A look back at 2015

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a wonderful 2015.

Here's a look back at ours, which started with ringing in the new year at Roy’s in Pebble Beach.
(Ree left, Ro right)

Ro and Ree finished 4th grade in June and started 5th grade in August (summer is so short, but so sweet). They’re really into music right now (Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Adele, and Selena Gomez are constantly playing in our house and car), and they love singing and recording themselves on Smule sing, taking vocal lessons, playing games on the iPads with friends, and anything to do with animals (especially dogs) or art. (Ree left, Ro right, 1st day of 5th grade)

We spent lots of time in Monterey this year – 2015 was very sandy indeed. 

You always remember your first concert, right? Our diehard Swifties were thrilled that their first one was Taylor Swift's 1989 Tour. And Taylor did not disappoint -- wow that girl can put on a show! (My first concert, by the way, was the Prince Purple Rain Tour back in the 80s.) Ree left, Ro right

Tubadad woke the girls on their 10th birthday with a peppy tuba rendition of Happy Birthday and we had a family party on the big day. (Ree blue, Ro green)

 

Then we had a backyard-movie party with classmates a few days later. That was fun! (Ree white, Ro pink)

October is always busy, but we managed to squeeze in the annual trip to Uesugi Pumpkin Farms with friends and some carving/decorating with the cousins, of course (Ree white shoes, Ro grey shoes)

Our 3 Musketeers had a most excellent Halloween. It was all for candy and candy for all! (Ree left, Ro right)

The girls started band. They’re both playing clarinet. It’s… interesting…

They have also started playing tennis – weekly lessons are fun with their friends, and Dusty really enjoys being a ball boy, even though those tennis balls are too big for his mouth.

I took a fun Phone Photo class with my awesome sis-in-law Jane, learned some new tricks and apps, and got some great pics, even in the midst of an insane winter storm.

We fostered a whole bunch of pets for a local rescue group throughout the year. Dusty loved having playmates, and we loved taking care of the pups and kittens while they waited to be adopted.

In addition to lots of beach time in Monterey, we went on two big trips this year.

We explored stunning Niagara Falls and played at Great Wolf Lodge in Canada (with our most favorite people, Catherine and Hannah!!), stayed on Mackinac Island where they have bikes and horses instead of motorized vehicles, and visited Ann Arbor where the girls enthusiastically hunted for fairy doors. 

We spent a relaxing, warm Christmas in Maui where we swam a lot, made “snowmen” out of sand, and ziplined at crazy speeds through the rain forest. Mele kalikimaka!

Whew, that’s about it. Life is good. Happy New Year to all, wishing you double happiness from the Salsa Family