Taking one for the team, Part 2....

Caroline this week sacrificed for BAC, in that a flag took some skin off her nose during rehearsal. Click the image to see a larger version.

Taking one for the team

Maddie dyed her hair for the Crusaders show.

Crusaders in Annapolis

Nancy is in Baltimore for business this week and next, and was able to take some family and friends to the Drum Corps International show in Annapolis. She was able to drop off some Bergers Cookies (made and sold only in Baltimore) as a treat for the corps, and had a chance to talk briefly with Maddie and Caroline after their performance. See the pic below, click on it for full size.

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BAC Breaks Camp

The Crusaders go on the road today, and we found out last night that Caroline will have a place in the show. Maddie had already secured a full spot, and Caroline worked hard to get a shared spot in her rookie campaign. Here are recent pics from the last couple days. Click on the pic to see the full size.



Caroline

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Maddie in the background

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Recent Pics of Girls with BAC

Maddie and Caroline are in the middle of spring training for the Crusaders. So far, the only pics I've seen of them are when they are in the food line..... Well, at least we know they are eating well. These two pics are from this past weekend. Click on the pic to see the larger version.


Caroline

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Maddie

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Boston Crusader 09 Update

Maddie and Caroline are in NH at Spring Camp. They felt the chill of an overnight frost. That's got to be a first for them in May for quite a long time. Below is a pic of Caroline in the food line. Click on the pic to see a larger size.




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Erin's Graduation

Erin received her Honors College Medallion and Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree on April 30th. She put in a lot of hard work, and completed her thesis. We are all very proud of her. She has been accepted to Florida State University's graduate school where she will begin studying for her Master's degree in Social Work in the fall.

FFCC Winterguard Champions

The Hagerty High School Altitude Blue took first place in the FFCC Winterguard Championships earlier this month. Here is their winning performance, with a few more close ups of Maddie and Caroline.
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Winterguard Competition

Maddie and Caroline perform on the Hagerty High School Altitude Blue Winterguard. The school is only 4 years old, and the band and guard staff have been great in working with the kids to help them evolve in their skills and performances.

This is the first year for the "junior" guard (Altitude Silver) and they have been progressing each competition and came in 2nd in their class last week.

Altitude Blue has really come along, and has finished first in their class the past 3 competitions. We are really proud of Caroline and Maddie, their hard work is evident. See the video of the last performance in the video below.

Winter, be gone!

Except for Nancy, we are fighting off various illnesses and ailments. Can't wait for winter to be over. Meanwhile, a photo of the crew from the holidays.



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Movie Update

The last 10 movies I've watched.

Happy New Year??

I'm cranky. It's due to a stiff neck. Can't turn more than 20 or 30 degrees to my right without having to turn my whole body.

Don't know what I did to get into this stiffness. Maybe 4 days of playing Rock Band 2, or just being an inanimate sludge since the day after Christmas??

I'll try exercising tomorrow, maybe that will help...


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Cafe' Tu Tu Tango

Just back from the highly recommended Cafe' Tu Tu Tango, located in the tourist section of Orlando.

Tapas style cafe', with local artist's works filling all available wall space, and many cabinets. Nice mix of music, art and food, though a tad expensive.

Among the items we sampled:

Shrimp Spring Rolls - have had better at the local Chinese take out
Spicy Chicken Egg Rolls - very good
Barcelona Stir Fry - kind of like a dumbed down paella - but tasty
Hummus - the best I've had, very fresh and VERY garlicky
Baby Lamb Chops - Maddie liked them, I didn't sample
Carne Asada - good, but not worth the price
Empenadas - best I've had at a cafe', nothing beats homeade
Spinach Dip - better than Chile's
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp - the pepperjack cheese melted on top was the kicker
Roasted mushrooms - surprisingly good
Penne Langostino - probably the biggest hit




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Boston Crusaders 09 Callbacks

Caroline and Maddie got callback notices, will be returning to the Crusaders camp in April. Getting in competition shape is now their first priority.

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Boston Crusader 09 Auditions

The girls are just now getting back from their first round auditions in Tampa. Maddie is going back for her second year, and Caroline is trying out for the first time. Hope the news is good......

DCI is a great activity....

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OUCH!!

Something happened to my ankle a few weeks back. I think I have bone chips in there (clicking noises and jolts of pain when I try to kick, jump or run). I've given up my spot on the soccer team, and hope the problem will just go away by itself, but I kinda doubt it. After 40 years of playing soccer, I think my time may be up. Just hope I don't have to go under the knife.....


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Good News...Bad News....

Good News - Erin got the family the Wii fit attachment. Have used it for a week and am down 6 pounds.

Bad News - I thought I weighed around 212, but according to the nasty little pad, I was actually 217. So, down six, sitting at 211, with 11 to go to get under 200.


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Nice way to end the summer....

Two new customers signed, that means some nice checks coming in the next few months. Good way to end the summer, and have some extra ducats around for the holidays.

Random thought - I'm playing soccer again, watching what I eat, but still can't shed the final 12 pounds that would put me under the 200 lb. limit. Guess I'll have to do something drastic like using an exercise machine....


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Safe Holiday

Happy Labor Day everyone. Will be going outside in a minute to cook chicken kabobs, along with corn on the cob, maybe a salad.

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