Spencer-2005

Spencer

Spencer says that his favorite activity in the world is snowboarding in the mountains. Unfortunately we don't get there very often... Spencer enjoys all his sports, and won the "Athlete of the Year" award for at the school awards night last spring. He was also on the honour roll for the first time. He is doing very well in school this year, but has to work a lot harder at it than Laura did. Good for him! He works a lot harder than I did in Grade 8!!!

Spencer didn't do as much skateboarding this summer, but made up for it with his wakeboarding, swimming, and biking. We bought a used Honda XR80 dirt bike from one of the neighbours and spent a few months fixing it up. Spencer has had a lot of fun in the fields around the house. Hopefully the neighbours don't get to excited as that could shut him down. With almost no snow yet this year so far, the lake is pretty clear. Spencer was out before Christmas racing around the lake on his Honda going into big SKIDS....

I had a lot of fun coaching Spencer's volleyball team this fall. Spencer made the team and was starting setter. He is getting a lot better. It won't be long until I can bring him out to our "Men's Volleyball" games.

On our summer holiday in Nitinat this year, Spencer had a great time, and made some huge improvements in his Windsurfing. There was a group of young boys (16-20), camped next to us who had traveled all the way from Ontario. They were all really good sailors, and really encouraged our kids. They took Spencer in as one of their group and gave him a lot of encouragement on the water. Spencer's confidence and skill went thought the roof. (Laura and her girl friends also spent a lot more time on the water, and got a lot of attention from the boys....but the dynamics were a bit different...). I will probably be able to stay ahead of Spencer for another season or two, but he will be passing me soon!

We have joined Rabbit hill again this winter, and Spencer is having a ball. While there isn't a lot of challenge on the main hill, they have an excellent park - with lots of jumps and rails and things. More than enough to keep him interested. Last spring my friend Andreas had a demo day for his winter Kite surfing. Spencer and I went out to try it. Of course Spencer took off across the frozen lake like he was a natural. (Much to the chagrin of several 20+ young guy's who were also giving it a try with limited success). Now he wants a kite - Mom is not impressed. We will see...

Spencer is still enjoying his Drumming - both with his private lessons and in the Drum Ensemble. He is excited he got a new "Crash" and "Cow Bell" for Christmas. He also still playing saxophone in the school concert and jazz bands. Mr. Bailey, the music director has let him play drums on the occasional Jazz piece. I think next year Spencer will be asking to play percussion full time in the Jazz band, but will stick with the sax in the concert band.

Spencer will be turning 14 in March and is hoping to get his Drivers Learners permit. Unreal how fast they are growing up. I am not looking forward to Spencer's teenage years.

Right now, he is so much fun, and seems to enjoy having me around during all his activities, whether volleyball at school, snowboarding at Rabbit, or wakeboarding. I am not looking forward to the time when it won't be cool to be with dad. I don't imagine that will be far off.... Spencer is looking forward to going home with Cousin Devon after Christmas for a week. They may get up to Nakiska for a day or two!! Looks like another great year ahead (touch wood).


Spencer and Dad Windsurfing at Nitinat!	Spencer Driving the Banshee at Home.


Spencer Snowboarding at Sunshine!	Spencer Snowboarding by the house!


Cadet Biathlon Team - Spring 2005	Spencer Biathlon Racer


Biathlon Team - Cadet Regional Finals	Coach Annik	Friend Kevin - in shooting position.


New Sport - "SnowDooing" - Dad Driving	Boarding behind the Skidoo


Flyin Breakfast - Camrose - Flying Liam's Cherokee 140	Wakeboarding at Home


Soccer League in the Spring	Soccer


Spencer at Andreas's Kiteboarding Demo	Kiteboarding on Cooking Lake


Top First Year Cadet Award	Guarding the Cenotaph - Remembrance Day	Off to Summer Camp


SPENCER	Cougars Volleyball Team - Starting Setter & Serving Specialist.


Honda XR 80	Spencer riding his Honda behind the House

Spencers Drum Ensemble Group - "The YoungBloods"


Playing the full Drum Kit - Christmas Concert	Jazz Band Sax - J-Walkers Jamboree	Bongo's - Spring Concert


Driving the "Merc" at the Farm!


Boarder	One the Ferry - Trip home from Nitinat

Laura