Wassup?: January 2016 - July 2017 in Pictures

We took our first ever family ski trip in 2016. It was just three days and we ran into some snags, such as elevation sickness for Jon and a big blizzard. We left the mountain early to beat the blizzard and we are glad that we did.

In late summer of 2016 we took a family trip up north. We rented a cabin on a lovely lake with loons calling every morning and evening. Randy and Sue lent us their paddle board. Spencer enjoyed using the paddle board for handstands. It was a great trip. Very relaxing.

Michael finished his sophomore year in high school. He played soccer in the fall (although he missed the first part of the season due to a stress fracture in his tibia), was captain of the math team, was on the varsity track and field team, competing primarily in triple jump, the 400 meter and assorted relays In addition, he finished his fifth and final year in UMTYMP and continues to play piano.

Michael with Sophia and Michelle

Michael running the 400 meter

Spencer finished his final year in middle school. He participated in the school musical, The Wiz, playing the part of the Wiz. He was awesome! He also participated in History Day. He entered the solo competition category and chose the Mattachine Society as his topic. The theme this year was "Standing up for Change". He made it to the state competition and was in the top five for the state. Spencer also continues to play piano. He participated in the MMTA contest and finished as one of the winners. Lastly, he continues to enjoy acrobatics and participates in the youth circus.

Spencer as the Wiz, along with Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, Toto and Scarecrow (aka Gus)

Spencer as Harry Hay

Spencer at 8th Grade Recognition

We took a family trip to Florida in April. We stayed for four nights. The weather was nice and we spent a lot of time at the pool, reading and playing cards.

We finally got a dog this summer. After much discussion, we decided to adopt a dog. We all love him. He is a Saint Bernard/Hound mix that was rescued from a shelter down South. He is almost 2 years old and about 110 pounds. He is very sweet, but has some quirks that we hope will fade as he gets acclimated to his new environment.

Summer fun at the pool...

We just returned yesterday from a family trip to the big island of Hawaii. The hotel was set on a protected beach where many sea turtles would come to sun. There was good snorkeling at the hotel. The weather was perfect.

A Turtle We Saw While Snorkeling at the Hotel

We saw many beautiful sunsets...

And rainbows...

Jon riding on Steel into the rainbow

Michael on Keoni

And dinners...

On the second full day of our visit, we drove down to a beach called two-step where there is great snorkeling. There are no pictures of the boys at Two-Step because they were always in the water enjoying the fantastic snorkeling. That evening we went on a nighttime snorkel tour where manta rays come inches away from each of us while we floated in the water. We have a great video of the manta rays, but I am unable to post it here.

Jon at Two-Step Beach

Jon and Laura at Two-Step Beach

On another day, we visited 49 Black Sand Beach that also had great snorkeling. We all agreed that the sand was dark grey though rather than black.

We drove to the town of Waimea for a late lunch on Friday. It was misting rain, which is common for that part of the island. From Waimea, we drove up the mountain to about 3500 feet elevation for a sunset horseback ride. We all loved the ride although our visibility was limited by the clouds and occasional lightly misting rain. I was a bit worried about my horse at the outset of the ride because he apparently does not get along with any of the other horses, except Keoni. Red turned out to be a great horse. We all had a chance to trot and to canter. Everyone felt great after the ride, except I was a bit sore.

Michael on Keoni

Spencer on Nui

Jon on Steel

Laura's horse Red

Sunset from horseback

We also took a tour where we hiked through the rainforest a bit and got to see a number of waterfalls, including one in a cave. We had to take our shoes off and crouch for a bit in the near dark in order to get to the cave waterfall, but it was worth it. Unfortunately Spencer deleted the only photo we had of the cave waterfall. At the end of the tour we got to swim under a small waterfall and then have lunch in a beautiful spot. Michael and Spencer both dozed off on the ride back to the hotel. It was a fun day.