Like travelers in a new land 2012 was chock full of interesting experiences.  Ronan started Kindergarten this year, joining Torin (2nd grade), at Rieke Elementary.  They both love school and are taking advantage of after school experiences including a Mad Science program for Ronan and an Engineering with Legos class for Torin.  Its amazing to watch the school extract the most from them.  We were to excited when Ronan’s teacher indicated he was an excellent reader after years of resistance reading to Jamie and I.  Turns out they are both rapacious readers who will gladly devour all kinds of book. 

We had a wonderful FL Repasky family reunion this year at Crater Lake, OR.  Its an awe inspiring location with sweeping views of the Milky way at night and the crystal clear, snow-fed lake surrounded entirely by rugged cliffs during the day.  Everyone enjoyed a day trip to Wizard island by boat which was highlighted by the four cousins in their skivvies jumping into the frigid water for a ‘refreshing’ dip.  And who could forget the adult boys jury-rigging an industrial griddle back to life or “mahna mahna”.  I suppose it is better to ask forgiveness than permission. 

Both boys have become obsessed with Legos this year after a trip to Legoland in FL during spring break and being given their first Ninjago kit last Christmas.  2012 also saw the boys first visit to Disneyland in CA with their Emiley Grandparents.  Torin probably would have ridden Space Mountain all day if we had let him while Ronan loved the diversity of rides.  Matt dutifully avoided any ride that spins while Jamie took it all in stride. 

Early spring saw Torin making his first ski runs down Mount Hood Timerberline and Meadows with Matt.  He likes taking ‘massive jumps’, though his form of stopping tends to be accompanied with doing a slow motion 180 turn.  So still much more to learn.  We’re hoping Ronan will be ready to leave the bunny hill after a few more lessons and join in on the mountain.  Another outdoor highlight was our first serious camping trips.  The family stayed in two historic fire-towers on Indian Ridge and Mt. Hood and Jamie bravely camped alone with the boys at Saddle Mountain.  After getting over an initial fear of heights, the boys quickly came to love playing on and around the fire towers and exploring their private ridge.  Who knew pully-lifting various objects 50ft from the ground to the fire tower could be so entertaining?  Given the positive experiences this year with camping we plan to try hike in/hike out camping next year. 

This fall Torin has started piano lessons and has found a hobby that fits him perfectly.  As soon as he comes home from school he races to the piano to practicing for an hour a day!  He has also started writing his own songs, following in Grandpa Repasky’s footsteps.  Ronan has enjoyed the one-on-one time with the parental-figures while Torin is in his music-mode but has announced that when he turns seven, he wants to learn how to play guitar.

For Matt and Jamie the year was largely a continuation of 2011.  Matt continues to work at Schrodinger and his 2012 highlights included another year of no serious injuries playing recreation league basketball, more publications, and further progress on the boy’s club house that required learning how to make a mortise and tenon jointed door.  This has been Jamie’s ‘year of volunteering’ at Rieke Elementary.  She is the PTA Volunteer Coordinator, EcoThink Club and Student Council Eco-Action Team coordinator, and has written several grants to bring additional resources to our money-starved school and created the vision of an outdoor classroom complete with a bridge and covered classroom area that is rapidly becoming a reality. 

We all look forward to what 2013 will bring!