Highland Games & Celtic Festival

The kids gave me a ticket to the Highland Games & Celtic Festival this year. This has sort of become my annual birthday present. Walter started out three years ago and then this year Danielle decided to jump in and give it a try.

The day didn't look as if it was going to cooperate weather wise. There were lots of clouds with threats of potential rain, which thankfully did not materialize. We had prepared for the worse with umbrellas which took on a whole new use as canes or walking sticks.

Walter drove me to the games and we met up with Ben & Danielle. It turned into a major shopping and festive time. Walter was happy as a clam just "lurking" about watching all the going ons. Once he got into doing some shopping he found a couple of things but waited and shopped around for his best bargains. Ben & Danielle hunted high and low for the proper tartan scarves, which of course they found.

Danielle with her McDonald plaid and badge & Ben with his Douglas plaid and badge.

Walt with his purchase, a replica Highlander sword. He spent a lot of time haggling on this one.

Around noon the crowd gathered at the field to watch the massed band perform and to see the parade of the clans. The bagpipes were amazing.

Massing of Bands and Clans

Danielle & Walter

I guess next to watching "big men throwing stuff" the major entertainment of the day was to watch the ferret legging. Yes, that's right ferret legging. Below is a photo of the ferret participants in this extremely humorous pub sport. I can only imagine this actually occurring in a public place without it being a planned exhibition.

Ferrets on the field.

There were four volunteer contestants, three men and a woman. Which seemed a bit odd, but...to each his own. The ferret handlers presented each contestant with their very own ferret, which was promptly dropped down their pants. One contestant even volunteered to have two ferrets in his pants, but then again this man had already shown his bravery by wear a kilt for the day. After the ferrets had taken their places the fun really began, the ferret seemed to really enjoy traveling up and down the pants legs and trying to get out of the pants legs at the ankles.

Men with ferrets in their pants. The man in all black has two.

To the amazement of all, all of the contestants were able to keep the ferrets in their pants for three full minutes. What a hilarious way to end a day.

Ultrasound number 3

Danielle had her third ultrasound today. Everything is going well. Faith is growing and really moving around.

Faith

Walter's Camp Out

Word has come via the family jungle drums that Walter is enjoying himself at the company camp out. He has been put in charge of the fire. Talk turned to his new tent and it was said that he had himself a "Million Dollar Hotel" of a tent. Maybe we can get a picture of it sometime after he returns.

Republican Round Up

Congressman Eric Cantor speaking at the Republican Round Up.

Congressman Eric Cantor

Jerry Kilgore, candidate for Governor of Virginia.

Before all the speeches got under way, Sean enjoyed himself participating in several of the activities that were available. The climbed behind the wheel of the race car to and managed to scamper to the top of the rock wall like an old pro.

Slipping behind the wheel of a race car.

Climbing the "rock wall".


Sean masterfully reaches the top.

It's Gone...

Oh No, the McDonald's where I once worked has been torn down. But... not for long it will be back better than ever before the end of the year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN!

Wow! Today is the BIG day. Sean turned 13. Now all our bunchkins are teenagers.

Sean reading a birthday card.


Showing off the 4x4 that his sister gave him for his birthday.


Time for a little bite of cake.


Treking through Rockwood Park.

Carla

Danielle and Walter had Carla acting up this afternoon. She was flipping and rolling on the floor like a puppy.

Carla acting strange.

Five Months Down

Another month down.

Rain

It has finally happened. The rain is falling consistently. Everything here has been so parched and the rain is most welcomed.

Sign Language Class

I have signed up for an Sign Language (ASL) class at Mom's church. It seems that the class will be really neat. Alice, Mom & Danielle are also attending. The hope is that we'll all be able to converse with Terry. Later....perhaps as time goes on we will be able to talk to one another without saying a word.

We all have homework to do before next weeks class, being able to finger spell 25 words. Wow. Yet that only averages a little over 3 words a day, so it isn't really that bad.

