Some people enjoy sleeping in on summer weekend mornings.

Other people (aka my Dad) enjoy waking up those of us who like to sleep in, so we can then wake up the fish who are also still sleeping… because the sun isn’t even awake yet.

That guy is a dedicated fisherman… always early to rise. But I’m glad he’s my fisherman… because once I gain consciousness, it is pretty neat to slow down and watch the sun rise peacefully, before the rest of the world gets itself in a big, unnecessary hurry.

Thanks for making sure we don’t miss these precious moments of summer, Dad.

Genesee waited almost a month for her Land of Natura birthday party to come to fruition, but, I think she’d agree: it was worth the wait! Genesee invited Annalia and Miley for a sleepover, and the next morning, I got to pick up Jake and Danny to bring along. Thanks to Auntie Cha Cha and Uncle E, we have platinum season passes, so we got in for free, and once we passed the gates, we ran toward the water and never looked back! It was an absolute blast, and definitely a highlight of the summer… we’re so grateful for generous relatives, fun friends, and soft pillows to crash on at the end of an exhilarating day!

Guess whose muscles got invited on a road trip to help move Ashlee into her new digs for grad school?! Mine, of course. My gym workouts prepared me for this moment, but I think the Nicolais also wanted me along for my great personality and comic relief. I was so excited to be the fifth wheel that I forgot to pack clean underwear. Whoops! It always stinks to leave something behind, but that oversight was extra stinky (if ya know what I mean).

I was happy to help my cousin get settled in, and even though I’m proud to see her spread her wings and explore more of our big world, I’m sure gonna miss that girl around home. Luckily, we made lots of special memories working out and playing golf this summer, so I’ll be hanging tight to those until we meet again.

Good luck, Ash! You’re gonna kick grad school’s butt!

On July 26th, my sister turned 9. To celebrate, we threw her nine parties. Not really, but it felt like it.

Genesee got lucky since Auntie Cha Cha was still here on the eve of her birthday. So, Cha Cha planned a Mexican birthday party, complete with homemade guacamole, Mexican rice, tortillas, and quesadillas! It was delicious.

Then, on G’s actual birthday, I had to travel to Eau Claire for AAU basketball tryouts, so afterward, we made another party of it and went to the mall, Action City, and a Mexican restaurant. (Because you can never eat too much Mexican food.)

On the following weekend, we celebrated mom and Genesee together, and made a trip to the Mall of America and got to experience a MNUFC soccer game!

It was a month of festivities, but that girl probably deserves the extended celebration. I don’t always know how to be good to her, but I do love my sister, and I have to admit: it’s been fun to watch her grow… literally. My sister is TALL! But that’s not all. Here are some other fun facts about Gigi Luigi:

• She likes to straighten her hair these days.
• She retired from playing goalie.
• She’s really good at spending money.
• She is still the goofiest girl around.
• She continues to be in love with ice cream.
• She loves Needohs and all things squishy.
• She wants a pet bunny. Or a guinea pig. Or a hedgehog.
• She wakes up happy (even though she’s still a night owl).
• She loves to bump a volleyball around.
• She’s my favorite Fortnite buddy.
• She’s super thoughtful and always wants to make people feel loved.

Genesee really is the best! I’m not sure my 12-year-old brain can fully appreciate her, but I know I’m gonna mature into a brother that realizes just how lucky I am to get to spend my formative years with someone like Genesee.

Cheers to my sister’s last year in the single-digit club!

Well, it was not on my bingo card for this summer, but sometimes the universe intervenes to make magic happen! After Auntie Cha Cha experienced car troubles, she ended up getting stuck in Wisconsin for almost two months. This was probably not great for her (since she runs a doggie daycare in Florida) or Uncle E (since he was busy shattering his kneecap), but Genesee and I were PUMPED to have a live-in aunt for the summer… Aunts are like moms, only cooler!

We had so much fun doing arts & crafts, baking, cooking, golfing, cuddling with the pups, tubing, playing cups, doing the Whitney Houston challenge, honoring Nana Florence, playing hot potato, and so much more!

We loved our bonus time with Auntie Cha Cha, and while we hope her car troubles are in the past, we also wish for more extended visits from her in our future.

One of the best parts of summer is making waves on the lake! This was my second summer water skiing, and it was awesome to get back out on the water. I felt a lot more confident this year and had a blast.

The coolest part was that it was the first time water skiing for Genesee and Ashlee, and Aunt Cha Cha got to bear witness! But when Genesee wasn’t out there becoming a professional water skier, she was in the boat cheering everybody else on. She gets an A+ for enthusiasm, but a D- for almost breaking everyone’s eardrums.

We love our lake summers and feel so grateful for a dad who’s always willing to satisfy our sense of adventure… despite Mom’s strong, unwavering commitment to safety and staying dry.

Spending a few days in Door County with the Martinez family was such a fun adventure! Exploring quaint towns, eating gelato, taking hikes, making brownies, splashing in the waves, cliff diving, eating s’mores, throwing bean bags, enjoying sunsets, playing fetch with Artemis, and just slowing down with family and friends is exactly what summer vacations are made for.

Without a doubt, this is what it looks like to live the good life:

Note to self: Return to Door County someday.

Tradition: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction.

Tradition: a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting.

Tradition: connects us to our past, gives us a clear sense of who we are, and builds strong bonds in our families and communities.

Tradition: camping at Jellystone over the fourth of July!

Spring is the season that reminds me I’m still becoming.

It was a life well lived.

I’m gonna miss Great Uncle Norman. He was the last living link to my Papa Florence. But he was more than that, too.

Mom says Uncle Norman was our family historian—the keeper of our story. He helped us understand where we came from, sharing the history of both Great Grandma Helen’s family and the Florence family. He reminded us often that family history mattered, that family connections mattered, and that it was our responsibility to keep those stories alive. He didn’t just talk about family. He lived it. He was always bringing people together, reaching out, organizing gatherings, and making sure relationships stayed strong. He was the unofficial Mayor for the Florence side of my family, and these were the life lessons he taught us:

• Be the one who makes the phone call.
• Be the one who gathers family.
• Be the one who tells the stories.
• Be the one who remembers where you came from, and helps others remember too.
• Ask questions of your elders while they’re still here to answer them.
• Preserve the family history.
• Be generous with your time.
• Show up.
• Take the trip.
• Make the visit.
• Laugh loudly.
• Hug fiercely.
• Love your people well.
• Write a life story that’s worth remembering and re-telling.
• Pass along the best parts of you.
• Live on in all those who love you.
• Leave a lineage and legacy that transcends any surname.
• Become immortal.

Safe travels, Uncle Norman.

And long live the Florences.