UMW Visit

Sam and I had not seen the UMW campus or downtown Fredericksburg, so we drove down to see the campus, shop at the bookstore and have lunch in old town. In all my years in the DC area, I had never visited old town Fredericksburg. I have been near it many times, playing golf or hiking one of the civil war battlefields in the area but not downtown. It's cool, sort of like old town Alexandria. Mary Washington sits just outside the historic center and is an easy walk to all sorts of shops and restaurants. It was a nice New Year's Eve excursion, just an hour down and back. Now we need to get Dylan out to Drake. It will be good for both of them to visualize the environment the other one is in next year. They moved from the same womb, to the same room, to separate rooms on the same floor to 1,000 miles apart in different states. It will be strange.

Breaux Vineyards

Nicole and I drove out to the mountains to visit my friend Bruce working at his hoppy job. Tasted some good juice and listened to some live music. Cold but pretty out there.

Neighborhood Winner

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Available until Jan 24, 2021

Drake Football Class of 2025

Sam officially signed today

https://godrakebulldogs.com/news/2020/12/16/football-adds-25-student-athletes-in-early-signing-period.aspx

Senior Donut Day

Seniors got an opportunity to pick up some donuts from school yesterday and were asked to wear some holiday cheer. That's when a reindeer suit comes in handy. Nicole spent many hours in the cold handing our fried sweets.

Signing Ceremony

Sam's good friend Lexi signed a Track scholarship agreement with Monmouth University today. She a really good pill vaulter. The ceremony was in her parents driveway in an attempt to follow COVID rules. Typically, these things are done in the high school gym.

1st Night

It's actually the 2nd but Dylan is at Luna's house.

Baby Yoda Christmas

Seen on another night walk in the area. It is the way.

Hanukkah Walk

Nicole got early this morning to sketch out a menorah with her fitness tracker. The grid system of old town streets makes a perfect canvas for this art. I'm hoping she will walk a reindeer and sleigh pattern at some point this month.

UMW Eagle

Dylan has committed to being a University of Mary Washington Eagle. He loves the school and Rugby club as well as the location, an hour south of Alexandria. I'm looking forward to seeing some college rugby next year. Proud of the boy.

Winter Walks

We have been trying to get out and walk at dusk to see as many of the nieghbors light displays as possible. The boys needed some air yesterday after a long day of virtual schooling and we all found this beauty about a mile and a half away. Lots of people in this area have good lights but this one was trying really hard. They seem to have a problem with the top right window but lots of work went into this one more walks on different streets to come.

Ultimate Recruit Article on Sammy

Nice article on Sam's decision to play football at Drake.  

https://www.ultimaterecruit.com/drake-lands-edison-te-sam-carpenter/

Holiday Sunrise

Old town tree up with our trees as well.

First Acceptance

St. John's would like Dylan to be a Jonnie Rugby stud. First acceptance from 3 applications sent. Congrats baby.

Turkey Trot

Some of the girls who did the early turkey trot in Alexandria yesterday morning. All wearing the turkey shirts Nicole made this week.

Three New Trees

Had some landscaping done this week and added these new trees next to the wood pile, back towards the cemetery. Perfect for white lights.

Real Half

Nicole got up at 4:15am to meet her friends in Richmond to run a real half marathon race. It actually started whenever you showed up but it had a real course, unlike the virtual marathons she's been doing. Great day for running.

Dawg

Sam committed to be a Drake University Bulldog on Saturday night. Exciting times and the realization the boys are heading out into the world in a few short months.

Christmas Sweater

Nicole helped Rocky try on his new Christmas sweater and bow tie at Robbies last night. He's ready for the holidays.

Bulldog?

Only time will tell. Sam enjoyed his visit to Des Moines and Drake this weekend and may decide to be a Bulldog in the next week or so. He's doing an official football video visit with them now and we had a perfect day to do the self guided campus tour yesterday.