Encore

Before taking their flight

This Presidents' Day weekend found us reprising last year's trip to San Jose for M's second All-State performance. This year he was joined by three other students from his high school, and we added a set of grandparents!

M flew to San Jose on Thursday, but we drove up Friday, stopping for lunch at Bravo Farms in Kettleman City. It's a good place to take a break about halfway in between LA and the Bay Area. After checking in to our room at the Marriott, the five of us walked over to SoFA Market for dinner.  This food court had a lot of different eateries to choose from - R opted for poke, my parents went with a pastrami sandwich, while J and I split a wood-fired pizza.

Then R and I headed over to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts for the evening concert. One of M's friends performed with the All-State High School Jazz Band and had several featured solos on guitar.

Our Saturday schedule was wide open until the evening concert, so we met my aunt (my mom's sister), uncle, and cousin for dim sum at Tai Pan in Palo Alto...

...followed by an afternoon snack at Alexander's Patisserie in Mountain View.

Macarons

We left my parents with my aunt and uncle so that we could go spend some time with R's college roommate and his family.  No pics this time, but it's always fun to see them!

Our music program was well represented this weekend! Another one of M's friends (clarinet) performed Saturday night with the All-State Wind Ensemble, while this morning's concert showcased the third (french horn) with the All-State Concert Band, and M (trumpet) with the All-State Symphonic Band. So proud of them all!

Symphonic Band

Where's M?