Fall 2019

Hello.  We had a very busy fall, as always.  Here are some pics and a summary of our lives.

Madi entered her 5th semester at Liberty U.  She entered with a busy semester set up for her. She was chosen to be the assistant editor of the paper, the Liberty Champion.  This came with a significant time commitment every week, but a great opportunity and experience.  She was also selected to participate in the DC Fellowship this Spring.  After looking at numerous opportunities, she decided to apply to the National Journalism Center for an internship associated with the Washington Times, and got it!  This was a significant accomplishment, and was one of her primary goals when she chose Liberty U.  In addition to all of this, she was still able to enjoy alot of the events and activities at Liberty with her friends.  Here are some pictures.

Andrew went in the summer to get his yearbook senior photo.

Andrew had a very good fall in school and a good cross country season.  From beginning to end, he performed as one of the best runners in the District.  He also achieved alot of his goals, which was rewarding to him and fun to watch.  Here is a synopsis of the season.

Andrew started off with a good performance at the Enos Yeager invitational to start of the season.  This award ceremony would include 6 state qualifiers in the end.

The team took the annual trip to William and Mary to run the invitational there.  He ran well.  He finished 11th in a very competitive field. 

We took advantage of an opportunity to travel to Williamsburg for the weekend.  

Madi was able to drive over from Lynchburg to be with us.  The girls were able to go to the beach.

Andrew ran his new PR at the Carlisle Invite. He medaled and ran 16:15.2, which was a great run.  It also achieved one of his goals.

                            

Andrew came back the next weekend a ran a great race at the annual Gettysburg Invitational.  He matched his PR at 16:15.2.  The temperature was about 30 degrees different.

Andrew had a successful league season.  It included winning all the league races except for 1, a course record at Littlestown and leading his team to a 19-1 record

       

       

Andrew came into the league meet as one of the favorites.  He ran a good race and was with the front runner until the last 800.  Not the result he was hoping for, but a good race against good competition.

                                       

Andrew entered the District 3 AAA meet as a top runner.  He ran a very good race.  He moved up to 8th with 800 to go.  He finished 15th, medalled, and qualified for states for the 3rd year.

Andrew ran very well at his last high school meet.  He moved from 106 at the mile, to 56 at the 2 mile, 36 at the 3 mile. He finished 42nd overall in the AAA race.  He was able to be the 4th best AAA District 3 runner.  He was 64th overall amongst all the classes of boys that ran that day. A good finish.

     

They celebrated senior night.  It was nice to be there for Andrew.  

Andrew went to homecoming with his teammates....the newspaper caught a picture of him running to catch up....which was pretty fitting at that time :)

                                                       

Andrew got into fishing on weekends with his friends at the lake.  He had fun and caught this monster!!

                                          

The college search continued.  He happily accepted an official visit to Shippensburg University.  He enjoyed his overnight visit and liked the guys on the team.  After the season, Andrew attended an overnight at Virginia Military Institute.  He liked it.  Got to meet team members and felt comfortable there.  We are waiting for final acceptance at VMI to make a decision....    

   

                                                 

Andrew continued to train through the month of November to run the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Cross Country race in Van Cortland park over Thanksgiving. It was cold and windy both days.  

Here is Andrew and the rest of the Gettysburg team running the course on Friday.

The race is always a good experience and went well....though not easy course and cold!!

Abby began the 4th grade.  Here is the traditional school pic.

Abby continued with Awana and Sharks Swim team.  She added K Kids and the Cello to her activities.  All are going well.

Here is Abby with her Cello after her first lesson.

YouTube link of Abby Playing the Cello

Here is Abby swimming in her first meet of the season.  She swam the last relay with a PR of 18 seconds....included a flip turn if you look carefully.

YouTube link of Abby's Race

We went to pick apples one fall day.  That was fun.

                                               

We participated in trick or treat again.

We worked in some bike rides when we could.  Here is one of them.  Of course, it ended with Mr G's ice cream.

