Music week

It has been a music week.  Last Sunday, Aleena and Addie Mitton (one of Aleena's good friends) were asked to sing a song in Sacrament meeting at our church.  Actually, Zane was asked and he said he isn't going to do it while he is in the Bishopric and since I was standing next to him, he volunteered our daughters.  Which was ok because they both love to perform.  I found an arrangement of  I KNOW MY HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES ME.  It had a violin part that went with it.  We got together a few times to practice.  I added a small harmony part to it so that they could do parts.  It was quite fun teaching them that.  But they did it.  I am going to have to start sneaking a recording of these songs so I can have them.  It was so nice.  There is something about young girl voices that are so angelic.  A big thank you to Jill Nilsen, who is always willing to play the piano for us.  I then was asked to play a violin part for Harlo Clark.  Him and his cousin were putting together a musical tribute recital for their parents before they passed.  They had one song that had a cello/violin part with it.  That required a couple practices.  Friday night was the big performance.  It was a very nice tribute.  Friday morning was my first group violin lesson for my students.  I have decided since there isn't a strings program in the school that I would try to get my students together once a month and learn a few songs orchestra style.  It was Friday morning before school at 7 am.  There were 7 if them.  They were so cute and nervous to get started but then I think they all seemed to get in the groove.  I fed them a small breakfast and then I took them to school.  I really enjoyed it and hope they did too and will stick with it for a bit so we can get a few songs learned. 
Yesterday was an evening session of Stake Conference.  That is where we gather in the Chapel and hear from our leaders from the area.  This year they opened the meeting up to 12 years and older.  It was such a nice meeting.  Savanna was asked to sing the song "If the Savior Stood Beside Me".  It was the arrangement Aleena and I did a while ago in church.  It to has a violin part.  She did beautiful.  There were hundereds of people at this meeting and she didn't seem to be to nervous.  I always get nervous.  And today at the regular Sunday session of Stake Conference, our wards choir was asked to sing a couple numbers, so I sat up and sang with the choir.  It went great.  It just meant my children were sitting alone for a 2 hour meeting.  I asked Tallon (Savanna's boyfriend) and his mom if they wouldn't mind sitting on our row to help keep an eye on them.  They did so good.  We got their early enough to have a row where I could see them from the choir seats. 
As a result of my talented kids, Aleena and Savanna have both been asked to sing their numbers in  another ward in June. 
I am grateful for my talents and my childrens talents and that we are able to share them and to help others feel the spirit through music.  It keeps us practicing and learning new songs.  I just hope people don't get sick of hearing us, kind of like over staying our welcome.  I guess maybe I should be more worried if we weren't ever asked to do it again.  That might have more negative meaning than getting asked to come back. 

Livee in dance

This one is for the Gramma's.  I recorded Livee in her dance class.  The recital always shows the end result but it is work to get there.  They are learning a new dance.  I love to watch her class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICbG1zBoyL8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Brad's Birthday

Brad had another birthday.  He is now 43.  We got him a few presents and he requested chocolate on chocolate cake with mint Chocolate ice cream.  Happy Birthday Babe.  You don't look any older than when we got together.  I love you.

Project friend

I can always count on Livee to be my project helper.  I had a few games to get together for her class party tomorrow.  She counted out hearts, m&m's and goldfish.  She is such a trooper.  I don't even have to ask her if she wants to help because when she sees me getting stuff out she is already up and ready to do whatever.   My kids have just really been such a good help this week. 

Livee's Birthday

Livee had another birthday.  We celebrated on Tuesday night at home because Wednesday was a full evening already.  She had dance after school, so while she was away, the kids helped me get things ready.  Aleena and Jase did the wrapping.  Hallie baked and decorated the cupcakes.  Livee requested white with pink frosting cupcakes and homemade pizza for dinner.  So I worked on the pizza.  It was nice having all the willing help.  Hallie is is so excited to have mastered cupcakes.  She is constantly watching the Cake Boss. 
For Wednesday, Livee wanted to take rice crispies to share with her class.  Happy Birthday Livee.  I love you and am so glad you are my friend.  

Family Christmas

This year we decided to try getting together at Christmas time.  The kids drew names and the couples drew each other.  We decided we would rotate houses and so we started at Aunt Kaydee's this year.  It was a fun day.  They kids were excited to do the present exchange.  We actually got a group family picture.

