Eden SUP the Harbor

On Sunday, while on a bike ride around the island in Dana Point with her cousins, Eden saw a young girl (of approximately 10 years of age) paddling around the harbor with her mom. Instantly Eden said that she wanted to do that too. So the following day we gave it a shot. Eden started out strong and made it at least a quarter of the way around before she decided to sit down and take a break. But she was looking for Mimmi so every time she saw a group of SUPers coming her way she would stand up and resume paddling standing up. In any case she continues to blow me away. I am astonished and encouraged by her ambition and determination. She is such an incredible young soul. 

Family photo heading out. Eden is more than mildly displeased by this interruption (:

 Zion loves to "pet" this "whale boat". In fact, when we drove by it in the boat the other day, he started sobbing because he wanted to "pet the boat" but could not. 

On the way in we stopped to play on the "island" for a bit and when we went to head back Zion insisted on going on Eden's board and Eden insisted on taking him.

Once we were at a safe distance to the beach, she stood up and paddled him the rest of the way in.

Then she proceeded to carry her board (which is bigger than she is) to the car.

Valentines Day 2014

Last night out of the blue, Eden said: "Mom, when I grow up, and I'm a Mommy, I'm gonna go on a boat ride every day.". This was in the wake of our latest boat ride up to Newport last week. We had plans to fish, whale watch, and SUP/play in the harbor but it was such an incredibly beautiful day that Jon surprised all of us by driving the boat up to Newport. In Newport we enjoyed some special drinks and a slice of cheesecake. It was the best "Valentines Day" that I can ever recall. And I can't help but fondly remember last years Valentines Day....we had just returned from an incredible trip to Baja (early that am) and we spent the day walking around the harbor and pestering the management at the dry dock to slip the owner of this boat our number. And that is when it all began...our quest to acquire the EZtraveler. Now, a year later, it feels so good to be going on these little adventures, and so entirely worth the wait.

Just look at Eden's happy face! She really is in heaven on the boat! And who is that guy next to her?? Where did my baby go? ):

First Catch!

Eden's Happy Dance over the first catch on the boat.

The kids were super into holding the fish.

The kids and I laying down in the cabin on the ride up to Newport

Just being in that Newport Harbor made me feel super rich by osmosis.

We were not sure what was going on with this guy. There are so many potential captions here....

Jon's dream boat dwarfing our dreamboat (:

My dream boat (:

Family Portrait

Eden holding that fish one more time...

Zi fell fast asleep in the cabin on the way home.

Eden loves to help Jon clean the boat

Afterward Jon took us to a fancy sushi dinner at Mahe. The kids got their first taste of "Octopus" and surprisingly loved it!