Here is a video of one of our rides:  

YouTube link of one of Abby's bike rides

Madi will be finishing up her semester and preparing to move to DC for the spring semester.  Andrew will continue to run.  We are planning some indoor races.  He will also work a little.  Abby will continue with school, cello (she will have her first Christmas concert for orchestra and chorus) , and swimming.....looking forward to it!! 

Until next time...

Summer 2019

Hello.

It was a busy summer....that went quickly.  Since school starts the third week of August, our summer is pretty much declared over despite what the official calendar says....most of you can probably relate.

Not long after school let out, we went on our annual vacation with my parents to Williamsburg.  We did our normal visits to Water Country, Busch Gardens, and the beach.  Here are some pictures.

Traditional Funnel Cake at Water Country

Beach Picture

Beach Picture

Andrew learned to fire 2 muskets at Colonial Williamsburg...a pretty good shot

Also, in June we drove to Tenn/Ga for cousin Stephanie's wedding and stayed with my brother-in-law.  It was good family time with the Overcash's and a nice event.

Madi had a good summer.  She was busy with her internship at the Gettysburg Times.  She learned alot and had many articles published in the paper.  On weekends between family trips, she spent time in DC.

Andrew had a good summer as well.  After vacation he had the opportunity to attend a National Security Seminar in DC, hosted by the University of MD and George Mason University. It was a great experience where he got to visit the Capital Hill, State Department, FBI, and Pentagon and interact with national security folks.

He started a job at Kennie's....a local food market....

Andrew had a good summer.  He ran alot of miles....good miles, in preparation for the upcoming cross country season. He attended his second year at Shippensburg University Cross Country Camp in July.  He got workouts from Neely Spence and caught up with her at the camp.

He also ran a 4th of July race in Waynesboro.  He ran well and finished 3rd overall, first high schooler.

He turned 18 in July.  We went golfing and went out to dinner a couple times to celebrate.  Here is Abby and Andrew at ABC on his actual birthday.

Madi took Andrew to Philly for his birthday.  They saw some sights and had cheesesteaks.  Good sibling time.  He wanted to see the Rocky statue.  He also did the run up the stairs :)

Andrew applied and was accepted already to Cedarville University and Shippensburg University - both possibilities for his academic and athletic future.  We also made a visit to the Virginia Military Institute.  We met with admissions and the cross country coach.  It was a good visit.  We plan on exploring further and heading to another visit during the semester.

Ran on the Chessie Trail in the morning

Andrew has a good schedule and is looking forward to a good Senior semester and good Senior cross country season.  He attended media day with his coach and teammate.  Here is a link to a preseason article.....https://centralparunner.com/2019/07/16/2019-yaiaa-boys-xc-individual-preview/

Abby was busy this summer as well.  In addition to making slime all summer, she participated in a summer swim season at the Y.  She continued to improve at her meets.  She became a better diver as well.  Tough to get pictures...here are 2 videos.

In between swimming for the team and swimming at the pool, we were able to run a few of the Ausherman 1 mile runs.....followed by ice cream of course.

The family took a trip to DC while I was doing my 2 weeks of military duty in SC.  They went to one of her favorite places....

Abby attended Good News Camp with my Mom, as she has the past few years.  She always enjoys the camp atmosphere.....here is her tubing in the stream

Madi took Abby to Hersehypark for a day.  They had a blast.

Madi and Rebekah headed to Dallas for the Mary Kay Seminar.  They enjoy their time together there...always to good event and time to celebrate the year.

Madi heads back for her 3rd year of college.  She is sitting as a second semester Jr.  She will be editor of the paper this semester and has a fellowship in DC scheduled in the Spring.  She is ready to go back and is looking forward to a good semester.  

Andrew has a good senior schedule and is looking forward to a successful cross country season and senior year.  

Abby is starting 4th grade.  Looking forward to school and maybe starting an instrument along with starting the fall/winter swimming season again at the Y.

Hope your summer was great and that you are looking forward to a great fall.  Until next time....