Happy New Year 2017 - A Look Back at 2016

With such a big letter in February 2016 (covering 3 years -- see previous post), there wasn't a lot to write about, so most of our news fit on the back of our Happy New Year 2017 card. However, that did not have nearly enough room for our photos. As we did on the card, I've organized this by family member:

Natalie
Natalie had an adventurous 2016. For her spring quarter, she interned at a winery in Mendoza, Argentina. Bodgga Calle is a small-lot, gravity-flow, red wine making studio located in the prized viticultural area of Luján de Cuyo. She went with another young woman in the Wine & Viticulture program at Cal Poly. They lived on premises and learned a lot. It was fall in Argentina, so they were able to be there during the tail-end of harvest. We were able to visit at the end of Natalie's stay.

We stayed in the heart of downtown Mendoza and had many wonderful dining experiences.

The beginning of a fantastic meal at Francis Mallmann 1884 Restaurante

Beautiful (and delicious) macarons at a local bakery

It was always "Wine O'Clock"!

We also went on a couple of excursions. We enjoyed our one-day olive oil and winery tour. 

End-of-the-tour meal at Bodega Luigi Bosca

Even more so, we enjoyed our trip out to Puente del Inca, a golden mineral natural bridge on our way to Parque Provincial Aconcagua. Aconcagua is the the highest peak in South America.

Natalie and George at the Inca Bridge

Puente del Inca

Walking to the Mirror Lake at Aconcagua National Park

Natalie, George and Diane at Mirror Lake in front of Aconcagua

The middle peak in the back is Aconcagua (22c838 ft) as viewed from 9,000 ft.

After returning from Argentina and wrapping up her junior year at Cal Poly, Natalie began working almost full time at a restaurant in San Luis Obispo as a baker (thank you cousin Adrian for the prior experience!). And she also managed to fit it a couple of summer classes.

Natalie turned 21 in August and can now drink wine legally here and across the globe!

With wanderlust in her spirit and summer-job money in her pocket, Natalie decided to trek to Iceland. We had a family friend who was spending a semester in Iceland at the time. Natalie's adventure began solo, as she rented a stick-shift car and camping gear (she actually took a sleeping bag and tent with her!) and spent a week camping along the southern coast of Iceland. Here are some photos from the solo part of her trip:

Natalie in her Alpaca sweater (from Argentina!)

Blue Lagoon

The following week she made her way to Akureyri to stay with our friend. Together, they visited botanical gardens, The Christmas Garden (sort of like Santa's Village for those of you who remember that in Scott's Valley...but even more charming), Grimsey Island and the Artic Circle, and more geothermal pools.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Leland finished his junior year at Salinas High, was a counselor at NYLT again, and went on a 50-mile backpacking trip in the Sierras. He also completed his Eagle project and passed his Board of Review—he is now a full-fledged Eagle Scout! He has applied to several colleges, and we are awaiting acceptance letters. He got his driver’s license in December and turns 18 this month.

George and I don’t have any big news to report. We still work at the same places. We didn’t have birthdays that ended in 5 or 0. We did celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary in November. We keep busy with Leland’s activities: sports, marching band, concerts, scouts. And we enjoy Natalie’s company whenever she is able to come home.

The biggest news of the year is that we have a new member of the family! We adopted Luna in June, when she was 8 weeks old. She is a Siberian Husky with bi-colored eyes and a beautiful mask. She’s sweet, if willful, and we love her to pieces!

We hope this card finds you well and happy, and we wish you all the best in the New Year.

With love,

George, Diane, Natalie, Leland & Luna