Bridgerland Competition

For Halloween the band traveled to Logan and competed at the Bridgerland Competition. They once again won all of the caption awards and took First Place.

HALLOWEEN

Rachael and her friends made their own Halloween Costumes this year. They went as a 70's Basketball team.

(I didn't tell then that I think they look like a Jane Fonda workout video)



They had a good time making them and wearing them to school.

I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS . . . . . .

Why do I need a bath? I only roll around in the dirt, lay on the grass, then jump in the creek, doesn't that count as a bath?

Mt Timpanogos Competition

October 24, The American Fork High School Marching Band and Color Guard competed at the Mt. Timpanogos Marching Bend Festival. They won all of the caption awards and again took First Place.

Davis Cup

The American Fork High School Marching Band and Color Guard competed at the Davis Cup held at Davis High School on October 20,2009. American Fork won all of the auxillary competitions and First Place in the Competition.

I want to thank Davis High School for the help they gave our band in getting buses and drivers to get all of our kids home after the tragic bus accident on October 10,2009. Davis the love that you have shown to our band was again evident last night as you stormed the field giving our band members hugs and roses. Thank you!

Odyssey Dance Theater presents "THRILLER"

Thanks you to 99.5 radio station, Richard won a set of two tickets, and I won a set of two tickets to see "THRILLER" put on by Odyssey Dance Theater. We really lucked out that both sets of tickets were for the same night. We had a family night out, dinner and a theater show. We all enjoyed watching the performance. Rachael can even get extra credit in Color Guard for it.

Tributes

I found this beautiful tribute to the band and Heather on the Deseret News

http://www.deseretnews.com/photo/slideshow/4/And-the-band-played-on.html

There is a good shot of Rachael at 32 seconds.



This tribute is from the Provo Daily Herald.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_0cbc9bee-b8ff-11de-ac89-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=video

This also has good shots of Rachael near the end.

Competition at Brigham Young University

Just three days after the American Fork High School Marching Band lost one of their teachers in a tragic bus accident the "Band Played On" by competing in the competition held at Lavelle Edwards Stadium on the campus of Brigham Young University.

I wanted to hear all of the band play so I arrived at the stadium just after it started at 4:00 pm. As each band took the field "in competition" my eyes filled with tears as they all paid tribute to the students of American Fork by wearing a red ribbon on their uniforms.

All of the news stations were there doing stories.


Here is the story . . . watch for someone you know.

http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-spectators-support-a-fork-band-after-accident,0,316681.story

The rain came and went during the night, even the heavens had to cry at times. As the American Fork High School Color Guard, Percussion Pit, and set up crew came on to the field the audience erupted in applause.

The applause got even louder as the audience stood when the band entered the stadium.
Then the main show began

What a great performance they had tonight. I am sure that Heather was very proud of the band at tonight's performance. I too was very proud not only of our band, but of all the bands and the support they have given to our band. We truly belong to a greater band family.

The school holds a tribute.

The night after the tragic death of Heather Christensen, the American Fork High School held a tribute to her.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13539667

Be sure to watch the video at the end of the story.

Where do I even begin . . .

No parent ever wants to get the phone call that starts "Mom, I am OK". As a parent you know that something awful has happened, and you instantly brace yourself for what comes next.

The call came from Rachael as she traveled home on 1 of 4 Commercial buses that the band had used for their competition in Pocatello, Idaho earlier in the day. She went on to say that one of the buses had been involved in an accident. The bus driver had blacked out, the woodwind teacher Heather Christensen attempted to take control of the bus and drive it to safety. But that isn't what happened, the bus was already in to much trouble. The bus crashed and Heather was tragically killed. A number of students were taken to the hospital in Pocatello, all with only minor injuries.

Heather was a hero that night, as her actions saved the 50 kids on the bus, who knows what would have happened had the bus crashed into the drainage ditch or the lava beds that were close to the crash site.

Rachael was not on the bus that crashed that night. I am so thankful for that. But 1/4 of the band was and that has affected all members of the band. In the days following the accident the band and the community of American Fork have come together in support of each other. The outpouring of love from bands all over the United States has been wonderful. We have truly lost a beloved member of our band, Heather's influence has been lost to people nation wide.

