Billing Goat Trail 2026

Kids and Doug has an odd day off ... so we took on the Billy Goat trail again since it was so much fun in Jan 2024.

One of the highlights of this year (sorry ... no pictures) was Doug and another random Dad holding RJ upside down by both ankles to retrieve a football that had fallen into the water next do a 3 foot drop-off.

Just like last time Julia bleated like a billy goat when she saw blue trail markers.

Found the old spot where we took the picture last time

Julia was a bit hesitant about climbing the ridge, but she did it!

RJ was NOT hesitant to climb. We found one cliff he did not want to attempt without a rope

We forgot to send this picture to Sara

G-Geoff and Arthur

We got to see G. Geoff and his newish dog Arthur while he was making a trip to DC from State College.

Luckily we cleaned up the trains so Arthur could run around the basement

 

Philippines

Work trip to Bohol, Philippines. Sounds fun, but it was 40 hours of flying and long work days. I did manage to snorkel outside the hotel and take a boat trip to an island snorkeling experience.

View from my room

7-Eleven walking distance from my hotel

Spent most of my time here

This wiring reminds me of the mess under the train garden

Starfish looked like Patrick from SpongeBob

Lots of people/boats in the snorkeling area. Turtles and fish were plentiful!

American Pika project

Julia selected the American Pika as her project animal. Doug helped her a little bit ... but Julia was pretty self sufficient.

The best part of the board was the QR code that linked to a video with the sound that an American Pika makes. Make sure you notice the bee that flies into the pika.

Julia with her board at school

Julia in school newsletter with rest of class

Playing Around

Random kids events during February:

Julia and Alex hang out in the lower level

St. Agnes 8th grade at Spy Museum

RJ and Hudson practice curling before hockey practice

Hockey in Charlotte

Family packed up and headed to Charlotte for some warmer weather and some hockey. While there we:

• Got to hang out with Aunt Debbie who made the trip to watch some quality hockey :-)
• Saw a wooden troll sculpture and played on a really-big slide.
• Caught up with our old neighbors (The Warrens) including Christy's super cute baby.
• Bummed breakfast off of the Suppas. At least we didn't need to rely on them for last minute housing this time.
• Got rained out from attending an indoor AHL Charlotte Checkers game.
• Girls went to the Museum of Illusions and tool a LOT of pictures.

Lunch with the Warren's on Lake Norman (Christy and Luke pictured)

Aunt Debbie getting run over by the Zamboni

Walt and RJ at the cancelled game (leaky roof meant too much water on the ice)

So in case you were wondering ... why did we drive to the hockey arena when the game was cancelled? Answer: they didn't cancel the game until after it was supposed to start. Since it rained all day I'm not sure why they didn't let us know in advance. Coach Doug and some boys salvaged the day by going to Top Golf.

The girls went to the Museum of Illusions

Aunt Debbie suggested that we visit one of the 7 wooden troll sculptures and ride a really big slide on the first night. All except Walter are trying to be trees.

The team won all 4 play-in games and the championship!

Julia's stuffed animal was good luck in this game (they would probably have lost without her)

Family picture in front of the troll

RJ turns 14

RJ's actual birthday was on a Monday. St. Agnes was supposed to be off ... but too many snow days changed the plan. 

So RJ was under the weather and had to go to school. But Sara pressed on ...

due to sickness RJ wanted soup and bread for dinner (it was actually quite good!)

RJ with a 'small amount' of gifts

Gifts included: knee hockey stuff, rocketry, some cool games like Murdle, Oreos, ski goggle glass replacement, earth metal tools, some cool clothes, some not-so-cool clothes, and a credit card.

Best decorated (and most self-serving) gift from Julia ... Caps logo on back was awesome

By desert (cheesecake!) RJ wasn't feeling very sick or tired!!