Backyard ski jumping

The boys built a ski jump in our backyard and performed a few combinations.

Brrrrrrrr...... cold....... 14 degrees with wind= -15 F degrees or -26 C.....

The boys froze their noses off today with a ultra cold day with wind....

1. Luiz, Yago, & Jordan, 2. Yago, 3 Luiz, 4. Yago

Today, the boys are racing at Sunday River

The boys left school today with the ski team to compete at Sunday River Ski Resort. Sunday River is 25 miles from our home. (Click photo to enlarge.)

In Texas with my Sister

My sister Barbara and I had a good time today. We went and bought earrings and also enjoyed a sunset together from the 9th floor of their condo. Tomorrow, doctor's visits and other errands. This evening, I made a chicken dinner for Barbara and Ken, and we spoke with their daughter Kim on her birthday.

Skiing today

Luiz (dressed in Rich's coat and pants), Toni from Germany, and Yago (dressed in Rich's coat and pants) skiing at Black Mountain Of Maine today in 35 F degree temperatures.

Rob Kent Family in Santa Barbara

Left to Right--->

Tyler, Ryan, Victoria, family friend, Anne, & Rob Kent at Victoria's water polo tournament in Santa Barbara, California last weekend.

Faster than a speeding bullet

Our friend & neighbor Gayle riding her brother's snowmobile today in the woods in the back of our home. (Click on the picture to get a close-up look of Gayle's "Yahoo.")

"Veja, Norma e mãe! Eu posso cuidar de mim." Love, Luiz Gustavo

Luiz wanted his mom and Norma to see him doing dishes, so he begged Rich to take his picture.

Movin' to Connie & Ben's

The boys are moving things into Connie and Ben's home in preparation for Rich's trip to Texas. They will stay with the Venskus Family for a week while Rich helps out at his sister and brother-in-law's home.

Yago's dress belies the 30 degree F weather... And why do you have a cold, Y2?

After the Race...

After the race on Wednesday, Luiz rests in front of the pellet stove. If he looks like he swallowed a bird, he just took his legs off the table saying, "Man, I don't want my Mom to see me like that!"

Math + Homework = Studious Luiz Gustavo

Luiz battles with his math homework on Tuesday night.

Clearing the Roof

Snow builds up on the back roof of the house, and here Yago is "raking" it off. A large rain storm is scheduled for Monday, so we must take snow off the roof or... it won't be pretty!

Today's Race

Yago and Luiz racing today.

Yago & neighbor Ian Sweetser....

Today's Race

Some of the ski team members at today's race. Above: Yago on the left, tongue out, and Luiz--arriving late--in the front falling down. (As always, click on pictures to enlarge.)

New Neighbors!

Our neighborhood friend Gayle fired up her snowblower this morning to open up the driveway of The Sullivan Family, our soon-to-be neighbors from the state of Massachusetts. Gina, Gregory, Miles, and Garrett will be moving later on this spring. WELCOME! Gregory makes cottage furniture and manages the business side via Internet. Gina grew up in the Maine town of Saco and has longed to return to The Pine Tree State. Miles is a guitar-playing, 9th grade scientist and Garrett is a 6 year old who is intrigued by everyanything. All of us on our little piece of Prospect Avenue are thrilled to have another artist move into our neighborhood. To view Gregory's well-crafted furniture, just go to his website at www.sippicancottagefurniture.com

Snow Day........ NOT!

While most schools in central and eastern Maine are not in session today because of the snowstorm, good old Mountain Valley High School and other schools to our west are open. The boys waited patiently for Connie to arrive after shoveling the front steps for Jimbo our letter carrier. Naturally, Luiz and Yago are thrilled beyond words to be heading to school today!

First Downhill Ski Race for the Boys!

200 ski racers came to Black Mountain of Maine... 2 of them were from Brasil & Spain!

First Downhill Ski Race for the Boys!

On a snowy, Martin Luther King Holiday, our boys challenged the toughest slope at Black Mountain of Maine with 200 other ski racers from across Maine. Imagine, they started skiing only a month ago.... Awesome job, Guys!

Yago: Downhill Ski Race!

Yago flying down the mountain in his first-ever alpine ski race!

Future member of the Spanish National Team!

Luiz: Downhill Ski Race!

These photos are of Luiz's first-ever downhill ski race!

The Brazilian National Ski Team flying!

Diving Champion!

Meg Hostage, nephew Ryan's great friend, is a 1meter diver at Stanford University and won the invitational championship at brother Rob's alma mater, UCLA! Yea, Meg!!!

Saturday's Ski Race in Readfield

Thanks to Marie Gauvin, we landed these photos of the boys and their friends at the large race yesterday. Somewhere around 400-500 kids raced through the woods on cross-country skis.

Saturday's Ski Race in Readfield