spray here, it is difficult, if not impossible, to photograph the waterfall (especially in the wet season). If you continue along the steep Wahkeena Trail, you will come to Necktie Falls and Fairy Falls (about 1 mile past Wahkeena Falls)." (Source: http://www.waterfallswest.com/waterfall.php?id=125)

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 12, 2009 at Wahkeena Falls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Photos: Oregon: Latourell Falls

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Latourell Falls

Notes: Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area,

Bridal Veil, Guy W. Talbot State Park,

Multnomah County

Height: 249 feet

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Auntie MayLee, Lydia, and mom

Note: Whenever Auntie MayLee visits us, we try to take her to see new places. Last year's trip was to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This year's adventure will bring us to the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the central Oregon Coast.

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Group portrait in the foreground with Latourell Falls in the background

Photo note: We have found a pair of Pocket Wizard Plus II transceivers to be essential for group and family pictures. In this photo, for example, we were about twenty feet from the camera, which was mounted on a tripod. Another requirement for this picture was a wide angle lens in order to be able to include all of the waterfall, which is 249 feet high.

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A closer view of the waterfall and the stream that flows from it

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A close up view of the stream

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 12, 2009 at Latourell Falls, one of many noteworthy waterfalls along the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Photos: At the Airport for Auntie MayLee's Arrival

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Lydia is standing and her dad is kneeling in front of the Smartcarte luggage carts.

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Auntie MayLee is riding the escalator that will take her to the baggage claim area.

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Auntie MayLee is smiling as she hugs Lydia.

Note: It's hard to believe that a year has elapsed since Auntie MayLee was last in Seattle. This reminder is a lesson to us that life is short and that some of the best memories result from being with family and friends.

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Lydia is examining the Kiwifruit chocolates that Auntie MayLee just gave to her while pausing in front of the baggage carousel.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on June 6, 2009 at Seattle Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Washington.

Photos: Lipizzaner Stallions

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Dad, Lydia, and Tiger

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Tiger, Lydia, and mom

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Three Lipizzaner stallions

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A stallion is standing on two legs.

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Lydia is standing in front of the raised platform where the stallions perform.

Note: When SiowFong asked Lydia if she wanted to see Elmo and his friends or a horse show, Lydia chose a horse show.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on May 31, 2009 during the Lipizzaner Stallion show at the Everett Events Center in Everett, Washington.

Photo note: All of these pictures were taken with Lydia's Canon Powershot SD1000 ultracompact point and shoot, but many pictures were taken in order to get some serviceable images under these low light conditions.

Photos: Group 7 May Outing

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Mina Rothaus

4 years and 3 months of age

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Chelsya Cochran

3 years and 5 months of age

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Lydia

3 years and 4 months of age

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Chelsya played on the swing more than any other child today.

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Lydia also loved playing on the swing set today.

Note: All of these pictures were taken at the home of Doug, Brenda, Colton, Taylor, and Mina Rothaus in Woodinville, Washington during the first New Hope Group 7 gathering of 2009.

The fourth family of Group 7, the Bhagwandins, moved to Austin, Texas last summer, so they were present with us today.

Photos: Group 7 Fun

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Taylor Rothaus is lifting Lydia into the air.

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(left to right): Brenden Cochran, Chelysa Cochran, Mina Rothaus, and Lydia are enjoying their supper while sitting at a children's sized picnic table on the deck.

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Mina, Lydia, and Taylor

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Chelsya and Lydia are playing in the bedroom that Taylor and Mina share.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on May 30, 2009 at the home of Doug, Brenda, Colton, Taylor, and Mina Rothaus in Woodinville, Washington during the first New Hope Group 7 gathering in 2009.

Photos: Group 7

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Lydia, Chelsya Cochran, and Brenden Cochran are exploring the backyard.

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The Rothaus' swing was the focal point during tonight's play time.

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Mina Rothaus and Lydia

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With Colton Rothaus standing on the swingset to keep it steady, SiowFong, Nella Cochran, and Doug Rothaus are swinging Lydia, Chelsya, and Mina respectively.

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Doug Rothaus has caught Lydia.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on May 30, 2009 at the home of Doug, Brenda, Colton, Taylor, and Mina Rothaus.

Photos: Lydia's Face

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Lydia at Roozengarde, the show garden of tulips in Skagit County, Washington

April 15, 2009

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Lydia is eating a piece of kettle corn.

April 15, 2009

Roozengarde Nursery

La Conner, Washington

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Lydia is lying on a bench.

April 15, 2008

Roozengarde Nursery

La Conner, Washington

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April 15, 2008

Field in Skagit County near La Conner, Washington

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Lydia is eating a piece of candy while on a small whale watching tour boat.

April 11, 2009

San Juan Islands

Photos: Day Care, May 2009

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Simba and Annie are two of the minature ponies that were brought to Whizz Kids today so that the children could have cowboy and cowgirl pictures taken while riding one of these animals.

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While donning aprons, Lydia and her friends are playing in the sensory bar. Buttons, marbles, and other small objects are found in the sensory bar.

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Lydia is playing in the playground that is just outside her classroom.

Note: Whizz Kids staff took these photos during May 2009.

Photos: Day Care, March 2009 Photos

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Lydia is playing with a puzzle in order to learn shapes.

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Lydia and some of her friends are playing with puppets. On Lydia's right is Bella and on Lydia's left is Reese.

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Lydia is playing with a clock.

Note: Whizz Kids staff took these pictures at Lydia's day care.

Photos: With Upma

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Lydia is talking with Upma, the daughter of Rajni Saini, Lydia's former teacher at Whizz Kids who manages the toddler class.

Note: We had the privilege of inviting Upma and Rajni to our home for dinner tonight, and for Lydia, who is now in the next class taught by Alice and Reshma, seeing Rajni again was good, and playing with Upma was even better.

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Upma is showing Lydia something.

Note: Both of these pictures were taken on April 25, 2009 in the living room of our home.