Loose Ends

Too much going on lately - haven't had time to post or update the kids' pictures. They are updated now, though!

Sarah had her final soccer practice on Thu Oct 18th. For the last half of practice, before it got too dark, Coach David handed out certificates and some soccer-related goodies. Some of the parents brought some snacks and drinks to share. The season started off a bit rough, with only one coach and almost 20 energetic kids, but by the end Coach David could see some real improvement in the kids' skills, and it seemed like everyone had a fun season.

On Sat Oct 20th, David went railfanning (aka, trainspotting) with his friend Joe. We went to Point of Rocks, MD and hung out there for a couple hours and saw a few trains. At one point, we went for a little hike on the C&O Canal and decided to walk through an active tunnel. It looked short enough, but once we were halfway through, we had a second thought that maybe this wasn't the best idea. We made it through, however, and just in time, as a train came through the tunnel about 5 minutes later. After that, we followed this railfan guide and made our way west all the way to Shenandoah Junction, WV. In all, we saw 13 trains (technically, 12 different trains, as we saw one slow-moving/delayed train in two different cities) and had a great day. Here's some pictures.

On Sun Oct 21st, Alison had her cat clinic - and then in the evening we went to Baltimore to have dinner at Sarah and Toby's house. Sarah showed lil' Sarah how to spin yarn and then lil' Sarah smoked us in a mean game of Go Fish.

This area got a much-needed soaking rainstorm over 4 days the end of last week. The 4-day total at the rain gauge in the front yard was 4.37 inches. We're still running about 6 inches below average for the year, though.

The last 3 days (26th, 27th, 28th) Halloween came early. On Friday, Sarah's school had their Halloween celebration; due to the rain, the parade had to be held indoors. The Rockets class sang two Halloween songs they learned, and they made pumpkin loaf to share. On Saturday, the kids went to a Halloween party at a friends' house, and on Sunday, a Halloween party at St. Pius. Sarah is going as a Snow Princess this year, and Nicholas as a baby lion.