A Graduation, A Sabbatical, A Car Wreck, Among other Things

We said a few good byes.  Collin said good bye to Fort Collins High School.  Sydney bade farewell to her elementary school.  Cora will no longer live the carefree life of a preschooler.  Nathan wrapped up his work project for a two month sabbatical.   And after a short lived experience with a third car, we said good bye to our little 1999 Fort Escort after it was totaled in a car wreck.  These are just a few of the many distinct changes we experienced as a family in 2015.

The centerpiece of our year was a sabbatical trip.  After seven years at Intel, Nathan was eligible for an eight week vacation.  We choose to use the time to explore the Southern States.  We kayaked the Rio Grande, snorkeled in the Florida Keys, and retraced the path of the First Flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  In between, we visited two NASA space centers, spent 10 days at Orlando theme parks, and toured 26 national park sites.  Did I mentioned we did all this while camping in a pop-up tent trailer?  I won't mention the humidity nor the temperature.  Never were the kids so happy to get home to Colorado.

In addition to graduation, Collin toured Salzburg and Prague, received his Eagle scouting rank, and started school at Colorado State University where he is studying computer engineering.  He enjoys attending a young single adult ward.

Randy got his driver's license.  He enjoys his charter school, early morning seminary, and playing cello for the school orchestra.

Owen continues to do well with piano and violin. He recently memorized a lengthy piano arrangement of Pachelbel's Canon.  He likes participating in church youth activities and playing video games.

Sydney is experiencing her first year of middle school.  She continues her piano lessons, and she joined the percussion section in her school band.  She loves reading and writing.

Cora loves kindergarten and is learning to read.  She loves playing with friends. She received her first 4 tooth crowns this year.  Let's hope that she learns to brush.

The parents are just the same ole same ole.  Robyn takes care of us, some cub scouts, and ward members who are in need.  Nathan solves problems with microprocessors, with church records, and with the house.  But we definitely feel that life has changed.  Nathan's work continues to evolve.  Robyn is adjusting to having time alone while Cora is at kindergarten.  And we all sense that new epoch in which kids begin leaving the nest is about to begin.