Hiking before the snowstorm

Ian had a school assignment for his PE class, and we chose hiking to complete that requirement. I found a place nearby where I was going to run in the morning, but decided I'd take the kids there before the snow hit.

Leah wasn't super excited to go, but once we got there and started hiking, she had a nice time. Fairly early in the hike, we came across this bench. For whatever reason, she wanted to stand on it rather than sit on it.

I got a nice photo of Ian for his assignment.

And further along the trail (maybe 2.5 miles total), we came across this pathway. We all thought it made for a nice photo spot - so voila!

The kids loved the irony of the sign proclaiming the incredibly distinct trail as not a trail! I'm sure some one has an excellent reason for why that trail is not a trail...

And on our way, Leah wanted to stop by this iced-over puddle-pond. I thought I'd snap a photo.

Have a great day!

Marc

Leah's Birthday

Happy birthday Leah!

We went out and took some photos while the light was nice yesterday.

Our girl turns 13 today - can't believe we have a house full of teenagers!

Leah actually took a couple photos of me, but unfortunately, I was not in focus.

Have a great day!

Marc

Happy New Year!

Happy new year everybody!  In traditional fashion, we turned in a bit before midnight...way past my bed time!

I decided to grab my camera today to snap some photos of Ian and Leah.

Leah was first, and Luna decided to photobomb us.

From the living room, we went back to my office/studio and took some photos there.

I brought Ian down, and the excitement was palpable...

I must have deleted about 3000 photos where his eyes were closed or mostly closed, but I did finally manage to get a decent photo of him.

Not our best work, but not too shabby, either.

Best wishes for a happy and blessed 2019!

Marc

Holiday Ball

Last night was the Holiday Ball for my hospital, which meant Catherine and I needed to get all dressed up. It was a different way to celebrate our anniversary...22 years!

I sat next to another PT from a satellite clinic - we've met before, but it was nice to get to know her a bit more. Funny thing, though:  she brought her boyfriend and when I asked where he was from, he somewhat abashedly said Mt. Gilead in Ohio. So when I told him I was from the Bucyrus/Galion area, he knew right where that was. Small world.

Cheers,

Marc

Happy Thanksgiving!

We invited some family to come visit us for Thanksgiving this year - Mom and Chuck accepted the challenge! Catherine made a crazy amount of food that we will be working our way through for quite some time.

While they were here, we visited the Woodlawn Manor House, an old farmhouse that was apparently a part of the Underground Railroad.

They were kind enough to pay the admission fee to tour the grounds and for the guided tour of the house itself. I most enjoyed the barn, but it was COLD!

Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend to everyone!

Marc

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day everyone.

As part of the festivities, I thought I'd get a photo of Leah, since it had been some time since she has sat in front of the camera with the lights on.

Nothing terribly new on our end - have a blessed day!

Marc

Pumpkin Chunkin

This weekend was Ian's first campout with his new Boy Scout Troop - which was their annual "Pumpkin Chunkin" campout. In the past, they've taken all the unused (not purchased) pumpkins from a farm after Halloween, and they launch them from a hillside on a local farm.

We camped at the bottom of the hill, on the other side of the little creek. We had some Cub Scouts and Webelos visit - which this had to be a great time for them. Several of the adults said that Ian was a great teacher, very patient with the younger kids, on the sling shot station.

They also had a trebuchet which launched some pumpkins probably a hundred feet or so into the air, and then because of the hill, another 20-30 feet, which made for some great exploded pumpkins.

We spent the night, which was cold - first frost of the season. Thankfully, the rain got itself out of its system the night before.

Have a great day!

Marc