2021, Year in Review

 Dear Leah and Logan:

After Surviving 2020 COVID-19 craziness, 2021 was a combination mix of COVID and normal. A little bit of 'masks'...a little bit of adventure.  Here's your video recap of 2021:

Jake, Leah, and Logan 2021

Gulf Breeze Zoo 03.21

We found the Beach twice...once for Spring Break at Navarre (just us 3), and once for Fall Break with the Kings and Allemores.

Navarre Beach 03.21

Logan was the king of the Jumbotron at Nissan Stadium. Logan also found a lot of success with his Strikers Team, moving up to Pool 1 for the Gatlinburg tournament.

Jumbotron, Nissan Stadium, Nashville SC 07.21

Gatlinburg Invitational 11.21

Destin Beach 10.21

Navarre Beach Pier 03.21

Fall Break Video: Fall Break 2021, Santa Rosa Beach

Right before school started, we did two adventures: 1. A group kayak outing on the Ducker River.

And 2, a quick getaway to Six Flags...we rode roller coasters until your dad practically threw-up. I don't think either of you were phased.

It should also be noted that we mastered the art of finding the cameras and posing!

And then we ended the year skiing in Breckenridge!  This time, we did a little bit more exploring in Colorado. We headed North to do a sunrise hike in the Rocky Mountains National Park (Estes Park), and then added another hike outside Breck.

Rocky Mountains National Park 12.21

This year, both of you escalated your skiing skillsets and tackled newer and harder slopes. Logan you couldn't get enough 'Blue' runs, and Leah, you checked out a couple Blues as well. I wonder who will be the first to try a Black Diamond?!?!?

I can't say enough about how much I love traveling and exploring with you 2. I also can't say enough about how proud I am of everything you 2 have accomplished...the last 2 years have been weird and stressful, but very rarely did I ever hear you complain about the challenges (unless it's about bedtime or eating vegetables). :)

On to 2022!

Love,

Dad

Breckenridge 2021

Summer 2021 & Rip Cord

 Dear Leah and Logan,

After surviving a school year where you had to wear masks the entire year, we decided that we were going to maximize the summer as best we could. So made the following list...and if we could check off this list, no one would doubt how much fun we had:

When the middle of July came around, we ventured to Weidman, Michigan to see the cabin--a trip that we had been robbed of in 2020. 3 days of the cabin led to 3 days of cabin things including fishing, s'mores, and giant ice cream at Cool Dips. I'm so thrilled that you 2 got to spend another vacation with GiGi. You're creating great memories with your great grandmother, and that's super rare and special.

On Monday, July 12, we took our trip to Michigan Adventure, only this time, both of you were tall enough to ride every single ride in the park. Our day started with Shivering Timbers included Thunderhawk...but we ended it with a grand finale of sorts. With 1 hour until closing time, you 2 had to map out your rides. And you chose.....drum roll..... Rip Cord.   Where they pulled us 190 ft in the air and sailed us over a small pond after Logan pulled the Rip Cord.  For about 45 seconds, I had the greatest adrenaline rush of my life as the 3 of us felt like super heroes.  Video here.

After roller coasters and rip cords, we travelled north to Traverse City and ate fudge before heading even more north for the Mackinac Bridge. There we ate at Weinerlicious and had even more fudge. 

Weinerlicious, near the Macinaw Bridge, 07.21

Our trip concluded with a perfect day at Sleeping Bear Dunes and North Bar Lake...we relaxed and skipped rocks and jumped waves, and our road-trip vacation ended perfectly.

I'm happy to say that we crossed off almost the entire list. You guys liked tubing so much that learning to ski was cast to the side. Nonetheless, the summer was one to remember!!

Love, Dad