Happy 2014!

Greetings! (Scroll down for photos.)

It's 12/20/13, and tomorrow the Harlands fly to Thailand while our trusty nephew Reed (who is on winter break from his PhD program in Hawaii) holds down the fort in Carlsbad.

As usual, it's been a busy year, and the amazing thing is that I actually got the family to pose for more than one family photo throughout the year! In the beginning of January (right before our Spring semesters began) and the end of May (right after our Spring semester ended), all five of us were out of school at the same time so we got to take family trips. In January, we went to Mammoth for a few days for some fun in the snow, and in May/June, we traveled to Chicago and then to New Orleans for a wonderful trip full of good sights, food, and music. The kids especially loved New Orleans. We got up late, and eventually made our way to Frenchman Street, where we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning listening to jazz and even dancing. It was incredible. Of course, they are now considering moving there in the future. Hmmm...

Kira started college at UC Berkeley in January, is a sophomore majoring in math, and is involved in lots of activities, including social action, ski club, and music. Ian graduated in jazz studies performance on drums from San Diego State last May, and is in the Masters program for vibes now. He is really busy teaching music and playing gigs, and we've been going to dive bars and dancing more lately to see him. Jakob moved home for a few months last September, and plans to stay in Thailand for an extra month or two after the rest of us leave. When he's not working for money, he composes electronic music. He learned how to repair instruments last year, so was working in that field last year in Santa Cruz. His girlfriend Michelle graduated from UC Santa Cruz last June and is joining us the second week of our Thailand trip. John and I are busy teaching, dancing and playing in the Temple Band. Any time we take a trip we say it's a continuation of our 25th Empty Nest Anniversary Trip from Summer 2012. We had a great time in Sedona and the Grand Canyon last summer with my sister Jennifer and her husband, Scott.

I hope you have a happy, healthy new year in 2014 and find joy throughout the year!

Love, Julie and the Harland Clan

(John, Jakob, Ian, Kira)