Fun in the sun in Dennisport, Massachussetts: July 2011
Happy holidays from our family to yours!
It has been many years since I’ve written a family newsletter. A lot has happened since then, so I’ll do my best to catch you up on what’s going in our little corner of the world.
Michael is still chugging along at the welding shop, and I am back in retail after a few years of teaching preschool. In September we had a hurricane, and in October we were 8 days without power in an unusual snowstorm. In November, we attended our combined 29th/30th high school reunion (which was a blast).
Facebook has been a godsend in connecting us with friends and family around the world. If you haven’t already done so, find me, Mason, and Margot on Facebook and you’ll get (almost) day-by-day insight on our family. Michael is not yet onboard with Facebook, but I’m working on it.
So, grab a cup of coffee and log on. In the interim, enjoy our family newsletter!
~Michele
From Berlin to New Mexico and Back
Mason is now a Junior in High School. His grades are excellent and we will be looking at colleges for him in the spring. It’s hard to believe that my little man will soon be on his own. He’s interested in majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Photography.
Lacrosse continues to be Mason’s sport-of-choice and he will be playing his 7th season this year. He joined the High School Drama Club, plays his guitars any chance he gets (acoustic, electric, bass, ukulele) and often teaches himself new music from various websites. My dad would be proud. Mason has also inherited my passion for photography and purchased his own digital SLR camera with saved birthday money and lawn cutting wages.
Mason trekked thru New Mexico for 2 weeks with the Boy Scouts this summer; sleeping outdoors, doing conservation work on the trail, and hiking to an elevation of 12,446 feet. It was an experience that changed his life.
Mason hopes to get his driving permit in the next few weeks, and has been restoring Michael’s 1968 Cutlass. He has earned the rank of Life Scout in Boy Scouts and continues to work towards Eagle Scout rank. Mason has grown to be an incredible young man!
Mason is now a Junior in High School. His grades are excellent and we will be looking at colleges for him in the spring. It’s hard to believe that my little man will soon be on his own. He’s interested in majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Photography.
Lacrosse continues to be Mason’s sport-of-choice and he will be playing his 7th season this year. He joined the High School Drama Club, plays his guitars any chance he gets (acoustic, electric, bass, ukulele) and often teaches himself new music from various websites. My dad would be proud. Mason has also inherited my passion for photography and purchased his own digital SLR camera with saved birthday money and lawn cutting wages.
Mason trekked thru New Mexico for 2 weeks with the Boy Scouts this summer; sleeping outdoors, doing conservation work on the trail, and hiking to an elevation of 12,446 feet. It was an experience that changed his life.
Mason hopes to get his driving permit in the next few weeks, and has been restoring Michael’s 1968 Cutlass. He has earned the rank of Life Scout in Boy Scouts and continues to work towards Eagle Scout rank. Mason has grown to be an incredible young man!
Margot models an eco-friendly dress
in Brazen Betties' local fashion show: May 2011
On and Off Stage
Margot is in 8th grade at the Middle School. She recently joined the Drama Club and has a dance solo in their upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast. Her grades are good and she works hard balance homework and a busy dance schedule. Dance has pretty much consumed her life. Earlier this year, she was able to travel to New York City with her peers and instructor for classes and rehearsals with professional dancers. I truly admire this 13 year old’s talent, dedication and commitment.
After 6 years of doing different dance styles, Margot decided to immerse herself in ballet. For the past 4 years she has taken lessons 4 days a week; or 5 days if there are production rehearsals. This summer, Margot auditioned for and was accepted into an exclusive 2-week pre-professional training program at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. Her mentor and instructor are alumni, and the experience continues to shape her into a powerful and focused ballerina.
Margot earned the lead role of Clara again this year in Ballet Theatre Company’s Nutcracker. She got to perform Clara at a 1000-seat venue, and the production got local and national attention. We are so proud of her. Margot did have some dance-downtime and once again attended horseback riding camp for a week in August. She feels connected and “in the zone” when riding, much like when she is on stage performing.
Going “green” is big here, and Margot got the opportunity to model in 2 local eco-fashion shows; wearing dresses made from magazines and recycled fabrics. She will continue her intensive dance training this summer (Miami, New York, Boston?) and hopes to attend an arts-based magnet High School next year.
Margot is in 8th grade at the Middle School. She recently joined the Drama Club and has a dance solo in their upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast. Her grades are good and she works hard balance homework and a busy dance schedule. Dance has pretty much consumed her life. Earlier this year, she was able to travel to New York City with her peers and instructor for classes and rehearsals with professional dancers. I truly admire this 13 year old’s talent, dedication and commitment.
