Congratulations Cascade!

We had our first band competition yesterday. They've been preparing for this since band camp started in July. Vanderbilt Marching Invitational. Maison's been excited for weeks and actually injured his foot last Wednesday...there were tears and fears that he wouldn't be able to preform. But after calming him down, icing it and taking some Tylenol, he pulled through. :)

We didn't plan on arriving until about an hour prior, taking a dinner break and then watching the last 4 "big" bands and finally the awards ceremony. By the time we found a spot to park "near" Vandy's stadium, walked up the 1/4 mile hill, bought our tickets and found our seats, we had 30 minutes to spare.

We were up first in our division and played well. I noticed a few errors, but unless you're looking, you really wouldn't notice. (Although I did hear one of the drummers fell and I did miss that.) There is so much going on, that it's really hard to pay attention to everything! We were the largest of the 4 bands in our division. You are not permitted to take pictures or video...of course I had to "sneak" a phone picture! HA!

After leaving to get dinner and walk around The Parthenon for a bit, we returned to watch the last 4 "big" bands. 1 from down the road in Smyrna, 2 from somewhere in TN (haven't figured out where) and 1 from outside Dayton, Ohio, we were ready to finish up with the awards.

(I did pull my camera out for this picture.) Our band reps are 3rd from the left and you can see the big trophy in front of them! We pulled a Superior for band, Superior for Drum Majors and Superior for Color Guard and won Grand Champion for small band division!! We ALSO won the Chancellor's award, which they've never won before! What makes this win so special is that this is the largest band we've ever had. On top of that, out of 83 members, 43 of them are freshman and 8th grade! That's pretty amazing! Well done Cascade! Now, off to the next competition next weekend!

FINALLY! Someone understands me!

The conversation went like this...(as daddy and Hunter were going to toss the football)... "Hunter, you need to change your jeans, so you don't fall and put a hole in them." Hunter: "I'll be fine, I won't fall" (Famous last words!) Me: "Well, if you do, I'm going to put a Hello Kitty patch on them"... Hunter: "FINALLY, someone understands me!" Seriously, some days all I can do is laugh and shake my head! Guess who's getting Hello Kitty for Christmas?!

He just cracks us up ALL the time.

He did hold still long enough for a "good" pictures before going back to the football!Gosh they grow so fast.

Pup

This pup showed up a few weeks ago...dumped I'm assuming. :( She was skittish and appeared to have been in some kind of fight, as her neck was tore open. We put some salve on it to help it heal and to avoid infection. She has warmed up to everyone and has been sleeping at the neighbors house...because SHE'S feeding her ;)...but she comes running for some love every time we come out and to play with Chloe. I would love to find her a forever home as she's got so much love to share. She deserves to have her own family.

She's a little scared of the camera. Every time I would get close to her, she'd come running over to me.

Surprised

I think I'm like "typical" moms that worry about everyone else's birthday, except their own. If I "need" something, I will get it if I have the money. If I don't, I don't, it's no big deal. There has been 1 thing that I've wanted for a long time and I saved up and finally got it last week, so I really wasn't wanting/needing anything. I had mentioned recently that I needed to find a basket for my bike. I just never remember to find the bike store when I'm in town, since it's not something the big box stores carry, unless it's for a kids bike. Well, much to my surprise, someone went to the "big city" and found me one.

I did still have to order and go get my own cake! But he gets a pass on this one! ;)

Unusual breakfast pt 2

Finishing up our visit to the fly in breakfast...we had a great time and both boys want to go back next month. (That will again depend on the competition schedule, since every Saturday in October is a band competition.) It was such a beautiful day!

They both seemed to like the yellow planes the best.

Experimental or not, the LAST thing I would do is embroider that on a seat in my plane! ;)

Refueling...cool hat! ;)

Not sure I want to know what his/her "first" obsession is!

Heading home

Unusual breakfast

The hubs and I stopped into the airport a few weeks ago for a rental car. While we were there, we started talking with the general manager (who is a retired Air Force pilot) of the airport. Punk #1 is all about planes and would LOVE to start flying lessons...hence the conversation. After getting details of lessons, etc, he told us that they have a fly in breakfast every month and that we should come check it out.

Well, because of our fall marching band schedule, I wasn't sure we'd be able to, but it turns out we were able to spend an hour out there. We'll have to find a way to start him with lessons, because he was about to burst.

It was early...but got some good sun flare.

There were about 12 planes when we got there...

I never did an actual count, but this was the main area, it doesn't show the dozen or so behind us in the grass! I was rather impressed how many "fly in" for breakfast!

Investigating

NOT happening!

Watching them land

They come in all shapes and sizes!

Gotta love a small town airport. No "security" and being able to walk right out onto the tarmac...old school. And where they monitor themselves and don't need air traffic control. It was fun to sit and listen to them clear themselves for takeoff. Lots to learn from some awesome people. (A few more pictures still to come.)

Hungry?

I've been looking for a good (healthy), granola bar recipe...and I think I've found it! AND the family approves! Although someone's requested raisins be included next time...bleh. I'm really not sure I see that happening. It takes A LOT for me to make something I don't like! But maybe some mini chocolate chips...THAT might work! Although with the chocolate on the bottom, it might be too much...bwhahaha...too much chocolate?! Really. What a crazy thought!

Nerd for a day

It's homecoming week for the middle school and today is nerd day. Last night we put the outfit together and as he was going to bed, he said, (smacking his fist into his hand), "Let's do this, I'm gonna knock it out of the park...or as nerds say 'write it down on paper'"...WHAT?! Oh my goodness, I walked away in near hysterics! He is too funny. He's sure rocking nerd day today!

p.s. I tried a "pocket protector" and it didn't fly...apparently this "nerd" has standards! Ha!

I wish he had let me take a picture of yesterday's mix & match day!

Rain, rain, rain...

It's been raining all day...LOTS of rain...and even a couple weird tornado warnings. But these pictures make me laugh and love the fact that my boys are still boys and want to go play in the rain.

Might as well let the dog have some fun...nothing like a smelly, wet dog!

This sweet, little stray dog showed up a few days ago, pretty beat up. Her neck is tore up from something and she's kinda skittish, but will stop and let you pet her. My animal lover was giving her some love. (The other day she was hanging with the kids at the bus stop and even got on the bus!) I hate that it appears someone dumped her here in town and hope someone takes her in and gives her a loving home, because she seems to have plenty of love to share.

We will NEVER forget

This is a piece of the World Trade Center. I did not know this was here when I stopped by the KY Veteran's Cemetery last fall. Apparently any state can request a piece of it if they want to build a memorial. (I just heard of a local memorial being dedicated tonight as a matter of fact.)

Always have a camera...

These are "technically" terrible phone pictures...but honestly, probably my absolute favorite of all the ones I took...and I've yet to get through all of them yet. ALWAYS keep a camera near to capture the unexpected...because sometimes, it's not about the fancy camera, but about the priceless moment.

I love the little supervisor and the big kid working that dishwasher! :)

Such a sweetheart, but stubborn...oh man is she stubborn! Karma! :)

Sweet and Sassy

This sweet little girl is just over 9 months...where has it gone? She's sweet, sassy, opinionated and stubborn...and she's got everyone wrapped around her little finger! Now that's talent! :)

Hummers

I have finally gotten some hummingbird shots this year. Now if it'll just stop raining so I can get some more!

The empty feeder they are fighting over has been refilled and they continue to fight in the rain.