Girls Dancing

While the big brothers were at Fort Caswell for a weekend youth retreat, Landry had Lanie and Jensen over for a sleepover.  They danced, choreographed dances, made bath fizzles, baked and just had a great time.  

Here is a taste of the dancing:

https://youtu.be/vY3mx1pcffw

https://youtu.be/9Dxksas3AV8

Brooks & Landry Best Friends

This is just a glance into their sweet friendship.  Oh I love them so much.  I love how the 3rd video captures Brooks' laugh/ giggle.

https://youtu.be/WZesQ-Sgkoo

https://youtu.be/vJ11CliyB7c

https://youtu.be/70p40uUybKw

2018 Annual Last Night Friends Beach Trip Dance Party

It is all in the title.  Every year on our Friends Beach Trip we all dance on the final night.  We go out with a bang and it helps to keep us all from spending the last night packing.  We have countless traditions like homemade ice cream, kickball, sandcastle contest, sand pedicures, flying kites, games, Puppy Chow Chex Mix, ghost crabbing and on and on.  I am so thankful for this time every year!!

Dance Party:

https://youtu.be/TWnNTQF60lI

ACE ADVENTURE RESORT

Family Vacation July, 2018

We had a great time here!  We rented a great cabin and enjoyed White Water Rafting with our guide Bear on the New River, a mud obstacle course run, the inflatable in the lake, the zipline over the lake and the blob.  Totally awesome!

Some Videos:

https://youtu.be/YiytY1iuWV8

https://youtu.be/PtaCaRuej0Y

https://youtu.be/xLjPxJLWGVY

https://youtu.be/8O-8As42O-k

https://youtu.be/5R6EFQ0Heeg

Greensboro Academy Cross Country Championship Meet

Well this season couldn't have gone better.  Both kids have improved so much.  The championship meet was held at Ivey Redmon which is same place as 2nd meet so we were able to see much improvement.  Oh, and a 30 degree drop in temperature certainly helped as well.  

GA Girls Won 1st with a perfect score of 15 which means we won 1-5 place!
GA Boys are undefeated for the season!

Landry dropped 1 minute 5 seconds since her last race here!  Huge!  She won 5th overall!  We are so impressed with her hard work and thankful for the abilities as well as the lessons learned in competing.

Middle School Girls Results
More Results
 North Stokes High School HY-TEK's Meet Manager
 Central Carolina Conference - 10/18/2018
 Cross Country Championships
 Ivey Redmon Sports Complex
 Last Completed Event

Event 4 Girls 2 Mile Run CC Middle Schoo
=======================================================================
 Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
 1 Allie Kinlaw W6 Greensboro Academy 14:14.94 1
 2 Kaitlyn Lewis W7 Greensboro Academy 15:02.29 2
 3 Leia Houser W6 Greensboro Academy 15:12.01 3
 4 Azuree Dollyhigh W6 Greensboro Academy 15:21.60 4
 5 Landry Gray W6 Greensboro Academy 15:21.77 5
 6 Gretchen Cimino W7 Greensboro Academy 15:26.14 6
 7 Nataly McCrary W8 Millennium C 15:51.28 7
 8 Elliott Porter W7 Summerfield 16:00.91 8
 9 Lexi Walters W7 Greensboro Academy 16:04.01 9
 10 Isabella Noel W7 Summerfield 16:04.24 10
 11 Mary Miller W7 Summerfield 16:46.47 11
 12 Maria Windsor W7 Millennium C 17:04.86 12
 13 Reagan Poindexter W7 Summerfield 17:05.73 13
 14 Ruby Hoerter W6 Millennium C 17:25.95 14
 15 Libby Auer W6 Greensboro Academy 17:33.85
 16 Maggie Scott W8 Greensboro Academy 17:46.04
 17 Caroline Miller W6 Greensboro Academy 17:47.24
 18 Avery Faucette W6 Greensboro Academy 17:47.66
 19 Jayclyn Hayes W7 Millennium C 18:15.66 15
 20 Kate Sheppard W6 Greensboro Academy 18:20.71
 21 Evelyn Chandler W6 Greensboro Academy 18:24.77
 22 Kaelyn Riley W7 Summerfield 18:38.08 16
 23 Nikhitha Kandasamy W7 Greensboro Academy 18:43.14
 24 Vivian Morrison W7 Summerfield 18:53.10 17
 25 Sophie Dollyhigh W7 Greensboro Academy 19:06.01
 26 Sheza Subhani W6 Greensboro Academy 20:10.36
 27 Cora Branch W7 Millennium C 20:12.45 18
 28 Mikeya Fuller W6 Phoenix Academy 20:21.98
 29 Kyra Scott W6 Phoenix Academy 20:23.61
 30 Chloe Alejandro W7 Phoenix Academy 20:26.48
 31 Gabby Johnson W7 Greensboro Academy 20:26.69
 32 Collette Slattery W7 Greensboro Academy 21:04.96
 33 Catherne Worland W7 Greensboro Academy 21:14.34
 34 Lilly West W7 Greensboro Academy 21:51.01
 35 Cindi Hutchens W7 Community Baptis 21:52.67
 36 Sophie Hester W6 Community Baptis 22:17.63
 37 Aditi Hongalgi W6 Greensboro Academy 23:10.05
 38 Isabelle Mathews W6 Summerfield 24:44.30 19
 39 Sophia Sonkiss W8 Greensboro Academy 26:26.10
 40 Jaden Richardson W7 Summerfield 29:58.00


 Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
 1 Greensboro Academy 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 9
 Total Time: 1:15:12.61
 Average: 15:02.53
 2 Summerfield Charter Acade 58 8 10 11 13 16 17 19
 Total Time: 1:24:35.43
 Average: 16:55.09
 3 Millennium Charter Academ 66 7 12 14 15 18
 Total Time: 1:28:50.20
 Average: 17:46.04

Brooks has had a stellar year and has had a lot of fun running with friends.  Brooks won 3rd overall.  Both kids barely didn't beat out the kid ahead of them.  So much heart and determination shown this season.  Brooks dropped 48 seconds since the last time he ran this course!

Celebration Dance:

https://youtu.be/nA7pU8-a-aU

and

https://youtu.be/cj5_JQd1fBo

 Central Carolina Conference - 10/18/2018
 Cross Country Championships
 Ivey Redmon Sports Complex
 Last Completed Event

Event 3 Boys 2 Mile Run CC Middle Schoo
=======================================================================
 Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
 1 Jacob Barrow M8 Greensboro Academy 12:00.94 1
 2 Riley Hinkle M8 Phoenix Academy 12:34.86
 3 Brooks Gray M8 Greensboro Academy 12:36.27 2
 4 Eli Houser M8 Greensboro Academy 12:55.68 3
 5 Tobias Waldridge M6 Phoenix Academy 13:19.60
 6 Jake Russel M8 Greensboro Academy 13:26.41 4
 7 Jonah Camden M8 Summerfield 13:32.64 5
 8 John Copland M7 Greensboro Academy 13:37.30 6
 9 Nathan Copeland M6 Greensboro Academy 13:50.82 7
 10 John Loflin M7 Greensboro Academy 13:51.61 8
 11 Evan York M7 Greensboro Academy 14:01.66
 12 James Stainback M7 Greensboro Academy 14:06.39
 13 Andy Shepperd M8 Greensboro Academy 14:18.95
 14 Travis Silvers M8 Summerfield 14:24.56 9
 15 Caden Dolleyhigh M8 Greensboro Academy 14:51.33
 16 Parker Duhaime M7 Greensboro Academy 14:59.06
 17 Ben Branch M5 Millennium C 15:04.77
 18 Jack Auer M7 Greensboro Academy 15:18.98
 19 Eitan Vilchik M7 Greensboro Academy 15:32.47
 20 Jack Martello M8 Summerfield 15:42.73 10
 21 Jacob Jackson M6 Greensboro Academy 16:03.58
 22 Giuliano Giove M7 Summerfield 16:05.18 11
 23 Douglas Williams M7 Summerfield 16:05.63 12
 24 Jacob Smith M8 Millennium C 16:06.96
 25 Nathan Cockran M8 Greensboro Academy 16:40.18
 26 Walker Williams M8 Greensboro Academy 16:41.72
 27 Gavin Reed M8 Greensboro Academy 16:44.33
 28 Joshua Campbell M7 Summerfield 17:05.92 13
 29 Shane Sonkiss M8 Greensboro Academy 17:11.67
 30 Stephen Voight M8 Greensboro Academy 17:12.38
 31 Noah Kendrick M6 Community Baptis 17:13.21
 32 Andy Bir M8 Greensboro Academy 17:38.60
 33 Walker Myers M8 Greensboro Academy 17:43.28
 34 James Pappas M7 Greensboro Academy 17:51.51
 35 Caleb Carter M8 Greensboro Academy 18:22.67
 36 Carson McShea M7 Summerfield 18:23.48 14
 37 Gaige Hall M7 Greensboro Academy 19:54.64
 38 Sy Surratt M8 Phoenix Academy 20:25.01
 39 Trystan Barnhill M7 Phoenix Academy 20:26.27

 Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
 1 Greensboro Academy 16 1 2 3 4 6 7 8
 Total Time: 1:04:36.60
 Average: 12:55.32
 2 Summerfield Charter Acade 47 5 9 10 11 12 13 14
 Total Time: 1:15:50.74
 Average: 15:10.15

Impact - Middle School Youth Group

So youth group is called Impact.  Pretty cool name chosen to remind us that God send us out to bring Him glory.  We are very thankful for the leaders who pour into Brooks & Landry week after week.  Robert has the privilege of spending 3 years with a small group of boys on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Robert invests in these guys and have been gifted to share, lead and teach the entire youth group.  He also gets the amazing privilege of relationships and being able to witness first-hand how much fun our kids are having while being encouraged in their relationship with Jesus.

Tonight was no exception!

Game:

https://youtu.be/1kddvgi5hns

Game 2:

https://youtu.be/UBai_1mVr2c

2018 Talent Show - Rap and Camp Merriwood:

https://youtu.be/qXtg7ymx3b4

Washington DC, 2018

Washington DC Trip #2 November 1-4, 2018

Our return trip to DC did not disappoint.  There is so much to learn and explore that you can not cover it all.  We were specifically brought back to our Capital to see the new African American History Museum as well as the Museum of the Bible.

We were very fortunate to receive White House tickets and a Capitol tour through U.S. Representative Mark Walker's office.  We were unable to make the Capitol tour this time because we spent most of a day in the AAHM.  Tickets are in very high demand for this museum and had to be acquired 3 months in advance so we did not want to skip out early.

Brooks and Landry wanted to be home for Halloween and since our White House tour began at 8:30 on November 1, we decided to make an adventure out of our first day.  We left home at 1:50 AM!!!! and drove straight into DC.  We stayed at the Hyatt Washington DC / National Mall and were very pleased.  The hotel is located between 2 very close metro stop and a stone's throw from the Museum of the Bible.  But even more importantly, it was walking distance to the National Mall, Museums, Monuments and the Wharf which is the waterfront area with great restaurants.  The hotel was fully renovated, very spacious rooms and the breakfast was over the top.

Day 1:
White House Tour - 40 year ban on pictures has been lifted so it was cool to take pictures inside.  Learned that the Secret Service is staffed slimmer than in the past because young adults are not as willing to dedicate 70-80 hours a week to the post.  Also learned that the President received guests most days of the week in the rooms we walked through.  Tours are in the morning so the rooms are available every day by 12.


Bureau of Engraving & Printing - We were impressed to learn that $10,000 and $100,000 notes have been in circulation in the past but more importantly, during the early 1900's when they would have been "worth" even  more than now.  We enjoyed watching the employees printing the money and one even pretending that he was going to fold a sheet of bills into a paper airplane.  It is amazing how much money is printed annually because it doesn't seem like paper currency is used very much nor that it would need to be replaced so frequently.

USDA Cafeteria was a perfect and little-known lunch spot.  The food was delicious and affordable.  We really enjoyed ourselves more on this trip and took about 1/2 the steps because we had better luck finding restaurants.