After 6 years of doing different dance styles, Margot decided to immerse herself in ballet. For the past 4 years she has taken lessons 4 days a week; or 5 days if there are production rehearsals. This summer, Margot auditioned for and was accepted into an exclusive 2-week pre-professional training program at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. Her mentor and instructor are alumni, and the experience continues to shape her into a powerful and focused ballerina.
Margot earned the lead role of Clara again this year in Ballet Theatre Company’s Nutcracker. She got to perform Clara at a 1000-seat venue, and the production got local and national attention. We are so proud of her. Margot did have some dance-downtime and once again attended horseback riding camp for a week in August. She feels connected and “in the zone” when riding, much like when she is on stage performing.
Going “green” is big here, and Margot got the opportunity to model in 2 local eco-fashion shows; wearing dresses made from magazines and recycled fabrics. She will continue her intensive dance training this summer (Miami, New York, Boston?) and hopes to attend an arts-based magnet High School next year.
Michael & Michele celebrating their
combined High School Reunions: November 2011
There’s No Place Like Home (or Cape Cod)
We have really settled into our new home. It’s been 6 years since we moved, and I’m ready to redecorate again. Michael is dreading the paint swatches that will soon appear on the walls. The perennial flower beds are set and need only seasonal maintenance. Our vegetable gardens have grown in number and size over the years. They keep me busy from April (when I’m pitching manure) thru October (when harvesting the last of the veggies). This year yielded our first batch of Concord Grapes. The wild rabbits enjoyed most of our strawberries. It was a great year for making spaghetti sauce, ratatouille, and salsa. Mason and Michael even saw a Fisher Cat in the backyard one evening. Yikes!
Three years ago we lost our dogs Jed and Katie within 4 months of each other. After a year without a dog, we adopted a retired racing greyhound named Junebug. She is a petite shy 5 year old who looks like The Simpson’s dog “Santa’s Little Helper”. In April, an extra-large 7 year old brindle goof-ball greyhound named Comanche joined our family. Our 3 cats took well to these gentle giants. Our animal menagerie also includes 2 bearded dragons, a cockatiel, and a goldfish.
Dennisport, Massachusetts was our vacation spot this year. We rented a small house for a week in July and spent every day on the beach then biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail, kayaking, visiting PTown, and shopping. Good times!!
P.S. I forgot to mention that both Mason and Margot were selected to participate in an online TV show that was filmed in Cambridge over the summer. The premise of the show is that some high school kids are tired of junk food and lame meals at the school cafeteria. It’s kind of like Glee and Disney’s iCarly. Check out the first episode just released in November at www.kickinkitchen.tv. Seven more episodes will be released in 2012.
Comanche & Junebug happy to be
at the beach house in Dennispot, MA: July 2011
2012 at a Glance…
- JANUARY: Mason driving permit; Mason snowboarding; Margot audition for summer programs and spring dance production
- FEBRUARY: Christine, Bryan, & Monique’s birthdays
- MARCH: Comanche’s birthday; Middle School production “Beauty and the Beast”
- APRIL: David, Jeffrey, & Junebug’s birthdays; Mason lacrosse season begins; Spring dance production TBD; Michele begins gardening
- MAY: Sharon’s birthday
- JUNE: Michael’s birthday; school, lacrosse, and dance lessons end
- JULY: Margot’s birthday; summer programs begin; beach
- AUGUST: Michele’s birthday; vacation (Disney?); Nutcracker auditions
- SEPTEMBER: School starts—Margot Freshman/Mason Senior; dance lessons begin
- OCTOBER: Mason’s birthday
- NOVEMBER: ??
- DECEMBER: Nutcracker; rest up for 2013
Don’t Be A Stranger
Now that you’ve read our newsletter, tell us what’s happening with you. Give us a call, send us an email, or “friend” us on Facebook. We want to keep in touch, and catch up on everything.
Time passes quickly. Enjoy time with the ones you love, and hold those far away close to your heart.
May all of your dreams come true in 2012!
:) & <3
~Michele, Michael, Mason, and Margot
Now that you’ve read our newsletter, tell us what’s happening with you. Give us a call, send us an email, or “friend” us on Facebook. We want to keep in touch, and catch up on everything.
Time passes quickly. Enjoy time with the ones you love, and hold those far away close to your heart.
May all of your dreams come true in 2012!
:) & <3
~Michele, Michael, Mason, and Margot
