4th of July

We made it up to PA for the 4th of July weekend! We rented a cabin where Sara and Murph have their camper, then hosted a family gathering since we had air conditioning. It was nice to spend time with Sara and Murph and see family for a little bit! With Crystal and Ryan's son, Logan, and Dan and Shelby's boys:Willow loves toddlers!

We found a good shady spot to watch the parade:

Patti was pretty sure she needed to walk in the creek:

Campground BINGO:

When you never have any BINGO luck, you use your markers for other entertainment:

Willow and I went over to Crystal and Ryan's house to hang out then watch the town's fireworks show. They put on a great show!

Dogwood Festival

Owen was excited to get back together with the marching band for practice a week in April for the Dogwood Parade in downtown. They played one song together in the parade in the afternoon. That morning he was able to play with the middle school jazz band and even had his first solo that he stood up for! We were grateful for both sets of grandparents being there to watch!

Song 1

Blues Machine

Ain't Misbehavin'

Just Fine

 They practiced one song to perform as they walked the short parade route around our little downtown. Go figure they were "resting" while they passed us! Argh! We could hear them after they rounded the block. 

Holiday Parades and Elementary Band Tour

Dance at Night

 Daytime Dance

Marching bandOn the morning before Christmas Break, I've enjoyed the high school band coming to my school to play a few songs for us. It was fun to watch Owen be part of that this year!

The band director calls up a handful of students to show their instrument and give a demonstration. I hadn't realized that they select those students beforehand based on who has siblings at the elementary schools they visit. Owen was able to request to play at my school! Here's Owen's demonstration!

BANDtober

Owen has been loving marching band! He told me recently that he had a hard time deciding which he liked better: halftime, stand tunes, or competitions. What a good problem to have! They've had 4 competitions this season, which have been fun to watch. As they learned their show, they placed duct tape pieces in the parking lot where they practice. Each kid has a different color and it looks like confetti scattered through the parking lot. He was proud to show us his tape spots!Friday night lights!! Nana and Grandpa joined us for the away game in Christiansburg. Gramps and Gramma made the home games! They all made it to a couple competitions too!

I'm grateful for band parents who take pictures with their nice cameras, then share them!

I was thankful he was on the end during one of the away games so I could watch him have fun...and get a few videos!

At one competition you could buy a cupcake with your school's colors! What cute musical sprinkles!

 Here's the entire show and here's a video following Owen. 

In November he was able to be part of the combined county bands that marched in the Veterans Parade. Video here!