Spencer
	I think Spencer had a very good year in 2011. As usual, he is very busy (or not interested), so he asked me to write this page for him. (It's nice to know he trusts me...) He finished his first year of science at the Augustana campus of the University of Alberta last Spring. We got the feeling that Spencer was bored with the Augusta scene. No booze on campus seemed to be the issue he talked about, but also most of his friends had gone elsewhere. He visited his friend Cody a few times at U of C, and decided that that was where he was going in the Fall. In January (while we were in Whistler), his cousin Devon & girlfriend Kaitlyn came to visit him for a weekend of skiidooing. Sounds like they had lots of fun - as there was lots of snow! Last winter Spencer decided he wanted to learn how to surf - so he started researching possibilities for a surfing trip with friends during his 'Reading Week' break.
Unfortunately all of his friends bailed on him, and to go by yourself is almost twice the cost. He was still keen to go, so I threw out the suggestion that if he wanted to save some money, maybe he could talk his dad into going with him. To my surprise, his response was "really, that would be great!" - although now if you ask him he will tell you that I begged to go along, and he eventually relented.
We had quite the adventure. We stayed in Puerto Vallarta, and had to take the local bus (an adventure in itself) to the Bucerias Surf Shop, (it was about an hour each way). Then the guide would drive us North to a secret spot - where he would park by the side of the road, and we would hike a half mile into the beach. It was a beautiful beach, with nice waves, and almost no people. Miguel, and his cousin Louis (our guides) are true watermen. When they weren't teaching us, they were just out there having fun in the surf doing amazing things, like standing right on the front of their board and putting their heads under the curl of the surf. We had four wonderful days of surfing. Of course Spencer got up on his first wave, and only got better from there. I got up too, but it took me a few tries.
Mexico trip	Spencer also enjoyed the night life in our resort, while I went to bed early and tried to recover for the next day of surfing. You will have to ask him about Nina, who is a ballerina with the Russian State Ballet (who happened to be staying at our resort), and Taylor from B.C., who was there with her dad, Brian. Early in the Spring, Spencer bought his first street-legal motorbike. A crotch rocket - 97 Suzuki GSXR-750. We had a few good rides together as he was preparing for his licence, including a very embarrassing ride where I skidded on some sand (at very low speed) and dropped my bike. (My shoulder is still a bit sore). Spencer has been enjoying his bike, and even talked cousin Sean into buying one.
Spencer worked with Zetsen Master Builders again in the summer, and enjoyed his time with them. He was on a crew that did all the small jobs that aren't done by the sub trades, and also to prepare the sites before (and clean up the sites after) the sub trades. Zetsen is one of the largest builders in our area - it's all about efficiency. During the summer, he did quite a bit of wake boarding and wake surfing, although not as much as he would have liked, because few of his friends are into those sports; and those who are, tended to be away. Spencer did quite a bit of wake surfing with his cousin Graham though. They had a lot of fun trying to out-do each other with tricks. I can't wait to watch them again next year! Spencer registered at the University of Calgary for the Fall for his second year of science, and is now majoring in Kinesiology. He moved into residence with his friends Cody and Cole. I think it took him about an hour to figure out how much fun he was going to have there. The residence provides its own social environment, the gym facilities are fantastic, he joined the mens intramural volleyball team, and is now a member of the snowboard club executive. From what we hear, and see on his Facebook page (where I got a lot of the photos for this site), he seems to be having a lot of fun - and he tells us his marks are OK too! Spencer wishes you all a

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Spencer Wake Surfing with Cousin Grahamr
Spencer - on the water
with Miguel	Catching a Wave
	Tequila plants
Spencer / Taylor

Spencer bought a new Bike 1997 Suzuki GSXR-750

And sold the old Honda CR-250 Dirt Bike

Spencer / Cody / Cole in the Limo going to the club!	Formal Party...
	Spencer with Fallon's Friends at Lake Isle
U of C Kickoff Party...
First Snowboard Trip as an Exec with the U of C Ski Club (Lake Louise)

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