AHG Graduation

Our first year of AHG is complete, and while Anabelle did not graduate into the Explorers (that is next year), she did have a fun Tenderheart year, where she collected many badges and completed her required service hours.  She has a fun group of girls, and I am excited for all the things she is already learning in AHG.  

 

Willie Nelson and Friends

You either like him or you don't, but he has written some classic country songs, and he is known all over...Willie Nelson.  Magan and I have had Willie come near us several times, and always something came up that prevented us from seeing him in concert.  But even when it fell on cub scout campout weekend, we finally decided that for our 17th wedding anniversary, we would go see Willie.  And wow, what a performer.  He never has been the best singer, but he can write some songs, and his delivery of those words is unique.  Up there with a minimal band, sister at the piano, and "Trigger" making magic with his fingers...Willie played for about an hour and a half straight.  It was a great show...as he played some from all his friends...Merle, Waylon, Hank, etc... And at 85 years old, it was amazing to hear and watch...even poking fun with my favorite of his new songs "I woke up not Dead Again Today". 

 

Allison Krauss opened for him, and she was amazing.  She even sang a couple of Willie's tunes, "Angel Flying to Close to the Ground" was awesome.  And we also got a show from a lady in pink in one of the pictures below.  She was obviously either well hydrated with alcohol, or had some of Willie's weed.  But she was in to that music.  Even had her friends spotlighting her with their cell phones to catch for all the world to see her failings at life.  We had a great time, but ran to our car to beat the folks we didn't want to follow in our vehicle.  

 

 

 

 

Cub Scout Campout (Rickwood Caverns)





Kind of a sad moment, we have been camping with Cub Scout Pack 353 for the last 7 years, but this was our last outing with the boys now in Boy Scouts.  As the assistant cubmaster, and a den leader for the last 6 years, it is also a little sad to no longer lead those silly skits, lead those kids on hikes longer than they expected they could walk, and just watching the boys play and have fun together.  Boy Scouts is a whole new adventure, but now we just sit back and hope we did a good job with them in cub scouts. 

Sam is one of the best at lashing in his troop, and the boy scouts put together the flag pole, so they made Sam do all the lashing.  Davis was excited to sleep in a hammock on this trip, and I did not have any time to help him.  He said "I know dad, but I can do it".  And so he did.  And probably much better than with this old dad helping.  Those boys have already gotten many skills that I seem to just be afraid of, but they have no issues.  Can't wait to see what these guys do next.

The girls found them some friends at the campout and had just as much fun as the boys.  Ruby was excited to show all the other girls her "Uh-Ton".  Anabelle found her a buddy that did not want to see her go.  We could only spend one night in the tents, as Magan and I were going to see Willie Nelson the next night.  Granny and Granddaddy came down with Wyatt to tour the cave and eat lunch with us.  I loved seeing Ruby and Wyatt when they saw each other from 30 yards away...they took off and ran into a full on embrace.  Wish I would have had my video going, but I did catch a picture at the end. 

The kids had fun with some geocaching, and I hope they can start that with their families like we have every once and awhile.  Magan and I returned to camp on Sunday morning and I provided a lesson on spiritual geocaching...and I think the kids liked it.  Oh well, loved my time with those cub scouts. 

Magan...if you are reading this, that yellow air mattress that I bought for camping is amazing.  Inside joke...but I seriously love that thing, and have slept like a baby since I purchased it.  If you are going to sleep on the ground, don't, just buy that air mattress.  



Davis leaves Forest Oaks Elementary School

This guy is done with Forest Oaks, and moving to the middle school next year.  I am proud of all that this guy does, and so many of the teachers recognized his helpfulness and let me and Magan know about it.  He raises and lowers the flag each day.  He has been a peer pal for younger students the last 2 years, and planning to be in a leadership camp this summer. 

 

For the final performance of the 5th grade, Davis got to dress up as a Beatle, as the Juke Box time machine took us "back in time" to see songs from the last 50 years.  Davis was excited to take my guitar to school for his performances. 

 

At his graduation, he and Foster were selected to lead the pledge of allegiance.  Mayor Picklesimer was at the graduation.  He was excited for Steel City Pops at his end of year outdoor party.  And every since his performance Ruby has been singing about the "Juice Box Time Machine".