The Rankins: Where have I been?

Well it has definitely been a long time since I blogged. A lot has gone on since then. Baseball practices, a game, a band contest, a band concert, a research paper, a project, a medieval helmet, school, work, car (or better yet) truck trouble, a new alternator, a new battery, a ONE in a solo and in an ensemble, Mother's Day, a Cavalier Party, Regional track meets, baseball playoff games, softball playoff games, family nights, all kinds of stuff. With all that going on we did some great pictures along the way. Here's a few...just a little taste of our month has gone. Enjoy the pictures!

This was at Jakob's last game. They only got to play for 20 minutes because of the rain and lightning. This was also the game that mom and dad didn't get to go to because of Kaleb having his first band contest as well as solo and ensemble contest. Jakob played catcher for most of the time and then let the other coach's kid (Zach Whitehead in this pic with Jakob) have a shot at catcher. Jakob had a single at his first at bat and scored on the next batter's hit. Man that boy has speed! Even though we weren't there we were kept up with everything via text from Kerri and Brian. Can't thank them enough!!! The league never said if they were going to get to reschedule this game since they didn't get to actually play it. Oh well.

The drum posse at the Greenwood Music Festival where they all had their solo, ensemble, and the band contest. It's a really neat group of kids. Kaleb has a ton of fun with them!

Kaleb and Erin during the band concert this past Tuesday night. They performed their contest pieces and some more after that so that was a total of 5 songs.

At the concert they selected 3 soloist that had been recommended for "Outstanding Soloist" at contest and Kaleb was one of those few. He performed his solo for the whole gym that was filled with parents, grandparents, you get the picture. We were SO extremely proud of him! He nailed the solo...was there any doubt that he would!?

This is how Jakob and his friend Mason watched the band concert. They are so funny together. They could pass for brothers!

Tobyn, Kaleb, and Erin playing the bells in one of the songs. Don't the drummers look like they are having so much fun!?

Some boy (sorry don't know his name and Kaleb is in bed), Kaleb, and Erin on the snares. They play all the different percussion instruments so no one is always on the same piece. It's really good and gives them a lot of variety.

Kaleb after his band concert with his medals that he won at contest. The big one around his neck is for his solo and the smaller one pinned on his shirt is for his ensemble. I honestly don't know why they had different medals for the solo and ensemble but at best guess it's because with an ensemble you have to award more than 1 medal because of more than one participant so you go smaller so you spend less. Anyway, Andy and I could not be prouder of our boys!

We took the boys to Steer Park for some good action shots from the "other side" of the fence. No it's not a game but I got what I wanted along with some fun shots. Take a look!

The "conference on the mound." Okay so mom's a little goofy...but you have to admit, the Ranger's pitcher and the Astros' catcher look pretty darn cute...and serious!!!