WOW! That's all I can say - WOW!

After 3 months of practicing, early mornings (Guard practice starts at 6:00a.m. on "A" days), too many to count "Guard Camps" - the day finally arrived. The first Winter Guard competition of the year.

Rachael had to be at the school by 1:45, Richard and I there about that same time to unload trailer of mirrors from the field show. (Yes, we left them in the trailer since November) Then we had to reload the trailer with 4 floors from American Fork Guards and 1 floor from West Lake. Plus the cages, plus the back drops, plus the balls. The first time loading everything is always the hardest as we try to figure out the best way to keep everything from moving all over while we travel.

The show was at West High School. We got there just in time to unload everything and get ready for our first guard to perform. We have 5 guards representing American Fork this year. Wasatch Academy is for kids from 8 to 12. (They didn't perform today). Then we have an "B" Guard which is 7th and 8th graders. The "A" Guard is girls who have some experience. The "Open" Guard is the High School Guard - that's the one that Rachael is in. The last guard is called Wasatch Independent - they are out of High School up to age 26.

I found a spot on the top row of seats so that I could set up my tripod to film our guards and be out of people's way. I enjoy watching all of the other guards perform, I enjoy clapping when they have a cool move, or feeling for them when they drop their equipment. The show starts at 4:00 each time and the last guard will perform about 9:00.

I take my Digital SLR camera and take pictures of all of our groups and then have posted them onto my facebook account, then the Guard Directors can access them for their guard kids. I enjoy using my camera and sharing the pictures.

I also take my video camera and film all of the American Fork guards and put them on You Tube. It is always fun for us to watch them numerous times.

Richard helps as a "Band Dad" ( I know this is Winter Guard -but the name sticks from helping the Band/Guard at Field Show). After each group performs the American Fork Band Dads help to get the floor out of the competition area. Then they help the guard refold their floor. So they are folding up to 30 floors in a night. HARD WORK!

The anticipation for Rachael's show just kept building, I was getting so excited. I cheered really loud when they were announced and the girls started coming onto the floor.

Here is the show and see for yourself:




I am sure you said the same thing WOW !