Paul's Disney Audition in Chicago

On the day before Paul's 21st birthday we flew into Chicago for him to audition for the Disney band. We stayed at a friend's condo - amazing place right on the lake with great views of the Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile area.

These two pics show the view from the dining room window of the Hancock building.



Here are pics of the living room and the view of the Navy Pier from that window.



We got to experience a lot of culture - we scored a couple of tickets to a concert on Friday night featuring Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at Symphony Center. On Saturday Paul played his audition (which went well) after which we went to the Art Institute, and then went for pizza at Giordano's with a friend of mine who played in the Disney Band w/me back in 1983 (Paul had his first legal beer there).



After going to dinner, we went to one of the top jazz clubs in Chicago, Andy's Jazz Club, to hear the Nia Quintet - had great seats right up front.

8th Grade All State

Kayla did a great job playing 1st chair clarinet in the 8th grade All-State band - here she is in action.

A Day at the Beach

Not to rub it in or anything, but Carlsbad was sunny and 70 today (Jan 13). So while Chris and the kids were up in LA at a dance workshop, I spent much of the afternoon at the beach (after watching San Diego win their second playoff game to advance to the AFC championship). Here are a couple of pictures of kids (other people's) playing in the surf and one of the sunset.