Museum of the Bible - The rest of the day was spent here.  We enjoyed it very much and were impressed by how interactive it was as you navigate multiple times through displays of the "highlights" and more popular happenings of the Bible.  Surprisingly, the Gospel was not shared and there wasn't discussion or references to Jesus being the Savior of the World and how to receive salvation.  The entire purpose of God's Word is to point us to Jesus and bring us into a relationship with Him.

A noodle restaurant was just around the corner from Museum of the Bible so we had dinner there.

Day 2:
National Archives Tour -
This was truly one of the highlights.  The original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution are all on display here.  The Magna Carta is also displayed here.  There are millions of items preserved here that are constantly rotated such as a 1920's census, bracelet sent to Capital in memory of Sandy Bradshaw, patents, letters to the President and so much more.

National Museum of African American History-
This museum is brand new and really done so well.  We are fortunate to have the International Civil Rights Museum right here in Greensboro as well and have visited there too.  The new museum traces the American history of African Americans beginning around 1400.  It was inspiring to see Rosa Park's dress and Harriet Tubman's shawl.  I find it important to learn from the horrors of our nation's history as well as the strength of character God has given so many and to celebrate those who have fought for what is right.  I am thankful to be able to teach our kids about the truth of our history and pray that they will see our world with love rather than prejudice, self preservation and hate.  We especially enjoyed the more recent sections that included sports, Oprah Winfrey and pop culture.

Lunch/ Dinner was enjoyed at the National Museum of African American History.  The food was delicious and the portions were huge so we shared 3 plates and didn't need dinner.

We visited the Washington Monument and WWII Monument before heading close to the hotel and grabbing sundaes at McDonald's.

Day 3:
Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Building -
This was a last minute addition.  We all agreed that it is probably the most beautiful building we have ever been in.  The mural on the ceiling of the Reading Room was just so breathtaking and the architecture and marble surround was classic.  There was a traveling Baseball Americana exhibit which was fun to visit as well as Thomas Jefferson's Library set up for display and the books arranged in the manner he preferred them, by topic.

Smithsonian Museum of American History -
This was our favorite Smithsonian on our first DC trip so we were excited to return.  Landry specifically wanted to see the gowns worn by First Ladies and we all wanted to revisit the original Star Spangled Banner.  We also saw Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz and many items from our presidents.  Original barstools sat on by the Greensboro 4 were seen in both the American History and African American History Museums.

We had lunch at American History.  It was good but too expensive.  Again, it was great to not have to walk in search of a restaurant or have to leave our museum.

Return to the National Archives -
We just had to return once more to take a look at the documents on display.  This trip was general public and much different.  We definitely recommend the private tour and standing out front against the front doors.  They must be 40+ feet tall and are quite impressive.

United Stated Holocaust Memorial Museum -
This trip all 4 of us were able to explore the entire museum.  Marking and remembrance of this time in our history is done so well here.  Brooks and Landry have both been drawn to the stories of this time and I am thankful for that.  If from a young age our kids understand how hate and racism can play out to the extreme, I pray that they will help lead the way toward unity and love.  A replica is built of a bunk inside of a prison camp that was impactful to walk through.  The pictures of the regular families who were loaded up without any understanding of what was happening always leaves a big impression.  At the end of our time, there was a movie shot in the 1980's of survivors and their stories.  Seeing this film gave faces to the stories and the after-effects of the war and genocide.

Dinner - Shake Shack at the Wharf

Memorials @ Night! -
Definitely a benefit of visiting this time of year was being able to see the memorials at dark with their beautiful lights.  We began at the Lincoln Memorial, headed to the Korean War Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, viewed Jefferson Memorial across the water from MLK Jr. and finally the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Beautiful and inspiring to remember all who have faithfully served our country.

Day 4:
Stop at Mount Vernon - George Washington's Estate -
The estate is wonderfully set up for visitors.  There are many interactive movies, a visitor center, museum, mansion, surrounding buildings and gardens to explore.  I was surprised to learn that the home is actually made of wood that has been beveled to look like stone.  I don't know why he didn't use brick?  The work buildings and employees' small homes were bigger and nicer than most people would have owned at that time.  Positioned on the water with the grand back porch, I can only imagine what life was like on the estate.

