Mark currently is in his 20th year at IBM! He is the Offering Manager for
Blockchain. Mark absolutely LOVES working in the Blockchain group! His job has
required some travel this year. Just to name a few he went to Arizona, Miami,
United Kingdom, Vegas, San Francisco, New York and Portugal. Mark and all 3
girls were able to attend Rockmont in the NC Mountains the weekend before
traditional school started. Rockmont is a YMCA Dad/Daughter camping weekend
trip. Casey even earned the "Drive your Dad to camp" patch for her vest. It
seems like yesterday when she was 6 years old starting the camp and that badge
was mentioned.
I (Kathy here!) continue to stay home with the girls and handle the day to day
things that come up. Having 3 girls on 2 different schedules in 3 different
schools, isn't ideal but we are finding the positive. It doesn't make the
summers very fun for the older girls since Ashley starts school in July. As a
family we really only have about a week off together. Casey will be a senior in
High School before everyone is on the same schedule. I have plans of being gone
that ENTIRE SUMMER!! The girls have said they want to go to Pearl Harbor in
Hawaii, New York City, St. Maarten and even Hershey, PA. How's that for a summer
trip!! Raleigh saw about 8" of snow last week! It was one of the the earliest
times I remember seeing snow in NC. Of course, one week later Mark was wearing
shorts and I had on a Tshirt while washing our cars outside! Gotta love NC -
All 4 seasons in one week. One of the top things I did this year was go to the
Phantom of the Opera when they came to perform in Durham, NC. It was
amazingggggg! A few nights later, Mark and I attended the Camp Gladiator Gala
(Photo on the Christmas card) and danced the night away in Downtown Raleigh! It
was so much fun!!!
Casey is 15 and started 10th grade at Millbrook High School. She has a quick wit
about her but is still quiet in school settings. She got all A's and B's this
semester which makes for a proud Mom and Dad! She joined the Photography Club
this year and seems to really enjoy it. She got her learners permit in April. In
NC the law is different from when Mark and I went to get our license. Now teens
have to have 60 hours of driving with 10 hours of the 60, being night driving.
The learners permit is required for one year. So even though Casey will turn 16
next month, she can't get her official drivers license until her one year of
having her learners permit, which will be April. I am all for the extra training
required for teens and have been very pleased with the responsibility she has
already shown driving. Casey is working on her first of two years of Church
school towards getting her Catholic Confirmation. Casey finally got her ears
pierced again....after two previous failed attempts due to infection and then
the earring falling out and closing the hole up. Let's hope the third time for
the FIRST HOLE is the charm! Keep up with Casey year round by following her on
Instagram @smilingzebra
Kim is 13 and in the 7th grade at West Millbrook Middle School. She is VERY
quiet in school and manages to stay out of the drama. (Her words....Hahaha) She
joined the PBIS club this year which is a group that does nice things for the
Community. Kim also had another great year at WMMS and continues to earn all A's
and B's! If you can't find Kim, she's probably sitting at "her spot" at the
kitchen table studying or just hanging. She truly is the definition of a hard
worker. Kim is still playing golf when the weather allows and still has hopes to
try out for the Millbrook Golf Team in two years. Even Kim and I have been able
to golf together which was a fun morning! Mark and Kim golf together as often as
they can. As Mark would say, this means she is learning all the bad habits. Kim
and I did have a Mother Daughter golf lessons with a professional at a local
golf course in Raleigh! It was a fun but hot afternoon. Kim ran the Skinny
Turkey race with Mark and me on Thanksgiving Day. We all did the 6 mile distance
and she PLACED FIRST in her age group!! She won a $15 gift card to a store and a
pumpkin pie! Kim got her ears pierced for the first time just before her school
winter break.
Ashley is 10 and in the 4th grade at Brassfield Elementary. Only one more year
until all three girls are on the same calendar schedule. She started the ear
piercing trend the last day of track out and then her two big sisters followed
her lead a week later! Ashley did the running club at school but let's just say
she won't be signing up for any races soon....or ever. She is not a fan. She
does love going to the trampoline parks and you will often find her watching
arts and crafts and "DIY" shows on you tube. She is a very creative kid!
Our German Shepherd, Charlie, turned 5 years old in October! Some mornings he will even be my carpool drop off buddy! He just enjoys being with the family!
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please keep in touch! Mark, Kathy, Casey, Kim and Ashley
Keep up with Mark's happenings year round on Twitter: @meetmarkp
