Joy and the boys flew to Nashville, TN for a weeklong conference which was a great opportunity to connect with folks who they have met and worked with in on-line tournaments. Each of our boys had a showcase event at ICON where they presented their speech and then were start-stopped the second time through and asked to do things a little differently with a different emphasis or different blocking or with more emotion. A great learning experience. They were also challenged with new roommates and the chance to live in a dorm room for a week with all that that includes. Food was a bit sparse on a few days, so it is a good thing that we have learned how to fast. The final day was a long one, they were kicked out of the dorm by 7am and had until 7pm for their flight, so they went to Top Golf for some fun and lunch and then relaxed back on the campus and played games. Then their flight was delayed a few times due to mechanical issues and weather and finally they arrived in SF at 1145pm, where Brett picked them up and got to listen to great stories the whole way home. We crashed into our beds at around 230am.
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| While Garrett and Bryce had responsibilities on Sunday, Griffin got to hang out with Mom and see some sights off campus. |
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| Give me some brother time! |
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| Introducing the Western Area team featuring Garrett, Hannah, Bryce, and Isabella. |
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| All three brothers in front of the Lipscomb sign. |
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| Sunday in downtown Nashville: Joy, Melanie, Jake, Griffin, Sasha, and Annie. |
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| Bryce and co-worker, Jesse. |
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| Griffin took on anyone who would dare challenge him in ping pong. |
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| Griffin in his dorm room with Mom. |
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| Remembering the swirling weather tornado in SFO. |
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| Giants dugout store at SFO with a replica WS trophy. |
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| A new establishment to eat/drink at in SFO--wasn't my idea? |
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| Taking pictures by the Nashville Predators arena, because that's what Dad would've done if he were with us. |
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| Bon bons, $5 each! You sure can't sit around eating bon bons all day! |
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| Jake and Griffin with Johnny Cash. |
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| Inside the picture frame for celebrating the 4th. |
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| Joy and Griffin in front of the Tennessee Titans stadium...for Dad. |
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| Eating at Kid Rock's cafe with open air seating. |
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| This famous guy with a guitar is pretty short! |
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| Bryce got to serve one of his favorites: watermelon! |
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| Sasha, Hannah, and Garrett pause from their job for a picture. |
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| The moms in their Wizard of Oz costumes: Annie, Joy, Melanie. |
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| Griffin made it to the finals in the rock-paper-scissors showdown. |
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| Joy (Dorothy), Griffin (Lion), Bryce (Tin Man), and Garrett (Scarecrow). |
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| A sampling of the dressed up folks for Wizard of Oz night. |
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| Jake and Griffin wonder if this is all you get for breakfast? |
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| Mrs, Eliason pinned both Jake and Griffin for Guild. |
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| Some fine looking boys. |
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| The streamer unveiled the showcase event of Farley-Heatwole. |
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| Garrett gives a toast to our chapter sponsor--Robin. |
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| The newest Guild members, featuring Isabella, Griffin, and Jake (middle 3). |
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| The whole group of students at ICON. |
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| Dress up night! |
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| Joy, Melanie, and Annie. |
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| Judah, Sayer, Jacob, Noah, Caleb, Sarah, Hannah, Jesse, Jonas, Garrett |
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| Sayer, Garrett, Hannah, Benjamin, Caleb, Sarah, Peter, Jonah, Noah |
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| Jake, Ian, Maseo, Griffin |
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| Peter, Garrett, Zoe, Avery, Bella |
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| Ian (middle) is graduating and has been a great leader the boys have looked up to. |
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| Playing spoons with Jake and Sasha after ICON was over. |
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| Melanie, the new regional coordinator, and Joy. |
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| Bryce shows off a good swing at Top Golf. |
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| Griffin enjoyed using a longer driver--he is outgrowing his current set. |
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| Garrett pauses to take in his surroundings before teeing off. |
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| Garrett, Bryce, Jake, Griffin, Joy, Sasha, Melanie, Annie. |
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| Joy does a dance after launching the golf ball. |
