Marching Band

Rachel started her second season of Marching Band on August 1st. Things have gone better this year. Last year seemed a little disorganized and practices were at two different locations. This year all of the practices are at he high school, and I think I just know more about what to expect. Rachel does not love marching band or football, her love is concert band, but she has done a great job learning the new routine and music.

They had their Summer Band Concert the weekend before school started. The band looked and sounded really good! This is a State year where they get a chance to go to State if they qualify. That is their goal. They looked like they were on their way at the concert!

I do have a funny story about this concert. We were on our way to drop Rachel off for their dress rehearsal right before the concert. She had to be there at 5:45. She had grabbed her marching bag that she had not looked at since the end of marching season last year....It probably still had the dirty socks she wore to the last game inside. She was putting her marching shoes on in the car on the way. Rachel had told me that her feet haven't grown any and her marching shoes would be fine to wear again this year. I was excited to save the money!! Well, she put her first shoe on and started to put the second. She said "Wait a minute" and took the first one off again. She looked at both shoes and she had two left shoes! Haha!! At least I thought it was funny! Rachel went into panic mode. She was due at the field in less than 5 minutes and her shoes were not going to work. I dropped her and her two left shoes off at the field and immediately called the Music store to see if they had marching shoes still in her size. They said they did. They were going to close the store at 6:00. I only had 15 minutes to get across town. I asked them to wait for me to get there. I had explained our predicament to them. They were all laughing when I got there just at closing time. They all had their jokes ready for me. They asked if she was walking in circles on the field! The manager said he would call her leftie from now on. I was really hoping a student would show up with two right shoes, but nobody fessed up to having her other shoe. When I got to the field with the new shoes she met me wearing both left shoes! Haha! That had to feel so weird. So, that was $30 I didn't save....Oh well! Rachel has laughed about it a little, but it was really not funny to her at the time.... it made it worse that I thought it was pretty funny and couldn't stop laughing!

This was at the first football game this past Friday. The Rebels won against El Paso. One of the band dads is taking pictures of the band and games this season. Rachel is friends with his daughters. We have been lucky to get some good pictures of her at practice and the game. This is her with her friend Alexis. I love this picture of them. Rachel and Alexis have know each other since grade school. They became each other's biggest competition during chair tests in junior high. They really push each other. They have become pretty good friends over the last couple of years. They even roomed together at band camp in Canyon this summer.

I like that she looks happy in these pictures. She is usually very serious and all business. I like the smiles better.

My goal is to get a good picture this year in her full uniform with the hat and feather. I didn't get a great one last year.

Kindergarten Bonus

Wade has had a good first couple of days in Kindergarten. He has not had any notes send home, so I will assume he is behaving himself. He has liked school so far, but he says it lasted longer than he expected. Also, he says there is too much coloring and his chair hurts his back. Haha!!

I thought it would be fun to look back at all the kids First Day of Kindergarten pictures.

Rachel - 2006 - Mrs. Hodges

Luke - 2009 - Mrs. Hall

Kate - 2012 - Mrs. Turner

Wade - 2016 - Mrs. Fisher

This is Chris's first day picture from way back when. I think it would be 1980. He had Mrs. Rossen for Kindergarten in Snyder.

I tried to get the same picture of Rachel's first day, but I forgot which side to put Luke on. Pretty close though.

As a bonus Chris's Kindergarten school picture. I think Wade looks like his daddy. 

First Day of School 2016

Today was our first day back to school. I think we were all pretty excited....except Luke. We now have a Sophomore, 7th grader, 4th grader and Kindergartener. If anybody is keeping track, that is three big milestones. First day at the big high school, first day of junior high, and first day of Kinder. Those are hard on Momma. 

Kate was the first in line for pictures this morning. She is in Mrs. Turley's fourth grade class. She has been ready to go back, but she looked nervous when we left. I can't wait to hear all about 4th grade this afternoon.

Kate loves doing gymnastics, dancing, riding her Ripstick, and swimming. She plays the piano, but it is not her favorite. The practicing is too much for her. We measured her the other day and she was 4 feet 8 1/2 inches.

Wade-o is in Mrs. Fisher's Kindergarten class this year. He is excited to go to the big school this year. I know he is ready. I am not sure if his teacher is ready or not. We have known his teacher for about 9 years. Her son went to preschool and started school with Luke. They even played on the same soccer team.

Wade is 4 feet 1 1/2 inches and 52 pounds. He is growing so fast!! He enjoys riding his bike, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, and playing video games. He has asked to play soccer in the Spring (we were too late to sign up for Fall).

Luke starts his first day of junior high today. I know he is nervous about where his classes and locker are located. I am praying for a smooth transition. This is also the first year of uniforms. He is NOT excited about this. I think he looks really nice. I hope he gets used to the uniform soon. He has to wear them for three years!

Luke is going to try out for the football team this Fall. He also likes swimming, playing basketball on the trampoline, watching you tube videos, and pestering his brother and sisters. Luke is 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 95 pounds.

Today is Rachel's first day at the big high school! I have a sophomore! I am not sure how that is possible. She doesn't seem very nervous about the transition. I am sure she will do fine after she finds her way around.

Rachel enjoys playing the clarinet, piano, and cello. She also enjoys watching a good series on Netflix. She worked this summer at our neighborhood pool. The girl has no spare time! I am very proud of her! Rachel has grown about an inch in the last year. She is 5 feet 10 1/4 inches!!

So you can get an idea of the stair steps. Luke has really started to grow.

On our way to the elementary school.

I have the same pose of Kate and Luke on the first day of Kindergarten. Rachel's is a little different. I took hers to look like her daddy's first day of Kinder picture.

On our way to the junior and senior high. Sweet!

Luke chose not to have me walk him to the door. I can't imagine why. He would not turn around so I could get a picture. So we drove by and called his name and told him we all loved him!! We did get a laugh out of him.

Rachel has her hands and backpack full!

I am not sure what I will be doing with all my free time. I have had a baby at home for the last 15 years!! I am praying for good teachers and good friends. I can't wait to hear about everybody's first day!!

Easter Pictures

We celebrated Easter in Snyder this year. It turned out to be a beautiful day! We got to see all of our family. Granddad Bob, Lorita and Memaw Dena came over to eat lunch with us at Grandpa and Grandnanna's. Everything worked out great and the food was good!

Rachel looked very tall in her Easter outfit. The high heeled shoes made her reach almost 6 foot! She looked beautiful!!

Even though the temps were on the chilly side, Luke opted to wear shorts. He looked really nice all cleaned up!

Kate looked beautiful in her pretty Easter dress! She doesn't think she looks like herself with a head band and curled hair. I think it makes her look older. 

Wade's bow tie is my favorite! I was so excited he agreed to wear it and didn't complain at all about being uncomfortable. I think he looks so cute!! My baby...

Group Shots

Luke is catching up to me pretty quickly. I may have to stand in the front row soon. My kids will all be taller than me.

 We are REALLY proud of this grandkid picture!! They all look so pretty and handsome all dressed in their Sunday best. I love how Wade & Tye and Luke & Miles have their arms around each other. Sweet cousins. I love all these kids so much!!

Grandnanna and Grandpa

I wanted to take a picture to show Rachel she was almost as tall as Grandpa.

This is Luke photo-bombing my attempt. Haha