I am working in Santa Barbara for most of this week. I walked down to the pier to catch the sunrise and get a little exercise before a long all day off-site meeting.

 
Kyle likes to do his homework in close proximity to the rest of the family and can often be seen at the kitchen table or island focused on his studies. The volume of work he is getting this year is much higher and the subject matter sufficiently complex to challenge his parents in their efforts to help him.

Jeanine, Maya, and her friend Lydia took a weaving class today. All three were thrilled with the experience, and we have some fine new artwork with which to decorate our home.

I spent the afternoon with Nicolai today at a wrestling double dual meet (4 teams). Nico won his first match 16-0 and his second match, pictured here 15-0. Nico has developed a very successful head and arm throw (my favorite high school take down) and used it four separate times for a total of twenty points.

While waiting for my primary subjects, I caught this nice formation of geese flying overhead.

Today Massachusetts officials conducted its annual survey of American Bald Eagles across the state. Dozens of volunteers contribute to the field work and last year a total of 73 bald eagles were spotted. I took my long lens to work and used my lunch hour to see if I could contribute to the project. I spotted a total of three eagles and was lucky to get a photo of this one from a quarter of a mile away. Not one of my better photos but considering the frigid temperatures, extreme windchill, and 40 minute time window, I can’t complain.

For the past two years I have served on the Concord Carlisle TV Board of Directors. This body governs the operation of three local public access cable TV channels. At this evening’s annual meeting, I received the highly coveted CCTV “Hockey Puck” award for my service. The significance of this award is known only to insiders, and I am thrilled to have received it.

 
Despite the fact that we own a perfectly serviceable gas range and outdoor gas grill, the kids decided they wanted to cook hotdogs and smores in the living room fireplace for dinner this evening. Who was I to deny this taste of summer in the dead of winter. Kyle inspects the doneness of his dog.

School was cancelled today due to weather conditions (a nasty combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain with temperatures hovering right at the freezing mark). I worked from home until the roads were cleared and traffic abated. As I pulled out of the driveway Maya was constructing a fort out of enormous snow balls. It was dark when I returned so I have yet to see the resulting structure.

 
Maya decided she wanted a fire this evening and even remembered to open the flue this time! Nala was quick to horde in on the warmth and is the first to stake out a position in front of the hearth.

 
And here is my father’s father, Ernesto, a sculptor and artist who loved to work with his hands.

 
I spent a couple of hours this evening scanning and retouching old family photos. This image is of my father in his youth. He organized a weight lifting club among his friends and achieved a rather impressive build. From body builder to dancer to psychology professor to writer. Quite the Renaissance man and inspiration to his children.

Nico wrestled in his first dual meet this evening. Here, he shoots deep on a single leg tackle, but it is not enough to defeat his more experienced opponent.

It is the last day of the year and also our last day in Costa Rica. We say good by to the Pacific Ocean and gather sand to remind us of our adventures here.

 Meanwhile Kyle and Nicolai search for ideally shaped skipping rocks.

During our transit to the put in point the guide described the day as Class V roads leading to Class III rapids. We traversed what can loosely be called roads that would terrify most mountain goats. When the white truck pictured here attempted to pass us on the single lane road, it lost traction, slid backwards, and nearly went over the cliff which is obscured in the photo by vegetation. We off-loaded our bus which then pulled the disabled vehicle off the ledge with a chain. It became very clear to me that our driver and equipment was superior to other operators and was thankful we had chosen well.

The tour ended with a snack and time to relax. Maya made friends with Andreas, the little girl on her left, and we had a chance to get to know her family from Mexico City.