Brentwood is also centrally located for fun. Skiing is only 2 hours or so to the east. The California coast, Santa Cruz, Redwoods etc... is only 1 1/2 hours away. If you're a "foodie" Sonoma and Napa Valley are a little over an hour. We have two amusement parks within an hour, the capital an hour and a half north, Yellowstone is only 3 hours away to the southeast and San Francisco and all the museums, sports teams and crazy people are also only an hour to the west.
When Byron and I married, we knew that we would settle here. It is only an hour from my hometown of Modesto and Byron's entire family live here. Brentwood was a little like Mayberry and a little like the Cheers bar...25 years ago when we came, every one knew your name and any scandals spread like wildfire. I couldn't "run" to the grocery store, it was a sure fire hour long commitment because I knew so many people. At that time we knew it was the perfect place to raise our family. Over the years we have watched stoplights come, chain grocery stores, a bowling alley, fast food restaurants,sports leagues, a aquatic center and now, a mall. It's still a great place to raise kids...just bigger.
My children have all attended Liberty High School, a school with 105 years of tradition. We have two high schools in town now. It makes me sad because there are cross town rivalries and all that goes with that. One of the wonderful, sweet traditions we have at Liberty is the down town Homecoming parade. This was Homecoming weekend, so for my Lauren who loves her school and still bleeds Cardinal and Gold....pictures!!
Our Homecoming Rally on the Football field, the booth was built in 1953.
My favorite student, the Jr. Class President, decked out in Liberty colors. He takes his school spirit seriously.
The Jr. Skit, complete with the Liberty Lion and minus the President, who was too busy to go to
practices...he was totally bummed. Not.
.
Two of my very favorites, #9 is my TA, #26 spends a lot of time in my office, he doesn't TA for me. Get it?
This is our Leadership teacher, she looks like one of the kids. I want to adopt her I love her that much.
"Extinguish the Eagles!" The Jr. class float.
The Junior rooter truck...for once Jeff's loud voice came in handy!
The Employees of the Year...I'm still (not) bitter about being nominated and LOSING six years in a row. I would love the parking spot, but I don't know about the back of the car riding in the parade. It doesn't seem too flattering.
Our death defying Cheerleaders. They really are impressive.
Our marching band, 70 members strong. And they sound pretty good!!!
The Math and Physics club float, yes, the stereotypes are correct.
The FFA float, they were practicing roping on it, and chewing...hay.
The Transition program float. This is the program at Liberty my Rachel attended. All the students have mental and physical disabilities. They are a beloved group of students, and are mainstreamed and really cared for by our "normal" kids. This is one reason Liberty is a great school. Last year a young man with autism won Homecoming King by a landslide.
The Senior float won the competition. Duh. They always win. That yellow square...what does it look like to you? I thought it was Spongebob, which didn't really fit the title. Turns out it's a waffle...
.
Our Queen Brooke. She really is a sweet girl and beautiful too!! Love her.
Our King, Tony (in the black tux). He is our star football player so he wasn't in the parade.
He's a sweet kid, love him.
Our very diverse Homecoming Court, all fabulous kids!
The dance. The girls are adorable, I wish they had worn a bit more however....
PS. Don't you just LOVE my new bloggy layout? My ultra-fabulous daughter Lauren, who I love dearly and is SO SO SO creative.... spent HOURS designing it.
PPS. Here's my gratuitous picture of my favorite subject...have I mentioned I adore him?
And his parents.
