Winter 2024

We had a good start to 2024.

Abby started 2024 with the annual 1500 m (mile) swim at the Y offered by her swim club.  She swam very strong.

New Year's Mile Swim 2024

Abby's swim season got into swing Jan and Feb.  She had a good season and improved her times.  She swam at all-stars in the 200 IM.  Here is a video of her swim as well as some other pics from the season

Abby 200 IM All Star Swim

We did get some snow this year.  Abby and I went skiing 3 times.  It is a good experience and we have a good time.  Here are a few pics and a video of her skiing at Ski Roundtop ( We usually ski at Liberty Mountain which is a little closer).

Abby Ski 2024

Abby also fit in playing some Winter Indoor Field Hockey once a week in Hanover.  She enjoyed playing.

Abby celebrated her 14th Birthday on Jan 29.  We took a group of her friends to DC to do some shopping. Madi came out to meet us.  We had a good time.

Andrew started his last semester!  He is continuing to run his senior season.  I was able to see him race a 3000 indoors duirng the indoor season at VMI.  Last time watching him compete indoors.  Always fun for me.

Andrew recieved a nice accolade from the fall.  He has earned this award many times during his time at VMI - a great accomplishment and something to remember.

They had a senior day at the last track meet.  Here is pic from the recognition.

A big moment at VMI is breakout for the Rat.  Andrew performed the duty of mentor (Dyke in VMI speak).  His Rat Kevin Shank "broke out".  It serves as a completion of the cycle at VMI and is a pretty big occasion and a momentous moment in Andrew's VMI experience. "Full Circle Moment"

Andrew went to visit one of his VMI Track friends in Iceland over his spring break.  It was a trying time getting the trip to work out and even make the flight!  But, it worked out and it was a good time and experience.  Here is a picture from a visit to a Glacier Cave.  He also saw the Northern Lights on the way back!

Abby got her spring pictures.  Here is the updated picture.

Madi is doing well and we were able to see her multiple times this Winter.  Clark and Madi went to Las Vegas over Easter.

Madi and Clark are training for triathalons.  They plan on competing in a triathalon in May and Clark is going to continue to train for the Iron Man in October.  A pretty big undertaking, but he is off to a good start.  Madi is capturing the adventure on social media.

We look forward to the next couple months.  Andrew will commission and graduation on May 15-16.  He got his report date to BOLC for Field Artillery at Fort Sill, OK for June 2.  So we will get him ready to go.

Abby has started Middle School track.  We are excited to watch her compete.  She will also have some field hockey tournaments and start swim again as we head into summer...and complete middle school!

Hope you have a great start to spring and summer....until next time.

Fall 2023 and Christmas

 Hello.  It was a busy fall for us....as always.

Abby is off to good start in 8th grade.  Here is her school photo

Abby had a successful 8th grade Middle School Field Hockey season.  A high school student took pictures to share that turned out pretty good!

Here is her official photo.

We were able to see Andrew run his last regular season cross country race at the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University.  It has been a good run....10 years!

That same weekend, Madi finished her first sprint tri athalon in Baltimore.  She spent time training for it and was happy with the result.

Abby, once again, had some friends over for Trick or Treat

Rebakah turned 50 in November.  We took on the challenge of throwing a surprise party for her.  It was a success!  It was great to have friends there to celebrate this big birthday for her

We had a good Thanksgiving with family.  We took our traditional after Thanksgiving walk after Thanksgiving on the battlefield.

Upon returning to school, Andrew had his long awaited ROTC Branch Night,  this is the night that we all found out what branch of the Army that Andrew will be serving as an Active Duty officer for the foreseeable future.....

He got Military Intelligence, branch detail Field Artillery!  This means he will start as a Field Artillery officer and then transition to Military Intelligence in 3-4 years.  This is a huge accomplishment and represents a 4 year journey to get here...we are all excited for this opportunity for him.

Abby had her annual Christmas concert.  Pic are always tough to come by, but here are two of her with her cello.  The orchestra did a great job and sounded great.

Abby has transitioned to swimming in November.  We are glad to see her back in the pool.  She practices 3-4 nights a week.  She had her first meet in December.  Also, tough to get pics, but here are a few.

We had a very good Christmas.  We had everyone together.  Here are some pics of our adventures and activities over the Holidays.  We visited Madi and Clark at their new place in Washington DC.  My in-laws stayed with us for 2 weeks over the holidays.  We celebrated at home and with my brother and his family in Greencastle.  

Looking forward, Abby will turn 14 in Jan and continue swimming through the winter, and then plans on running track in the spring.  Andrew will be competing in his last indoor and outdoor track seasons and then he will commision as a 2LT in the Army and Graduate in May 2024.

We hope you had a great fall and great holiday season.  Until next time....