My sister's visit

My sister came to take care of me and the kids while I was recovering from my surgery.  She came anyway and distracted me from feeling terrible, even though my surgery was canceled because the hospitals are full.

One thing we did was go to Mimi's orchestra concert.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dnTmYuPvbdYcAlRrBjCWhrOW1x9I5hDZ/view

Hopefully that links works if you want to hear them play the Beatles song "ob la di ob la da"

Mimi is on the far right side of the stage. 

Christmas Music

If you would like to see our kiddos playing some Christmas music, here are a couple of links.  The other players are super dedicated, practice a ton and arranged the music for this performance.  Our kiddos were along for the ride because they are good sports.

Away in a Manger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PQIF0puiLM 

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeVunBEM3Tg

 

Happy Thanksgiving, a little more guitar

 

Among the many things we're thankful for is guitar lessons! Can you see Yoda 2nd from the left? 

Greg and Yoda 10+ years ago.

Greg and Yoda today!

4th Grade Choir Concert

Yoda was in the 4th Grade Choir Concert last month, he was very excited about it this year.

 

There he is right in the middle looking all dapper.  (It was also his 10th birthday and he had just received that hat he'd wanted for a while!)

 We thought it would be funny re-live a moment from a 4th Grade Choir Concert of a few years ago...

More of Utah

A few more photos, this time with cousins...

 Driving home through SLC, we visited with Greg's grandma, sister and her family.

 But on the way to UT we stopped to see my sister and her family. 

 So happy for a cupcake with sprinkles! 

And a visit with Greg's sister in Provo.

In SLC we visited the Celebration of Life monument to see my dear friend's name who we miss a lot.  She donated her body to BYU last year. 

 Helping Grandma with some chores! 

 Puzzles, we love puzzles! 

And a sing-along. 

Some orchestra

So many concerts, here's just one...

I tagged along with the middle school on their field trip to entertain the elementary schools they used to attend. 

Merry Christmas!

Lots going on this month... it's nice to be busy with nice things.

 First we visited a very special Santa :) 

The kiddos sang at the ward Christmas Party-- Yoda is doing a little boogie-pose off to the right, he's in a blue shirt. 

Mimi is in the middle, wearing pink.  She was super serious, but we were able to get this little smile our of her.

Yoda is in the back row, just under the flag.  This was a school choir concert.
Parker also had a school orchestra concert that same night, Greg attended so I don't yet photos or video from it...

We also visited Nana's good friend's house for cookie decorating and model-train inspiration.

Mimi was in her first play- Scrooge.  She was the pudding vendor and the tallest in the cast.
Here's a brief video, it's toward the end of the play.

There is a lot of work to do on the train track.  Every Christmas I think, "this year I'm going to make this happen!"  Fingers crossed! 

Pianos

Greg really likes to move pianos.  If a family is moving and they have a piano, he's all over it!
I wish I had been there to take a photo (although I would have been really nervous) the other day when he was part of the crew that moved a piano from a 3rd floor apartment, down to a truck and then up the stairs to a 2nd floor apartment.

Here he is in a photo from 199? after moving a piano.  They are taking a music break and to show off their muscles.  Thanks for Greg's Grandma for this awesome photo!  

Guy

Parker was in the chorus of Guys and Dolls this weekend.  So much work and practice and he had a lot of fun!

Mimi and the bass

Mimi's in 6th grade and learning more interesting music this year.

I know the video is quite fuzzy, but the music is nice :)

Yoda's Piano Recital

Yoda had his piano recital and it was very sweet.  He was super nervous, but once it was over his silly side showed up again! 

 

We had budgeted a couple hours, but it was run much differently then Parker's recital was many years ago, so we were out of there in minutes. 

 We hit the playground afterwards, Parker was patient. 

Mimi's first Bass Concert

Mimi is the one waving like crazy from the back row.  Thank goodness she's tall so we can see her.
During practice that morning she nearly passed out from nerves and a late lunch.  The nighttime performance went very well though-phew!

Jingle Bells Video for your listening pleasure! :)
Merry Christmas! 

May so far...

May... it's hard to keep up, but it's nice to be busy!

 Spring soccer for Yoda--he's the one up front by the ball without a Mohawk.

 Mother's Day

Spring concerts

(video)

Parker is one of two boys in the 7th grade choir, that's bold if you ask me.  His teacher is out on maternity leave--she often has them sing traditional folk songs and very cool and complicated foreign songs.  Her substitute had them sing some modern pop songs.  Although it may just be a thing they usually do for the Spring concert.  

(I'll try to get the orchestra concert to load sometime...probably after May)

 Field hockey in the off season is indoors to keep up their skills

 A hike with Sonya, a perfect birthday day

 Yummy cake! 

Parker's 6th Grade Musical Performance

 He volunteered for a speaking role and nailed it! 

Nana and Grandpa came too!