"Winter Break" in Florida

At Grand Valley, our semester that begins in January is called winter semester. At many other universities, it's called spring semester, and at first, it was difficult to get used to the different name. Grand Valley also has spring and summer terms, each 6-weeks long, so mistakenly calling winter semester spring semester can get confusing. Anyway, I now get why it's called winter semester: because it's winter during most of it. So, I choose to call what everyone else calls "spring break" "winter break." This year, I took a much needed respite from winter and went to visit my parents in Florida.


All, the Lobster of Redness, a favorite among my family members.

I even got to have breakfast with Hope and Heather, as they were in town just one day when I was there.

Unfortunately, I spent almost half of my trip not feeling so great, as I think I got food poisoning. So here we are, already at the airport.

I do believe this is the first time I've ever been on a Harley, and maybe the second time on a motorcycle. The other one was not parked at the airport, though, and I actually rode on it while it was moving. :-)

Grandpa Gross

In November 2008, my mother's father died after battling lung cancer for more than a year. I've wondered whether I would actually post about this, and now with a bit of time having passed, I think I can. Here are some photos of my more recent visits with Grandpa and his wife of 40+ years, Iris.

Spring Break 2005 in Florida. It was really winter break for me in Grand Rapids, but spring in Florida.

This was taken in late 2005, when I visited in December.

Iris took Grandpa to Illinois to celebrate his 80th birthday in June 2007. Here they are with Aunt May (Grandpa's younger sister) and her son, Danny.

Ever since I went to Illinois for graduate school and went to visit at least once a year, Grandpa and I have been pretty close. When they moved to Florida, it was even nicer to visit since I could enjoy some sunny weather as well.

I last went to visit both Grandpa and Iris in June 2008. I was in Daytona Beach, grading Advanced Placement exams, and so went to see them. I'm really glad I did, as this was the last time I saw Grandpa.

My brother, Mitch, wore his Navy dress uniform to the funeral events (church service, wake, burial).

Grandpa was buried in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. He had served in the Army in Japan shortly after World War II. Mitch and my cousin, Gregory, served as pall bearers.

Mitch was presented with Grandpa's flag, which he then presented to Iris.

Mitch clearly broke protocol by kissing Iris on the cheek.

The church memorial, the wake, and the burial all were beautiful services and wonderfully memorialized the good man that was my grandfather.

Family in Florida

My family in Florida has somewhat expanded, as my cousin Jeff got married in October. I wasn't able to go to the wedding, but I was glad to meet his new family. Here he is with Rhonda, and his son, Jeremy. Jeremy had just finished his semester at college.

And here's Brynn.

Aunt Claudia, being a clown. :-)

Pre-Christmas in Florida

Shortly after finishing up my semester, I drove to Columbus, where I flew to Florida for a week trip. It was nice to see everyone and to enjoy a bit of warm weather, particularly since Grand Rapids got about two feet of snow! Here I am, with Shaunda and my Aunt Claudia at Aunt Claudia and Uncle Bud's house.

A bunch of us converged on Red Lobster for dinner. Here I am with my dad.

And here's Uncle Bud.

My cousin Lonnie and her man, Ray.

My cousin, Jeff, his new wife, Rhonda, and her daughter, Brynn.

Mmmmmm......super huge Lobsterita!