Heather Christensen 1976 ~ 2009 On Saturday, October 10, 2009 our Angel of Music returned home to her Heavenly Father while attempting to rescue her students from imminent danger. Heather' life culminated in an act of selfless service. Heather's life itself was about selfless service. She will be dearly missed.Born July 31, 1976 in Payson, Utah, Heather was the fourth child of six born to Kay and Annette Christensen. Heather grew up in American Fork and graduated from American Fork High in 1994. She went on to achieve Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music/Music Education from the University of Utah. From an early age Heather loved music. This love turned to passion as she honed her skills throughout her High School and University years. Heather served as Drum Major for American Fork High and the University of Utah's Marching Bands. Following graduation Heather worked as Director of Bands for the new Riverton High School, Director of Fine Arts and Marching Band for American Leadership Academy in Spanish Fork, currently Assistant Director of Bands for American Fork High School's Marching Band, Advisor at Wasatch Academy, Advisor for Edge, Director for Up With Kids, and an Executive Board Member for the Utah Winter Guard Association. Always quick to offer encouragement and support to those around her, Heather had a comfortable way of helping everyone to be their best without pressure or criticism. She was a friend to all, a mentor, a counselor, an Educator in the truest sense of the word. Heather's testimony of Christ was strong and unwavering. She sought to know all she could about His life. She loved the places He walked and lived the principles He taught. She reveled in her family and her ancestry. She spent countless hours researching and preparing family history. Heather is survived by her parents: Kay Christensen, Annette Tippetts and Paul Tippetts, her grandmother Eva Dean Pace Moody, her brother David (Jamie) Christensen, her sisters Kara (Richard) Higginson, Jana (Eric) Hogenson, Natalie (Daniel) Hooge, and Lara Christensen, nieces and nephews: Richard, Nathan, Sarah, David, Matthew and Kristina Higginson; Zachary, Nathaniel and Jansson Hogensen; Brooklyn, Madison, Logan, Cameron, Corbin and Aspen Christensen; Hailey, Hayden, Harrison and Hudson Hooge and Heather's step brothers and sisters: Travis (Sandy) Tippetts, Monica (Darryl) Hillyer, Tamara (Kurt) Pullham, Tonia (David) Webb, Rose (Kenny) Davis, Paula (Brayden) Richmond and their beautiful families, as well as numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. Thanks to Melodie, Kara, Jenn, Kim, and Sarah for your friendship throughout the years. Heather, because we knew you, we have been changed for good. We want to thank the community for the overwhelming expressions of love and support for Heather and our family. It helps ease our pain to know that many knew Heather and recognize her talents and service. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork Tabernacle, 110 E. Main Street. Visitations will be held on Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 E. 100 N., American Fork and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Tabernacle prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Delta City Cemetery, Delta, UT. A Scholarship Fund has been set up in Heather's memory. Contributions can be made to Wells Fargo Bank in Heather's name. In Memory of Heather, do something kind for someone today. Share a smile. Make some burden a little lighter through service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at andersonmortuary.com (obituary courtesty - Deseret News)

Idaho State University Competition

On October 10, the American Fork High School Marching Band and Color Guard traveled to Pocatello, Idaho for a competition held at Idaho State University. I drove up to watch the competition. (watch the slide show).

They did a really good job and as they started to announce the winners of the category the woman in front of me who was from Madison High School filled in who score card.

Then they announced that American Fork had a "CLEAN SWEEP" of all of the sub categories in the competition. American Fork also went on to take First Place.

After the competition they go back to the parking lot and form a semi circle and replay their music.



Rachael did a GREAT job and I was so proud of her.


Richard and I look forward to watching Rachael competing with the Color Guard and Marching Band for the rest of the season.

If you would like to watch the award winning show go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75NogwTZfIA

(As much as I have tried I can't get the video to load on the blog)

Utah Cyclocross

Richard and I got to help officiate a cyclocross race held at the Weber County Fairgrounds. We worked with Steve Sheffield to score the race


There were a couple of great announcers there. Gardie and Bruce.


Lots of friends racing.



Even Sly Fox doing $$$$ handouts as they raced by.

Thanks to the GREAT people who make CYCLOCROSS happen in Utah.
DEVON

ELLIE - oh - don't forget the dogs, Eddie, Brodie, and Annie. (Sorry, Ellie this is not a very good picture of you)
Jon

And Matt.

You guys have made a difference to racing in Utah! Thank you!!

Date Night - Two Nights in A Row!

The weekend of General Conference, BYU usually plays USU on Friday night. So the Macey's Grocery Store pregame Party was held on Thursday. I got off work early on Thursday and Richard and I went to the Macey's in Provo for the party. They serve $3 steak and baked potato. We had dinner and hung out waiting for the ticket giveaways. About every 30 minutes they give away a pair of tickets. They had a big blowup for the kids to play on. They do the famous "football throw', Richard and I each got a t-shirt at that contest. They had a Tony the Tiger Hot Air Balloon there for a "GLOW". At one point they did a frozen shirt contest. They have a t-shirt that they got wet and fold all up. They they get about 6 people who each have one of these shirts. They each try to get the shirt unfrozen enough to unfold and put on. Richard was in the contest and WON!!!!!
This is what he won.
Two nights in a row, we have gotten to spend the evening together, we've had a GREAT time, and tonight came home with a really fun Prize.

Thanks, Macey's we are sure enjoying this new TV.

BYU Coaches Show

Richard and I had a great DATE NIGHT. The BYU Coaches show was held at the Ken Garff dealership in American Fork. Rachael didn't want to go with us, anytime it is just Richard and I we get to call it a DATE NIGHT. Iceberg Drive-In was there serving free hamburgers and we got to be entertained by Greg Rubel and Bronco Mendenhall while they talk about the upcoming game.










At one point in the radio broadcast they asked if anyone had a question for the coach. Richard had one for the coach and got to ask it.

At the end of the radio broadcast they give away a couple of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and a pair of tickets to the next BYU home football game. We had hopes - but alas, we won nothing.

We did have a great night just being together. Thanks for a fun and cheap date.

I LOVE YOU RICHARD!

Fall is here

Watermelons grown in our yard.



They were very small, but really YUMMY!
Pumpkins nutured all season, just waiting to become Jack-O-Lanters.

Soccer games being played in the park.

Little League Football practices being held.

The leaves changing colors.


Fall flowers blooming in the yard.

A Beautiful time of year - it is my FAVORITE!

Mt. Nebo Competition

The Color Guard and Marching Band had their first competition on September 26. The Mt. Nebo Competition was held at Spanish Fork High School. They did a great job! They won every competition in their category. The pride I feel for Rachael, for our Country and those who have served our country grows every time I watch the show.

The Color Guard does a cheer as the enter the stadium


The performance backdrops look great!

I am totally engrossed in filming the performance.







The Drum Majors and Color Guard leaders wait to hear how they did.The Color Guard link hands as they await the news.

I have again tried to load the video that I took and it won't load. So here is a link to someone else's video of their performance from youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDB1Zm2GMu0