Knuckleballs and Knuckleheads: January 2014

We entered 2013 convinced it would be a great year (13 is a lucky number around here), and in many ways it lived up to its promise. We saw our share of challenges (or, ahem, “growth opportunities”) and change, but all in all we survived with our health and our sanity intact. And, in many ways, we thrived.

The headline event of 2013 was Melissa’s marriage to Travis Lee on August 3. All of our plans for a beautiful outdoor wedding were apparently dashed when heavy rains arrived that morning—but it turned out to be a perfect day. The weather was cool (in August!); the rain provided for a colorful backdrop for the indoor ceremony; and the rain quit just in time for gorgeous photos in the Maryland countryside. The bride and groom (and everyone else) had a wonderful day, and having family and friends join us for the joyful event made for an excellent, memorable day.

Travis and Melissa Lee, 8/3/2013

Our extended family on that beautiful day.

We loved having family and friends from the West join us for the wedding and spend some time at our home in Maryland—some for the first time. It was a blast to show off the area, run in the park, chase ghosts, watch 80s movies, eat leftover cake, play games in the basement, and visit D.C. Mostly it was just nice to be surrounded by loved ones on the special day and extend it over a few more days.

We had fun in historic Baker Park with the Piets, and with Travis and Melissa on a cool night perfect for a summer concert and football (and snow cones).

We were also able to enjoy a few days with Melissa and Travis before they departed for Idaho, where Melissa is completing her studies at Idaho State University, majoring in Mass Communications (she plans to graduate in December 2014). Colin is a high school junior; Carson is a sophomore; Dylan is in 7th grade; and Levi is in 3rd grade.

Melissa met Travis thanks to Colin. Travis was the TJHS JV baseball coach for the past few years, so Colin got to know him well and made the introduction.

Coach Travis and Colin on the mound in April 2012.

We were happy to have one year of Travis coaching both Colin and Carson on the JV team. Colin was the team’s primary catcher, with Carson playing second base. Our favorite thing to watch was Carson tagging a would-be base-stealer at second after catching a laser thrown by Colin. Moral of the story: Proceed with caution if you're attempting to steal second base from the Bohne boys.

Colin lettered in three high school sports in 2013—baseball, wrestling, and golf. He had never wrestled or played golf, but decided to try both and competed at the Varsity level. He was inducted into the National Honor Society, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in July.

Colin with a takedown, and throwing out a runner at third.

Colin with his Eagle badge and new Golden Boy .22

Carson has nearly completed his Eagle Scout requirements, too. Along with high school baseball, he played a season of Babe Ruth and played church and rec-league basketball. He has also proven to be a solid builder and home repairman--skills we took advantage of several times this year.

Carson in the field, and at the plate.

Dylan and Levi played for neighborhood baseball teams. Dylan played in a 50/70 baseball league (50-foot pitching distance, 70-foot bases) and loved it—particularly the ability to lead off and steal (Jason joked that walking Dylan was a gift-certificate for a triple, because he would typically steal second and third on the next two pitches). He spent time during the year at pitcher, catcher, and shortstop, and was fun to watch play with his all-out, all-the-time style. We enjoyed watching that same style on the basketball court, where Dylan gained notice for non-stop attack (“like a jackrabbit in a hot-frying pan” commented one parent), and for his headband.

Dylan on the mound (left); Dylan in flight, cashing in the gift certificate for second base (if the pitcher hasn't released the ball by now...it's too late).

Dylan also had a knack for ensuring things never got boring, such as standing in line while shopping for school clothes:

Levi played kid-pitch for the first time (on a team coached by Jason) and stood out for his defense. After years spent on the diamond with his sister and brothers, he simply doesn’t believe that there is a play he can’t make. And even though he was the youngest on the team, he stood out as a leader. He was fun to watch (and gained a reputation as “the little kid with big arm”). Jason loved coaching a team that loved to play ball—a regular “Sandlot” crew. Levi also started playing basketball, where his energy and attitude are fun to watch.

