Our Last L.E.S.T.

Justin's school Concordia Lutheran, is involved in a tournament in Portland, Or. every year. It involves schools from 6 states and includes basketball, cheer, music, knowledge, math, drama etc.


Justin is in the Marimba group. They are very talented and have a wonderful teacher.

They played on 2 different days and were also judged on their performance.

Justin and his buddy Kramer. The group won a "blue ribbon" !!!

Justin also plays on the AAA basketball team. Here Coach Hagen had just pulled him out of the game after falling wrong on his already sprained ankle.

#30~my boy!

They lost both games and were out of the tournament- but had a great time anyway!

CLS AAA girls basketball took 1st place so that kinda eased the pain on the boys loss.

Justin with the Marimba award plaque.

We decorated our car for the long drive down to Portland!

What will we do without LEST next year?

Home safely after the long trip. My Valentine's Day roses from James next to my birthday (last week) flowers from my girls at work.

Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord!

The Concordia Lutheran School Marimba group- led by Mrs. Connie Schmidt- does make a joyful noise!


Today they played for residents at the American Lake Veterans Hospital.

Justin is in his 3rd year in the group.

Normally it is only a 2 year class (to allow more students to go through it) but Justin and 2 of his friends were asked by the teacher to come back for a 3rd year.

Justin on the "big bass".

The people at the hospital were so thankful to the kids for coming to play for them.

Only 3 weeks until their competition in Portland!

Marimbas!!!

I tried once again to get some marimba video on the blog. I have tried in the past using my video camera discs but have been unable to get it to work. I even had my sister-in-law Gwen (who regularly uses computers) try and NO LUCK! This time I recorded on my regular picture taking camera and though the quality isn't good I got a little recorded! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Grandpa Clyde even has some of Justin's playing as a ringtone on his phone!

Happy Listening!!!

Turn off the music that is playing already, in the green box on the right side of the blog!

Final Marimba Performance

Today at the end of the year assembly the marimbas group played. They did a wonderful job as usual.


This was Justin's final performance! You are only able to take the marimba class 2 years and this was his second year!



Justin really enjoyed the class and the teacher Mrs. Schmidt. I think I may have enjoyed listening to them more than they enjoyed playing...I am going to miss it...maybe more than Justin!

Marimba Blue Ribbon Performance

Justin and his buddy Kramer play the baritone marimba on the song "Heavy Roller". They are both 2nd year players!


Justin stands in front of the big bass marimba. It is the largest instrument in the group!


Justin proudly shows off the blue ribbon and the award that the ensemble won!