Just Smile

"Just Smile" was the NW Viking Band show this year, and it was phenomenal!  The band performed in competitions every weekend from mid-September through the end of October, and they placed first in their Class and brought home Grand Champion trophies each time.  I say it every year, but this band program is such a gift to our family.  So much more important than their trophies and accolades are the life lessons that our kids are learning.  We are a part of this amazing group of families and music educators who pour into our children, and Mark & I love volunteering and being an active part of this experience with L&L.  Mark is serving on the board this year as Budget Director, and band season is all encompassing for our family.  By the time it ends, we are all exhausted in the very best way and this season was extra special as it is Mr. McMath's last year before retirement.  The NW Vikings marched over 175 students this year, which is the largest group in the program's history.  Enjoy these special photos of the season (many are courtesy of Kevin Greene, our wonderful photographer on staff):

Friends and Family Performance 2.0 (September):

Peanut having fun posing with her mellophone.

Sousa Poses

Luke was Lead Field Commander this season.

Leah is front and center in this formation.

Receiving instructions from McMath:

Friday Night Lights:

Marching into the stadium

National Anthem

Luke & Kiley

Stand Tunes are so much fun!

Singing her heart out:

 

Fun with friends

Performances:

Words of Wisdom:

Awards:

Fall Festival:

Surprise McMath Inflatable.

Band Moms love a good theme!

 Oh, how we LOVE THIS BAND!

September/October 2024

While most of our time right now is spent devoted to a season we call "Band-tober", there were several other Sept/Oct highlights: 

Luke and Kiley had their own Homecoming celebration on a Sunday evening with photos at the O'Henry and dinner at Green Valley Grill. The marching band always have a competition on the night of the Homecoming dance, so the kids are creative and get dressed up the following evening:

We kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness month with Pink in the Park.  This event is filled with hope and positivity, and this year, I've mentored several women who are facing their own breast cancer diagnoses.  It is very important to me that I use my experience to help others and the Wall of Ribbons shows that we are never alone in our fight:

SURVIVORS!

For the second year, we had a large group participate in the All Mounds Matter 5K for breast cancer awareness.  This is a special day with our village, and we love these people so much!

We fought, and we WON!

Mark placed 2nd in his age group!

We had a joyful family weekend when we celebrated Mimi's birthday and Maya's team came to play at Wake Forest for a volleyball tournament:

We love you, #2!

Maya Winterhoff Fan Club!

I chaperoned the sweetest group of 8th graders on their field trip to the State Fair in Raleigh in October.  This was our first time at the State Fair, and it was an authentic North Carolina experience!  Here are some of our favorite moments from our day:

Throwback: The Wild Kratts!

Who knew that hay could be judged/win prizes?!

NC's largest pumpkin weighed in at over 2200 pounds!

Cutest sow and her piglets

This exhibit showcased farm equipment of the past...

...while the next tent was FILLED with penny candy!

So many rides and games at the fair.

My best girl!

Mark and I went to Durham to see Kate Bowler and Coach K live at Duke University.  This was the best birthday present and was a super fun date night! 

This photo of Leah and her friends sums up our September & October perfectly!

Back to School: 2024 Edition

2024 Back to School = 8th and 11th grades for our kiddos! 

 Luke is a junior and has a full load of AP classes at his high school.  He is also taking college courses this year online through the dual enrollment program with our school district, and he's loving the freedom of driving himself to school:

This is Leah's last year of middle school, and she is Big Man on Campus this fall.  She seems excited about her teachers and having friends in classes with her, and we lucked out with the bus route this year so she is riding it in the morning and afternoons.  This is a game changer for me, as hours of my life are spent weekly in carpool lines some years:

Neighborhood Bus Stop Crew

The first week of school was filled with marching band rehearsals and the first home football game of the season.  The weather prevented the Viking Band from performing their halftime show, but they played pregame and entertained everyone with Stand Tunes throughout the game. 

Marching into the stadium.

National Anthem.

Wake Forest kicked off their football season this week, too, and Mark and I cheered on the Demon Deacons and had a fun date night at the game:

It is such a fun, busy time of year for our family.  Hooray for Back to School!