2015: A Year of Adventure!

Well, clearly I haven't kept up the blog... at all... this year!  I'm so sorry!

However, we've very much enjoyed seeing family here and there this year.  These visits, among other things, have made 2015 a hum-dinger for us!  Let's see if I can catch everyone up...

One note: I have also fallen behind on updating our Shutterfly site... I'll work on catching it up soon, too.  I've posted a few highlights below.  :-)

As we announced in our holiday update letter, Adam has made a major career change.  In December he resigned after eight years at J Alexander Realty Group.  He has taken the time since then off to take courses in preparation to receive alternate certification, and - in May - received (and accepted) a job offer to teach Algebra I at Bryan Adams High School!  This sabbatical has also been spent traveling - to seize the opportunity, to see family, and to knock a major adventure off of Adam's "bucket list": sailing in the South Pacific!

The winter included travels to San Antonio and Louisiana at Christmas to see family; a fantastic get-away with good friends for New Year's Eve; another awesome get-away with a buddy for our first trip without Jeremy and our first trip to Las Vegas (to see Willie Nelson!); our annual trip to the Sea Scout Academy event, this year at the fantastic new Sea Scout Base ~ Galveston; a trip to Lake Charles, LA for a Power Squadron district meeting; and another trip through Louisiana to celebrate Mardi Gras with family (great to see Adam's aunt & uncle Renée & Tom; his cousins Ben, Jen & their little one, Emma June; and his brother Gordon & girlfriend Sarah!).  It was a busy time on the road!!

Christmas Day 2014 in New Orleans with Jeanne & Tom, Gordon & Sarah!

New Year's Eve!! Farewell, 2014!

Jeremy with his cousin, Emma June! (Feb. 2015)

Visit with Uncle Gordie in New Orleans at Mardi Gras! (Feb. 2015) 

Mardi Gras in NOLA with Aunt Sarah! (Feb. 2015)
Jeremy insisted on putting all of the beads on himself!

Our travels slowed down a little bit in the spring, but we kept very busy.  Adam is now the Advisor for the Circle Ten Council Venturing Officers' Association (VOA) - a group of Venturing (age 14-20, co-ed) Scouts who work to promote and support the Venturing program in the Council; I'm an associate advisor (and webmaster) to the group, too.  One of two major events this group puts on each year occurred in April, so March and April were very busy with preparations for the Rendezvous. We were also sworn in as the Commander (Adam) and Administrative Officer (me) of the Dallas Sail & Power Squadron (another webmaster job! ha!) in March. We did sneak in a quick trip to Houston/Galveston to attend the christening of the BaySmart Express - a hundred-foot floating classroom - and to visit my college roommate.  We also took a week to drive out to Florida to spend a few days and introduce Jeremy to his great-grandmother, June!  We returned just in time for Easter, and then - the next weekend - the Venturing Rendezvous.

Jeremy with Capt. Daddy on the bridge of the BaySmart Express! (Mar. 2015)

Tunkses at the Dallas Sail & Power Squadron 2015 Change of Watch (Mar. 2015)

Visiting his Great Grandma June in Florida! (Apr. 2015)

FIRST Easter basket! (Apr. 2015)

We spent late spring gearing up some major changes within the Squadron and putting a bow on things before going completely "off the grid" for the first time in a long time...  In May, we spent 19 days in Tahiti, French Polynesia!  Adam has wanted to sail the South Pacific for a long time, and we decided that this was kind of a magic time when we had the time off, the excitement and the money to make it happen - so we did!  Adam's parents went with us, and we had an INCREDIBLE adventure - including a week on a 39-foot catamaran!  These pictures ARE up on Shutterfly - check them out here!

Since the big trip, Adam has kept busy with two summer courses toward his certification, as well as a navigation course through the Squadron.  We also spent a wonderfully relaxing week with my family at Surfside Beach, TX - a Bryan family summer tradition.  We had a great Independence Day weekend with family and friends, and Adam has also been back to Galveston yet again to serve as an advisor on a ten-day Sea Scout leadership course.

FIRST sand castle with Uncle Chris! (Jun. 2015)

Mr. Cool at the beach! (Jun. 2015)

Jeremy splashing with his cousin Josie at Great Uncle Terry &
Great Aunt Betty's new pool! (Jul. 4, 2015)

Adam's SEAL Course - staff & participants. (Jul. 2015)

We're off yet again this weekend to celebrate Adam's cousin's wedding in South Carolina!  Then we'll settle in here for a while, as Adam begins training and planning sessions for the school year.  We probably won't hit the road again... until my brother's wedding in October!

What a year 2015 has turned out to be!  And it's only just over half gone!  I'll do my best to keep you more up-to-date on the happenings of our life, going forward.  We've really enjoyed this year... but I think getting back to a more regular routine will be a nice change, too.  The best part: we'll have summers off EVERY YEAR from here on out to play! :-)