Peter Becomes an Eagle Scout,
Ben Performs in, "A Christmas Carol,"
Londyn and Maddy Perform in a Christmas Recital
and We Attend One of My Favorite Christmas Concerts EVER!
Our three-day trip to Mesa, with a day to get ready after arriving home from helping Mindy,
was so worth the 7 hour drive!
We arrived in time, Friday, December 5, to grab a bite with Ryan . . .
. . . then see Ben in a wonderful production of Dicken's, "A Christmas Carol."
Ben is a natural on stage. He has so much personality!
He had a speaking part and he sang a solo.
He had a speaking part and he sang a solo.
Flash pics weren't allowed, but we got a couple of quick ones as they took their bows.
Ben was actually signing autographs backstage!
We were so proud of our little Cockney lad!
Best Bud cousins Ben and Maddy!
Ben's proud Family
Following in the tradition of his Dad, Granddads and Great Granddad,
Peter Ryan Stratford became an Eagle Scout on December 6, 2014.
Great Grandpa Gabe must have been looking down on him with a proud and happy heart!
Pete presented his dad, Ryan, with the Eagle Mentor Award.
With tears in his eyes, he explained why he chose his dad for this honor.
He gave a big time hug to his major supporter and fan, Mom.
These Eagle's Nest members were present for Peter's Court of Honor.
Both Eagle grandpas spoke in the Court of Honor,
each expressing learned lessons in being a Boy Scout and pride and love for Pete.
Eagles Paul Gilbert, Mike Ord (Emily's sister, Liz's, husband), Ryan, Peter and Roger
These are the family members who came to Pete's Court of Honor.
When we got back to their home, we presented Pete with a silver dollar with an Eagle on it that had been owned by his Great-Great-Great Grandpa George Stratford.
Roger shined it up and got a special box for it.
As a bonus for us on this trip to Mesa,
Maddy and Londyn performed in their Christmas violin and piano recital, which was that afternoon
in their teacher's home.
in their teacher's home.
We videoed them, and didn't get a pic, but Maddy played the piano, also.
This little guy had an up-front seat for the recital.
Their teacher was so proud of these two, and all of her students. She was such a sweet teacher.
Pics taken out front of Deena Heap's home in the Arizona December sunshine
That evening, Ryan and Emily took Paul and Susan, his new medical partner and his wife and Roger and I
out for yummy Mexican food.
Wish we had taken a pic!
What followed for us was one of the musical treats of our lives -
a Christmas concert by the East Valley Millenial Choirs and Orchestras.
Wow!
Here's the info about the choirs, orchestras and the two brothers who are the directors:
We took a quick pic after the finale.
We had seats on about the fourth row,
and the dynamics these choirs and orchestras achieved
truly nearly blew the hair back from our faces.
The music was magnificent!
Everyone in the lobby afterwards was exhilarated
and in the Christmas Spirit!
Emily and Ryan invited Stacy, Tom and family over after church for a yummy dinner together.
What an mega-magnificent, event-packed time we had
with loved ones in Mesa!
Way to go Pete! An eagle is not an easy feat by any means we're so proud of you! It's nice that you're able to pack in a bunch of grandkids support all in one trip. I am intrigued by that Christmas concert, now I want to give it a try. Sounds like another successful trip to Arizona!
ReplyDeleteNice work Pete! Way to carry on the legacy. It's nice that all of those events in Mesa happened in the same week so you could attend them all, continuing on your legacy of the world's most supportive grandparents.
ReplyDeletePete is an amazing boy and it was so fun to get to see him receive his Eagle Scout Award. It was a fun hour getting to listen to both grandpas speak. We are so fortunate to have Emily and her parents and family as part of the family. What incredible examples Pete has had to follow. I loved when Pete spoke about Ryan and why he chose to give him the award. Special day. Thanks for coming to Londyn and Maddy's recital. That was so nice of you. I am so glad you got to attend the concert as well. They truly are an amazing choir! We always love it when you spend time in Mesa!!!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention Ben! It was SO FUN to see him perform in A Christmas Carol. He is definitely a natural on stage and his smile lit up the entire stage. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming down. I know it meant a lot to Pete for you to be there when he received his eagle scout and for Ben when he performed. What a blessing to have moments like these together! Thank you!!! P.S. I was secretly singing in the concert via vantriliquism
ReplyDelete