Christmas Fun Revisted

Abby and I were feeling nostalgic this evening so we got our our old collection of family Christmas DVDs. Just as many families send Christmas cards and letters during the holiday season, the Hollywood Four used to send Christmas DVDs to our family and friends. This video contains highlights from the first Christmas DVD we produced in 2004 while living in Chicago. We continued the tradition for three additional years - until I no longer had willing and cooperative participants. It was fun while it lasted ... and definitely fun to look back upon again. They used to be so cute!

Abby's Art

Abby has been really inspired by her art class this semester. She has a new sketch book and she has been drawing some really good pictures lately. Here is one that she showed me when I cam home today. Both Abby and Andrew have always been good at drawing, but I am impressed with Abby's recent improvement. Hopefully she sticks with it - after all, she comes from a family with a lot of creative roots.

Oireachtas 2011

This Thanksgiving weekend Mom and Abby parted ways with Dad and Andrew (went to Detroit for hockey tournament) and headed to Chicago for the 2011 Mid America Oireachtas regional Irish dance competition. Unfortunately, Abby did not place in her category, but I think her and Mom still had fun. Here are some photographed highlights.

Oireachtas Pep Rally

Yesterday Abby had a practice and pep rally for her upcoming Mid America Region Oireachtas competition that is in Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend. Every year the O'Hare Irish Dance booster club has a pep rally to wish good luck to the girls that will be competing in Oireachtas. It's usually good fun and a nice way to get everyone excited for the competition. Good luck Abby!

Abby Takes First at the Prairie State Feis

Abby participated in two feiseanna this weekend in Chicago at the preliminary championship level. The first competition, the Chicago Autumn Feis, was on Saturday and we won't talk too much about that one since Abby finished 10th overall and 2nd in her set dance. However, she bounced back Sunday with a 1st place finish in the Prairie State Feis that was sponsored by the Mayer School of Irish Dance which was her former dance studio in Chicago. In fact, her first Irish dance instructor, Paul Mayer, had the honor of presenting her with her first place sash and award. Nice job Abby!

Gem City Feis

This is a belated post I forgot to publish regarding Abby's performance at the Gem City Feis in Dayton, OH last weekend. She took home another 3rd place finish (and a nice big gem-sized trophy). That's her fourth straight top three finish. Nice job Abby - and good preparation for the annual Mid-American Region Oireachtas competition in Chicago, IL next month.

Abby Takes Third at Pittsburgh Halloween Feis

Today Abby danced at the Pittsburgh Halloween Feis in Pittsburgh. Like last year, she was able to wear a Halloween costume while she danced in the competition. While she did not finish first place like she did in the past two Feis, she did bring home a solid third place finish (she also finished with a second place in her "set dance" competition). Nice job Abby!

Homecoming Dance

Tonight was Abby's second Homecoming Dance. Just like last year, she went to Homecoming with a bunch of her friends (instead of a boy ... hurray!). Mom took plenty of pictures. Here are the highlights (at least leading up to the dance).

Congratulations Abby!

Yesterday Abby competed in Irish Dancing at the Michigan FEIS. Not only was she wearing her new dress, but she was also out to get her second consecutive first place finish dancing at the Preliminary Championship level (she earned a first place a few weeks ago competing in the Great Lakes Feis). The way it works is that dances must earn a minimum of two first place finishes in official feiseanna competitions in order to move up to the Championship level of competition (the highest). I am proud to report that Abby did just that ... so congratulations you Championship Dancer!

Akron Art Expo

Friday night the McEuens came to spend their long weekend with the Hollywood Four. For our Saturday activities, we all went to the Akron Arts Expo to watch to watch Abby and the O'Hare Irish Dance Ohio girls perform. It was very HOT! Afterwards, the boys all went out for burgers at the new Inferno Burger Bar and then went to the movie theater to watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The girls went shopping at the Hartville Market (and other places).

Medina International Fest

Today Abby and the O'Hare Irish Dance Ohio girls performed at the 3rd annual Medina International Fest (as they did in 2010 and 2009). Dad and Andrew were at hockey, but mom was on hand to take the following video footage. This was a retirement performance for one of Abby's good friends, Jacqueline (aka, Jackie), who will be hanging up the dancing shoes to focus on her volleyball career.

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First Day of School 2011

Well, another summer has come and gone, and today was the first day of another school year. Hollywood Abby started her sophomore year of high school this year, while Hollywood Andrew started 7th grade (sort of a sophomore of junior high). As tradition would have it, Mom was on hand to take lots of pictures including the one shown here.

For a walk down memory lane, here are a few links to first day of school in recent years:

• 2010
  
• 2009
  
• 2008
  

The Bridgestone Invitational

Today I took my mother (grandma Carole) and Abby to the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club. I was able to (eventually) sneak them both into our YRC/Holland Signature Suite overlooking hole 16 (the Monster). It was hot, but a good time was had by all. My mom was able to get autographs for Jim Furyk and Mark Wilson. He highlight of the day, however, was seeing Tiger Woods. In the end, Adam Scott was the winner this year.

Dance Out in Parma

As she did last year and in 2009 and 2008, tonight Abby and the O'Hare Irish Dance Ohio girls performed at the St. Charles Borromeo church in Parma, OH for their annual carnival/fair. It's always a hot, fun event.

Feis Weekend

This weekend Abby had two Irish dancing Feis competitions. On Saturday she competed in the Akron Feis and finished 5th out of twenty some girls. Today she competed in the Cleveland Feis and took 3rd place out of twenty or so girls again. Here is a short clip of the award presentation from today (taken with my cell phone).

Action News (Drama Club Theatre Class)

Abby began her official acting career tonight by appearing in the short play Action News: Now With 10% More Action! produced by her high school drama club as part of her Intro to Theatre class. Although her performance was brief, she did a fantastic job! Here is an excerpt from the play containing her scene.

Dance Me Out To The Ballgame

Last week Thursday Abby and the O'Hare girls had a dance out for Irish Day at the Akron Aeros game. I guess the crowd was sparse, but it was a neat venue any ways.

Irish Dance Update

Today Abby competed in the Buckeye State Feis in Columbus, OH. There were about 30 girls in her age group for preliminary championship level. She finished fourth which was another great accomplishment - and the trophy was nice too (unfortunately, no sash though). Way to go Abby! Speaking of Irish Dance, I forgot to post a short video clip from the O'Hare School of Irish Dance year-end revue that was last week Sunday. Abby was the drunken sailor for the Drunken Sailor dance. Here are a few highlights.

Dance Out at Sully's

Tonight Abby and some of the O'Hare Irish Dancers performed at the Sully's Irish Pub in Medina. Sully's is always a fun and interesting venue because of the limited dancing space and the very festive crowd. What was special about tonight's performance was that Abby - and her friend Jacqueline - were entirely responsible for organizing the dances and dancers for the performance (since their instructors was not able to attend).

Irish Dancing for More Old Folks

This past Sunday, Abby and the O'Hare Irish Dancers performed for some more old folks (see March 7 video post). This one was a little more interesting because they had the band with them and they performed some fun, odd songs too.