Cara takes her symphonic band to Dallas for a competition

In typical Henry Middle School Band form, all three bands performed well and they brought home lots of brass. The Honor band and Symphonic band received superior ratings and HMS received Overall Outstanding Performance. Very impressive!

In April, we hosted a baby shower for our friends Jessica and Damien Gonzales

Cara has another successful UIL performance with the Henry Middle School Symphonic Band

Cara's band was the only band in the district at their level to receive a perfect score in all categories! She and her band were truly extraordinary.

We hosted a wedding shower for Carrie and Eric.

Cara went to graduate school at UT with Carrie. We were there from the beginning of Carrie's relationship with Eric. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science and got a job with Intel in Portland. Their wedding is in Ramona, California.

In March, we went to the Rodeo!

The DeFranks came for another visit in March. We always do new things when they come. This time we went to the Austin Rodeo. Yeehaw!

This is one of our favorite up and coming artists in Austin - Ruby Jane!

We met Ruby Jane when she was 12 years old. She played a free concert with Aubrey Slackey for my campus organization, the Paul D. Gottlieb Lecture Series, during a visit by Dr. James D. Watson. Now she's 13 years old and on her way to becoming an Austin celebrity. She does regular shows throughout the city of Austin playing with some of the biggest acts in town.

Jamie joined the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign

I began volunteering for the Obama campaign at the Texas headquarters in downtown Austin. After receiving training from the Obama campaign leaders, I became the Precinct Captain for our voting precinct in Williamson County. I was responsible for getting several thousand voters to the polls to defeat Hillary Clinton in the Texas Primary. I made hundreds of calls and knocked on countless doors to make sure people got out and participated in the primary and caucus.
Eventually, Cara and I organized and ran the caucus in our voting precinct. I was elected the Precinct Chair and Cara was elected as the Precinct Secretary. Together we collected the votes and organized the caucuses for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama won our precinct 66-33%.
It was the most rewarding experience I've ever had in the democratic process.

Maddie and Cooper attend a doggie Birthday Party for Lulu and Morgan.

Cooper had his first Frosty Paw doggie ice cream.

Maddie couldn't have any because of her allergies.

Cara goes to the Texas Music Educator's Conference in San Antonio

Attending with her are the band directors from Leander Independent School District.