Yearbook Photos: How do you choose just one?

Sweet Mesquite is a Senior.

She's in her LAST year of High School!

(how did this happen?)

There will be a lot of important events and milestones this year.

This week we crossed an important one off the list:

Senior Portraits.

Months ago I asked my talented friend if she would be our photographer.  Lucky for us, she was up for the picture party.

She was GREAT!

Not only did she take pictures, she helped with the hair.

Hair is important on picture day.

 She made Mesquite feel like a princess.

It was FUN!

(even when we thought we might get run over by a TRAIN)

We're just so happy with the results.

We've been gazing at them for days.

And to our Senior: You're a BEAUTY!!

inside and out.

UMass vs Vanderbilt

It was a GORGEOUS Saturday.

I spent it with two of my very favorite people watching the Minuteman Marching Band perform at the football game.

The football team didn't fare so well.

Vanderbilt won 24-7.

A third quarter visit from the trumpet player was a highlight.

soccer news

The girls varsity soccer team 

had their first WIN of the season!

it takes a whole team to put a tally mark in the win column

but the feisty blonde was definitely a contributor.

cruisin' with the top down

It was a perfect day for a drive.

When school got out, I picked up my cruising partner and we made an afternoon of it.

DIY chair repair

Parts of our house are looking a little tired and outdated, so we've started down the lengthy/selective road of remodeling and repairing.

The kitchen set has seen better days, but I have some attachment to it.

I'm working on saving it.

Today I experimented with a chair.

BEFORE:

I thought of my mom's phrase "use a little elbow grease!" as I was sanding off some of the grime and chipped finish.  After cleaning the wood, I used a paint/primer in a glossy chestnut hue.  Tomorrow I'll apply a clear coat to help protect the finish from a few more years of use.

AFTER:

he's got his eye on me

And he likes to leave treats like this on my camera when I'm not looking

Team huddle

worth the wait

After what seemed like a L-O-N-G time

 the family got together

-and-

 we finally managed to celebrate

Rooney's 15th birthday.

 birthday wishes,

 the traditional bite,

and general birthday mayhem.

Sunday Drivers

As Sundays and weather go, today was a 10.

I couldn't wait to get into Angela and take her for a ride.

We drove around town (Mr. Dub and I). I was having such a lovely time, I just wanted to keep on driving.

Mr. Dub made it happen.

We stopped by the house, picked up kids and blankets, and drove 40 minutes to Northboro so my parents could get a look and go for a spin.

 It was my dad's idea to drive over to Ben's grave.

They take such good care of their grandson.

I'm pretty sure Ben thinks the new ride is pretty great too.

cutest drum major ever

Even with our history, I stand by my claim.

2009:

(how did I let my baby in the band?)

Look at her in 2010:

Hasn't she turned into the cutest drum major EVER?

Friday Night Lights: The Birthday Girl

Rooney turned 15 on Friday the 13th.

It was a lucky day!

We said good-bye to the birthday girl at 7:00 am, and she came home at 9:30 pm... with about 40 members of the band.

Tonight was the first home football game of the season, (we WON! and the band performance was excellent) so we hosted the traditional after-game party.

 I've never heard such a LOUD rendition of Happy Birthday sung at home--there was a fun energy and the kids stayed until the last possible minute.

  (At 11:30 I practiced my best Uncle Aaron bouncer skills) 

It was a great way to celebrate a birthday, and a great way to spend a Friday night.

meeting in-hand

Last night I joined my in-service meeting remotely.  The 90 minute drive was not something I missed.  Also, I didn't have to worry about people watching me chew my taffy while I listened--that was a pretty great perk.

U Mass Marching Band Home Opener

Last weekend we schlepped into Foxboro (Gillette Stadium) to watch the UMass Marching Band perform.  They provide pregame entertainment, put on an amazing half time show, and their post game performance is an epic experience.  In between all of the marching band stuff, there's some football going on. We try to immerse ourselves in all aspects of the college football experience--it's a FUN day. 

  In a sea of 400+ band members, it's a contest to see who will spot Enrique first.  (can you seem him? front row, seventh horn from the left)

With any luck, our boy finds us, too.

 On Thanksgiving Day, this talented group will be marching the streets of New York in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Guess where we'll be on the fourth Thursday in November?

9/11

There's a new (old) girl in town

 Mr. Dub has long wanted to own an old convertible.

Nothing too shiny, nothing too fancy.

His requirements were:

a convertible

a purchase price that fit a modest budget, 

 built in the 1960s, 

seating for six.  

Now that Yonder and Enrique have flown the coop, finding a convertible to fit the above requirements has become a reality.

Meet Angela:

She's a 1968 Chrysler Town and Country.

With the fake wood sides.

A classic.

She came with a lot of excess baggage which I got to drive home (didn't feel quite so exhilarating driving home a mini van full of old engine parts).

 Angela needs some work.

Over the winter she'll probably get a new coat of paint and some detail work.  For now, we're driving around town in our kitschy new convertible.  She's an exciting new addition.