McKenzie Classic

Mallory is the one on the end, far left. I can usually pick her out when the mellos are together. The "Elvis Move". I dropped the camera right before this and barely grabbed it in time to shoot the moment. At the McKenzie Classic in Vancouver, WA, you can buy "shoutouts" from the band boosters that they announce over the PA system as the band takes the field. Mike and I did one this year for Mallory. We said, "Mallory, thanks for 4 years of marching excellance with CV.......the sky is yours! Love, Mom, Dad, Jacob, Richy & Becca" She told us later she almost cried. (Mal hates to cry, so that means it was a good thing) These are the candy flowers that came with the shoutout. She had this sweatshirt made. The front is the event logo and with all the participating bands listed, left side is CV, right side MB, and across the hood is a musical staff, the back is some kind of band-oriented lingo. She's very fashionable now. They came in 6th place. I still wonder about that. But we were playing with the big kids here and there were definatley 2 bands better than us, plus the host band, who played in exhibition. 3 down and 1 more to go. 900 miles round trip to Corvallis, OR. I get to ride a bus!

Columbia River

We were driving back from Vancouver along the Columbia River and saw beautiful scenery. Mike inculdged my and let me take a few pictures. Here are some of my favorites. Hope you enjoy them.

Morganism

Our family's new favorite songs is "I'm Yours" by Jason Marz. It has the whole ukulele-thing going on and reminds us of our BIG family trip to Hawaii in 06, so we actually call it the Hawaii-song. Anytime someone hears it on the radio (me), I text the kids (shhhh, they aren't supposed to do that during school hours), and tell them the Hawaii-song is on.

So, 2 of us were humming in our heads, and Richy says, "Man, Mallory's song makes us all happy!" I like being happy.

Note: there is one bad word, and we ignore it and be happy!

Funnies from a friend......

A friend sent me these clean jokes, refreshing in this day and age. Enjoy!!!

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Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, 'Why is the bride dressed in white?'' The mother replied, 'Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.' The child thought about this for a moment then said, 'So why is the groom wearing black?'

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A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!' While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!'

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Three boys are in the school yard bragging about t heir fathers. The first boy says, 'My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.' The second boy says, 'That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100.'The third boy says, 'I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!'

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An elderly woman died last month. H aving never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her ha ndwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, 'They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.'

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A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'

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A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem . A small child replied, 'They couldn't get a babysitter.'

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A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us ho w to treat our brothers and sisters?' Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'

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At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when th eye told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, 'Johnny, what is the matter?' Little Johnny responded, 'I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife.'

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Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, 'What do you think about all this Satan stuff?' The other boy replied, 'Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your Dad.'

Melany's Birthday

It was Melany's birthday last week. I told Logan was going to get his mom a real "adult" cake. He said, "Great, I want to get her a dragon cake!" So, I took him to Just American Desserts where they have adult cakes and I explained his mom needed an adult cake. But, I did let him pick the flavors, fillings and the writing on the top.

It was the first birthday cake she's had since college. I think she liked it. Can you tell by her smile?

Sweepstakes Again!

The band competed in Spokane this past weekend. It is always great to perform in front of our home crowd. Only a few families travel the miles each weekend (don't look at me! and with the gas prices you would think we could justify sitting one out, but NO, after 5 years, we have to keep going! We love it!) But this weekend we had so many family, friends, and alumni there it was awesome. And they came away with Sweepstakes again. Look at that great spacing! 16 bands competed. The farthest was Bozeman (MT), they definately travel a long way. Some from Tri-cities area and Central, WA and a few from Spokane. Um, of course you can see which one is Central Valley. Not, we have the color guard standing in a triangle, just right of the center. It is very cool to see a full retreat. They won't do that on the coast the next 2 week, just a Drum Major Retreat. So, this is a treat to watch!

A really nice piece of hardware!

Mallory with her fellow Mellos. Monday, when they were listening to the judges tapes, a judge said he didn't like Mellos, but that they were the best Mello section he had EVER heard and he was thinking he may have to start liking them now! Great to hear from a judge! 2 down, 2 to go, and these are the hardest.

My Senior, part 2

Couldn't get them all to post......these were taken last and were the funnest (is that a word? lol)

Couldn't get them all to post in one.......these were fun!

My Senior

Here are a few pictures of Mallory. I took them on my lame little digital camera, some turned out WAY cute! I only call it lame because I don't know how to use it very well.

Jacob's got a job!

Jacob's got a job! He's been working since the end of September, keeping his tips to play with and saving the rest. He likes it, learning how to take orders, make pizza and of course deliver. Handsome guy, eh?

Future Drumline

Richy marched in the Valleyfest Parade. It was a really, really short parade. They go from City Hall, Sprague and something, across the street from the Opportunity Post Office, and walk to Appleway Florist parking lot. All sorts of elementary school groups, a little military, politicians, volunteer groups, etc. We had a good time.

Richy is trying to do his serious face just like Jacob and Mal when they are in "marching mode".

Chatting with his friend Nate, who lives around the corner.