Adventures of the Cutter Family

Good flick, good story.  Always fun to watch movies from the 1950’s.  We lost the two younger boys about halfway through after they announced, “Boring!”

Jillian led the boys on their second of four 10 mile merit badge hikes Saturday.  Walking in the footsteps of Wellington, Napoleon, Blucher and Ney, they circumnavigated the Waterloo Battlefield.  All the scouts are getting stronger as they prepare for the final 20 mile hike.

Visited Rome for a seminar at the NATO Defense College.

In addition to the academic portion of the program, they scheduled a cultural event on Thursday evening, a tour of Galleria Borghese. The Bernini sculptures were particularly impressive.  My favorite was my namesake.

Jillian led Troop 325 on a ten mile hike on Saturday.  The Scouts are working on their Hiking Merit Badge.  It was a nice sunny day, but it was only 2°C and the wind was whipping at 15-20 knots.  Lots of rosy cheeks after the walk was over.

She originally got her license in Washington state when she turned 16.  Unfortunately, the driving age in Belgium is 18.  After attending a course and passing the exam she got her Belgium driving license.  Freedom, at last…for Jordan and Mom and Dad!

In most of Europe, the legal age to drink alcohol is 16 while the driving age is 18.

We spent the weekend at Ramstein AFB while attending the DoDDS European Championships in Germany.  They just opened a huge Exchange facility on the base.  Visiting was an experience in American culture at its best and….its worst.

We stayed at the lodging facility on base.  $45 for a 2-bedroom suite…can’t beat that!

Bionicles, cuckoo-clock shopping and testing recliners while the ladies shopped for clothing.

Jillian does not understand why the boys think that Autobahn exit signs are funny.

We traveled to Mannheim, Germany to watch the SHAPE cheer team compete.  Jordan was captain this year.  It was an amazing day watching some fantastic team performances.

Pre-game jitters.

“Dad, get off the floor, you are not supposed to be down here.”

SHAPE fans and Jordan’s very enthusiastic brothers.

The team’s opening sequence was a Jack-in-the-Box.  AJ tumbling and Shannon winding the crank.  Melissa beginning her launch.

Flyer Melissa at the apex of her launch.  Lots of “wows” from the crowd.

Being a Flyer is not for the weak at heart!

Routine.

Awaiting the judges’ decisions.

“Thank goodness this season is over!!”  Proud Dad and brothers.

Stars and Stripes put together a good collection of photos linked here.

Jillian and another Mom ran this year’s Blue and Gold banquet.  2010 is the 100th anniversary of Scouting.  While Mom was busy cooking pasta, Nate gave the blessing and Sam and Zach enjoyed the evening.  At the awards ceremony, Sam moved up from Wolf to Bear scout.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Den mother Jillian had a great day with her Wolf Scouts studying nutrition and cooking homemade pizzas.