November and December 2012

Hello all.  Hope this post finds you enjoying your holiday season.

We got a family pictures at a local park this year.  The family picture became our Christmas card.
 

 

 

Our November began with Rebekah's birthday....Everyone got in on blowing out the candles and singing

In the middle of November, Rebekah and I got to go to NYC with the War College.  On the first day we were fortunate to get a private tour of Ground Zero by a man who was the head of the local NBC news station who covered lower Manhattan during 9/11.  He provided a very insightful and emotional tour and historical context.  Rebekah and I got a picture by the pools.

The trip was to expose War College students to executive's within large organizations who are strategic leaders.  I attended the NYC City Planning office and Columbia Business School.  The wives planned thier own day.  After heading to the Today Show early and making it on TV, Rebekah went shopping and had a good time getting to know some of the other wives.

 



That night, Rebekah and I went to the Barclay Center and got to see the Boston Celtics play the Brooklyn Nets - we are Celtics fans, so the loss was a bummer, but a great time and experience.

On Friday, we visited two UN Consulates.  Botswana and Iraq.  I have the opportunity to be in a seminar with an officer from both countries.  The visits were very interesting and informative.  After the luncheon and presentation from the Iraqi Ambassador, we got a picture with him.

 

Thanksgiving was spent with family in Greencastle and, as always a good time.  Abby did celebrate Thanksgiving at her preschool and made a pilgrim hat.

 

 

December began and so did sports for Madi and Andrew.  Madi is playing indoor field hockey and enjoying it.  She had one tournament in December and will have more in January.  I am coaching Andrew in basketball again this year.  We have started practice and it is a good time to spend with him.  They also had their holiday concerts. Madi plays the violin and Andrew plays the trumpet.  This was Andrew's first year playing in the advanced band.

 

 



 

School is going well for all.  Rebekah finished up another very busy but successful holiday sales season.  We have been busy preparing for Christmas and are looking forward to holiday gatherings with friends and family....and some down time the week after :) 

 

Abby had her first preschool program - she did a great job singing her songs...

 

 

 

Abby was sick over Christmas, but enjoyed a normal holiday for the most part and most of the places we went.  Her gifts were focused on Disney Princesses.  She did get a cleaning set and an animated dog.

 

 

 

 

Andrew got some cool boy stuff.  He got an electric scooter, a baseball that measures throwing speed and a bb gun with target.  He also got an indoor basketball set that wirelessly records baskets - I play with him when getting Abby in the tub in the evenings - fun.  

Madi got alot of clothes.  She got a Northface jacket and a bunch of stuff for her room. 

 

 

We did get snow Chrismas eve that we got to enjoy as we drove.  It melted by the time we got home on Christmas day.  We got another snow storm on the day after Christmas.  The kids went out to play in the afternoon.

 



 

I will continue to post Christmas pictures as they occur....

 

Wishing you a great holiday....until next time....

End of October 2012

Hello All.  It has been a busy fall for our family and here are the the headlines and some pictures to go with them.

Since my last post, my grandmother ( Nanny ) passed away after a long life and we will miss her.  We gathered back in Denver / Reinholds PA for a memorial lunch.  It was a nice time to visit with some past acquaintances and share stories etc.  We did get an immediate family photo at the end.

Madi and Andrew are off to a good start at school. Madi is in 8th grade.  She played field hockey this fall.  It has become her sport of choice and she had a good season.  Here is a pic after a game all suited up.

Andrew is in 5th grade.  He is in his second year of trumpet and doing well with that.  Andrew played fall baseball and had a good time.  He gained confidence as a batter and enjoyed pitching the most.  Here are some pictures of him in his uniform and warming up to pitch at one of his last games.

 

 

 

  My time at the Army War College continues to be busy but a great experience.  Though we don't get to attend all events, I try to get the kids to some.  We went to a WWII reenactment event at the US Army Heritage Center adjacent to the War College.  Andrew got to fire a replica airsoft weapon - he enjoyed that.

