The Sea & The Third Birthday

Dad's conference in Seattle was an opportunity to visit our beloved San Juan Island in November. (Mount Baker is behind the gull.) As always, it was wonderful to see old friends and that many things haven't changed.

This is back at the Oregon coast, in January. The next wave will flood the boots...

Suddenly, Charlie decided that he does not like to have his picture taken :-) (And yes, mom had her hair cut off, after 25 years...)

The emperor turned three last week! Not a toddler any longer (officially at least... we're still waiting for the emotional maturity :)

Draw of the Pacific Ocean

I can't help myself -- I always want to post pictures from trips to the coast. We had lots of fun near Cannon Beach last Friday.
In the background on the second photo is one surfer with his dog :-)
When we left the state park around sunset we saw about a dozen elk!

California in September

This is how far we've gotten with potty-training :-)
(der scheinheilige Charlie)

















Charlie can putter about for hours with almost any object






Below: We celebrated daddy's birthday with grandma Gertrude and her friends at the Aviator Restaurant (at the airport where "grandpa deceased" used to keep his planes). Uncle John gave a public button box performance.

Europe in July

Finally here are a few pictures from our trip to Europe this summer: two from the beach in Denmark - looking across to Sweden where North Sea and Baltic Sea meet- (with grandma Christa), and two from Bavaria near godmother Angi's place (with cousin Leonie) -- surrounded by mountains, lakes, and baroque churches

toddlers are fun

Early May: enjoying flowers, rocks, oaks, views, and boardwalks at the Camassia Nature Preserve near Portland.











Mr. Sovereign (on the playground in Sacramento)















Charlie invented a new use for cups...












...and can look so innocent!

Trip to Friday Harbor

Charlie and mom were fortunate enough to spend a week on San Juan Island. (Less fortunate were the sea urchin sperm that had to die on the microscope.) Charlie adores watching and riding the ferries!









View from the sculpture park at Roche Harbor to Westcott Bay.












The westside (Deadman Bay, looking across to Canada) is always a favorite spot.

Spring break in Sacramento

The nice Sacramento Zoo is in walking distance from grandma's house.










Koi fish were more fascinating than flamingoes and tigers and giraffes...

Springtime in Portland

I figured out how to download photos from my cell phone :-)

A week ago: stopping to smell our neighbor's flowers...














Trees blooming on the first day of spring in Custer Park (the one with the best playground:)













OK, Charlie, smile!

We seem to take pictures only on trips...

In January, we spent another day on the beautiful Oregon coast, this time near Tillamook.

The emperor turns 2

The crown was made by Elias & Daniel in Friday Harbor last year :-)

Cute new outfit from uncle Manfred

Charlie blew out the candles with no problem

O Tannenbaum

Well, one should probably post a christmas tree picture :-) These were taken in Sacramento. The next day, all three of us went for a haircut.

Let's go west!

Since it wasn't raining, Charles had the brilliant idea to go to the coast on Sunday. We had a fabulous day around Cannon Beach.


 

Portland beaches

In October, we went to the Columbia River beach on Sauvie Island (half an hour north of downtown Portland) -- after picking a pumpkin with Sonya & Mason.






The sun is setting but of course we're actively working in the sand.








Bananas are a great snack!












Some days we like our vegetables...





















November 13: watching ducks where Lake Oswego meets the Willamette River.