Violin Recital

So…..the secret is out!! I finally surprised my family last week and told them I’ve been taking violin lessons! It’s been hard not to slip! This has been a dream of mine for so many years…since high school! I was so busy with piano, dance, choir, student council, working, etc. that I figured “someday” I would pursue it. Then came college, work, marriage, and babies. Well, 17 years later….I realized that life isn’t going to slow down any time soon, and if I really wanted to pursue this dream, then it’s either now or never! I started asking for referrals, researching teachers and music stores and ended up with a fabulous teacher! My first lesson was in June – about twice a month through the summer, then I started full time lessons in September. Thanks to Adam for supporting my dream and watching the darling children in the morning during lessons, being willing to go into work a little bit late, and listening to late night practices! Tonight I had my first recital! It went well! It was so encouraging to listen to the other students and their songs. Wow! I thought as an adult the  “performance butterflies” wouldn’t be so bad, but I was wrong! ugh!And thanks to a great friend, Bonnie and her family for supporting me and for bringing the gorgeous flowers!

Tanner’s Award

Tanner received the “Math Mind” recognition award last week at school! I was kinda surprised, but apparently he is a little math brain at school!  Yay Tanner!

And of course I just had to put this one in.  This is what she’s been up to lately! Squeezing into boxes and baskets!  So glad she makes us laugh!

Applesauce

A couple of weeks ago I decided to tackle some applesauce! It took me longer than expected, and of course Adam was traveling, so it made for a very long process! Good news is we have a good amount for next year. Bad news is my neighbor just brought me some more apples!! The boys LOVE this cool Victorio strainer from Grandma!  I remember as a kid I loved watching how applesauce just “oozed” out of the holes and then all the “poop” fell out the side! So amazing! We’re still enamored by the whole process, so luckily I have 3 happy helpers to help!

Disco Fever

Last weekend we were invited to Galen Danielson’s 40th birthday. (He works with Adam). We met at their house to hang out and have food then it was on to the bowling alley! It was fun to see everyone’s costumes and hang out disco style!  As we were bowling, we kept laughing at Kevin’s costume and then we laughed when he started calling Adam the janitor and asking him where his keys were!  Once he took of his wig and jacket, he kinda did look like a janitor with those fabulous polyester pants!  I don’t think I’ve ever bowled with someone who can bowl so smoothly!  We were laughing at how smooth like butta Adam’s bowling is!  He doesn’t even make a sound when he released the ball! We’re thinking – how does he do that?! Good times!All the girls!All the boys!Ted, Kevin, and Joe – Lovin that hair!This is Gabe’s famous face when he gets mad at first but then doesn’t want to laugh about it so he sports this face!Bowling w/o the wig. Had to borrow Marcie’s glasses!

A morning I won’t forget!

The other day we had a very challenging morning.  A certain 7 year old did not feel the urgency to get moving to get ready for school. I told Caden that if his brother wasn’t ready at the time of departure, he could leave without him and Tanner could walk to school/ride his bike himself.  Caden was really struggling with the idea because they always go together.  Caden is always helping Tanner out at the last minute to get his lunch ready, comb his hair, get his jacket, shoes, etc., because I refuse to help him when he’s lounging around acting like he has all morning.  I told Caden again to just leave him and let him learn his lesson and maybe getting tardy will teach him to pull his act together!  I said “Caden, just do it!” He said, “I can’t…I just…love him”!  I almost started to laugh, but then realized how cute it was that he really does care for him when it comes down to it – although you may never guess it on most days!  Anyway…..just thought I’d share! It was pretty cute!

Random Pics

So Kennedy LOVES shoes/slippers/boots/high heels….whatever she can get her hands on and feet in!! Here’s some fun pictures I’ve taken recently as I catch her walking around the house in them! This first picture was from this summer and her first time eating corn on the cob!

After making lunches for the boys one morning, this is what I found!

Fury Soccer 2011

We wrapped up another season of Fury soccer with Caden! He played really well and did a great job as goalie!! These were from his last couple of games. Nice work Cades!

This is Tanner and Gabe playing  with his new handcuffs!

Kenz had to keep busy somehow!

Happy Halloween 2011

We had a fun halloween this year and GREAT weather! I was so happy that it was warm and comfortable to go out trick or treating! On Saturday, our ward had a trunk or treat at the church with chili and cornbread. Afterwards the kids went around trick or treating to all the cars! It was so warm – as you can see Gabe didn’t have a coat on! Unfortunately Adam was at a class all day/evening so he missed out. On Halloween night our neighbors invited us over for soup and rolls (kids ate some cute mummies) and then we set out for the candy collection!

This horse looks tired!

We had a Darth Vader, cute little ladybug, a happy horse, and a GI Joe!

California–Characters

On the second day at Disney, we decided it would be fun to get some pictures with various characters that were out and about!  Our fav was Goofy!  He’s so goofy! Cruella was pretty sassy herself! Luv her shoes! Can’t wait to take Kennedy here some day so she can meet all these princesses!

Riding the Mark Twin Boat!