Snow

Snow in the forecast + school closing early = a kid’s recipe for a very happy Friday!

Soccer Stuff

There’s been a lot going on in the soccer part of Mark’s world these days.  I have to give him credit.  While not a multi-tasker by nature, he is doing a great job multi-tasking in his job world lately.  He’s working in the mortgage world and the soccer world simultaneously.  It’s not always easy, but he’s already found some interesting connections between the two. 

But like I was saying, there is a lot going on the soccer part of his world.  The team is under two weeks away from unveiling their new name.  Did you vote?  Nina did.  She voted for “Shockwave” but, needless to say, it didn’t end up in the top three!  There is going to be an unveiling event on Feb. 6 – details HERE.  If you’re local, please join us!!!  Also, Mark and a few guys on the staff just got back from Indianapolis where the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the North American Soccer League were both holding their annual meetings.  Here’s a little bit about Mark’s time in Indy.

So, Mark is busy but happy.  He loves the people he works with, and he can definitely say he has a challenge now, and I think he’s finding himself quite fulfilled.

(This picture of us was at the holiday party for the baseball and soccer team a few weeks ago.)

Luray Caverns

Since the kids had off school on Friday, we went with some friends to Luray Caverns.  Mark and I had been to Luray seven years ago, but this was the first time taking the kids there.  I kind of forgot how spectacular some of the features of the caverns were.  It really is a gorgeous place to visit.

  

There is one area in the caverns that has some standing water which provides some cool reflections. 

In this photo, it’s almost hard to tell where the actual feature stops and and the reflection starts!

There were 12 kids in our group (and four adults), and they all seemed to have a good time exploring together.

I got a little carried away taking pictures.  The sites were so cool. 

 

 

This was the room where they hold weddings.  There is a speaker system that plays a version of A Mighty Fortress is our God (played on the different stalagtite/stalagmite structures).

 

 

After the cavern tour, we checked out the old car museum next door, then made our way back home.  Since Mark was still in Indianapolis, we had dinner with Mousey to look forward to when we got back.  When we got back, I also got a surprise call from Mark saying that he was catching an early flight home from Indy and was going to be home to celebrate our 11th anniversary (which was yesterday).  So, it ended up being a great day for all of us! 

The Good, the Bad, and the Goofy

The Good: Despite the fact that it’s January, we’ve gotten some sunny afternoons that haven’t been too cold which means play time outside.  Nina got her roller skates back on, and we took the girls biking on our neighborhood trails.  They took a stop at a playground we passed to eat a snack and swing on the swings before getting back on the trails and riding home. 

The Bad: Nina has the stomach bug.  Bummer!!  The poor thing is home from school today after being up all last night throwing up.  The girls obviously don’t like being sick, but when they’re sick is the only time they get to just lay on the couch and watch TV, so it’s not all bad in their opinion.

The Goofy:  The picture speaks for itself.  Lyla got out the swim goggles, the noise reduction headphones, and the flippers to greet me when I got out of the shower, so I had to snap a picture with my phone.  One of the joys (and frustrations) about Lyla is that she is so goofy. You wouldn’t guess it from casually interacting with her, but when she’s in her comfort zone at home, she’s such a nut!