The Lehi Parade

One of the things that Richard and I love about watching Rachael and the American Fork High School Marching Band and Color Guard in parades is following them on the motorcycle. We ride the motorcycle to the staging area and enjoy watching them warm up.

We found Grandma and Grandpa Anderson,along with MistyMae and Ozzie waiting to watch the parade.

Then I take pictures as they begin the parade, then we hop onto the motorcycle and drive down the road next to the parade going 4 or 5 blocks. We hop off of the motorcycle and take some more pictures,

 then get back on the motorcycle and ride a few more blocks away and take pcitures,




 we do this the whole parade route. Sometimes I walk along side them for a few blocks and then get back on the motorcycle. We see only the band in the parde, but have a wonderful time.

I do enjoy seeing the whole parade, but right now, I enjoy seeing Rachael lots of times in the parade. 

The First of Many

The American Fork High School Color Guard has a man named PONCHO, who is in law school, who also is a Color Guard expert. He comes to American Fork every year to work with the guard, he teaches them the moves they do for their field show. This year Poncho is scheduled to come many times. This is from the first of the many PONCHO CAMPS.

It was a LONG day, they had to be at the school at 8:00 am and stayed until almost 9:00 pm. Rachael was exhausted, sore, and still smiling when she came home. We are so glad that she had a GREAT day!

. . . .And so it begins . . .

The practices have begun, basics are being taught to new girls, girls are learning rifle and sabre spinning skills. The parade routine is being updated and taught to everyone. Blisters are being taken care of, flags are being put onto poles, rifles are being taped. Money is being earned.


COLOR GUARD IS IN FULL FORCE!

Painting the Field

Last fall the school created a field for the band to use for practice. They took out the pavilion and the sand volleyball courts out. They extended the grassy area, put in sod, and now the band has a field for them. It is not quite the size that it should be, but it will work for the early season practices. It's had all winter and spring for the sod to grow together and now it is time to be used. Before the band uses it for the first time we had to make the field. First we had to "square" it off. Then we painted markes every 10 yards, then some marks at the five yard lines. Plus some "cross" marks in the middle. It took longer to do than I thought it would, but was a fun project with all of the GREAT people who came to help.

CAPTAIN RACHAEL

Rachael was chosen to be one of the Guard Captains for the 2011- 2012 Guard Season.

CONGRATULATIONS! Rachael - We are PROUD OF YOU!!

End of Year SHOWCASE

At the end of the school year the American Fork High School Color Guard puts on a Year End SHOWCASE. They reprise the Parade routine, the Field Show, and the Winter Guard show. The girls are divided into small groups and put together their own show to highlight the things that they have learned. It is a fun reminder of the GREAT year that the girls have had. The show ends with the seniors who put together something highlighting all of the shows they have done over the years. As a parent it is a night full of pride and happy tears.

Rachael is 16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is OFFICIAL! Rachael Anderson Blanco is now 16!!!

There was cake for both Rachael and her cousin AJ who turned 18 the day after Rachael's birthday.

Rachael's "friend" Briggs came to the family party at Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's.

Aj's brother Jordan.

Grandma Pat also joined us.

Grandma Anderson

Uncle Jay

Missy Mae relaxed and enjoyed the party. Grandpa Anderson and Aunt Amy were also there. But I would be in big trouble if I put up the pictures that I took of them, they are both not very good pictures of them.

The kids had a good time playing games.

Rachael got presents.

The biggest box came from Briggs, it had lots of smaller presents inside.

Dad and Mom took Rachael and Briggs out to dinner for her birthday. We went Texas Roadhouse, yes they made Rachael sit on the saddle and they sang to her.

I look at my beautiful girl and wonder where the time has gone. It seems only yesterday that she was just a four pound baby in my arms, so tiny and dependent on us. Now she has grown up into a beautiful young woman. So many things in store for her, dating, drivers license, fun times in High School, College . . .

I love my little girl! Happy Birthday, Rachael, may this year be a GREAT one!