Eric is an Eagle Scout!!!!!

Tonight was Eric's Board of Review for his Eagle Scout rank. This is a picture of him being very silly before he went. Although you can't tell from the picture, he was pretty nervous about the Board of Review. It is a pretty rigorous interview before a panel of 4-5 lifetime scouters. Eric knew it would be difficult.

Eric rocked it! He was able to express himself well. He answered all their questions and concerns. He showed the panel that he is, indeed, Eagle Scout material.

We are very proud of him. It is a great achievement and puts him in the ranks of the few who have made the necessary sacrifices.

Congratulations, Eric!

Fun Feis in Seattle

Brenna had a feis (Irish Dance Competition) this weekend in Seattle. Joe, Brenna, and I flew toSeattle on Thursday. We stayed with my cousin Frank and his wife, Kristi. Our flight didn't arrive in Seattle until 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night, but Kristi was a great sport and came to the airport to pick us up. I'm really bummed that I didn't take a picture of their beautil house. They live in Auburn in a quiet area near a big pond surrounded by woods. It felt like we were staying in a cabin in the mountains. It was wonderful.

Brenna didn't compete until Saturday, so on Friday, my Mom and Dad came with us and we spent most of the day at Pike Place Market on the Seattle waterfront. We had a lot of fun.

We saw lots of beautiful flowers! (along with just about anything else you can think of to buy.)

There was every possible kind of food to buy, but we, of course, opted for fresh seafood.

Joe was very happy.

This is why!! Clam chowder, Crab cocktail, Fish and Chips. Mmmmmm.

Saturday morning, we got up and Brenna got ready for her feis.
She was supposed to start competing by 1:30, but they were running a little late, so she didn't really get started until after 2:00.
The waiting is a little nerve-wracking.

But, finally, they were ready to start.

Brenna danced in 8 dances. In each competition, she had between 9 and 18 competitors.
In two dances, she took second place and in another, she took a first place.
Her last dance was a trophy competition with 18 competitors.

SHE TOOK FIRST PLACE AND WON HER VERY FIRST TROPHY!!!

At the beginning of the competition, I didn't realize that we were not allowed to take video while the competitors were dancing. After I had recorded two dances, an announcement was made that there was to be NO video recording during the competitions. Oops!! I stopped.

Here is a very short video showing part of one of Brenna's dances.

HOORAY FOR BRENNA!!!!

Concert

Brenna's beginning band concert was this week. For a group of kids that has only been playing for 7 months, I was very impressed. Here are a couple of pictures from the concert. Sorry about the red eyes. I can't make them go away. The video sound isn't the greatest, but it gives you an idea of how good they sounded. We are very very proud of Brenna!