Year in Review Video - 2012

Still Here...

Hello Cyberworld.  We're still here!  It's been a busy summer and transition to a new school.  To get you caught up, here's the Reader's Digest version.  I left Enterprise High School after seven years there and took a job at Lava Ridge Intermediate School, teaching 6th and 7th grade band.  It's been an adjustment, but I'm slowly getting more used to it.  Check out my band page, here.  The summer was mostly spent getting our house ready to put on the market, which we did at the beginning of July.  We had one offer right out of the gate, but nothing since.  With the market slowly recovering, we expect a long time trying to sell.  We'll see what happens.  In the meantime, we're still living in Enterprise, while I commute to St. George to work.  It's okay right now, but we'll see how we feel during the winter months!  Dan's now in 3rd grade, Jake's in Kindergarten, Brianna's going to Montessouri preschool, and Rebecca's starting to roll around a bit!  In the midst of all of this, our washer had a part break, so we're finding friends and family to do our laundry at while we try to get it fixed.  If I get a chance, I'll try and post a bit more of some specific things that have happened.  Until then - happy surfing!

Rebecca's Here!

Here's a collage of pictures that Crystal put together from the big day!

McGary Year In Review Video - 2011

Back in School

Well...just like that, we are done with summer and back in school. So much has happened since our last post. Here's a quick summary:

• Richards Family Reunion in Prosser, Washington (including a jaunt up to Seattle to visit Ben and Shara) - July (see pics on Nate's Facebook page)
• McGary Reunion at Bear Lake, Utah (see pics on Nate's Facebook page) - July/August
• Started playing "Crazy For You" show at Tuacahn - August
• Jazz Band played at Enterprise Cornfest - August
• Re-shingled roof!!!!! - August
• Dan turned 7 yrs old! - August 25th
• Jacob turned 4 yrs old! - September 8th
• Pep Band played at Homecoming FB Game - September

If I get the time, maybe I'll go back and share more details about some of those events. As of now, Dan is 7 yrs old, and in 1st Grade. His teacher is Mrs. Clove, and he has to be in school "all day," five days a week! Jacob is 4 yrs old, and going to Mrs. Bollinger's "Montessouri" Pre-school. Brianna is 19 months old and cute as ever! Crystal is helping me with the 6th grade percussionists two days a week and keeping the home in good shape. Me (Nate), I'm in my 9th year teaching music (6th year in Enterprise) and playing at Tuacahn three nights a week. We're both still in the cub scouts and Crystal and Dan are going to a Scouting Centennial Celebration in St. George this Saturday. Hopefully they'll report on that.

Life is good and busy. More later!

Summertime...!

Ahh, summertime! I've been done with school since May 27th and it's been nice to feel like I can sleep in a little. However, it seems like I've been pretty busy at the beginning of the summer, so I hope it slows down a little!

Part of the reason it has seemed busy is because it has been! I've started another season playing in the pit orchestra at Tuacahn. I'm playing for "Cats" this year. The other show they're doing is Disney's "Tarzan." It means late nights and lots of driving, but I enjoy doing it.

We also had our district's Cub Scout Day Camp last Saturday (June 5th). This is the first one Crystal and I had been involved in as leaders. It was interesting and fun to be a part of.

We've also been trying to get a handle on our yard. Crystal's done a ton with our gardens and other shrubery! I've tried to get our pile of gravel spread out, behind the house. My biggest hinderance (besides sheer laziness) has been my allergies. I didn't have any problem with allergies until we moved to Enterprise! It must be something blowing in from the surrounding farms, or something, but it makes me go crazy! I have to come inside after only a few minutes, because my eyes are itching and watering so bad I can hardly see! Well, okay, it might not be quite that bad, but it feels like it.

So, now we're plodding along into the hot months of the year and doing pretty well. I'll share more when something newsworthy happens.

March Madness

Yes it's that time of year. The time when all sense goes out the window. When anything can and will happen. Where there's huge upsets, and monumental statements. When some lose their nerves, and others have icewater running through their veins. Yep it's March, and that means...Music Festival season at high school.

Had you going there, didn't I? Actually, I have to make a quick shoutout to BYU - 1st NCAA Tournament win since 1993! Yeah, Cougs! Ok, now back to this post. The spring season at the high school is always a busy one for me. We just had our region solo & ensemble festival at Beaver last Thursday and the students did a good job. We had 5 performances qualify for state (I rating) and just as many near misses (I- rating). Next up will be region large group, which is for the advanced band and choir, at Millard HS (in Fillmore) on April 14th. Then state solo & ensemble the last Saturday in April, a few more possible state events the beginning of May, and finally our end of the year concerts! Somehow in between all that I'm also fitting in a gig or two with the jazz group I play with, plus a few concerts with the Southwest Symphony. Busy, busy, busy! The good news is that when it's all over, I get a 2 month break from work!

Crystal is great to be patient with me during this time. Maybe I'll even get her to post about it here...maybe. All is well in Enterprise and we're definitely looking forward to spring and summer!