I have been able to manage my time pretty well.  There are some times where reading is accomplished in some unorthodox ways though....

Abby continues to grow and bring a great deal to our family.  She started preschool two days a week at our church and loves it.  Here is a pic with her and her backpack.

She likes her princesses and being involved in all that she can....

 

 

 

 

I made running the Army 10 miler a goal at the beginning of the year a goal.  It helped me stay focused and continue to get back to running after all the old person setbacks with injuries etc.  I was able to complete it with my friend Todd Graham - a good time all around.

 



Hope this finds you well.  I will post again in a little while.  Please let me know how your families are doing and keep in touch.  Until next time.....

End of Summer 2012

Hello all.  Here is an update and a few pictures from our summer.  It was a busy July and August. 

Madi went to two stay away camps - Work of Life Camp in NY and Field Hockey Camp at Bloomsburg University.  She had fun and did well at both.

The rest of us have been busy with summer stuff around here.  We have been at our community pool alot the past 8 weeks.

In the beginning of July, Rebekah and I went to Pittsburgh for a night for our 15th wedding anniversery.  We took a dinner cruise around the city.  We had a good time.

I reported to Carlisle Barracks to begin my in processing mid July.  We had weeks of orientation and introductions and began classes the first week in August.  I am a member of a 16 person seminar that will be our learning group.  It is a diverse group - despite being mostly Active Duty Army officers - to include an officer from Iraq.  We have also had some highly reknowned speakers already, to include the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen Odierno.  I am enjoying everything so far - it is great opportunity for me professionally and personally. 

To be collaborative, we use first names and don't wear our military uniforms.  Here is my first day of school outfit.

During one of the first week of activities at the War College - The Boatyard Wars - Abby got her face painted with a unicorn.

We did sneak down to Ocean City MD for one last away trip in mid August.  Here are some pics of the kids at the ocean and pool

Abby continues to get grow and amuse us with her mimmicks, sentences and energy...here are a few pics from her at the beach.

The Gettysburg Schools start early this year on August 22nd, so the kids summer is almost expired.  Abby is also going to go to a preschool at our church for two mornings a week - she is very excited.

Andrew is going to play fall baseball and Madi is going to play Field Hockey for the Middle School team. 

We had a good summer and are looking forward to a fall busy with activities and school - I hope that you had a good summer and a good start to your fall as well.  Until next time....

End of June 2012

Well, June was a busy month, so I decided to make a post.... 

Early in the month Rebekah had surgery on her neck to fuse two vertebrate together...we are praying this will releive some of her pain...

School ended and we began our summer.  Andrew went to a basketball camp at the school I teach at thanks to an invitation from my friend the basketball coach. 

Then, Andrew and I went to Father Son Basketball Camp at Shippensburg University over Father's Day Weekend.  We had fun...

In the middle of the month we took our annual family vacation with my parents to Williamsburg.  We went to Busch Gardens, Virginia Beach and Water Country...

The kids at the entrance to Busch Gardens

Andrew and Abigail on a ride at Busch Gardens in the Sesame Street area

Madi and Andrew spent most of the time in the ocean riding wave boards with their cousins

Abby was not in to the ocean as much this time and spent alot of time on the beach

Abby spent alot of time on the slides at Water Country after being coaxed on....

 

Picture of Abby coming down the slide

Abby on the alligator at one of the water areas at Water Country

Abby did ride one of the raft rides for little kids at Water Country - this is not from the ride but the same tube...

My Niece Stephanie came up from Georgia to stay with us for 2 weeks...it was great to have her visit and spend time with the kids...

< Pictures to come>

At the end of the month, Andrew went to a basketball camp at our home school of Gettysburg High School for a week.  Madi headed off to Word of Life camp with my parents and my brother's family.  She is staying on "The Island" 

Hopefully your summer is off to a good start....July will bring a few more activities for us and the start of the War College for me....until then...