Photo Album: 2013-2014 Reprise

Click here to see our most recent Shutterfly photo book with a collection of photos from 2013 and 2014.  

Avenue of Giants

Click here for photos from our final day in California. We drove home from Long Beach via Redwoods National/State Park and the Avenue of Giants. Long drive; gorgeous scenery; so many trees to hug.

Our Day in LA

Our trip to Long Beach would not have been complete without one day in Los Angeles. We gave up a day at the beach in order to visit Pasadena, Griffith Park, Beverly Hills and the Getty Art Museum, with a quick stop at Mood Fabrics to mark the start of another season of one of Emily's favorite shows, Project Runway. 

We got to experience plenty of LA traffic along the way, but it was fun to see some of CA's most iconic sights first hand. Click here for photos.  Photo credits to Jake for much of this album. The LA skyline was a hazy for most of the day, but the sunset as seen from the Getty was spectacular. 

Crystal Cove

Another great day of surfing and playing in the waves in SoCal. Today's destination was Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach.  Click here for photos. 

Treasure Island

Today we drove south to Laguna Beach and spent the day at a beautiful beach, Treasure Island. Click here for photos. The water and scenery were stunning, both above and below the surface. We saw dolphins and seals, explored a few tide pools, and enjoyed some boogie boarding. The water reminded us of the Bahamas, but more chilly. The beach reminded us of the Oregon Coast, but with palm trees.  

Fun on the Beach

We spent a lovely evening at Bolsa Chica State Beach, just south of Long Beach. Click here for photos. 

The kids are a lot taller now, and we're on the opposite coast, but their love for playing in the waves remains the same. The first photo below was taken one afternoon on Block Island in July of 2007, shortly after we began our year-long sailing adventure aboard Jubilee; the second was taken at sunset today in SoCal... almost exactly seven years later.

Surfing in Long Beach

Click here to see the boys' first attempts at surfing yesterday at Seal Beach near Long Beach, California. Waves were light... perfecting for learning. All three were successful, both in riding the waves and not getting bitten by any of the sting rays that frequent this area. All in all, it was a lovely day at the beach.

Evening Paddle/Sail

We took the kids and some friends out for a evening sail, complete with paddle boarding, tubing, a beautiful sunset and all-around great time. Click here for photos.

Weekend with Salam

We're having a great weekend with our Jordanian exchange student, Salam.  Click here for photos.  Salam is visiting Portland from Amman where she is studying law as part of the MEPI Program, and we're so glad to have the opportunity to spent time with her - sailing on the Willamette and enjoying snow in July at Mt. Hood.  

We've become friends with three really lovely young women through MEPI - Salam, Tala and Mona.  ثنك يو

Junk Boat Cruise

Thank you Captain Guy for the lovely sunset cruise with our friends Lars, Mary Catherine, Henry, Eamon and Quinn aboard Guy's Chinese Junk Boat - an auction prize from the high school sailing team's holiday dinner/fundraiser.

It was a beautiful night, and Pat loved the opportunity to man the helm of such an interesting boat.  Drew was teaching a sailing lesson and couldn't join us, but he sailed by to say hello when his class finished.  Click here for photos.

Knee-boarding

Thanks to our friends Francesca and Eli for a great day on the Willamette - tubing, knee-boarding and hanging out in and on the water.  Click here for photos. 

Happy birthday Eli!

Bluesfest & Fireworks

Click here for photos from Emily's performance with Joy Now at the Blues Festival. The kids performed on the Crossroads Stage for a packed crowd. Click here to see an Oregonian article and video about Joy Now and their 4th of July performance.

After Emily's show, we made our way back downtown by sailboat with Drew's friends Zoe and Lilly, so we would could have front row seats for the fireworks. Click here for those photos.

Joy at Jamison Park

Emily and her Joy Now circus friends performed in the Pearl this afternoon.  Click here for photos.  

It was a lovely day for a parade and surprise performance for all the families hanging out at the Jamison Park fountain.  

Tomorrow.. BluesFest.

Joy Camp

Click here for photos of Emily and her circus friends at Joy Now camp practicing for two performances later this week.