December 31, 2008

New Year's Eve Fun!

We drove up Colorado Blvd. on new year's eve night to see all the crowds of people spending the night out there to wait for the Rose Parade on New Year's day. Looks like a cross country or track team used it as a practice time (if Angelica weren't in Florida she'd probably be out there running, too).

I was hit by some silly string! = - ) Matthew just played with a straw in the back seat all by himself because his siblings are still in Florida and at a special New Year's Eve party at the convention center in Jacksonville.

Empty bleachers waiting for the crowds.

Doug did the driving and we saw some of the floats being towed over to the parade staging area (that's the Alaska float).

At home, the 3 of us celebrated with the east coast and went to bed early so we could wake up at 3:30 am to claim some good seats along the Rose Parade route without having to sleep on the sidewalk. Happy New Year 2009! = - )

Gator Bowl Parade

The Arcadia Marching Band is in Jacksonville, FL for the Gator Bowl and marched in the Gator Bowl Parade today.

Here they come...almost 400 strong!

Thankfully I was able to find these pictures on the internet and just took a picture of the picture.

There's a picture of David in the top left corner.

Apparently the streets were more narrow than usual so it was a challenge for Arcadia with such wide lines and such a huge band.

They look great and I hope to be able to add video when I can find it.

December 30, 2008

San Diego and Deleted Pics = - (

Doug, Kathy and Matthew spent a fun 1/2 day at the San Diego Zoo. Kathy took lots of pictures, but in a moment of stupidity deleted them from the camera BEFORE she uploaded them! At least it was Kathy who did both so that I don't have anyone to blame except myself.

On the same day, the same 3 spent the rest of the day and evening at Wild Animal Park and enjoyed the Festival of Lights. Also on the same day, Kathy deleted these pictures from the camera BEFORE she uploaded them to the computer. So stupid! = - ( All I can say is, "At least they weren't pictures from a once-in-a-lifetime event. = - )

December 29, 2008

Gator Bowl Here They Come!

Our 3 teenagers are off on the most exciting adventure of their high school years - a band trip to Florida for the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day and then marching in a Disney World parade!

They will march in the Gator Bowl parade and then at the half-time show.

I dropped them off at the bandroom this morning at 2:45 am where they picked up their new Florida shirts and checked in.
All 3 are on the same flight (there are 5 planes all together) and they have a stop over in Nashville on the way there and in San Antonio on the way back.
Angelica and Jennifer will be rooming with Taylor and Kelly for the week and then hanging out with friends and having fun all week!
That's a LOT of luggage (and that's not all of it) - there are over 400 going on the trip!
Time to get on the buses and travel to LAX!
Have fun at the Gator Bowl and at the New Year's party!

Have fun marching in 2 parades: 1) Gator Bowl 2) Magical Moments parade at Disney World.

It will be a very FUN trip! We will miss you, but you probably won't miss us. = - )

December 27, 2008

Happy 18th Birthday David - part 2

Our baby David is now 18 years old - he was our belated Christmas present (10 days late and 10 lbs 7 ounces at birth) way back on Dec 27 1990. So sweet and so big he almost didn't fit in the stocking. = - )

Now he plans his own parties - we just provide the house and the food.

And the cakes - homemade oreo cookie ice cream cake, of course.

The 18 is made of crushed oreos.

He blew out all the candles in one try - that's thanks to all that baritone horn playing! = - )

Here comes the cake - it was very popular and very good.

The "8" is almost gone and a pic with Dad and Mom.

Time to open presents.

A serious game of Scattergories.

While we were in our nice, warm, loud house some friends decided to TP the house to wish David a happy 18th.
He can clean it up in the morning. = - )