Music soothes the soul

Simona has been playing in the Granite Youth Symphony, which is a group chosen from all of Granite School District. The kids in this clip are all in Jr. High--7th, 8th and 9th graders.

Mojo has played her clarinet with them for two summers and two school years. During the summer the kids practice very early in the morning for one month, put on a couple of concerts and then go to Lagoon. All that practice makes a huge difference in their playing. She jumped leaps and bounds, or as Grandpa would say, "tooted her horn." During the school year, the kids play one afternoon a week and have a few concerts. Sometimes they get to go places, although that didn't really happen for her. Maybe only the senior group tours. I guess we'll find out next year.

This summer she'll be working at scout camp so she won't be around for those early mornings. Hmmm. Darn.

You can't really see Moni in this shot because the clarinets are buried, but they sound pretty good!

I love hearing my kids play--Taylor plays trombone, valve and slide. Because of the valves, he can also play the baritone and a tuba, and I think something else, but I don't remember. He just had his last concert this week. I got some good pictures of him--perhaps I'll remember to post them!

Dante has been playing a cornet. Next year in Jr. High he'll be so much better--I love when they move from elementary to Jr. High where they have band every day. And the teacher there is really good--she actually teaches music! And--hello--the kids have to practice. Makes such a difference.

Moni also plays the saxophone--tenor. She loves that and wants her own. One of these days perhaps she'll earn enough money! We saw one a week ago that she fell in love with. That didn't help.

Jake keeps changing his mind on what he wants to play. It was drums for a long time, but I think I've talked him into something he can actually carry. So, now he wants a bassoon. Can you carry that??

It's a race!

Oh yea oh yea, it's the great Pinewood Derby! Our boys worked hard and had a blast. Jake came in third place and was very happy with his car. He has a good dad who helped him out. Jake's car was the Punisher--painted sleek black with a a "Punisher" skull. If you don't know who the Punisher is, ask a comic book fan. (Not me--I only know a little bit about him. Corky's the guy.)

If you're wondering why everyone is always looking up in these pictures, it's because the information was projected on the wall. It's a great deal--we have the boys' pictures with their cars, and then we can see who is next in line to race. Below is my comrade-in-arms, Emily. She was the "wrangler" for the upcoming race.

I love being a Cub Scout leader. This is my fourth go-round. I was over the Bears and then the Webelos when Taylor was just 3, so when he turned 8, I knew what was going on. That was nice. I volunteered to be his leader (I told the bishop I had my own shirt and an 8-year old--took them 9 months to get the hint). I was leader for his Bear and Webelos years. And then for the next year I was the Cub Committee Chairman. That was interesting because our ward hadn't had one, and nobody could tell me what I was supposed to do. I did a lot of digging, asking, reading and finally doing. It can be a big job! I liked that calling, but took a break for a year before it was Dante's turn.

Then with Dante, I was Den Leader for his Wolf and Bear dens. He had had enough of me and had a good leader for Webelos, so I stepped out. But here I am again with my baby. Jake turned 8 in August, but there were only about 3 things marked off in his book from August to December, so when I took over in January, we really started working to get things done. We've had a great time. We've been to the fire station, pounded nails in wood, and just this month we have made pine cone bird feeders, pop bottle terrariums, had the pinewood derby and tomorrow we're going on a picnic and will pick up garbage in the park. Part of that will count toward their Outdoor Activity Patch--a great one that they actually get to wear on their uniforms. I love that. Saturday is Scout-o-rama--we are having a booth where the kids will get to paint bug neckerchief slides. I'll take a picture! I'm actually getting good at remembering to take my camera, and then actually take a picture. How about that.

Oh, and next week, well you'll love this--we get to go to the dump. We are learning about recycling and they give tours and will tell us all about it. Being at the dump--could you possibly have a better day?

Yellow is for "Happy"

Through the mirror.


Double shot of curtain. My kids were ready to get rid of this shower curtain, but I like it.



New face plates. (Couldn't we all use a new face now and then?)


Still have my clock--this was a wedding shower present from Luan.

New towel racks. (I installed the round one--it didn't need any extra touches, but the long racks did--thank you Corky.)

Another view.

Babies, babies

(Yes, I know I'm gorgeous in my jammies with no make-up and hair not done. Thank you.)

Wow, what a month! I got to see two beautiful babies, one brand new, and one a whole year old. I'll start with the 1-year old--Miss Zuki herself. What a doll! I was totally looking forward to babysitting for 2-1/2 days, but it didn't turn out that way. (You owe me, Natalie.) Mo and Zuki came Conference weekend and went to Mo's mission reunion. He made it there after many mishaps, but that's his story, not mine. I was so excited to see that darling little Zuki. They spent the night and I got to snuggle with her the next morning, only while Mo was in the shower and totally out of sight. She did get down and play with the kids a bit, but was ever aware of the whereabouts of her dad. I didn't get any really great pictures--every time she smiled and I got the camera ready, she moved. I'm just not quick enough. But here are a couple of cuties.

See what a sweetheart Ava Lee is? Check out more on the Flickr link, when I figure that out! I took some picture of her pretty little feet, everyone was laughing at me. Well, I must defend my actions. I have a whole little album full of photos just like that. Babies change so quickly--it's fun to see their feet, their ears, hands, etc. So don't laugh. I wish I'd totally ignored everyone and taken more. So there!