Sweet Olivia

Robyn found this great picture of Olivia that was taken in 2000 when she was 5 years old. Olivia and Julia wore these dresses for a photo we had taken in Maine that summer (in front of the lighthouse) that we ended up using for our Christmas card that winter.

Red Leaves by Olivia

The 6th anniversary of Olivia's passing (2/25/03) has once again come and gone. We think of Olivia everyday and I recently re-read a poem that Olivia had written when she was seven that she named Red Leaves.

Red Leaves

I like the way the flowers grow
And how the blossoms sprout.
And how you know my favorite
Tree for the colors of the leaves.

by Olivia Wood
October 19, 2002
Age 7

Photos from Mt. Kilimanjaro

Here is a link to Google to view my photos from Africa and on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Feb 2008).

Uhuru Peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro - 19,340'

 

Our group of 10 all made it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Feb. 9, 2008 at 1 PM

Uhuru Peak - Mt. Kilimanjaro - Tanzania, Africa (Feb 9, 2008)

 

We Reached the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Hi Everyone!

I got back today from my trip to Tanzania that ended up being a wonderful experience. The good news is that I reached the summit (Uhuru Peak - 5895 meters, 19,340 ft.) of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Feb 9th at around 1 PM on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny, fifty-degree day if you can believe it. Some of the groups that made it up before us were not so lucky (i.e. <10 degrees and strong winds that enabled them to stay for only 5 min.). We were just very lucky in terms of the weather. We ended up staying at the summit about 45 min. and took plenty of pictures. I ended up getting some nice shots of me holding a t-shirt that had a picture of Olivia on it (thanks to Kim & Gene), a nice shot of the Koko logo, and a picture of good old "Flat Stanley" for FRCS. I will post some pictures so please check back.

I apologize for not updating the blog while I was gone - we had an issue with the satellite phone. Bill (from CA) was nice enough to let me use is satellite phone, that was working, a few times to call home - thanks Bill.

More to come...

2/8/08

That last post was posted by Julia Wood.

2/8/08

Hi Everyone,

My dad called in the morning at about 6:30am and told my mom amd I that he was at 15,000 feet and he and his team were going to try and reach the sumit of Mt. Kilimanjaro tomorrow. He is very excited. He sounded well, but could only talk for a few minutes. My dad arrives home on Tuesday. If he calls again, I will post what he says. Hopefully he reaches the top! We're all routing for him! :)

February 1, 2008 - Arrive Africa

Hi Everyone~
Julia and Robyn here with a brief update...Michael's plane took off as scheduled from Logan on 1/31/08 at around 7:00pm. At 10:00 am (Holland time ) he departed for Tanzania, arriving pretty much as planned around 9:00pm. (We tracked the flights on the internet).

Africa is about 8 hours ahead of us here in MA. Michael called on Saturday at 8:00am Africa time to tell us he had arrived safely 12 midnight here). He also mentioned he was having a little problem with the SAT phone...so hopefully we'll get info from him and will try to update as quickly as possible.

Thanks again for all your friendship, love, and support.
The Wood Family

It's Time to Climb

Hi Everyone

A big thank you to all our family, friends and sponsors who have made this trip possible. I am heading out in 5 minutes. Please visit this blog while I am gone - the plan is for Julia to make an occasional post about how I am doing. I have a satellite phone - from World Communication Center - the number is 011-8816-414-61397

Thank you for all the calls, emails, donations (we have raised over 6k to date) and prayers (Mass was great on Wed am Fr. Dave - thanks) - Koko Fitness - thanks for the send off on Wed - you are the best! Robyn, Julia and family - a big hug and kiss. If all goes well I should be summiting on Feb 10th

Thank you

Robyn = 10 4