He then switches to drums. Both performances sounded great and I could not help feeling that the rather expensive camp was worth every penny. 

His next performance was with the symphonic band playing the xlophone. 

In his first performance, Nicolai played bass with his rock band. 

Next we got to see his cabin which was located right next to the lake at the bottom of a hill. He told us that he got a lot of good climbing training in while going from his cabin to the various venues on campus. 

Nico’s first desire was to show us the practice cabins. 

Here we see him with his new friends and band mates. 

Finally, after going three weeks without seeing him, we connect with Nicolai at the parent’s reception. He is positively bubbling over with joy over his experience at the Encore Coda music camp. Although he was reluctant about going, it took all of 30 seconds before he was inquiring if he could return next year. 

I love the lighting in this old barn. 

Last night we arrived at our bed and breakfast after dark. This morning, Jeanine visits with the Nubian goats. Somewhere on this farm hides a rooster, which if captured by this guest, will be promptly fed to the goats for crimes against those in need of sleep. 

As I am about to take a nice group photo, Kyle decides to leap across the stream. 

We climbed to the top of the Flume where a nice little waterfall is to be found. 

Maya, not one to take the easy way forward, pursues the road less traveled. 

Today I took my first vacation day of the summer. We traveled to Franconia Notch in northern New Hampshire enroute to pick up Nicolai from his summer music camp in Sweden, Maine. We hiked the Flume trail with Kyle and Maya. 

Maya is happy to be the little jewel on top of the brawny backs of Kyle’s friends. 

When Maya is around, Nala transforms from a quiet puppy into a half crazed flying wolf. 

Nala has doubled in weight since she joined the family. Last night she pulled every bit of white fluff out of a stuffed toy. The living room looked like it was covered in snow. 

As is the tradition in our family, we celebrate becoming a teenager with a father-son “Coming of Age” adventure.

Nicolai has chosen to attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Climbing to the 19,340 foot “Roof of Africa” will be an incredible challenge. We begin our adventure on August 26th. Pictured above are our Visa photos for Tanzania.

Inspired by the documentary, Emmanuel’s Gift, the story of a physically challenged athlete from Ghana who brings attention and resources to the disabled people of his homeland, Nicolai has dedicated his climb to providing wheelchairs to the people of Tanzania in need. His goal is to raise enough money to pay for and distribute 550 wheelchairs (each one costing $44.40).

I am very proud of Nico for his courage, determination, and compassion. Whether he is able to reach the summit or not, I am inspired by his belief that he can and his desire to try.

Should you wish to support Nicolai’s cause with a donation, we have established a special fund with the Free Wheelchair Mission, an organization that has already distributed more than 240,000 wheelchairs worldwide. You can learn more about Nicolai’s adventure and the Free Wheelchair Mission by following the link at the bottom of this entry. Your contribution in any amount would be most appreciated.

It would be very helpful if you would forward this link to your circle of family and friends should you feel they would appreciate an opportunity to contribute to this very worthy cause.

Link to Free Wheelchair Mission

Maya leads us on a long walk to White Pond and back. Sally, the trooper she is, volunteered to handle Nala for the one hour excursion.  

Visiting us for the week is Sally Albachten, pictured here with a young Jeanine and her older sister Lauren. 

Kyle’s actual birthday was celebrated with a casual brunch at Nancy’s Airport Cafe. 

This morning, Jeanine, Maya, Nala, and I went for a walk in Estabrook Woods. Nala had a great time off leash, and I got in my first significant walk since injuring my knee. As we were walking, I spotted this little guy. 

After Maya’s performance, I shuttled Kyle to a charity fund raiser where he joined friends Alex and David to compete in a fitness challenge. Events included an obstacle course, medicine ball toss, sequential standing long jump and rope pull relay in addition to the weighted sled race shown here. 

In order to surprise Kyle, we celebrated his 15th birthday a day early. He had no idea what was going on as a home made Stromboli dinner was followed by presents and a signature Jeanine cheesecake. 

Although her expressed ambition is to be a vetrinarian, it is clear to me that Maya would do well in an acting career. 

Maya had a significant role in the ensemble that greeted the parents. Her confidence and projection were impeccable. She looked very at ease as she acted her part and sang with the troop. 

Today is Maya’s last day of performance arts camp and the family, minus Nico, who is away at music camp, will be attending her final performance. 

The pigs have become second class citizens now that we have a dog. I returned from Salem to find them outside for a little fresh air. I often wonder what they think about Nala who is keenly interested in sniffing them everytime they are out of their cage. 

Day two featured a team building event that I recommended to my boss. The group works collaboratively to prepare an exquisite meal with modest guidance from a professional chef. My team prepared the stir-fried shrimp main dish which was out of this world as were the other courses. The evening was a smashing success and my boss was gracious about thanking me for the idea. After dinner and desert, everyone got a little drunk, except me, and gathered around one table for loud singing that went late into the evening. 

Day one of a three day management offsite meeting held in Salem, MA at the Hawthorne Hotel. 

We have fenced off the new deck and Nala is free to roam there at will. When she gets bored she eats the house – literally. The day she gnaws on any of my photo gear is the day we will be back to two guinea pigs. 

Maya returned from a visit with my parents during which my mother taught her to sew (they worked together on the outfit she is wearing) and my dad was enthralled by her stories. She had a great time and was bubbling over with enthusiasm over her solo adventure.