Old Man Winter (colleague of Mother Nature?) made a statement this February vacation: Lots of storms and fluctuations in the precipitation and the temperature. I’ve been on Facebook and noticed that many islanders have been enjoying skiing and hockey and warm trips. Deb Polackwich sent me a picture (that I couldn’t open) and this caption: “What fun Alan and I had zip lining in Maui — up to 50 mph!” Really!

Matt, Kathleen and Emma Aeschliman enjoyed a visit to Nick and Lea's in Longboat Key, Fla. Kathleen wrote, “We were so happy to see Nana and Papa and spend so much time outdoors at several beaches and parks. Matt and Kathleen enjoyed birthday and Valentine dates, and are celebrating their upcoming July baby! Emma is already 2, talks like she's at least 3, and loves gymnastics, swimming, music/dancing, books and crafts. She is going to be a great big sister.” It would be a feat to gather all the toddlers this summer, uh, everyone under 6? That would be quite an amazing parade! We could let the tweens be in charge!

My cousin Peggy Sturgis Aker took pity on my lack of news and sent this: “Greg and I had a busy fall with quite a few weekend trips to various places for football games, concerts or both: Atlanta, Raleigh, Boone and Blacksburg. I also had a great weekend trip in late October to the North Carolina beach to reconnect with 40-plus of my sorority sisters, most I hadn’t seen in 30 some odd years. Unfortunately Angela Bean couldn’t make it. (But we will be celebrating our 75th anniversary of our chapter at UNC Chapel Hill this fall so I guess I need to start working on her now!)

“In January the family took a four-day cruise out of Tampa; it was a business trip for Greg. We had super weather in Cozumel but some rolling waves for our days at sea. All in all it was lots of fun and much warmer than in North Carolina. We also had a chance to visit with Greg’s cousin and her family who live in Tampa. Greg and I then headed to the Dominican Republic in early February for another business trip: Small world occurrence there: met a lady at one of the pool bars from Seattle who served on the Children’s Hospital Board with my cousin, Linda Schwenk Myhrvold. Greg and I have a few weekend jaunts here and there in the spring, plus Greg will have rotator cuff surgery in March.

“Brooks is in his final semester at Virginia Tech and will graduate in May — hard to believe. He has accepted a job with a CPA firm in Charlotte and will spend his summer studying for and taking the four-part CPA exam. Liz is a sophomore at Virginia Tech with a double major in psychology and human development and a minor in music. She just pledged a sorority and is very happy! And another small world occurrence: June had a rather large extended family and we had the opportunity to meet three of Brooks’ and Elizabeth’s third cousins from June’s family in Blacksburg this past fall. One of mom’s first cousins has three granddaughters at Virginia Tech, a senior and twins who are freshmen. I also have some other “June” family in Charlotte. You just never know who you are related to!”

Micaela turned five on February 10, but we had to postpone her party from the 9th (because she and Amanda were both sick) to the 16th. We had a great mac and cheese and some awesome strawberry cake. Her friends Jackson and David also enjoyed their race car party favors, and the bouncy balls! Much time was spent rescuing them from under the couches and chairs, however, along with some surprises from the cats’ “office.”

Think spring!