Christmas 2025 and Abby's 15th Birthday!

 Hello.  Hope this finds you well.  We had a busy, but, very good Holiday season for 2025.

Abby had her Christmas Concert.  An event we always look forward to.  Tough to get pics, but here is an attempt.

My new job as a Defense Contractor at the Pentagon office presented an opportunity to attend the Christmas party because I was not on active duty during the Christmas holiday the past 2 years.  Rebekah and I attended.  It was a very nice event and a good opportunity for Rebekah to meet some of my co-workers.  Also, trying out a post military retirement beard :)

Madi has been working on her Master's in film at American University, while also working full time there.  She led a team that published a documentary.  It was very good, and it was exciting to see her work.

Madi's Film Class Documentary

We were fortunate to have everyone home for Christmas.  The family, minus Dad who was working, took Andrew to see Madi & Clark and their place....and explored DC the a few days before Christmas.

We had a traditional Christmas for us.  We attended Christmas Eve service.  We opened our Christmas gifts at home on Christmas morning. Then, went to my brothers house for lunch and the afternoon on Christmas day.

Madi and Clark headed to Nashville for the Music City bowl game - a Minges family tradition over the holidays.

Andrew was here until New Year's Eve.  He flew back to Ft Sill.  He is doing well filling roles of Platoon Leader, Executive Offier, and duties as assigned.  He is learning.  He is looking forward to his next assignment that he should find out late spring and head there next fall.  

He did get out to OKC to see the Thunder vs Celtics NBA game.  What a cool adventure!  Here is a pic.

Andrew accompanies the trainees on exercises as needed.  Pictures hard to come by, but, here is a selfie of him during one of the exercises.

Abby has been attending open field/gym opportunities for field hockey and lacrosse.  Her first semester of high school went really well academically.  She is planning on playing lacrosse in the spring.

We did get some some snow and plenty of cold weather this winter, that means the slopes at Liberty Mountain nearby have been open and Abby and I have been able to ski multiple times this season.

And.....in late January, Abby turned 15!!  We had a gathering here at the house for family and then we took her and her friends to dinner.

Looks like winter is here for a while longer, Abby and I may get some more skiing in.  Abby starts lacrosse in early March.  Madi continuse her Masters in Film and American University in addition to workin full time.  Clark is training for a half Iron Man in addition to his finance job.  Andrew will continue to serve at Fort Sill this spring, he is looking forward to his next assignment....we may find out out his spring.

Hope you have a good start to your Spring....until next time.

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.