Happy Holidays 2023

Season's Greetings to all our family and friends! During a recent podcast on CBC, the announcer asked what were the best things of 2023. While this was a big roller coaster year, it was a laugh to think back to so many incredible moments. Here are our top 10 highlights:

(Note: highlights somewhat align with the pictures above.)

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10 ~ Kenya and Uganda combining sustainability and green belt expansion projects through our H2OW ARE YOU Initiative in partnership with our colleague Nelson Keiwua and local communities devastated by drought, and the thrills of being on safari.

(Note! We're headed back in early 2025 if you're interested in joining us. You won't be disappointed!).

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9 ~ The success of the inaugural Sole Mates Walk-A-Thon with kids and families in Narok, Kenya and Old Fort, North Carolina. This event raised important funds to support schools in each location with individual needs such as community gardens and tree planting, water capture systems, food and polio vaccines, toothbrushes, tooth paste and hygiene products, plus soccer balls to ensure all kids get to have some fun.

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8 ~ Visiting the latest dinosaur exhibits at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta.

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7 ~ Touring the Viking Ship Museum in Denmark, which involved divers and archeologists who recovered and restored five unique styles of ship in local fjords, and active replica builds of these ships using traditional means for sailing projects.

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6 ~ Celebrating Wendy's 70th Birthday (Brandon’s mom) with a family surprise party in Berlin, Germany.

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5 ~ Celebrating the Seattle Kraken's First Playoff Win ever in overtime live as part of an ecstatic crowd at the Climate Pledge Area in Seattle, WA (and three more playoff wins following this)!

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4 ~ Hiking in SIX National Parks, including Banff, Jasper (reaching the Athabasca Glacier!), Glacier, Yoho and Mount Revelstoke in Canada, and Acadia in the USA while touring Northern New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont).

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3 ~ Alisa graduating with her Chief Sustainability Officer Certificate from MIT’s, Professional Education Program in Boston, MA. 

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2 ~ Catching the Northern Lights from the Arctic in Norway (celebrated Alisa's Mom who wanted to see these for her 75th birthday). CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW!

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1 ~ Getting Married (Part ONE only)! As part of our private ceremony, we exchanged trees along with our vows: a Coral Barked Japanese Maple and an Eternal Flame Thrower Eastern Redbud.

(COMING SOON: Part TWO, celebrating with family and friends when we plant these trees after Alisa's Green Card is approved!)