Alex and the Band

Band in Texas, like most everything else, is BIG! Alex started at the end of July to prep for the Area Contest. Over 2.5 months they learned the routines for an 8 minute show. They missed going to the state competition by just a hair. This was heartbreaking for the whole band. 2 years ago the upperclassmen went to state and performed very well. The underclassmen were expecting to do the same. Now these youngsters are going to have to aim high if they want a shot at state in 2 more years. The band director was very supportive to the kids and basically said, this is a sport of opinions. One of the Frisco High Schools (who got first place in our Area) went on to state and earned 4th place.

Finally it is Fall

It has taken through this week for it to finally become fall. It was a hot October! But we had a lot of fun outdoor events this year, so it hasn't been too bad.

Fun Run. This is the elementary school's fundraiser. The children get pledges from friends and family and then they run laps during their PE hour. The school raised $39K this year. That is a lot PTA fun!

The high school football team lent out their tunnel. The kids loved that! Here is Mrs Jacob's, Ortega's, Evan's, Sawyer's... hmm, the teacher is on maternity leave right now. She'll be back after Thanksgiving.

On the same day, the middle school also celebrated their fundraiser. They had a color battle. And depending on how much you raised, you got a t-shirt and multiple color packets to throw at each other.

This is Hayden. They are in the same Primary class and will be deacons together in Jan!

This was the year that Ryan got to have a box for a costume. First step. Arm holes...

Centennial Homecoming! I love Homecoming. I loved marching in the parade and playing for the court presentation and going to the dance after the game. Things are WAY different here in Texas. And with 8 high schools, there isn't a parade or city spirit about it. But it can still be fun!

The band getting ready to take the field.

It was 80deg at this game. Alex was a sweaty kid when they came off the field!

One of the places to play football in Frisco is at the MLS stadium where FC Dallas plays. This is my favorite location. The National Soccer Hall of Fame is being built behind the far end zone.

Trombone-in'!

This Snoopy gives us a lot of happiness! There is a family from church who would drive down our street (out of their way) every chance they could so the toddler could wave to him!

The fridge. I tried to encourage him to draw a milk jug or other fridge items, but he didn't. And he had to make alterations later because of it!

Book Character dress up.

Ward party. It was sleeting at 4pm, so our outdoor party was moved inside. Dan and I ran the Cookie Walk.

Coach Dan with the girls at the last game. They were undefeated this season.

Halloween took us to Russell Creek again. It was so fun to be with our regular holiday homies. Ryan ran free with a group of 6th graders. Macers and I went wandered with the Pringles, Sumners, Baumels and DeLucias. Alex had video game time with his buddy Jayden.

 Family picture: Dan, Rubiks cube. Alex, Q-bert shirt. Mom, Charlie in the Box, Macey, kitten for sale, Ryan, fridge.

And we made it home with 14 pounds of candy.

These girls walk home from school as slow as possible everyday.

This was another one of those too hot to be fall days. Mace and I went with Megan and Felicity to the arboretum. It was beautiful of course! This was the first day the 12 days of Christmas display was open so we had pumpkins and Christmas both.

Pumpkins, squash and gourds. Oh my! The Pumpkin in Oz display.

Not a very wicked witch!

September news

 Ah, one of the many things that were part of my trouble week. Sorry, Alex. I spent too much $ on doctors this month to replace blinds! Good thing you have curtains!

 This is my beautiful pantry. I post this because part of trial and tribulation week was the fact that I didn't have a nebulizer and needed one ASAP. Well, after Dan, Bob and June went to their airports to leave (and I was left home alone for the first time in months!), I went to stretch in my laundry room doorway and looked up to see right next to my plastic rice canister was our OLD nebulizer. It had been sitting there for 2 years, dusty and forgotten. Really? Yes, really. So, now I have 2 nebulizers.

 A trip to the movies on Labor Day weekend.

 Career Day: I want to be an artist. Or and art teacher.

 Marching band at the Ford Center. Very fancy digs!

 Here are some various shots from band photographers from the first few games.

 The orange blob to the right is Hank. Hank was a gift from our Utah trip that Kristina gave Macers. (I refused to buy an orange octopus when sister had just got 2 new beanie boos the same weekend.) To her credit sister does carry Hank around and treat him like a pet. (She does not play with the beanie boos.) This is Hank waiting for sister to come home, like all good pets do.

 Lucy does not appreciate having to share her pet waiting spot with Hank.

 #33, my soccer player. He will get to play in all of 3 games with the madness that is Texas marching band.

 This is Angela, Maddie and us. We had just attended a Christian Rock concert in Grand Prairie at the Verizon Theater. The concert was a charitable fundraiser for hurricane Harvey survivors.

 "So, what else are we going to do here? Just listen to music?" Uh, yes, that is what you do at a rock concert. We did get dinner from the concession stand. She was very tired and ready to go home by 9pm.

 Pizza party before our Program Practice on a Friday night.

 Note the small screen on the music stand. This is really happening, against Dan and my wishes. Not too much longer before Back to the Future II with multiple screens going at once becomes fact and not fiction.

 I invited the Primary children to share their talents for prelude music on Program Sunday. Macey played 'I love to see the temple' and another short hymn she learned at piano practice.

 The boys playing Primary Karaoke with our special guest Bro Aman.

He was awesome and the kids were very excited to have him come this week!