Ring Ceremony

The Juniors received their class rings this evening. The ceremony was held during the evening. Danielle participated with her chorus group singing the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the ceremony. Danielle's ring is silver with a mother of pearl stone. It looks lovely.

Danielle receiving her class ring during the Ring Ceremony at school.

Danielle and her "other brother" Carson.

Samuel's Birthday Party

The nephew turned six this week, and had his party this weekend. We had a nice time with cake and ice cream. The birthday boy spent lots of time playing and enjoying himself. The rest of the family had a nice time visiting and watching.

Uncle Dean helps out one of the nieces with her folding chair.

Mom taking pictures.

Sean attempting to start a fire the old fashioned way.

Neighborhood Block Party

A local church group put on a block party in our neighborhood this afternoon. We strolled down to have a look around. There was face painting, a moonwalk, and of course food.

Sean visits the face painting station at the neighborhood block party.

Hunter's Safety Class

Sean with his Hunter's Safety certificate, card and patch. He scored an 88 on his test. Yes.

And then...

Walter got his contacts last night. Now he can see! Life is going to be different now that he will be able to see everything that he has been missing. Just imagine how good his grades would have been in school if he would have worn his glasses at school. Ooops.

Family Quilts

This wedding ring quilt belonged to Great-grandma Holt.

Barbara shows off a friendship quilt that was made for Grandma Parsons before she was married in 1940.

Aunt Barbara's wedding ring quilt that Granddaddy pieced and Grandma quilted.

This quilt is pieced using primarily feed sack material.

Announcement

Catching Air

I caught Sean out in the street this evening with the neighborhood crowd. They were riding up and down this ramp and doing some jumps. I was experienmenting with the new camera and the action setting, when I got this picture of Sean up in the air catching some air. The shot is a bit blurred, but for a first try....not too bad.

Catching Some Air

Granny Visits

Granny came over this afternoon for a visit and some pizza. Everyone had a nice time and a wonderful visit. I snapped this of her with the fellows before she left this afternoon.

Granny with the men of the house.

It's A ....

The new grandbaby is a girl! Now we know what to look for when we go out shopping.

New Portrait

The grandbaby's newest photo. Still a bit camera shy. I'll post the baby's sex in a few days, just as soon as we know.

4 Months Down

The tummy is coming along.

Cutting Up for the Camera

Walt & Danielle cutting up.

My Walk

While the boys were shooting, Carla and I took a walk down to the Amelia Dam and took these shots along the way.

Shooting Expedition

We headed out this afternoon to the Amelia Wildlife Area, to take a crack at the shooting range there. The guys set up on the rifle shooting range and had a wonderful time shooting at the turkey head targets. Sean did an excellent job and if it had been an actual hunting situation, he would have killed two or more.

Dean & Sean heading back in after setting up targets.

Sean loading up.

Taking the shot.

Sean checked out his shooting.

The Kiss

My sister put this together shortly after the wedding, but I just found out how to share it on the blogger. Enjoy.

What Is It???

Took this shot after church today. It was on the car door and Danielle saw it as she was getting in. Does anyone have any idea what type of catepillar or whatever it may be? Which is end is the front?

Baseball Photography

Mom at Andrew's baseball game taking pictures. It was ironic at one point she was taking pictures of me taking pictures of her taking pictures. Sheeew... that's a lot of picture taking.

The picture of me taking a picture of mom who was taking a picture of me. He he..

Instruments Assigned

Sean received his instrument assignment in band class today. He tested very high on the french horn and flute. The scoring was highest on the french horn and he is highly excited about it. We went out after dinner and found him an instrument. Now comes the work on his part - practice, practice, practice. Here is to SUCCESS!!

Sean is testing out his new french horn before school.

Shooting Expedition

Shoot with Sam & Uncle Tim

Another round.

1st Day of School

Sean is all prepared to head out for the first day of Middle School (6th grade). Another benchmark year.

Danielle after spending her first day as a Junior.