This was a great time away for our family.  I continue to appreciate how much Brooks and Landry enjoy learning and now can apply what they are seeing to what they have discussed in the classroom. We would like to tour the Capitol again in the future, take another glance at the Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian of Natural History and visit the Supreme Court for a lecture.

Brooks Continues to Shine

This is just an example of how you are appreciated by teachers and coaches and us!!  Fairly regularly we will receive a note, call or email like this from an adult in your life.  We are very thankful for the character you show and hard work you apply to really everything.  The Lord is shaping you and we praise Him for how He is using you.  This is from your 8th Grade Science Teacher.

XC Middle School Championship #2

 2018 Carolinas Athletic Association for School of Choice - 10/27/2018
 State Cross Country Championship
 Ivey Redmon Sports Complex
 Last Completed Event

Event 4 Girls 2 Mile Run CC Middle School
=======================================================================
 Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
 1 Allie Kinlaw 6 Greensboro Academy 13:48.07 1
 2 Gabby Lewis 7 Thales Acade 14:06.69 2
 3 Madelyn Langosch 8 Thales Acade 14:35.12 3
 4 Amelia Habeeb 8 Thales Acade 14:44.56 4
 5 Madeline Wilson 8 Thales Acade 14:47.45 5
 6 Kayla Ruperto 6 Forsyth Home 14:48.48 6
 7 Saddie Brittian 7 Thales Acade 14:50.57 7
 8 Meredith Harmon 8 Forsyth Home 15:13.51 8
 9 Leia Houser 6 Greensboro Academy 15:18.29 9
 10 Gretchen Cimino 7 Greensboro Academy 15:18.73 10
 11 Landry Gray 6 Greensboro Academy 15:22.10 11
 12 Azuree Dollyhigh 6 Greensboro Academy 15:27.79 12
 13 Lexie Walters 7 Greensboro Academy 15:30.43 13
 14 Elizabeth Hamilton 7 Forsyth Home 15:30.96 14
 15 Ruth Pemberton 8 Forsyth Home 15:33.27 15
 16 Sophia Madrazo 7 Thales Acade 15:42.68 16
 17 Daniella Davis 7 Southern Wak 15:57.58
 18 Aryn Smid 7 Forsyth Home 16:00.13 17
 19 Meredith Fairchild 6 Bradford Academy 16:00.41
 20 Elliott Porter 7 Summerfield 16:13.75
 21 Bella Noel 7 Summerfield 16:29.90
 22 Samantha Woloszyn 8 Thales Acade 16:45.97 18
 23 Caroline McClung 6 Forsyth Home 17:07.19 19
 24 Maria Windsor 7 Millennium C 17:08.65
 25 Libby Auer 6 Greensboro Academy 17:26.95 20
 26 Alishan Hess 8 Southern Wak 17:31.12
 27 Reagan Poindexter 7 Summerfield 17:35.02
 28 Jaclyn Hayes 7 Millennium C 17:50.53
 29 Edy Matthews 6 Forsyth Home 17:53.27 21
 30 Vivian Morrison 7 Summerfield 18:00.53
 31 Ruby Hoerter 6 Millennium C 18:09.73
 32 Kyra Scott 6 Phoenix Academy 20:11.22
 33 Chloe Alejandro 7 Phoenix Academy 20:39.10
 34 Mikeya Fuller 6 Phoenix Academy 20:49.56
 35 Cindi Hutchens 7 Community Baptis 21:12.66
 36 Sophie Hester 6 Community Baptis 22:06.83

 Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
 1 Thales Academy Rolesville 21 2 3 4 5 7 16 18
 Total Time: 1:13:04.39
 Average: 14:36.88
 2 Greensboro Academy 43 1 9 10 11 12 13 20
 Total Time: 1:15:14.98
 Average: 15:03.00
 3 Forsyth Home Educators 60 6 8 14 15 17 19 21
 Total Time: 1:17:06.35
 Average: 15:25.27

 2018 Carolinas Athletic Association for School of Choice - 10/27/2018
 State Cross Country Championship
 Ivey Redmon Sports Complex
 Last Completed Event