 

We are missing Greg, Jean and their 3 kids.

Christmas 2013

We had a great Christmas. Christmas Eve, we spent just playing games. I ordered a new game, Snorta, and it was so fun. We played a christmas tree drawing game, Snorta, and a couple others. We just had lots of yummy appetizers and just chilled. The kids all loved their new pj's. I didn't even have to alter any of them this year. Aunt Dawn was around this year for Christmas, so she came and joined the fun.

I actually got all the wrapping done before Christmas Eve. That is a Christmas miracle right there. I was able to just hang out with the kids and not be stressed out.

Christmas day came super early. I think the whispers started around 4:30. We put them off until about 6. I think the kids were all happy with what they got. We spent the morning in our pj's and blankets, napping, snacking on candy and making Loom bracelets. Kell and her kids came over later in the day. We made dinner, built legos, played new games, built tons of bracelets and ate lots of food. It was a great day. Thanks everyone who sent stuff our way.

The kids usually have to get a selfie in on the camera somewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 The parents love building as much as the kids.

Christmas Cookies

Normally I do a ton of baking for Christmas.  Time just didn't allow this year.  We did manage to get a  good Sugar Cookie session.  Livee and Aleena really took over which was fine by me.  I got the dough made and they took over the cutting out and rolling.  It worked great.  We took the extra plain cookies and put them in the freezer.  The kids would pull out a cookie, frost it and have one every day for the whole Christmas Break.

Jase Gym Performance

This is Jase's Gym group.  This is their second routine.  Believe it or not, we got a whole video.  Yahoo!!.  In order to be in that group, you have to be able to do a round off back handspring.  Livee just actually got hers last week.  So she will be moving to this group soon.  She is so excited.  Jase is a little stud in this.  His wrists have been bothering him so he is taping them to see if it helps.  It seems to be.  Good job Jase

http://youtu.be/l6ZsPNkpFfk

Freeze Frame

Last Saturday was a busy day for Aleena and Hallie.  Freeze Frame is an event in Twin Falls.  There are 2 shows.  One in the afternoon which is usually a younger group of dancers with a few older school teams and one in the evening which is mostly older dance teams.  It isn't a competition.  Anyone in the valley can dance at it.  All the proceeds go towards scholarships for the dance studios that participate to use for a dance camp at CSI in the summer.  Aleena and Hallie are on competition teams so Main Motion (our studio name) like to take their competition teams so they can get a good performance practice for an actual competition.  Aleena was in the afternoon show.  They danced 2 numbers.  Hallie was in the evening show and danced 3 numbers.  All my other kids came, plus Tallon (Savanna's boyfriend) and went to Aunt Kaydee's and hung out.  They were originally going to come watch dancers but found it funner at Kaydee's, which is totally fine.  They actually ended up going roller skating which was a fun adventure they don't get to do very often.

I was only able to get pictures of Aleena in her costume.  I help her get all ready.  Hallie doesn't need me back stage anymore :( and so I forgot to snap her picture.  I did a few shots of Hallie's eyes all dolled up.  They had to wear fake eyelashes for this one.  She did not like those things but they did look pretty.

"Bossy"

Angel

I do love watching my girls dance.  They have so much fun performing.  It was a terrible venue to video so sorry no videos. 

Savanna singing again

Savanna was asked to sing again last week on Friday.  She has been taking voice lessons and I can already here a few changes.  I am so excited for her.  She is currently working on a song in German for Solo/Ensemble.  It is a State Solo.  Which means, if she wins, she gets to compete on a State Level. 

So a heads up with the video.  Between Brad and I- we can not get a full video.  Sheesh.  My card was full before she was able to finish.  Seriously?  And I can't figure out how to turn it right side up so you get some neck stretches at the same time.

http://youtu.be/1zbzT32nsFw

Aleena singing

So Aleena was finally asked to sing the National Anthem at the basketball game.  She has been wanting too for some time.  And tonight she got her chance.  I was so so nervous for her and she was just calm as a butterfly.  She blew everyone away.  We didn't get the first line recorded because Brad doesn't normally do the filming and had a slight problem getting started but you can still hear it.  Great job Aleena.  Watch out Savanna.  Your competition just moved in;)

http://youtu.be/gs8AvNwQae4