Winter Concerts . . .

Well, it's that time of year again - time for the Winter Concerts! This year we were able to attend two different concerts! Hailey's, who has been playing Violin for about 4 years now and Hayden who is playing in a concert for the first time on his Cello!

Both these concerts were held in the same week, just a a few days apart!

Hailey's concert was on Tuesday December 8Th - this was also exciting because they finally got their matching Orchestra Uniforms and they looked quite spiffy!


I don't like the fact this picture is blurry but it gives you an idea of how long the dress is! The top part of the dress has black sparkly bead things and it really is pretty. It sure gave the kids a very polished look.

This was taken right as we were getting ready to leave. Tyler likes to have his picture taken with the "performers"! Someday it will be his turn and if it is up to Grandma he will be sitting behind a drum set! (earplugs anyone?)

This is the only picture we got of Hailey at the Concert itself! This camera takes awful pictures indoors so only the close up ones will show up!

The kids played beautifully!

Now onto the next concert! Hayden's was on December 10Th. . . This was almost a heartbreaking event for us. We were sooooo excited to finally get to see Hayden play!

Here he is before we left for the concert.

We were soooo sad because we had major "technical difficulties" at his concert. Originally we get to the gymnasium early and sit near the top of the bleachers where we can plug in the video camera. When we got there the gym was PACKED!!! It was standing room only!

So we didn't have the use of the video camera :( and then the regular camera doesn't take very good pictures indoors and then it kept saying "low battery" or shutting off. I brought 4 sets of batteries and it did it to all of them! (this is when a mother's tears begin to flow).


Here is a VERY BLURRY picture of Hayden playing. He is second Cello on the left!

This was the most annoying part of the whole evening. Since there was only standing room we chose to stand on the Northwest side of the gym so we could at least see Hayden's face while we played but we had NO IDEA who we chose to stand next to.

This picture is of the majority of the 6Th grade choir and part of the 7Th and 8Th grade choir. This group of kids talked, wiggled and hand gestured the WHOLE ENTIRE TIME! It was soooo frustrating. Even though several of us standing by the wall had told them to Shush it didn't work.

We could barely hear the Orchestra playing across the gym.

After having to stand for over an hour and trying to ignore all the commotion and noise to the side of us, we were still so happy for Hayden though! He said at first he was nervous but once he got going he didn't have any problem at all and he actually said he can't wait to perform again! I think he grew up a bit inside himself that night!!!

After sharing with him the perils of our technology, Hayden was kind enough to let us take a few more shots when we got home!

Here he is pretending his Cello was a Violin! Don't worry Grandma, he was extremely cautious when doing this!

And here is our "Tyler with the Performer" shot! The boys had fun with this one!

It is always wonderful to get to see your kids perform. In another instance it tugs at your heartstrings because it just shows you that they are growing up right before your eyes!

Great job Hailey and Hayden! We can't wait to see you play again! But, this time, we are standing no where near the choir!

Our Son, the published Author!

Hayden wants to be an Author when he gets older. He devours books at home and there has even been a time when I had to threaten to take away his book if he didn't do his chores!

A wonderful opportunity presented itself through Grandma last summer. She had found out about a writing camp that was being held right there in Twin Falls. She enrolled Hayden!

Every summer the kids individually get to spend a week at Grandma's and she usually finds some summer camp classes for them to take while they are visiting. Hailey has done cooking and theater and this was Hayden's first year to get to go to camp at Grandma's!

This was a very reputable group that put on these classes and the wonderful thing about it too was that they would have their work published into a book in the end!

Here is our official author Hayden. He wrote a wonderful piece called "The Lake" and it is on page 57! I have a feeling this won't be the last!

Congratulations Hayden!

Here I am getting my picture taken with the author - this will probably be worth a lot of money someday! I will have to have him autograph the picture!

Trip to Twin Falls!

Kurt took the kids to visit family in Twin Falls for Thanksgiving. Kurt's brother Mark, his wife Jenice and their two little girls Lillian and Kate all made the trek up from Arizona to Grandma's in Twin Falls, Idaho. I still have troubles with the ride there but Hailey took pictures in my place. Thanks Hailey!
I was sad to miss seeing everyone but the pictures were fun to look at.
Of course the photographer had to get an image of herself first! Nice picture Hailey!

So, enjoy the pictures!

Aunt Vonnie, Jenice and Baby Kate!

Jenice with Kate, Uncle Mark, Hayden, Kurt and Vonnie playing poker I believe. I wonder if Kate understands the rules yet.

What a cutie!

Mark seems to be taking this very seriously!

Hailey and Kate!

That's Kurt's cousin Sherry's husband Jeff in the background!

Ethan (Jeff and Sherry's boy), he sure is growing up!

I thought this was cute too - wish it wasn't so blurry!

I heard Tyler and Lillian were "thick as thieves" while playing together! That is so sweet!

Lillian sure has grown too!

Tyler, Ethan and Lillian

It was Kate's first birthday! Happy Birthday Kate!

Jeff, Ethan and Sherry!

Well, there is Uncle Jack in the red shirt!

Tyler, Hailey, Lillian and Ethan!

All in all I think the kids had a wonderful time playing with their cousins for the day!

AAAAHHHH Pizza!

There aren't a whole lot of words that I really need to use for this post. I can't tell you enough how much this family likes pizza! We found something fairly economical and yet fun with pizza. Kurt's Mom introduced us to these little mini pizza doughs already made up at Winco, 5 for $1.99! Not only do the pizzas turn out great because you can put on them whatever you want but it is fun to do!

Here are a few pictures of dinner one night!

Oh, they also sell Cheesy Bread Sticks . . . one package, about 8 pieces for $1.99! These are

de-lish!

They only take about 5-8 minutes to bake . . . .

Be careful not to add too much cheese!

These are yummy!