The Rest of the Summer

Way back in mid July, Mary's softball team won the championship in 7 inning.  They normally play 5 but the coaches had agreed to 6 in which they tied.  The winning out was questionable but both teams played very well.

 

By the end of July, we were finished with the swim team season as well.  Mary won the "Most Improved" for her age group and Becca, who was not present, won the "Two Peas in a Pod" award with her bestie Anna.

Mary asked for lots of braids in her wet hair one night.  She was very happy with the results the next day.

Anniversary DQ!

Becca wasn't the only Scout to earn their Eagle this summer.  Pia joined the same time as Becca and I think they helped motivate each other to the finish.

It was a bit chiller than normal at the St. Pat's pool party this year.

Last weekend we celebrated Becca at Inside Panther Night, but first we had some BBQ.

Here is Becca with the swim team on the football field.

I was way to excited to go to my first real cross country meet yesterday.  And unlike in the past, it wasn't horrible hot for the Pekin race.  Here the St. Pats girls varsity is getting ready.

I was told to stop taking pictures, so I took this one.

The bulk of the girls team ran together for a good portion on the race.  Lia is in the mix.

Lia is no the Irish runner in front but you can just see her head behind the girl in blue.

It was a new course for Pekin this year but still fast.  Lia PR'd at 14:53!  

1st Days of School

 We had two 1st days at our house this year.  From youngest to oldest: Mary began 4th grade and Cecilia began 7th grade at St. Pats.

They had to do some goofy ones.

George started 10th grade and seems to love the second year of high school as much as the first.

Are we done yet Mom?

And finally, Becca began her senior year of high school. 

These birthday buddies have really become good friends over the past year.

 

I took this yesterday after a long hot Friday in an non-air conditioned building.  I won't be surprised if she is several inches taller in the next few weeks.

Patrick is still around the house for the next week but I will try to take and add a picture of him.  Good luck to all the scholars and teacher starting another school year.

Becca's Eagle Court of Honor

 This past weekend, Becca received the rank of Eagle Scout in the BSA.  She has worked very hard and a lot to make this happen and we are very proud of her.  First I will share pictures of her accomplishment table.  She also included her vest from AHG to show all her merit badges.

Cecilia was the Master of Ceremony.

She wanted to do the ceremony outside and the weather was perfect.  She also asked her dad to do something like the glowing Bobcat he does with the Cub Scouts since she never had the chance.  So he designed and built  "Trail to Eagle" steps.  

And he had to check if she had Scout spirit with each step.

A Scout explained each leave of Scouting has to be achieved in order to get to Eagle.  I didn't get a picture of the Scout Rank but here are the rest.

Finally, her Scout Master Mr. Craig, conferred on her the rank of Eagle and charged her to always uphold the Scout and Eagle Scout oath.

We rapped up with a lovely speech from Becca in which she reminded us that Scouting is not about earning something for yourself, but to serve others.

Becca and her lodge buddies doing a cheer.

All the grandparents were able to make it!

And she had to have a picture with her dad...

...and her favorite sister.

The whole family.  Patrick is not in uniform because he is not an active Scout.  

Here is what was left of Becca's glowing Trail to Eagle Sunday morning.  Congratulations Becca, we are very proud of you, as always.