Spencer

Once again, Spencer declined the opportunity to write his own page – at the risk that when I write it – I can say anything I want….

Spencer had a busy year in 2007.

Last winter, he enjoyed many days of snowboarding at Rabbit Hill, as well as a family trip to Marmot Basin! I can tell you that there is no way I can keep up in the "Park" – somehow the idea of landing on solid iron posts and things just doesn’t appeal to me. I can mostly keep up in the mountains – "riding" – but he is improving much more quickly than I am.

In addition to Rabbit Hill, he also had many "rails" and Jumps set up on our hill at home.

Spencer has a friend Cody, who lives a few miles away, who is skidoo nut. Spencer, Cody, and usually Cody’s brother Wyatt spent many days after school and on weekends touring around the lake and farms on their snowmobiles.

Spencer graduated from grade nine at Charlie Killiam School with Honours in June! We are extremely proud of him. He worked very hard.

Unfortunately, Spencer broke his foot on the last day of school, which was a big disappointment to him. He had just purchased new wakeboard boots (with his own money), and now the wakeboard season was put on hold until the end of the summer. To make matters worse, he had just upgraded from a Honda 80 dirt bike to a 250. He has a couple of friends (including Cody) who bike or quad – and he was really looking forward to getting used to all the extra power….. it all had to be put off to the end of summer.

Generally, it was a pretty boring summer for Spencer. We went to Nitinat as usual. He was able to start sailing by the end of the holiday. He also had some interesting campfires…

At home after Nitinat, Spencer got together with cousin Devon – who is even more of a wakeboard nut than Spencer. Towards the end of the summer, Spencer was fixated on doing an invert (flip). It takes a lot of nerve. He tried one late in the year, but it hurt!

Thanks Brian for the High Towing Pole modification for our boat – it makes the jumps much easier! We enjoyed many evenings with friends wakeboarding and tubing.

Double Black Diamond - Marmot Basin

I told Spencer early in the year (before he broke his foot), that if he improved his windsurfing enough this summer, I would try to take him on my Gorge trip in the fall.

Louise wasn’t so sure – as it would mean missing some of the first days of school (Grade 10), but we eventually compromised on ½ week. We booked airline tickets, so I could pick him up in Portland on the Tuesday Night. After some confusion with the Volleyball Coach, who wasn’t going to let him miss a practice (we almost had to throw away the airline ticket and cancel his trip) – he headed to Portland.

Spencer sailing MY FAVORITE BOARD - in Hood River

Spencer started Grade 10 this fall. He made the volleyball team, and is also in the Concert Band and Stage Band. He plays the Sax in the Concert Band and percussion in the Stage Band.  He is still in the "Big Drum" group and taking private drum lessons. He is getting quite good.

Spencer Blasting across the Columbia River at the Hatchery

I have a lot of fun watching and being around Spencer and his friends.  They are all typical teenagers - growing up fast and turning into young adults (sometimes they even act like it).

Spencer wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy new Year !!

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