Weekend Warriors!

It seems like the weekends are now just as busy at the Marsh household as the weekdays. This weekend started the beginning of many weekend adventures to come of Scouts & Soccer. Aedan had his first scout campout at the Stake 11year old campout which was located at the Navy Recreation Center. He went with three other scouts from our ward. I asked him if he wanted me to come for the first campout but I was kindly rejected and told to stay at home. Good thing since Harrison had his first soccer game of the season & I am now the coach.




Aedan prepped and ready to go at the front step. He was eager to go, but had to wait for his ride since he did not want his parents to take him. He returned home late Saturday tired but happy. He earned his Tot n Chip badge along with the majority of the Swimming Merit Badge.



Harrison & Coach Jamie. Harrison played a great game Saturday for his return to soccer after taking a year off due to the move to Maryland. He had several great passes that almost led to a few goals. He was very tired after the game and realized he needs to get off the couch now and run more.

Rain-gutter Regatta

Tonight Cub Scout Pack 1846 held its annual rain gutter regatta. Harrison has been brainstorming ideas for his boat for weeks. Finally on Labor day, we put his plans into motion. He wanted a white short ship and named it The Ghost. Harrison's final design turned out pretty good.


Harrison with "The Ghost"



Harrison did very well in the competition. He won his first four races before they restarted the event due to computer / operator error. After the restart, Harrison just ran out of air. He ended with an overall record of 8-3. He was upset in the end when he did not place in the top three, but we are real proud of him for all of his efforts. He already wants to start working on next year's boat. :)

Virginia Beach Half Marathon

Today Monique & I completed the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. (My first and probably last.) Back in January when I was not completely paying attention, I agreed to run a half marathon with Monique. Monique took me up on the offer and signed us up. It seemed so far away but the event arrived. In April I started my exercise program in order to run the race. It has been a long process but I lost 58 pounds and made it to the finish line.



Monique & I before the race. We had to get up at 4am in order to catch the bus to the start line. The pre race snacks needed help. The bananas were very hot due to being left in a truck over night. Nothing like a warm banana to get your body going!



Over 18,000 people ran the race. The weather was very humid and hot but we did have cloud cover. :). The course was pretty flat with 14 bands playing along the course. I am glad I had my iPhone for music.



Monique & I after the race with another warm banana. Monique completed the race in 2 hours 10 minutes. I finished in 2 hours 26 minutes. I was just glad I made it to the finish line and got my metal! Now the key question will be how do I feel tomorrow morning?

Happy Birthday Aedan

Aedan celebrated his 11th birthday today. He is becoming such a great young man. It also worked out well that he received his Arrow of Light Award today. He also received the Outstanding Cub award for earning all 20 activity pins in one year.



Aedan with his Cub Scout award display. Great Job son!



Aedan getting his new boy scout handkerchief from the new Scoutmaster during his cross over ceremony.



Aedan receiving his Religious Knot Award from the Bishop.

Starbase Camp

This summer Aedan was selected to attend the National Starbase Camp put on by the Navy. Sixty 5th-6th graders were selected to participate in a week long camp at the Navy base. They studied practical ways to use math, science, & engineering. They launched a rocket, flew in a simulator, made ice cream with liquid nitrogen, & designed their own aircraft in CAD. Each student went by a call sign all week long. Aedan's call sign was Scout! Aedan really had a great time.




Aedan poses before launching his rocket!



Aedan's rocket had a great flight! The parachute deployed on time and it landed ten feet away from his launch site due to a very very strong wind.



Aedan at Starbase Graduation. Aedan scored "Top Gun" honors for his class due to scoring 100% on the final exam. He came home with a lot of prizes for his efforts.

First Day of School

Summer vacation has officially ended and Monique's dreams have finally come a reality. School started today for us and the morning seemed like Christmas. All three younger kids got up at the crack of dawn for school while Aedan was the last one up but the first to leave at 6:35am. Aedan allowed Dad to walk him only half way to the bus stop before telling him he could go back home. At the elementary pick up, there were over 76 kids for one bus that sits 60. I guess we need another bus again just like last year. Monique now has the whole day to herself to clean, cook, & do laundry; ha! Ha! More like relax, read, and play on her IPad.)




Aedan's picture. I don't think he likes the 6:45am bus stop idea.




Keean, Harrison, & Ireland pose for a picture before heading to the bus stop 20 minutes early.

Pergola Update!

It has been a long but enjoyable project for us but we finally finished our backyard makeover. We added 500 square feet of new stamped concrete, 19 new bushes in three flowerbeds, a fireplace with stone benches, our first patio set, and a massive 30x16x12ft pergola. Everyone in the family pitched in on something, some more then others! :). The one thing we have left is staining it next Spring (after it dries out) & adding shade curtains.


View from the backyard.



Side view- new table, chairs, carpet, & under view of Pergola.



View from stairs.



View from stairs of the new fireplace. Everyone will get their own bench and marshmallow stick!