Event 3 Boys 2 Mile Run CC Middle Schoo
=======================================================================
 Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
 1 Jacob Barrow 8 Greensboro Academy 11:47.76 1
 2 Hayes Weatherman 8 Thales Acade 12:09.62 2
 3 Riley Hinkle 8 Phoenix Academy 12:24.07
 4 Brooks Gray 8 Greensboro Academy 12:32.89 3
 5 Graves Boyer 8 Thales Acade 12:37.87 4
 6 Eli Housar 8 Greensboro Academy 13:00.29 5
 7 Jonah Camden 8 Summerfield 13:07.29 6
 8 Mason Estes 8 Thales Acade 13:17.44 7
 9 Landon Culbreth 6 Southern Wak 13:26.02 8
 10 Joshua Rodriguez 7 Hayworth Chr 13:32.11
 11 Brogan Dillmore 7 Thales Acade 13:34.94 9
 12 John Copland Greensboro Academy 13:37.67 10
 13 John Loflin 7 Greensboro Academy 13:49.88 11
 14 Jonathan Gay 8 Thales Acade 13:50.55 12
 15 Travis Silvers 8 Summerfield 14:06.67 13
 16 Jake Russell 8 Greensboro Academy 14:09.06 14
 17 Anthony Ruiz 8 Forsyth Home 14:14.45 15
 18 Elisha McDorman 6 Bradford Academy 14:16.04
 19 Nathan Copland 6 Greensboro Academy 14:16.06 16
 20 Alexander Dempsey 7 Southern Wak 14:37.55 17
 21 Christian Drotchmann 7 Thales Acade 14:48.48 18
 22 Luke Fairchild 8 Bradford Academy 14:51.20
 23 Will Jones 6 Bradford Academy 14:58.95
 24 Nathaniel Gordon 7 Forsyth Home 14:59.89 19
 25 Sam Whitman 8 Southern Wak 15:20.42 20
 26 Giuliano Giove 7 Summerfield 15:27.57 21
 27 JR Aleppa 7 Southern Wak 15:32.95 22
 28 Cardin Collins 8 Forsyth Home 15:34.19 23
 29 Douglas Williams 7 Summerfield 15:42.33 24
 30 Max Hawkins 7 Bradford Academy 15:42.91
 31 Jacob Smith 8 Millennium C 15:56.26
 32 Dominic Waugh 8 Forsyth Home 16:07.89 25
 33 Joshua Campbell 7 Summerfield 16:24.51 26
 34 Jonas Prager 6 Emerson Waldorf 16:33.31
 35 Alec Euler 7 Hayworth Chr 16:40.87
 36 Jackson Ferriera 6 Southern Wak 16:44.67 27
 37 Noah Kendrick 6 Community Baptis 16:49.41
 38 Braxton Springer 6 Hayworth Chr 16:57.08
 39 Patrick Waugh 5 Unattached 17:01.70
 40 Dalton Webb 8 Summerfield 17:52.19 28
 41 Christian Ruiz 6 Forsyth Home 17:58.69 29
 42 Tanner Mayes 6 Community Baptis 18:34.82
 43 Anthony Herman 6 Forsyth Home 19:37.63 30
 44 Sy Surratt 8 Phoenix Academy 20:03.59
 45 Trystan Barnhill 7 Phoenix Academy 20:08.66
 46 Elijah Lapinskes 7 Iron Academy 20:15.10
 47 Jack Shaver 6 Phoenix Academy 20:38.89

 Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
 1 Greensboro Academy 30 1 3 5 10 11 14 16
 Total Time: 1:04:48.49
 Average: 12:57.70
 2 Thales Academy Rolesville 34 2 4 7 9 12 18
 Total Time: 1:05:30.42
 Average: 13:06.09
 3 Summerfield Charter Acade 90 6 13 21 24 26 28
 Total Time: 1:14:48.37
 Average: 14:57.68
 4 Southern Wake Academy 94 8 17 20 22 27
 Total Time: 1:15:41.61
 Average: 15:08.33
 5 Forsyth Home Educators 111 15 19 23 25 29 30
 Total Time: 1:18:55.11
 Average: 15:47.03