Texas laws.

If you're driving to San Antonio, you must stop at Buc-ee's.

It's a law.

If you eat a meal in San Antonio, you must have Mexican food.

It's a law.

And if you are a true Texan who spends any amount of time in San Antonio, you must visit the Alamo.

It's a law.

Just thought everyone should know.

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Band, band, band.

Today I'm taking a break from reliving our summer vacation. It's all band, all the time 'round here.

Today is the BOA Super Regional in San Antonio. The kids left school at 5 this morning, and I followed close behind. It's been a full day, but it's exciting to see our kids succeed!












(I did manage to slip away this afternoon to watch the Horns win. Fun!)

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Super Regional finals.

Nov. 5, 2011

Back in the Alamodome, we were anxious to see our bands perform. While we waited, though, we got to see MHS' famous ferris wheels.

They were pretty fancy, but the extravagant props turn me off.

We again saw Bowie's show with its winter theme.

And then it was time for BHS, the band from the school where I teach.

This was not our first time to see "The Circle's Edge."

Again, the swing flags were quite impressive. All that red, flying around the field: Beautiful.

Of course, the highlight of the night was seeing our band, RHS.

We were all so proud of the performance!

Our directors 

After all the bands competed in the finals, the Goin' Band from Raiderland performed an exhibition.

It was a nice show, but I could've done without the "UT still sucks" chant that began the performance! (Um, Raiders? 52-20. SCOREBOARD.)

Before the rankings are announced, all the finals bands take the field in "full retreat."

It is incredible to see the field full of all those uniforms, instruments, flags and student musicians.

BHS won the whole shebang, which was a thrill for them. (It was interesting for us, too, since we were near parents from other schools who were STUNNED that they didn't win.)

After awards were announced, BHS got to perform their show one more time.

It was a beautiful, well-deserving show, but we were disappointed with OUR band's ranking. Still, we didn't need the judges to tell us how wonderful "The Diary" was!

Texas game 8: Tech.

Nov. 5, 2011

Katie and I woke up at early-30 so we could get to Austin in time for a good pregame breakfast.

As we looked out our balcony, we could see these SA buildings lit up in the darkness.

 In ATX, we made it to our favorite breakfast destination: Kerbey Lane Cafe. I feasted on the California omelette while Katie enjoyed vegan pancakes.

From there we were off to the tailgate, where we spelled Texas with—what else?—tortillas in honor of Texas Tech.

 It was a gorgeous, sunny day, so Katie was rockin' the hat.

 So maybe the sun had some effect on us...

 As part of the Veterans Day tribute, Texans who had been killed in action were recognized. How sad that once again, we recognized one of those honored. Michael Roberts graduated from RHS. In fact, he played tuba in the band.

 A fly-over was part of the tribute, too. So impressive—and LOUD!

And here are a ridiculous number of photos of Fozzy and company running roughshod over the hapless Red Raiders:

He gets the ball...

and it looks like he's stopped,...

but he emerges from that pile,...

and falls into the endzone! Touchdown, Texas!

Now it's Bergeron's turn to break one.

One of many times that the "Wild Fozz" worked.

Even though Ash is open in the endzone, Fozzy keeps it...

and breaks tackle after tackle...

to score yet again!

This time Fozzy hands off to DJ Monroe...

who heads to the sideline...

before turning up field...

and scoring another Texas TD!

Although McCoy and Ash played QB, Fozzy got a bunch of snaps!

Love those stats!

 At halftime, we got to see the view the Airborne guys had as they parachuted into the stadium. Amazing!

Love this guy's jersey: Section 1.

Obligatory defense shot. (Pass was incomplete, by the way.)

Hook 'em! Time for "All I Do Is Win" and "The Eyes."

After the game, we did the best we could to escape postgame traffic. We ended up stopping for dinner at a Cracker Barrel around San Marcos. While there, we got the text we'd been waiting for: RHS advanced to the finals! WOO-HOO! We were glad to get back on the road to see "The Diary" one more time.