2009 Irving Firefighter's Ball

Last night was the Irving Firefighters' Ball at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. The Ball is held annually to recognize the members of the Irving Fire Department and benefits the Irving Fire Foundation which provides scholarships to the children of Irving firefighters.

We rented a room at the NYLO Las Colinas Hotel and checked in yesterday afternoon to get ready (after I went and got a manicure and pedicure!) The hotel was very modern and trendy and not like anywhere that we have ever stayed before. The floors, walls and ceiling of the room were all concrete and everything was very straight lines and minimalistic.

NYLO Las Colinas

Egg Chairs hanging around the hotel (not comfortable at all!)
hallway

our room

the light switch

(Green lighting system that required the room key in order for lights and AC to work)

our trendy hotel room
lighting in our room

plexi glass bedside tables

tiny bathroom

artwork in our room

After getting ready, we met up with our friends Nick and Christy and headed to the Frontiers of Flight Museum for the ball to begin! From 5pm - 7pm, there was a cocktail hour and silent auction. We tried to win a couple of hotel packages and enjoyed walking around and mingling with everyone there. The museum was decorated beautifully in a red, white and blue 1940's USO theme!

the red carpet
tables inside Frontiers of Flight Museum

me and my favorite Fireman

Nick and Christy Miller

our table

The dinner and show began at 7pm. This year Michael Israel was invited to perform and paint. He painted 7 incredible pictures that were all then sold during the live auction. It was so much fun to watch Michael perform and experience his show- he is truly amazing! He painted John Lennon, The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, the Statue of Liberty, the lone soldier, and a special IFD version of his famous painting "Hero".

poster advertising Michael Israel's performance

Here are a few pictures of Michael finishing "Hero".

completed picture

The last thing that was painted on this picture was the IFD, making this picture so special to all in attendance! The picture was sold to one of the event sponsors for over $15,000 and then donated back to Irving Fire Department.

There were quite a few other things sold during the live auction including a trip for 6 to the Bahama's. Our table had joked early in the evening about buying the trip but didn't really have any plans to make the purchase. However, when the auction started we all got a little excited and decided to try to win the trip! We got out bid once but ended up winning the trip to Tahiti Hai in the Bahama's!!!

trip package that our table bought during live auction

We have 24 months to take this trip but are already looking at airfare and planning it for June of next year! (And Gregg has already been researching the area all night long planning out our entertainment for the week that we are there!!!)

the house we will be staying in!

view from rooftop balcony

and the beach!!!

After the live auction, all of the sponsors of the evening were recognized and Herb and Christina Gears (the Mayor and his wife) were honored for their support of the fire department and for their dedication to the Ball. Chief Molina thanked all of the Fireman for their service to the community every day and read a thank you letter from the daughter of a man that was saved recently. And then awards were presented to 29 Fireman for their exceptional service this past year and scholarships were awarded to 10 firefighters' children.

Once the Ball was over we went back to the NYLO for an after party honoring the Firemen and their Wives/ Girlfriends! The party was held at The Loft Restaurant and Lounge. It was nice to have a chance to relax and catch up with other firefighters that aren't on Gregg's shift. There was even a "butt sketch" artist at the party to draw pictures of everyone's backside!

We had a wonderful evening and enjoyed another incredible Irving Firefighters' Ball! I love being a Firefighters' wife and having this opportunity to recognize and honor not only Gregg and the members of the Irving Fire Department but all Fireman that selflessly give of themselves each and every day.

All men are not created equal. Only the greatest become Fireman!