Parade Time

Tyler's band marched in the Italian Festival this past Sunday. The parade includes a band competition but since they won last year, they couldn't compete again this year. They did get to play, though, and they sounded great! It was the first time they've been in a parade since Tyler's been in band. I am still so amazed every time I watch him. I know he was hot and tired from marching all that way, but he never let up. That trumpet was held high, the feet never stopped, and he played his best. I just love watching him. It's a perk that the band sounds so good, too!

Ron and I went to the festival early to get some lunch before the parade. Danielle had a softball scrimmage so she didn't go to the parade with us. We got there before the food stands were officially open, so we sat on the steps to a church and enjoyed the sites. This sign was at the top of the stairs. We noticed later that it still didn't deter people from sitting there to enjoy their meals.

I liked the fresh bread display. I posted one picture the other night. Here is another.

Ron's lunch. I had baked lasagna. We listened to an adult band play a variety of Italian based songs while we ate. It was actually very enjoyable.

Here are some pictures from the parade.

Thankfully there were folks with shovels following the horses!

He's the first person in the 2nd row (from the front).

They have fun cadences. They are so fun to watch.

He's the first person in the middle row.



This is one of my favorite band pictures of Tyler. The sun flare on the bell of his trumpet makes it look even neater. Photo creds for this one go to Ron!

So Me

From the freckles to the faces that get you in trouble, there's no denying she's my kid!! ;)

Today's Pic

Tyler's Bday Gift

Tyler's birthday gift from Uncle Ron was an hour long introductory flight lesson. He had his lesson today.

Tyler's flight instructor was Mike, who is a surgeon by profession. He was very easy to work with. We mentioned that Tyler thought it would be neat to fly over our town, so Mike looked at the map and decided they could do it. He also offered to let Danielle join them since he had an extra seat in the plane and hadn't met the 1000lb limit. (The weight limit includes everything the plane carries, including fuel.) He showed Tyler how to check the fuel to be sure there wasn't water in the tank and that the right type of fuel had been used. He showed him the engine and had him go over the plane with him for his preflight check. Then they tucked into the little plane, settled their headphones, and took off.

Ron and I watched them take off and then walked past the hangars to the old control tower where we could hear the pilots talking over the radio. The kids said Mike wasn't sure exactly where our town was, so he headed the plane in the right direction and trusted Tyler to find the right landmarks. He eventually spotted one of our town's water towers.  (Tyler took over the controls shortly after they took off.) They circled over our neighborhood and both of the kids' schools. They flew around a bit more and then headed back to the airport for a smooth landing. They had a great time! Even Danielle, who was a bit hesitant, really enjoyed it.

That's our development off the tip of the wing.

Thanks, Uncle Ron!

Things That Make You Wonder...

This is from the form I had to sign in order for Tyler to buy a ticket to the homecoming dance. Makes me wonder what the back stories are for some of these...but I probably don't really want to know!

The Birthday Boy

Farewell for Now

I was fortunate enough to catch one of our hummingbirds make her flower rounds this morning. The activity around our feeder and flowers has decreased over the past week. Any day now this last little one will head south for the winter, too. Safe travels, little hummingbird. We'll see you in April.

Marching Along

Tyler has now played in 4 halftime shows and he is doing great! Every week he improves, and the band as a whole improves. I love watching him! I can't believe he is able to do all those moves while playing his trumpet, memorize new music & routines in just a couple days, and thinks all that hard work is a lot of fun! I am so proud of him.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple games.

The harvest moon was beautiful last night.

Every Tuesday they learn a new song and marching routine to add to that Friday's half time performance. They learn the routine and memorize the music in 3 days. That amazes me. This week's new song (These Boots Are Made for Walkin') was really good. Here is a video of it.

Today's Pic

Butterfly Visitors

My lantana has been a happening place for butterflies lately. The silver spotted skippers are the most prolific. I counted 15 at one time the other day.

Silver spotted skipper

Black swallowtail

Common checkered skipper

 

Pearl crescent

 



Peck's skipper

I've only seen two monarchs this summer, and one of them I know was a male. So...no eggs or caterpillars this summer. One of the metroparks said this year the monarchs have been very scarce around here. Their absence is partially due to their decline but also to a change of some sort to their usual migration patterns. Last year we had several, so I'm holding out hope that they'll be back in better numbers next summer.

This wasn't on my lantana but this guy has decided he likes our doorway. Every night for the past several nights he's made a very large web across the door of our sliding glass doors. (I can't shut the screen because a plant has vined its way up that...which is another post for another day.) As long as he stays outside, I don't think I should squish him, but I do wish he'd find some place else to hang out. I'm so afraid I'm going to stick my face in his web. He is rather large and is red and white striped. I
think it is an orbweaver of some type.