Happy New Years Eve

We spent New Years Eve at Ryan and Michael's house with baby Noah and lots of friends!  So much fun!!

 

Lazy Boxing Day

 

Merry Christmas 2022

Merry Christmas!! It was an awesome day! We went to Gramma and Daddy Jim's house on Christmas Eve and had a delicious lasagna. We went home and opened Christmas Eve presents - matching jammies and legos - Christmas tradition! Aidan got the pyramids, Emmy got Dumbledore's office, Aoife got Starry Night and Declan got the Minecraft Farm. All were a hit except Declan's this year! 

Christmas morning was perfect - everyone slept in until 8!!! So many awesome gifts - Aidan got his Christmas/graduation gift - a trip to Italy to play football in April, Emmy got a mini fridge for her room, Aoife got a new phone and Declan got a hover board! 

We had Daddy Jim and Gramma and Tony for dinner - traditional turkey dinner - with lots of leftovers!!!

It's been an fantastic holiday - so amazing to enjoy being all together!!!!

 

Declan at Swim Camp

 Declan had four days of swim camp this week! I am so proud of him - with just 4 weeks of swim lessons he went from not being able to swim 10 yards to passing a 50 yard swim test and being able to hold his own all day at camp!! I may just yet have a swimmer!!

Wrestling - Langley Invitational 2022

 So much has changed since Aidan's freshman year when Potomac competed at the last Langley Invitational. COVID really put a damper on wrestling and this tournament was a casualty. Aidan lost his first match but fought all the way back to win every other match on the way to the end of the consolation bracket and medaled!! It was a huge tournament and I am so proud of his determination - it was an exhausting day!

Emmy's Coaching Debut

 Emmy and Aidan are working at the St James this winter! They are working at the scoring tables for the winter lacrosse league but Emmy got to work at the AU(Athlete's United) game and coach the 2026's during halftime!

Emmy's Track Meet

Emmy did awesome at her track meet today! She blew away the competition in the 55m and her 4x200 relay came in first! Can't wait for the invitational in January!

 

Christmas at Home!

 

Aidan's Senior Portrait

I got Aidan's Senior Portrait back today! It's another step on this year's journey. Each time we hit another milestone I continue to be surprised - the sadness that I anticipated feeling is only pride, love and a deep sense of appreciation. I am so happy and proud of how much Aidan has accomplished and excited for what is in store for him!

We also found out that Aidan was selected as All-State DL!

 

Decorating the Tree

 We got a new fake tree this year - after just getting through last year with a half lit fake tree! It's a pretty good fake - most people have thought it's real! Declan, Aoife and I decorated it this year - every year fewer and fewer people help me! :( 

It looks great - so Christmasy in the house these days!!! Only 2 weeks until Christmas!! 

Declan at 10

 Declan at 10 - 4th grade at Jamestown Elementary School. <3

Declan's Band Concert

Declan had his first band concert today at Jamestown Elementary! He played the percussion instruments - just like Aidan did at his age! It was fun to be able to be back at the school for these events and to see all of our Jamestown friends! Declan thought it was amazing that he could see us from the stage and waved and waved to us! So adorable!

 

Enduring Image of 2022 - Washington Post

 This photo of Emmy and Emily Stafford after Yorktown won the State Semifinal game against Langley was chosen by the Washington Post as one of the enduring images of 2022! I didn't take the photo BUT the image is amazing and captured such a special day!!

It was so fun to get texts, phone calls and emails from so many people today who saw Emmy's picture and name in the paper!

Potomac Wrestling at Episcopal

 A great start tonight to Aidan's Senior Wrestling season!! A big win over the Episcopal wrestler at 190lbs!

Aidan's New Fish!

 Aidan has a new snuggly pet! 

Chain Bridge Group Holiday Events

 It's the holiday season! Finally COVID is "over" and we are able to host events again! We were able to go to the office holiday party AND host a client appreciation event at Paradise Springs Winery. It was so nice to see everyone before the craziness of the holidays really gets started!