Summer 2023 for the Win!

The family that plays together, stays together and Summer ’23 was a shining example of the Vespremis living it large, and loving it. We invite you to grab a cuppa' and enjoy highlights from our summer!

Fam Faves

David: This was a big summer for the Vespremis. Ren was working from Europe and the boys were preparing for big school transitions with Liam starting high school and Isaac starting middle school.

Highlights included attending Liam’s graduation from the McGillis school and the spending a wonderful ten days with Ren exploring Prague and Venice by both land and water. Soon after I came home, the boys and I departed for a guys’ trip to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico where we surfed, snorkeled, explored, and ate some of the best tacos ever. From there, we did some house sitting for our friends Brian and Renata just outside of Lake Tahoe and practically lived in the swimming pool during an intense summer heat wave there.

This was also the summer I helped teach both Isaac and Ren how to skateboard (a blast from the past for me) and we each conquered Montara Mountain on bicycles with the help of a couple of new e-bikes. To Isaac’s credit, he actually did it twice - first on a regular bike, then on an e-bike. The summer wrapped up with Ballfest ’23, our annual family meatball making competition that Isaac ended up winning against stiff competition from me and uncle Mickey, followed by Sarah’s delicious dessert balls, Szilvas Gomboc.

Isaac: I've had a lot of enjoyable experiences this summer, but a few stand out: free diving in Mexico and the trip itself. The food was fantastic as well. I had a great time learning to skateboard, using e-bikes for rides, dining out, and dancing to "Sir Mix-a-Lot." Our other adventures were also delightful. I really enjoyed spending time with Rachel, meeting her at work, and attending her party. I'm disappointed to have missed Eric's party, but overall, this summer was a blast. I also liked going to Fogo with Dada. I enjoyed hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa for a couple of days and making my clay oven. I had so much fun this summer, and I hope to repeat these experiences.

Liam: I had a wonderful summer that started off with going on a hike in Utah with Grandma and and Auntie Sarah. Even though I had just gotten over being sick, it was fun to explore the cave together.

Here are a few of my other favorite moments:

1. Isaac's bday party: It was fun seeing friends again and eating Grandma's cooking, which was delicious.

2. Cabo: I really enjoyed being in Cabo I liked the climate and the people. I think my favorite thing was snorkeling because I met a really nice girl named Macyee and saw some sharks.

3. El Dorado Hills: I enjoyed house sitting our friends' mansion, I especially liked the aquarium and boba.

4. Sir Mix-a-Lot concert: I really enjoyed it because I had no idea about it! Dada complete surprised us. I really like the music and his stories about each song. Overall I had a great summer.

Ren: I really enjoyed the 2 months I spent between Prague and Berlin with trips to Venice, Vienna, and to Santorini in the mix. It was wonderful to have some much needed time to myself to step into my new role at work and reflect upon the many incredible life changes that have happened for me over the last few years. Highlights for me include spending time kayaking and paddle boating the Vlatva River in the wondrous, magical kingdom called Prague, my 11 min performance with the Blue Man group on stage in Berlin, spending quality time eating our way through Venice with my Shoog-a-Boog, sunset supper in Vienna, and swimming in the Adriatic Sea was nothing short of life changing. Even with all of this beauty and freedom, I missed being at home in California with my family so very much. I left Europe feeling refreshed with a renewed desire to take advantage of all the privilege and opportunity that comes with living in the Bay Area, especially the beauty of our magical, quirky surf town. It was wonderful to come home and laugh, make the most perfect egg possible, fly with Isaac, see dogs surf, and just be together with my Vesdreamis...life is so good, and I'm deeply grateful.

Summer ’23 set the bar high for us and we look forward to what next summer has in store! Here's to a great year ahead for all.