Fall 2024

 

Hello, hope you are well.  We had another busy season.  Madi and Clark both achieved athletic accomplishments.  Madi finished her half marathon!

Clark achieved probably the biggest feat there is!  He trained for a full Ironman for a year.  It was a long day and full of challenges (like flooded running route!).  But we were priviledged to be there to see it and support him....a memorable experience for all of us!

Clark Minges..."YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!"

Madi and Clark also made their way to Columbus to see Ohio State play at home.

Madi and Clark also came up from DC to pick apples with us at a local orchard.  It was a good time.

Abby had a busy fall with her first semester of high school.  She has started off well in school academically and finished her first high school field hockey season.  She had a good time and saw alot of development.  She is looking forward to playing in the future.

Abby also attended her first homecoming with friends.

Abby also hosted her friends for Trick or Treat, again.  They went as Despicable Me characters...

Rebekah travelled to Greece on a planned tour with her Mom, Brother, and Sister in Law.  She had an awesome experience following the life of Paul through visiting locations and doing it with family.

Andrew finished the 18 week Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) in Fort Sill, OK.  This is a very challenging course and huge accomplishment!  Here is a picture of his graduation snagged from the stream.

He also found out that instead of heading to Ft Stewart, GA, he will be staying at Ft Sill for a year to be a Basic Training Platoon Leader.  This means he had to quickly find an apartment and figure out alot of things.  He was able to come home on a 4 day pass to visit and get his winter things he left behind.  

We all met up in Frederick for dinner at one of our favorite places, Coal Fire....took a picture to commemorate it as we do not want to take for granted when we are all together!

Rebekah and I were able to fly out and see Andrew and help get his new (first!) apartment set up in Lawton, OK.  It was a busy weekend, but it we got alot done and it was great to see where he has been living and where he will live for the next year.

Madi hosted Abby for another sister weekend.

Madi will continue with her Master's Degree in Film at American University, in addition to continuing to work there full time.  Andrew will begin his duties as a basic trainee platoon leader at Ft Sill, with an eye already to looking for his next assignment next summer.  Abby will continue with school, orchestra, and open field opportunities with field hockey and lacrosse.

Rebekah had another successful Mary Kay open house season.  I left teaching after 29+ years to take a job as a government contractor with the Air Force in the Pentagon division I worked in when I was active duty these past few years.  We are excited about the opportunities that could arise from that.

We are looking forward to having the whole family here for a few days over Christmas....until next time!

Summer 2024

 Happy end of summer.  We had a busy summer that went quickly.

Abby had a good summer.  She spent some time at the pool, working out, and being outside. She was highly involved in her preparation for HS Field Hockey as a rising freshman.  She attended regular practices and attended a resident field hockey camp at Messiah College.

Madi and Abby had a sister's weekend in DC.  Abby went to stay with Madi in DC....one of the unique things about the 11 year age difference....we are appreciative of that and they had a good time.

Andrew headed to Fort Sill, OK the first week of June.  He drove out and got settled living in the base hotel housing.  He has been really busy navigating a challenging Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) for newly commission 2LT officers in the Field Artillery Branch.  He has been able to explore the area and visit Oklahoma City and Dallas, TX.  He will complete his course beginning of November and head to his first assignment - this will either. be at Fort Stewart, GA ( his original assingment ) or spending a year as a Platoon Leader at Fort Sill for a year.  (pretty limited pics....I've been begging for more :) )

Madi and Clark were able travel this summer as well as train for athletic events.  They traveled to Spain and Ireland.  

Madi and Clark also spent much of the summer training for athletic events.  They both completed in an Olympic Triathalon early summer and Clark is training for a full Ironman Triathalon in a few weeks (Late September).  Madi is also running a half marathon in September.

Madi also started graduate classes in Film at American University where she works.

We were able to go to Myrtle Beach, our favorite place, in July.  We were able to stay in nice places and enjoyed out time at the beach and the attractions there.

I completed my final orders this summer at the end of the summer.  My time was up after 2 extensions and retired from the military after 33+ years.  It was a wild ride.  I was able to have my retirement ceremony at the Pentagon with my boss presiding and family and friends in attendance.  I was humbled and appreciated of the opportunity and it was a great event for all of us.

Abby started 9th grade.  We took our annual first day of school....high school!...pic.

This fall will continue to be busy.  Abby is off to a good start with high school.  Abby will play HS field hockey and then head into HS swim team.  Here is a pic from one of the early game promos from the school with her friend on her back :)

I headed back to school.  Things are going pretty well to start.  I am seeking other opporunities.  We will see what happens.  Rebekah continues to work her MK business.

Hope your summer was great and you are looking forward to Fall as well.

Spring 2024

 We had a very eventful and busy spring.

Andrew traveled during his last spring break to visit his VMI friend who was studying in Iceland.  It was quite an advanture making it to Iceland, but, once there had a great time and got to see many sites.  A cool trip!

Andrew finished his last track season.  We were able to see him run the Steeple Chase at George Wasington U in the freezing cold and at JMU.  It has been 10 years of watching him pursue running and racing.  He finished his career at the Southern Conference meet.

Abby also ran middle school track.  She ran the 1600m and the the 400 in the the 4 x 400 relay.  She had a good season where she compteted well and improved throughout the season.

At her last meet, the local New Oxford middle school invitational, Abby had an event night.  She medaled as part of the 4 x 800 relay, and finish 8th with a PR in the 1600.  We then raced back Gettysburg Middle School for an awards assembly where she received a presidential award for academics.....then we caught some food and returne to the meet for her to run the 4 x 400.....a fun, crazy night we will remember.

May 14-16 we celebrated Andrew's commissioning into the Army as an active duty 2LT.  We were gifted a house for family to stay and it was busy.  I had the honor of being able to do the ceremonial commissioning and Rebekah and Abby were able to pin him.

There was a parade - his last one!  Graduation was full of memorable moments and it was great to watch him graduate as a distinguished graduate.

Abby continues to play the cello.  She had concerts this spring.  It is always good to be able to go and hear her and the orchestra play and appreciate her development.

Madi and Clark have stayed busy enjoying get togethers with friends and activities in the DC area.  One activity that is taking thier time is training for triathalons.   They both completed an Olympic triathalon this spring.  Clark is continuing to train with completing an Iron Man this fall.

In trying to maintain fitness, I was able to figure out how to workout when I work at the Pentagon.  I was able to improve my swimming fitness, and motivated by Madi and Clark, Abby and I completed at spring triathalon at a local YMCA.  Abby did well and was 3rd in her age group, I was just happy to finish.  It was a great time to spend together with Abby and get encouragement from Madi.

Andrew started his military career by heading to the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill, OK.  He made his way out and is getting settled into his 18 week course before heading to Fort Steward, GA.

Abby is going to attend field hockey workouts and training in prep for her upcoming season and try to spend time with friends as she heads to high school in the fall.  

Madi and Clark have some cool trips planned this summer.....I will post about them next time...

Overall, a pretty good Spring for the Hirneisen's...hope this finds you well....until next time.