Beach photo

12 May 2013•Devyn, People

Chris and Devyn in Malibu.

Shopping

11 May 2013•Devyn, Nathan, People, Photography

The kids waiting patiently.

Just going through some pictures from Spring Break and found this one.

Friends

22 Mar 2013•Devyn, Nathan, People

Early Spring Break

A couple of weeks ago, some very good friends came down to Southern California for their Spring Break a little early. They were visiting some of their family in the Santa Monica area and invited us to join them for the day. So we hopped in the car and made our way to Santa Monica.

Exploring New Routes

Being new to the area, we typically punch in an address into Google Maps or the navigation system in one of our cars. As you might expect, it keeps you on the major highways – along with EVERYONE else down here in SoCal. So we decided to take an alternate path to Santa Monica. Rather than going on the 101 to the 405 to the 10, we cut down from the 101 in Ventura/Oxnard to the good old Pacific Coast Highway. The PCH. Or, as the locals call it – the One.

It was an absolutely beautiful drive that took us past some amazing looking beaches (Zuma, Topanga to name a couple) and through Malibu. We plan to head back down this way soon to explore the area some more and try out some boogie boarding and watch all of the surfers out there.

Lunch at Reel Inn

So after hooking up with our friends and catching up, we headed back down towards Malibu at had a great lunch at Reel Inn where I grabbed this picture of the kids.

The kids after lunch in Santa Monica. © Mike Wong

Beach Bound

Of course, after lunch, we had to hit the beach because, well, it was right across the street. So off to Topanga Beach for some sand castles, frisbee, football toss and some lounging.

Kylie, Nathan, Devyn & Sophia on the beach at Malibu. © Mike Wong

Nathan

15 Mar 2013•Black & White, Nathan, People

Nathan. © Mike Wong

Devyn [b&w]

14 Mar 2013•Black & White, Devyn, People

Devyn. Taken with the Sony RX-1. © Mike Wong

Scouting for Food

11 Mar 2013•Nathan, People

Since Nathan was in the first grade, we have been involved with Scouting. One of the activities that they do each year that we enjoy getting behind and helping with is Scouting for Food. For the past 6 years, we’ve gone out and placed bags on doorsteps and then followed up a week later to collect the donations. We then drop them off at a local food bank.

The Scouts of Troop 26 getting ready to collect food donations. © Mike Wong

This year, Scouting for Food had a little twist for us. The troop that we recently joined, Troop 26, is very big on hiking. Each month, they do a day hike and an overnight hike. When Scouting for Food comes around, they do the food collection instead of a their day hike, but they still get their hike in.

Nathan and his fellow scouts loading up their packs. © Mike Wong

Once the boys collect the donations, with the help of cars, trucks and SUVs, they gather back up and load up their backpacks with food. Whatever doesn’t fit, and most of it doesn’t, gets driven to the Food Bank. But the boys, in their full Class A uniforms, will hike the 2 miles from the church where they meet, to the Food Bank.

Nathan setting out on the 2 mile hike to the food bank. © Mike Wong

It’s great on several levels. First, the boys get exercise. Second, the boys get to experience what many others around the world do – not everybody gets to just drive down to get their food. Third, everybody who passes them, sees the boys serving the community.

Nathan arriving at the food bank. © Mike Wong

This year, Troop 26 rounded up 2,281 pounds of food for the Santa Barbara Food Bank! After their hike with their loaded packs, they all received a complimentary hot dog, chips and water.

Of course, we had to grab a group photo of the Scouts and the Adult Leaders. Great job everybody!