Rudolph(s) and Santa Had Fun

When we signed the kids and Jip up for a fun run over a month ago, we crossed our fingers and hoped for good weather.  Well, Virginia Beach sort of cooperated with that hope.

The kids ran the Rudolph 1K in Virginia Beach on Friday night.  Around 140 kids ran out of the convention center, down the block, and back into the convention center.  Jip and I divided and conquered.  He got some video outside and I got a couple pics inside.  Unfortunately, I didn't get Ryleigh crossing the finish line, though-- I had wrongly assumed she would cross with RJ, so I was looking for him.  Instead, she was a few seconds ahead of him, so I didn't see her until she was already past me.  Sorry, RyJo.  Both kiddos came back into the convention center a tiny bit damp, but at least it was warm.  After RJ and Ryleigh got their post-race snacks, we headed to dinner.

The next evening was Jip's turn.  As part of his registration, he got a Santa suit.  Jip's run was 5 miles and included a run along the Virginia Beach boardwalk through the city's Merry Mile lights display. We caught up with Jip just as he was coming off the boardwalk and made him stop for a picture.  Once we found Jip after the run was over, we grabbed some drive-thru provisions and went back to the Merry Mile to drive through it.  I'm sorry to say that it was a little rainier on Jip's run.  The red bled onto the white trim and Santa looked like Mrs. Claus had had some laundry troubles.  So the Santa suit only got to make an appearance in this run, then it had to head for the trash.

Ryleigh had her in-studio performance for ballet over the weekend, but I think I'll share that performance and RJ's in-studio hip hop performance on next week's post.  So, pics and videos to come...

Until next week, cheers!

A Jip Featurette

Shhhh...  I'm blogging/bragging about Jip this week.

Over the weekend, we celebrated his birthday with lunch at our favorite BBQ joint.  Jip opened his presents from us and tinkered in the garage a good part of the day.  I think it was just the amount of hoopla (virtually none) for him.

But, we need to have SOME hoopla, right?  So, I'm sharing a couple more items from his time as acting Commanding Officer.

Being acting CO around Veterans' Day not only means you get to be in the local parade, but it means you get to host the base ceremony as well.  Here are a few pics that the shipyard posted on FB:

And, no guarantees the link will work, but here is the post about the ceremony:  https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkNavalShipyard1/posts/10156181442837799?__tn__=K-R.  If the link doesn't work, just search for Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) and scroll down.  (The post was made on December 11.)

Jip also got to do a radio interview while acting CO.  It's a fun listen--about 20 minutes.  Enjoy Jip's answer about how much paint is on a ship!  Here's the page from the Federal News Network.  Go to the page and then you should be able to just click the play button in the shaded box near the top of the page.  https://federalnewsnetwork.com/navy-2018/2018/11/navys-oldest-shipyard-prepa

This week is full of meals with friends and colleagues.  At the end of the week, the kids will be running in a 1K and Jip will be running in a 5 miler.  Keep your fingers crossed for good weather.  Hopefully we'll get out to see some Xmas lights and maybe do a few other things.  As always, pics to come.  Until next time, cheers!

December is Here!

December arrived in full force for our household.  After a normal week at school and with all of our after-school activities, it was time to be busy.  First, we attended the kids' school's PTA Pancake Breakfast.  We made sure to get in the line where breakfast was served by RJ's teacher and the kids' head PE teacher.  One of RJ's favorite teachers, Mr. Scales, even came out of retirement to serve juice to the kids.  It was a great way to start our busy day.

After the breakfast, the boys headed off to RJ's last coding class for 2018, where RJ coded and Jip did some work at a nearby Panera.  Ryleigh and I headed to Ocean Tumblers for her team and individual pictures.  Official photos should be back by Christmas.  But, I took a quick snap while we were waiting for the individual photos to start.  I love their leotards this year.

After gymnastics pictures, Ryleigh and I scrambled to ballet.  We were 20 minutes late, but still made it to get a few stretches in at the barre and then work on the in-studio performance to Carol of the Bells.  I've vowed to not watch the rehearsals so I can be surprised by the performance.  Of course, pictures and video of that to come in a couple weeks.

Saturday evening, Jip and I headed out to a shipyard-related party.  The food was good and the DJ was too loud--a typical Navy party.  Meghan babysat the kids for the first time, and they adored her.  They watched some Sound of Music, talked Pokemon, and more.  Meghan will be coming back next Saturday so Jip and I can get dressed up again for another party.

This week should be a little calmer.  RJ and Ryleigh still have to get Christmas gifts for each other, but they've narrowed the search.  Ryleigh needs to buy a Secret Santa gift for gymnastics and I need to get a white elephant gift for NMCRS, as both of those parties are next week.  In between, I'll work on getting Christmas cards out and maybe throw in a little baking.  As always, pics to come.

Until next time, cheers!