Showing off the belly!

Back in early February at 14 weeks.

Tonight after my high school band concert at 20 weeks. I'm 1/2 way there!

It's not quite as obvious from the front... this is probably the last concert in this outfit!

Baby News!

We are happy to announce that we are having a baby girl! We should have known... that is the only gender than run's in John McCabe's (Annie's Dad) family!

Remembering Tage

In 2006 we visited Kent's Grandfather when he was still living in his own house in Nanaimo, BC.

Britta and Tage standing outside of Tage's house.

Busy Times

On Wednesday, Kent and Annie organized the North Central Washington Middle School Band Festival. It was a lot of work setting up all the percussion, making the performing schedule, and preparing our bands for the festival but it turned out to be a success. We were very happy with the way our bands performed at the festival; they all received superior ratings which is the highest rating possible.

On Thursday night Annie had her 6th-8th grade concert in Leavenworth. She has 120+ students in her middle school program and is really happy with the progress she's made as a teacher in the last four years.

Annie conducting her 1st year beginning band: 6th grade.

Sadly on Thursday night we found out that Kent's Grandfather passed away earlier that week. He was an important part to Kent growing up and his spirit and great stories will be deeply missed. Friday afternoon, Kent and his dad Bing drove to Nanaimo, BC to meet with family members at attend the memorial.

While everyone was gone, Annie got a chance to work on cleaning up the garden in front of their house. Between sun breaks and light sprinkles she got one small section cleaned up. It will take MANY more days to get the rest of the garden looking good (but that can wait for Kent's help!). At least the tulips will now have room to grow and be seen! This photo was taken at 18 1/2 weeks pregnant. Small changes are starting to be seen and she's starting to feel the little "butterfly" tickling more often now!

A Look into the Past

Annie and Grandpa at a birthday party!

Caitlin and Carol on the Logan T. fishing boat.

Caitlin and Annie in front of our Grandparents house (Petersburg, Alaska) ready for Easter dinner.

Carol, Caitlin and Annie dressed and ready for Norwegian Independence Day in Petersburg, Alaska.

Annie and Caitlin using hair dryers for the first time! :)

Weekend Away

This weekend, we took a trip up to Kettle Falls, WA to visit Kent's parent's Bing and Britta. On Saturday we went skiing on Sherman Pass. In the photo above, Kent is standing on top of a picnic table!

Saturday night after a dinner out we went to the local theater production of "Annie" at the Woodlands Theater. It was neat for Kent to visit with many friends that he does not get to see very often. In high school, Kent played in the orchestra for a few of these productions so he knew a few of the musicians.

On Sunday, we had one of Britta's wonderful breakfasts, we went for a drive around Kettle Falls and Colville and then made the 4 hour trek home. We had a nice relaxing weekend!

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

We spent Thursday-Sunday at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho with our high school bands. We stay in local churches and get a chance to see clinics, concerts and to perform. Below is a photo of Annie's band practicing in the Catholic church Friday morning.

Below is Annie's band performing Saturday morning at the jazz fest.

After the performance we had an adjudication by Chris Bruya, the jazz director of Central Washington University. He had some positive and helpful comments for the band.

We got the opportunity to watch some University of Idaho groups perform during the festival. It was great to see several of Kent's students who are now music majors at Idaho. Below is a photo of Steev Turner who played with several of the jazz groups. He is doing a great job performing on vibes.

Washington All-State Music Conference

We have had a great time here in Yakima at the All-State Music Conference. We have spent the weekend visiting with colleagues, attending clinics and watching concerts. The Army Brass Quintet was featured in a concert on Friday night. The best part of the concert was when they accompanied the silent movie "Teddy at the Throttle." Last night we went to the final banquet which featured a Wenatchee High School group, Mariachi Huenachi. It was a lot of fun to see a mariachi group perform with their colorful clothing and unique sound.

Another enjoyable part of the evening was listening to a speech by the National Teacher of the Year Andrea Peterson. She was a music teacher from Granite Falls, WA so she was able to connect very well to a room filled with Washington music educators.

Sunday Skiing

We had a great time skiing with Caitlin up Blewett Pass today. The temperatures were warmer but the snow was not sticky. It's a steady climb up and a great time flying down the hill on the way back. On the drive home we drove past two avalanches that had run into the street. We were all surprised that the road wasn't closed!

Saturday Update

Warmer weather brings us melting snow and ice. Kent got rid of the ice on the roof.

For the last month Annie's been working hard directing the orchestra for the Cascade High School musical Wizard of Oz. We were all glad that tonight was the final performance.

The orchestra in our "cave".

Members of the orchestra pose in Munchkinland!