Ode to the Silver Bullet

We said goodbye to the Silver Bullet today.  She was part of our family through 114,897 miles.  She could tell lots of stories about our family.

We traveled to lots of different places in the Silver Bullet.  ND, MN, SD, IA, MT, ID, WA, WY.

As of today, this will now be our family truckster:

Click here to see the Swagger Wagon

I have now purchased more mini-vans than sedans.  This is 40.

This One Time at Band Camp

Over the past 3 weeks, Eric and Jonathan have had 3 field trips related to transitioning to Middle School next year.  Two of these were Band related field trips, as band is one elective offered to 6th grade students.  First, they were treated to a mini-concert by the 8th grade band.  Then, they went to the Middle School to 'try out' different instruments with one of the band/music teachers with Mandan.  The teacher assessed each student on a variety of different aspects, then gave a score for the instrument.  If you received a score of 3 or 4 on an instrument, it was 'recommended' for you.

Next fall, we will have these 2 instruments practiced in our home.  Our own jazz band!

Eric tried out for percussion and trumpet.  He earned a score of '3' for percussion.  He says he 'failed' the trumpet :-).  Seems like a fitting instrument for him.  He got his first drum set the day before his 1st birthday.  He was a natural!

Jonathan tried out for alto saxophone, trombone, and flute (yes....the flute....no idea where that came from).  He earned a 4 on the sax, 3 on the trombone, and 'failed' the flute (thank the Lord.....I am not particularly fond of the sound of the flute).  He originally was not interested in signing up for band, but since he got a perfect score on the saxophone, he thought that would be a good thing to pursue.
I do not have any pictures of Jonathan playing alto sax a day before his first birthday, but wouldn't that be cool if I did?

Apparently Mandan has a pretty good music dept.  Sadly, I really don't know much about it, as I have never attending any of their concerts.  They have a unique set up for 6th grade band.  They teach each instrument group separately, instead of all band members being in one group.  Bismarck Public Schools is even bringing our Band instructors to give a seminar on how to teach band this way, as they are interested in changing their methods of teaching band.

To add to the fun, Megan is on a waiting list for piano lessons, and could possibly be starting next year.  It will be a noisy home.

One more pic

Ok, I guess this is 2 more pics....they are biting their medals in the first pic, because that's what the Olympic athletes do.

BHS tourny

BHS hosted a one day tourny today.  Jonathan's team played all 3 of their games at Simle Middle School.
Their first game was against the Bismarck Storm.  It was a close game.  Mavericks won by 10 or so.  Jonathan had 6 points, 2 rebounds, some blocked shots, and maybe and assist or 2.

 The 2nd game was against Warrior Pride, which is a Selfridge team.  Very physical, but not as competitive score-wise.  Jonathan got a lot of play time in this game.  He has 6 points, 2 rebounds, some blocked shots, and an assist or 2 (okay...maybe that was the first game....I didn't do a good job keeping stats this game.)

The final, and championship game was against the Bismarck Cougars.  That's right....the team we always take 2nd place to.  Beat them once for 1st place last year, but otherwise the beat us.  They are short, fast, and can hit 3 point shots.  They play aggressive and scrappy defense.  The took the lead early, and led by as much as 8 in the first half.  They had a 5 point lead at half time (might have been a 7 point lead, but Jonathan had an awesome block shot just before the half!).  The Mavericks took the  lead early in the 2nd half, and led by as much as 6 points, before the Cougars got back into it.  The Cougars got ahead by 1.  They were trying to run out the clock.  Mavericks were able to take possession.  They were able to break the full court press with an across court baseball pass to a wide open Jayce...right under our basket.  SCORE!  Mavericks up by 1.  14 seconds to play.  Great defense by Mavs, and the Mavs WIN!  Such a great game by both teams.
I didn't get any game pics of the Cougars game.  Too Tense.
Next weekend we have a Mandan tournament.  3 of our more competitive opponents are in it, including  the Fire.  We have yet to beat that team.

Snow Man

Last week was  nice....like 40 degrees for 3 consecutive days nice.  The kids and Don took advantage of the nice days and made a snow man outside.

 Kacy had fun in the snow, too!

Krav Maga

Megan and Jonathan attended the kids' Saturday Seminar a few weeks ago....

Kachinas Dance Camp

Last Saturday, Megan attended a Dance Camp put on by the Mandan Kachinas. The girls did a little performance at the end of their camp.

MBBS Tourny

The Mandan Backboard Boosters (girls' basketball) hosted a tournament this weekend.  There were only 3 5th grad boys teams registered.  The other 2 teams were a Minot team, and the New Town Eagles (they were the giants we played in Dix a few weeks ago).  I didn't get a lot of pics....They played Minot yesterday am, then NT in the evening.  This afternoon we played Minot again for 1st place.  The game today was a little closer than yesterday's, but they still won by a safe margin.

More various and random pictures

I am not able to rotate this on my iPad.. The 5th graders at L&CS have a challenge to read 5280 pages.  Those who meet this goal earn an overnight camping trip to cross ranch state park in early May.  Jonathan got his goal Nov 1, and Eric hit his Jan 18.   I took a pic of Js certificate, but can't find it.

I accidentally added this pic, and don't know how to delete it on my iPad.  I think I need a 'how to' tutorial for my iPad.

This is from Megan's sick days in early January.  We watched American Girl movies all say.

The fantasy football Stillwell Cup.  Jonathan accepted on behalf of Craig and Kathie

Belated bday in Minot 

Tankini with snow boots.  ND fashion at its best

Bday gift.  We are obsessed with these things

The past few weeks

Here are some pics from the past few weeks.

 The boys had their music program last week.  They are at the age in life where their female classmates are now taller than they are.

 Jonathan played the role of 'Georgio'.  The play had to do with how commercials market to kids.  To be honest, I didn't really 'get' Jonathan's skit.  He was a character in an educational computer game, being chased by 4 girls: A teacher, reading, writing, and arithmetic.

 Eric played the role of "Bubba"  He and 2 others were couch potatoes, advertising a couch potato workout.  Eric taught how to drink pop and chew candy bars.   He then belched as he threw his empty pop can over his shoulder.  

 We had Megan's friend birthday party on Saturday at Dakota Star Gymnastics.  It's nice having a party where kids are supposed to run around and be crazy.

.

This horse and donkey were on the side of the road on the turn into Sterling yesterday.  When I got to town, there were 7 or 8 horses.  I opted not to take a picture then.  On my way out of town, these were the only 2 by the road.  Serves me right

Jonathan was supposed to have a tourny this weekend, sponsored by BSC.  His team didn't get in-they only take 8 teams and were full.  His next tournament is next weekend.