THE NEWTON'S

It had been a busy year and we were all ready for a fun time in Orlando.  School got out on Friday morning, Ashley drove home friday afternoon, and we all spent the afternoon/evening packing for the drive the next day. Probably not the best pre-planning,  but something we didn't realize until after plans had already been made- Rich had signed up to run The Woodland's Half Marathon that Saturday morning.  So, Rich and I got up early that morning and he went and ran his 1/2 marathon.  I was the support and drove him and cheered him on at the starting and finish lines.  He did great and got a personal record for himself.   After he was done we drove back home and finished loading up the van and left for the drive to Florida. We've done a lot of road trips... we know all about traffic and unscheduled slow downs... I think this day we had more problems with traffic and detours and accidental alternate routes... we wound up getting to our hotel around ...

We got back from Indianapolis and the marching band was still playing at football games... they school made the first round and won their game in the playoffs while we were in Indy.  So we had two playoff games I think after we were back.   Ashley was able to come home for a few days the week of thanksgiving and I still had a couple shows at the pavilion I was finishing up the 2019 season with, and at the same time the color guard started gearing up for their winter season, and the band kids were auditioning for region band.  Alyssa tried out for Region Band and made the first call back, and then did her second part of the tryout's and made the region band!  It was a great accomplishment for her and validated all the practice she had put into her audition piece.  We had fun going and watching her play with her region band.  The same week- the Color guard had their auditions to split into the World Guard and the A Guard.  World Guard is the ...

Rich and I were able to make the trip out to Indianapolis this year to support the band and for the National competition.  We booked our hotel the previous February, before anyone knew where the highschool band would be staying.  We found out in August that the band was staying at the same hotel as we were.  When we went to check in and then checked in with the girls... imagine our surprise that they were on the same floor... and same hallway as we were!  lol!  crazy how things work sometimes.  Hey if I'm going to be in a hotel with hundreds of highschool kids... I'd rather be in the one with the kids I know. :) We had a great time watching and supporting the band- even though we both were sick and fighting colds for the entire trip... so we went and watched, then went back to the hotel and napped, and repeat, for the three days we were there. :) We flew home on Rich's birthday... with abou...