We are all doing well here. Jason continues to travel around the country, but makes it a point to be home as much as he can. Yvonne started a new job in June that she loves, and she enjoys working with the 3-11-year-olds at church. Melissa is in her sophomore year at Idaho State, knocking out her general ed classes and sharpening her writing skills. Colin is a freshman at Gov. Thomas Johnson H.S. ("TJ"), and looking forward to turning 16 in September. Carson is in 8th grade at Monocacy Middle School, enjoying his year at the top of the school. So is Dylan, our 5th grader at Yellow Springs Elementary, the same school as Levi, who is in 1st grade.
Dylan and Jason took a trip to Idaho last February for Simplot Games, where Jason directed the media team (as a volunteer), getting to work and spend time with Melissa. And Dylan enjoyed the flight; the time with Jason, Melissa, and Yvonne's family; and his chance to hang out with Olympians.
In April, Jason and Yvonne spent a few days in Boston for a Red Sox game and some sites. As a lifelong Sox fan, Jason’s pilgrimage to Fenway was long overdue. Despite cold and rain, it was awesome both at the game and around town. Singing "Sweet Caroline" was never sweeter. Oh oh oh.
Our spring was typically crazy, with four boys playing baseball on four different teams. All four boys had excellent coaches and played very well. Jason coached Levi (yeah, excellent coach), and the older boys came and helped when they could – as did Melissa, once she was home from school; the Rebels had a great year, and Levi was awesome.
Colin’s coach nicknamed him “Smoke” (we got a kick out of hearing the low growl from the dugout: “C’mon Smoke!”); Colin pitched, caught, and was typically disruptive on the base paths. Carson emerged as a leader on his team, playing a reliable center field, hitting for power when he had pitches to hit, and walking (a lot) when he didn’t (we liked the disdain with which Carson tossed his bat after another walk). Dylan (“DJ” to his coaches and teammates) played his first year in the Majors; it was a big step up, but he played well and was the coach’s go-to pinch runner.
In July, Jason's parents drove out for a visit. It was a treat for us to spend time together and show off some of our favorite places in DC and the surrounding area. We also enjoyed an evening Elvis tribute concert outdoors -- when it was 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity. We all missed "dry heat," but enjoyed snow cones.
After working a couple crummy jobs since we moved, Yvonne’s patience was rewarded when she was hired as the HR/Finance manager for a physicians’ management company. As the company has grown, so has Yvonne’s role. She works for really great people and loves the challenge that the job presents.
Melissa worked as a waitress at a local Italian restaurant over the summer. A highlight for Jason and Yvonne was a summer evening dinner outdoors with Melissa as our server. The food was great, and the service was friendly and impeccable. We left a really big tip.
In August we all ventured West for our annual summer vacation. Upon stepping off the plane into Vegas’s 103 degree dry heat, we all thought, “Ahhhh.” Our timing was perfect, as we were able to attend the baptism of our eight-year-old friend Julia before heading to southern Utah to visit with Jason’s parents and extended family for a couple days. We learned how to make survival bracelets from Jason’s cousin – and mostly laughed a lot as we caught up with family we see far too seldom.
While in southern Utah, we spent a day in one of our favorite places on earth, Zion National Park – lots of hiking, lots of laughing, and lots of pictures. Truly a good day.
Back in Las Vegas, we were able to connect with many of the friends we just don’t to see as much as we’d like. Each of us was able to catch up with the friends we went to church with, coached or played ball with, barbecued with, went to school with, dreamed with, complained with, and simply enjoyed being with. It was really a treat to share frozen yogurt, flower-shaped sugar cookies, French toast, and lots of other familiar treats with dear friends. And, after two years, it was interesting for the adults to size up the much taller kids.
Before flying home, we spent a day with friends at Lake Mead for a great day of jet skiing – including a close-up view of the back side of Hoover Dam that none of us had seen before. Other than Jason taking Melissa’s camera for a swim after flipping his jet ski, it was a spectacular day – and a fitting way to cap a fantastic trip. It was tough to go home, because we felt at home.
In the fall, Colin and Carson played on the same baseball team for the first time in a few years. Besides the simplicity of having them on the same team, it was really fun to watch them play together. Colin played a lot of catcher and shortstop and pitched occasionally, while Carson held down second base, center field, and one stint as a long reliever.
Colin’s season was interrupted for a few weeks when his appendix rejected him. We knew something was wrong when he said his stomach hurt too much to play baseball on a Saturday morning in October. On Sunday he had it removed in a procedure that lasted less than 30 minutes. Let’s just say that talking with him while he was under anesthesia was…hilarious. Because it hadn’t burst or leaked, he was able to return to normal activity in just two weeks. His coach wasn’t happy when Colin kept diving to make plays…but that’s how he plays (the photo is three weeks after surgery).
We told the two younger boys that they should play something besides baseball in the fall. So Levi chose soccer, which caused some funny looks for people who know our baseball-loving family. But he had a blast playing, and we enjoyed watching. He scored a few goals, but despite his brothers' best efforts his goal-scoring celebration was a little weak (although him smiling is pretty good).
Dylan chose to play basketball. He loves to play in the driveway, but hasn't played organized ball for a few years. No worries, as Dylan quickly learned the plays and loved being coached in the fundamentals. He played very hard (that boy knows how to hustle); one parent said the Dylan was "faster than a jackrabbit in hot frying pan." His team was a lot of fun, and Dylan had a great time.
We drove to Annapolis on a chilly October Saturday to tour the Naval Academy and watch the Midshipmen play Troy (which led to a hilarious conversation with Dylan explaining to Levi that the entire U.S. Navy wasn’t playing some guy named Troy). We enjoyed the tradition that the Navy presents, and Colin’s desire to attend the Academy only increased. Incidentally, on our drive to Annapolis we learned that when Levi says, “I think I have to throw up,” what he really means is “I will puke in 30 seconds.” That made for an interesting start to the trip, but didn’t diminish the day.
For Thanksgiving, Yvonne flew home to spend the holiday with her family and with Melissa in Idaho -- so Jason and the boys fended for themselves. After joking about having pizza, the boys decided they wanted a real Thanksgiving dinner, so the guys enjoyed playing football in the morning and then cooking together for a feast of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and homemade ice cream. While Yvonne and Melissa enjoyed time with extended family, Jason and boys enjoyed their time alone.
In December, Carson was invited to act in his school’s performance of “A Christmas Carol.” He had performed in plays before and enjoys being on the stage. As Young Mister Scrooge, Carson had several lines, danced, and sang. He did a great job and is looking forward to trying more in high school.
So, in short-ish letter, that's what we've been up to (although a lot more happened). 2012 has already started out as busy as 2011 -- but we're having a good time together and making things up as we go. We hope our belated message finds you well.
The Bohnes
1 comment:
It's fun to read about all your adventures - you guys really are busy. It's also fun to stay at your place - your boys crack me up.
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