Hoopfest Weekend 2011

On last Friday we headed over the mountains to Spokane for Noah's 6th time participating in Hoopfest, the world's largest 3 on 3 street basketball tournament. On the way to Spokane we stopped in Wilbur for lunch at the Billy Burger and a visit with my Grandma Beulah. She greeted Noah's friend, Kaleb, just like another grandson. She met him last summer when we stopped in during a camping trip. Grandma showed us her pictures from the parade she was in last month as the Grand Marshal. After visiting with Grandma we continued on to Spokane to check in at the hotel and to pick up the team's registration packet.
Hoopfest is a tiring weekend and Noah takes every opportunity to rest between games. The boys had a very successful weekend. The rules of Hoopfest are that the winner of a game is the team which is ahead after 25 minutes or the first team to score 20 points.
Noah's team won all four of their games by being the first team to 20 and were crowned Hoopfest Champions for their bracket. It was a very successful weekend for Arlington teams. I know of three other teams who also finished first and another team that finished second.

Noah and his friends like to play skins, but they decided to add sleeves this year, and Noah added the additional accessory of a retro headband. Alyssa is one of the boys' biggest supporters so she of course had to pose with them in front of their court.
Noah is joined by teammates Kaleb Bryson, Bradey Brummel, and Nate Lewis. In six years Noah and his friends have won their bracket twice now. Good job boys! We're proud of you.

After this exciting weekend I made a more sobering trip to Portland for a funeral. The father of my best friend from high school passed away last week. Although it was a sad occasion, it was a great celebration of life for a man who know how to live life well and thoroughly.