Marching Season 2009

Zach gleefully holding the Spirit Award which was the biggest trophy at the competition.

Hair - it's a drummer thing. I finally cornered Tyler and cut his hair just before going to a band party. There was crying and carrying on by the other drummers because Tyler's beautiful locks were short. I told him I didn't know that his hair was legendary. Not that it would have made any difference about getting it cut.

Their band won 1st place at one of their competitions as well as best music and spirit award. It was quite a big deal. Their show was great this year. It was a little sad at their last football game knowing that Zach is all done and Tyler will lose his tenor partner Parker when he graduates too.

Zach's saxophone buddies at a rainy competition. Holly is his best "buddy".

Tyler and Parker think headbands and hair (as long as their moms will let them wear it) complete the drummer look. Let me tell you these drums are heavy! I got to carry them at Parents Night. Tyler's been to the chiropractor to help his back recover, but don't even think about taking away his drums. He'll be doing it again next year!

My Friends, My Customers

I'm so grateful for friends who trust me to practice on their quilts. I think their are also glad to take advantage of my "introductory pricing!"

Just a Sample

These two quilts I pieced and quilted. The Halloween one was especially fun. The red, white and blue one is for Zach.

I am now officially Quilt Mama and I get to pay quarterly taxes! Yeah! My friends from quilt group are my first and only customers so far. At least I'm practicing new techniques and getting better at them. Mom came a few weeks ago and we tested a bunch of different stitches. It was so fun.

Goin' Batty

We stopped by Carlsbad, New Mexico, on our way to Utah recently and we saw the wonders of the caverns. The cool temperature underground was so refreshing and the exercise of walking for nearly 3 hours was great after sitting in the car for 7 hours. I've always been fascinated by stalagtites (they hang down from the ceiling) and stalagmites (they grow up from the floor). We stayed until dusk and watched the bats leave the cave as they swirled out and flew off. We had so much fun. Steve bought a metal bat that hangs upside-down that we put on our back patio. It's very cute. We spent the night in Roswell, New Mexico. The kids were dissapointed we missed the alien festival by two weeks. We did get a kick out of the space ship that crashed into the front of the WalMart there.

Best Birthday Ever!

Yesterday was my birthday. Usually birthdays are a quiet event at our house and I'm lucky if anyone even remembers mine. I will never forget my birthday of 2009! I ordered my APQS Freedom SR! Yes, my dream has finally come true. My long arm quilting machine is on its way to my house. My dealer, sweet Connie, gave me this t-shirt for my birthday. I have been talking to her for at least 2 years about getting a machine and so she knows that it is a big deal for me. Well, I don't think my kids are that excited. It means cleaning and throwing things away to make room in the game room (which is now MY quilting room!)

To add to my happiness, Steve brought me flowers and my favorite chocolate and Kayla gave me a slice of chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce from the cake shop she works at. It is so heavenly that I'm making it last as long as I can!

23 years and counting

Steve was out of town for our anniversary which is the 27th of June. He went to his 30-year high school graduation and then went straight to Finland for a quick business meeting. Last night he surprised me with a night out at a fancy small hotel in downtown McKinney. We had such a lovely time that we might do it again next year. I love to tease him about my planning our wedding before he offically 'proposed.' This was because when he asked me the first time he was 'just testing the water.' Well, I'm so glad that I married this man!