Religion and politics...

...are the things we shouldn't discuss in polite company, but I saw this video and had to put it out here in the blogosphere. May I respectfully suggest that you be conscious of who receives your vote in November.

March-a-thon!

This morning, we all got up early and chased the band! The McKinney High School Royal Pride Band (including Drew & Nick) did their annual March-a-thon to raise money for their spring trip. They started at MHS, then marched a convoluted route of nearly 5 miles. They stopped along the way and played a few stand-up mini-concerts - 1 at Tom Thumb, 1 at Capitol One (sponsor) and then a final one at Market Street, who then supplied lunch. Sammi and I and my mom (the ultimate band-mom!) played chase and followed along, catching them at various places around town. It was very impressive, and there were alot of people along the route that turned out just to see the band - sort of like a very small parade. They even had a police escort of 4 motorcycle cops!

(I'm trying to get some video posted onto youtube - stay tuned!)

Catch up (ketchup?)

I know, it's been forever since I've posted anything, but LOTS has been going on. Funny thing how that happens! I'll try to be brief...

Nick did a week in early July at NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) for scouts and had a great time. (It used to be called "Golden Acorn") The boys learned all sorts of leadership skills that can be useful in all aspects of life, and had fun too! Nick got yet another scout t-shirt, a NYLT hat, and a big, tricked-out nametag for all his trouble.

Then, it was a week back home, pack our stuff, and off to Tanglewood and Texoma for the week. We rented a boat one day and drove around the lake, then beached it and played in the sand for a while. One day, for some reason, the big boys decided that we needed to play tennis. None of us play, so we borrowed rackets and balls from the front desk and had 2 great late night tennis free-for-alls. (BTW, we stink at tennis!)


A couple of days after we got home from the lake, Drew's soccer team, Manchester SC, had a signing party at the FC Dallas game. As luck would have it, they were playing the LA Galaxy that night, so we got to see David Beckham! I don't know if it was an off night for him, but he didn't play any better than anyone else, and worse than some. Maybe that's why FC Dallas beat them 4-0.


The best thing about the game, though, was getting to hang out with the Millers. We knew them from Mexico (another Ericsson family) and they live close by now. Griffin was trying out for a spot on Manchester's U94 team, so Jan and I got to catch up on things, and Sammi and Sophie kept each other VERY busy.


This week, Drew & Nick started McKinney High School Royal Pride Band marching practice! There's SO much to learn as freshmen, but they say that they're having a great time. They go all day for this week, then the next 2 weeks they have evening rehearsals, then school starts and it's 7am every day. (memories!) I don't have any pictures of the band just yet - I'll get some in the next couple of weeks, and LOTS in the fall.

I'm a GRANDMA!!! (again)

Missy and Mike had #2 on Sunday!! Lily James Hancock was born on June 29th at 4:39 pm (PST). She weighed 7 lb. 13 oz., and was 20.5 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great - everyone's home and adjusting to life as a family of 4. If you would like to take a look at this beauty, click HERE

Colorado is nice this time of year

Finally, all of my boys are home! Brad got back on Saturday from Camp Alexander in Colorado (near Colorado Springs). The scout troop has gone there for the last few years, but this was the first time that Brad got to go on his own. He had a great time, and earned 4 merit badges (camping, archery, life saving, and wilderness survival). There were rumors that a black bear walked through their camp with a fawn in its mouth, and also that a bear had rummaged through one of the tents!

For the wilderness survival merit badge, the boys have to go (in groups of 3) into the forest, and spend the night. They have a tarp, water, knife, and a rope, and must build a shelter for overnight. Brad's group did well - he said that they only slept about 20 minutes. I don't think that was because they were scared, but more because there wasn't anyone telling them to go to bed!


This is a picture of the group that went this year. It took me a minute to find Brad (front row, left side) - it was a big group - but he looks like he's having fun!