Pick a Random Month
Monthly
- 2026
- April
- March
- February
- January
- 2025
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- 2024
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- 2023
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- 2022
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- 2021
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- 2020
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
Topics
Full Blog Archive
(This is all the blog posts in cronological order, rebuilt every
night so may be up to 24 hours out of date. It's also a big file
with lots of graphics; please be patient.)
| Oct 05, 2025 | ||
|
Robert’s influence 
Robert got so into UW football that it rubbed off on us. And since they joined the Big 10, the Huskies play on the east coast a few games a year. Sarah and I metroed up to College Park to see them take on the University of Maryland Terrapins. The first half was pretty ugly for the Huskies but they settled in to win 27 to 24. It turned into a fun game (but we were having second thoughts at the half). | ||
| ||
| Sep 24, 2025 | ||
|
First day of senior year! 
I love that Robert has kept this tradition going after heading out to Seattle. Here he is on day one of his senior!!! year at UW. And prior years… | ||
| ||
| Sep 25, 2024 | ||
|
The tradition continues… 
Robert posted this first day of his junior year photo :) It’s always fun to look back over the years… | ||
| ||
| Sep 27, 2023 | ||
|
Robert keeping up the tradition… 
Robert had an early first class for his second year at UW. I’m not sure who else was stirring to take this picture for him. He stayed in Seattle over the summer; spent some time working for the Cascades and Tempest Ultimate teams. And he’s now moved into his new dorm for the year and settling into his new class schedule. Here’s the traditional look back: | ||
| ||
| Sep 02, 2023 | ||
|
More Seattle Sports 
Continuing the sports theme… We watched a UW football game with Robert and DZ in the students “Dawg Pack” seats. Crazy warm, sunny weather — we all came away with at least fresh tans if not some sunburn. And Michael Penix Jr. delivered a 56 to 19 win. Lots of fun and a great way to spend the afternoon. Robert has been a huge fan since he got here last year. 
And Sarah and I have been following along with the Pac12 TV coverage. We’ve been wanting to see a game in person and it lived up to our expectations. Of course, it was extra fun to be able to share the game with DZ, who was also new to the Dawg Pack, but not the Huskies. | ||
|
| ||
| Dec 13, 2022 | ||
|
Staff Infection!!! 
One of the many cool things Robert has done at UW is sign up as an intramural referee. That got him trained up on the rules and reffing duties for volleyball and flag football. It also got him paid (thank you Seattle for a more realistic minimum wage). And it got him on the referee’s team: Staff Infection. 
And they got to play in the intramural final in Husky Stadium (AKA Alaska Air Arena). And They Won!!! Photos by Katie Carroll. | ||
| ||
| Sep 28, 2022 | ||
|
Tradition! 
Robert is keeping alive the first day of school photo tradition! While he’s been at UW for a bit over a month now, most of that was the early fall start program designed to help ease freshman into campus life (especially though moving to Seattle for school). That program is over and today was the first day of regular classes! We’re holding our breath to hear how it went. And curious to see if Robert will stop by in the comments to tell us who’s who in this photo (roommate Ben is taller than anyone in this photo). Here’s the traditional look back: | ||
| ||
| Sep 18, 2022 | ||
|
Fame continues 
Robert and crew made it to the UW Facebook page celebrating the unexpected UW win over Michigan State last night. We’ll see if that photo stays around as long as one of Robert running across a bridge at his elementary school — that was in their ads for years. (If you need help, he’s front role, second from left.) | ||
| ||
| Aug 30, 2022 | ||
|
Move in Complete! 
We met Robert in Seattle, helped him get settled in to his dorm and then did a lap around the Olympic Peninsula before heading back (just the two of us) to Alexandria. Many more photos in the vacations section. | ||
|
| ||
| Aug 13, 2022 | ||
|
Flown the coop!!! 
Sarah and Robert drove down to Huntsville yesterday. Unfortunately they missed seeing Jess and Brown because Brown has Covid. (I would be remiss to not point out that Robert found Audible has The Incredible Adventures of Jack Flanders available; now he and Sarah have heard more about Jack Flanders than I have. Something I will clearly have to correct!) But they did get to meet up with Aaron in Huntsville for what looks like a cool cave hike. And they are getting to have dinner with him tonight. Robert checks into Space Camp Elite tomorrow and then Sarah will wind her relaxed way back to Alexandria. 
As Space Camp ends, we’re flying out to Seattle to meet Robert. We’ll be bringing his college stuff; he’ll be bringing dirty clothes :) He’s starting his early fall start program at UW! He is incredibly psyched to have gotten into the Engineering program there and is really looking forward to it. It should be an excellent fit for his interests both academic and environmental: no more swampy, humid summer weather. Having family in Seattle makes the move less scary and more fun, I’m sure. Before all the traveling, Sarah arranged for another round of “Porch Portraits” from Joseph. Not our porch this time, Jones Point and the old light house there. Joseph does a Great job! 
