Band Season

Last week and this week are marching band competitions for Aubrey and the amazing Buhler Marching Crusaders. They have scored higher than any other band at both of their competitions so far; KSU Central States Marching Festival and Andover's Southern Plains Marching Festival. I can't tell you how much I love that she gets to be part of such an excellent group. Some quotes heard yesterday from other students in the crowd at Andover:

"There goes the Buhler band, I just want to touch one of them!"

"I wish I could transfer to Buhler to be in that band." and from his friend: "I bet they cut off your toes if you mess up in the marching, dude!"

"Has Buhler marched yet? I don't want to miss them!"

"Here comes Buhler, prepare to be amazed!"

The Andover festival was mostly 4A and 5A schools from around here. The KSU competition was 34 bands with predominantly 5A and 6A schools from the Kansas City area.

Tonight both Aubrey and Luke march at Buhler's home football game, then Friday Aubrey travels to Topeka to march at Washburn Rural's stadium for a showcase. They spend the night there and travel to Warrensburg, MO for the toughest competition of all at Central Missouri State. We'll let you know how it goes!

Proud Mama

Luke received a special honor today; he was selected to participate in Youth Leadership Reno County, which brings students in 7th and 8th grade from all over Reno County together to develop leadership skills, tour sites/businesses, and participate in community improvement. It's a big deal for him, as only one seventh grade boy and one seventh grade girl are selected from each school. Luke's class is right at 200 students. I'm not sure what exactly they will get to do this year, but looking at the schedule I see they'll be at the State Capitol on Kansas Day. I think I'll volunteer to go along on that trip!

In other news, we're looking forward to a visit from Mom and Lane this weekend. Aubrey will perform with the marching band at the Homecoming football game Friday night, and then Aubrey and Luke will both march in the Buhler Frolic parade the next day. After that we plan to load up and head to Kansas City so we can go to the "Myths of the Highlands" day at the Renaissance Festival. The boys are looking forward to lots of weapons.

We're enjoying gorgeous fall weather this week, as I hope you are too! Jerry is busy building a cover over the "pit" window well in our back yard, and I'm permanently attached to my paintbrush. We're sprucing things up a bit for all you Bernings - see you at Thanksgiving!

This is Luke. I have had three cross country meets so far and have got a medal in two of them. I had noticed that mom hadn't posted in a while so she said I should so that is what I am doing now. The State Fair has been in town this week and I have gone twice so far. Aubrey's band played at the Bretz Law Arena (the old AT&T arena), the band was of course amazing!

Hmmm....

So last night I was laying in bed about 9:30 or so (early, I know), when Aubrey came into our room looking for a pair of my shorts she wanted to wear to band camp in the morning. It starts at 7:30 a.m. I told her they were dirty, and were in the laundry hamper. She looked at me, and said:

"Well, will they be clean in the morning?"

I am not even kidding. Maybe there is a laundry fairy I know nothing about? Ha!

Anyway, I know it's been months and months since I've posted. I won't even try to catch up - we've been busy as always, but we wouldn't want it any other way. Hope to see most of you at the fair this weekend! It's my 20th (gasp!) class reunion, so wave at me as I go by in the parade!

Just Weird

Luke's optometrist had some discontinued Nike sunglass contacts that he just gave to Luke. Luke was thrilled. Can you see them? They're ORANGE!

Spring has sprung

New at our house

Yep, Jackson succumbed to the family eye genes, and had to get glasses. He likes them so far... it's been almost an hour! Luke also is sporting new eye wear. He has to wear a contact in his left eye only - his vision was 20/70 in that eye, but 20/20 when he uses his eyes together. It turns out that his depth perception is terrible. I guess that might explain a few missed shots during basketball season... Jerry and I are feeling pretty guilty about not taking him sooner. He should be all adjusted by the time baseball starts though.

In the background you can see my wedding dress dumped on the couch. We came home from a fast trip to the farm to find a flooded basement - including a ruined dress box. Good news - it still fits. Bad news - we need a $700 water heater.