Christmas Lights III

Here are more Christmas Lights. This one seems to be to rushed for me at the beginning....but to each his/her own. One thing I know, I would not wish to live on across or beside these light shows. Night after night the flashing lights coming in the windows would drive me up the wall.

Would you want to live by or across from one of these homes? Or even on the same street with all the traffic?

Christmas Lights II

Here is another light show. The work that goes into getting this all set up and coordinated must be significant. Enjoy!

Christmas Lights I

Some people really get into decorating. Here is one example that I emailed to some family members last December. Enjoy.


Christmas Lights

Josh's Bands

As some may know, Josh spent the last two weekends attending drum and bugle corps band clinics, in New Jersey and Chicago. In Chicago he was with the Cavaliers, three time world champion marching in the last five years. In New Jersey he was with the Crossman (based in San Antonio), another Corps that is frequently in the final twelve. He has returned with ideas how to refine his playing, drill and marching techniques. He also loved meeting some of the best marching band musicians in the country.

While he was willing to go through the audition process with each Corps Josh knew making the groups would be long. Attendees are these clinics are serious players and marchers. For the 40 open positions with the Crossman they have had about 500 people audition, of which about 7 are baritone positions (Josh auditions on baritone as they do not use trombones).

Josh was pleased to receive “2s” from the Cavaliers for playing and marching as most receive only a “3” grade. Josh knew making Cavaliers would be near impossible since nearly everyone who makes it into the Cavaliers have prior experience marching with a Corps.

Josh has been invited back to San Antonio by the Crossman for a more in depth evaluation of his marching and playing skills. We are proud of Josh for making it this far in his first year of eligibility (most Corps at this level set 16 as the minimum age).



If he makes it into the group he will be flying to San Antonio once a month for rehearsals through May. Starting in May he would be with the Crossman 24/7 through to mid August….each night would be in a different city. This may be the uniform Josh will be wearing this summer. If he makes it, where Evie and I go on vacation will be somewhat decided...we will be at the Rose Bowl for a week for the World Championship.

As you can see Josh has been a busy fellow between these events and the three advanced placement courses he is taking (AP courses high school courses taught at the college level and a student can get college credit if their grades are strong enough). His schedule will only get busier over the winter. In early January auditions for All District Band. Two weeks later he his in Blacksburg VA where he will be part of Virginia Tech’s honor band. A week later he will be in George Mason University’s honor band.

This is along with learning and playing the Clarinet in Concert II, being in Symphonic band and Jazz A. Add to the mix, his is also playing in an Orchestra and pit band for a play. Oh, yes...we must not forget the Corps Band and Songsters.

Somewhere in there Josh will need find time to breath and sleep.

Defining Moments

Flowing as a continuous stream, each day blends together. Only by using measure points do we acknowledge growth and change in ourselves and our loved ones. A handful of these defining moments appear on a regular basis that cause one to look back a year or more to the same date… one’s birthday, anniversary, Christmas and New Years are just such days. Other defining points come unplanned and often unannounced.

Last summer Evie had one of those moments when Josh flew to Europe. Her baby proudly going off to Europe with a group of strangers was a sign that the empty nest is a few years away. I had similar feelings but I kept them somewhat to myself and focused upon being alone with bride for two weeks camping before Josh returned. Throughout each day I found myself looking at my watch and glancing at his schedule.

This past week I had two events that have combined into one. The first was Josh flying to Chicago all by himself to attend a marching band clinic with the Cavaliers. People I had never met would be meeting him at the airport and taking him back to O’Hare. Again, Josh had that bold confidence while his father worried if all was going well.

The other took place Thursday when we completed a piece of paper. This week Josh was in Drivers Ed behind the wheel. The paper we completed authorized that if he passed his driving test this Monday that we approved him to receive his license. A license will give him greater independence, no longer having to rely upon Mom and/or Dad to run him to events. There is something to be said about having him run himself to events or sending him on an errand. Yet, there is something sorrowful within that regrets this moment.

That said, and regardless of internal feelings, there is also pride that joyfully celebrates each of these steps toward adulthood. His mother and I are proud of Josh, and we are proud of Jonathan too, as he continues to grow to be a fine young man.