Sarah has been getting ready for this for some time. I think all the help she has offered getting Robert thinking about and actually packing has helped set her mind on the fact that we are launching him on his next great adventure. I just came back from the grocery store and realized I was very blue: for the last 18 years there has always been something to get at the store for Robert, but not today. For me, his next great move is just now becoming real. And I’m looking forward to hearing about all his new adventures! | ||
|
| ||
| Jun 04, 2022 | ||
|
College Bound!!! 
Robert is on his way now! The graduation was an excellent conclusion to a difficult high school tenure. The graduates really deserved this chance to celebrate. More photos in the vacation section. | ||
| ||
| Apr 28, 2022 | ||
|
Robert continues to do well… 
He was recognized today for standing up for himself and his peers as part of the Titan P.R.I.D.E (preparation, respect, integrity, determination, and excellence) awards. | ||
| ||
| Mar 31, 2022 | ||
|
Latest NHS member… 
…Well, not quite. There were two people behind Robert at the induction ceremony for the National Honor Society tonight. (Pesky alphabetical by last name) We’re very proud of Robert for this recognition. And it looks like he’s in good company. Maybe the planet will be OK after all. 
(Gotta love the stylin’ MacNaughton wear!) | ||
| ||
| Mar 14, 2022 | ||
|
We have a Winner!!! 
Robert accepted the admission offer for University of Washington!!! Now we have a Huskey in the family! CONGRATULATIONS ROBERT! | ||
| ||
| Feb 27, 2022 | ||
|
Go fly a kite!!! 
This was last year’s aerospace kite project. It’s been gracing our dining room for most of a year. But, finally, today proved it’s airworthiness. Even though Robert had to use twine instead of kite string (pesky roomba eating up the kite string), it did really well. Robert thinks there will be another one to make this year; we’ll be sure to go fly it sooner. 
| ||
| ||
| Oct 23, 2021 | ||
|
Last regular volleyball games 
The volleyball season is a pretty quick one. The Titans held their own against two tough teams last night. While they lost both matches, they put up a hard fight and there were some amazing volleys. The tournament is in a week or so to cap the season. Robert is going miss playing on this team. It’s been an amazing, interrupted four years. | ||
| ||
| Oct 15, 2021 | ||
|
Seattle and UW! 
Robert is interested in UW and we always enjoy the chance to visit with David Z. and Lynn. So when there was long weekend on the school calendar, Sarah arranged for tickets and a tour. David and Lynn arranged a great visit after the tour. More photos in the vacations section. | ||
|
| ||
| Oct 03, 2021 | ||
|
Packed schedule 
The Titans Volleyball team fought hard yesterday, but they weren’t able to add more to the win column. Robert and the team are playing in the top division this year. | ||
| ||
| Oct 01, 2021 | ||
|
Vollyball, hard games 
There is a new archrival in town… While the Titans beat McLean on Tuesday, Thursday was very hard fought loss to Lake Braddock. They just need to settle down and play their game on Saturday to get back into the goove. | ||
| ||
| Sep 29, 2021 | ||
|
Volleyball is back! 
And the ACHS Titans are looking great. They beat archrival McLean! | ||
| ||
| Sep 06, 2021 | ||
|
Fun, busy weekend 
We started the long weekend by smoking some ribs, chicken and salmon. It was Robert’s idea and he was in charge of the sauce and keeping the temperature right in the smoker (when he wasn’t napping). It was a perfect way to bookend the summer as we had the smoker out as 11th grade was winding down at the start of the summer. This time we had two of the four Gaughs over (rather than the MRC crowd) so there have been more leftovers. 
And today, I enjoyed the perfect weather and higher water to get back out in the canoe. The river was high enough to make the ferry to the Virginia chute a bit of challenge. (I didn’t give any thought to trying to get up the center channel.) All-in-all, a great, long weekend! | ||
|
| ||
| Aug 24, 2021 | ||
|
First Day of School!!! 
Robert started his senior year today!!! Crazy how time flies (and how kids grow). We’re really looking forward to in-person, full-time school for his senior year. Last year was just too crazy… You can tell by the smile that Robert was ready to get back in school and see his friends in-person; it’s been too long. I expect we’ll all be holding our breath as the Delta variant of Covid-19 is slamming the city, country and world. At least for Alexandria, the 7 day rolling average of new cases does not seem to be going up as fast as it was last fall and winter. Here’s the traditional look back: | ||
| ||
|
Quick trip to Pittsburgh 
A few more photos in the vacation section. | ||
|
| ||
| Jul 11, 2021 | ||
|
Back home after a brief trip to space 
Well, Space Camp, actually. And a great visit with family in Atlanta — even a bit of college touring. Many more photos in the vacations section. | ||
|
| ||
|
Add new entry (owner only) |
The posts on this page will slowly roll off as new ones are added to the top.
The "permanent link" links above will take you to one post's permanent address;
that should not change or disappear. You can also build up a link to see any month's postings
by adding the four digit year, a slash, the two digit month and a trailing slash to
the the main www.kayakero.net/news/blosxom URL. Like this:
/news/blosxom/2004/08/. (You can go down to the day level if you like.)
Only the site owners can edit this page (and all attempts to do so are logged); however anyone is welcome to add a comment using the "comments" link below each posting.