Levi (third from left) and the rest of the Clover Hill team. A great group of boys.

Levi explodes to the hoop (check out the defender's hair!).

Levi competed in his first pinewood derby and took third with his car, done in British racing green. At the end of the competition, we were able to run an exhibition race featuring four cars—one from each of our four boys. The winner: mom and dad.

Levi checking the unfinished block (top). Four cars poised for the Bohne brothers showdown--from left: Levi's green machine; Carson's land shark; Dylan's killer whale; and Colin's road-worthy roadster.

Dylan enjoyed his first Scout camp, and Carson his first high-adventure camp. In November Carson, Dylan, and Jason rode mountain bikes on a 50-mile over-nighter along the historic C-and-O canal. Carson and Colin both got their first jobs--Carson first, at a new McDonald's (he's loving it); then Colin, at a new Subway (he eats fresh for free).

Carson and Dylan, just south of Harpers Ferry, W.Va. That's the Potomac River on the left, and the moss-covered C-and-O Canal on the right.

Yvonne continues to work with the young women at church, where she loves interacting with the girls and the other advisers. Her job was…interesting. She enjoyed the work and those she worked with, but unfortunately the company suffered some setbacks and was forced to close—a disappointing end for what had been a good thing. The silver lining was that she re-discovered the extra benefits of being a stay-at-home mom…not such a bad thing.

2013 was a year marked by travel, particularly for Jason. His job took him to London three times, Ukraine once, and many other locations across the U.S. The heavy travel was exhausting and frustrating at times, but also led to great opportunities to see new places, experience new cultures, and connect with old friends.

Jason in Ukraine, with the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the background and the New Safe Confinement shelter, still under construction, overhead. The blue dosimeter on his chest records his radiation dose (which was much less than the dose he received on the airplane flights to and from Ukraine...he's kind of a nerd about that).

His favorite work trip was to London in June because Yvonne was able to join him. Yvonne enjoyed reading and relaxing in Hyde Park while Jason was working—and the two of them experienced many aspects of the great city while he wasn't working (including Greenwich, the Museum of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Notting Hill, and the best barbecue joint in SoHo--with ice in the drinks!). The only drag of their trip was the flight there: a mechanical problem caused the pilot to U-turn somewhere over the north Atlantic, creating an 8-hour-flight from Washington, D.C., to Newark, N.J.—followed by an 8-hour redeye flight from Newark to London. Ugh.

Yvonne at the Thames before the boat ride to Greenwich; Yvonne and Jason at the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude).

Carson and Dylan joined Jason for a trip to Pocatello in February for Simplot Games (Jason’s 16^th event), and then Levi went with Jason to Greensboro, N.C. in June to volunteer at the New Balance National Scholastic Outdoor Championships. Jason and the boys enjoyed travelling and volunteering together.

Jason and Levi at the North Carolina A-and-T track in June for the New Balance Nationals.

As a family we travelled to southern Utah for a quick trip in June to celebrate Jason’s parents’ 50^th wedding anniversary. Other than the record high heat (we’d forgotten how hot 117 degrees can be, even if it’s a DRY heat), we enjoyed the tribute to his parents, and the chance to catch up with Jason's family and so many cousins and old friends. The boys also re-learned the value of public lands, as they were able to go shooting with cousins.

Levi taking care of business, safely, outside of Hurricane, Utah.

Last but not least...the Red Sox were fun to watch again, and they won the World Series. We all had fun watching our team play well and be a likeable group of players. Jason didn't shave for the entire month of October (solidarity!), nor did any of the boys.

All in all, 2013 was a good one for our family. We had fun together, accomplished many things, survived challenges and disappointments, and enjoyed playing, bowling, shooting, serving, learning, volunteering, eating, celebrating, watching, and catching-up with each other and with family and friends. We don’t know what 2014 will bring (although we suspect it will entail new challenges and lots of change), but we’re ready to take it head-on and enjoy many more silver linings.