An Evening at the Symphony!

Not quite the Philharmonic but I had a great time! Kurt got the great job of running sound for the local Meridian Symphony! Hailey helped him set up and me and the boys got dropped off by Grandpa Ray so we could spend the evening together and ride home with Kurt.
I would do it again in a heartbeat!

The show was located at our newly built Meridian City Hall. They really created a scenic and cozy courtyard at the front of the building.

What I think is neat is that all of the people in this Symphony are volunteers and you could tell they all enjoyed what they were doing. The conductor mentioned that one of the musicians has volunteered now for around 20 years!

There was a pretty good turnout! There were stairs to sit on but a lot of the people brought their camp-type chairs and just carved out their little niche. One lady was just kicked back in her chair with her drink and a book, reading away while they played!

This conductor had a quick wit and very likable personality - you could tell he also enjoyed what he was doing. He had little stories and thoughts he would share between pieces. He was very funny. This group played their rendition of a Beetles tune, "Oba-dee Oba-da, Life goes on" it was a very fun and upbeat tune!

Kurt and his assistant!

Yes, the boys are sitting and listening. I was hoping that since Hayden is starting Orchestra himself this year in Middle School that maybe he would get fired up if he could see a Cello in action!

At performances I have realized that Tyler's "sitting still" limit is about 30 minutes then things like this start happening!

Time went way too fast and before I knew it, the great music, funny stories (and motorcycle muffler sounds across the street) were all over!

Ran into Shelley, Tanya's sister there - I won't say how I embarrassed myself by not recognizing her but glad I figured it out. I didn't know her husband was in the Symphony but we had a very enjoyable conversation and she informed me of more concerts in the future. I definitely would like to check them out!

Told the boys to pretend they were "working"!

Hayden tried to hide from the camera and not really sure what in the world Tyler is doing off to the left.

As people cleared away we started helping Kurt tear down the equipment. I told him I think we should buy stock in the company that he buys all this black tape from that he uses to tape all of the cords down so people don't trip on them.

Hailey telling me that there is a certain way to coil these so they don't get tangled. Kurt also tried to show me but he ended up taking it away from me and I just helped with getting the tape off of the other items. Hey, we all have our learning limits!

Tyler found all of the water features HIGHLY IRRESISTIBLE!

I really had to keep my eye on him!

What a ham!

This is what I TOLD Tyler to do . . . .

This is what Tyler WANTED to do!

I hadn't seen the new City Hall finished and I loved this courtyard walkway area they created! I could have lazily wandered there for quite some time! But it is only like thirty yards long - not too much wandering space!

Hey, when you see a photo opp, you take advantage of it!

The kids and I had fun.

I think in this picture Tyler might be related to James Dean! Hayden is too tough to talk to and Hailey is just enjoying herself!

Tyler just couldn't leave the plant alone. If you look at the previous picture the plant looks fine, then look at this picture and for some reason part of the plant is in his hand and another piece of the plant is bent over. . . . had to give him a speech about respecting things that aren't his.

Believe it or not, without my knowledge Hayden had walked across this waterfall part and when I saw them Hailey was attempting to walk across it with a whimpering Tyler in her hands in Flip Flops none-the-less! I put a stop to it - quickly!

Kurt had no idea where we had disappeared to and was a little confused on where all his help had gone . . . so back to work we went . . . . slave driver! :)

Just A Beautiful Day!

This is just a random addition to my blog! I stepped outside this afternoon and just couldn't get enough of how beautiful it is outside today! Temperature in the 70's, slight breeze, nearly cloudless blue sky, just gorgeous!
Just thought I would share!
Some shots of the back yard!

This shot cracks me up - Willow likes to jump up and run around on the trampoline, I thought I would get a nice picture of her there but my camera likes to take a few seconds after I press the button to actually take the shot! This was the result. I had to add it because that just doesn't look natural!

Thought I would take a shot out front so the front yard wouldn't feel unloved and left out! I love my yard!

Hope you are enjoying this day as much as I am!

Nampa Nights . . .

Well, I finally made it out to the thursday evening gig that Kurt has been working at for his second summer in a row. It is called Nampa Nights and it is a little patch of grass with a stage located in the old downtown Nampa area. They hold this in an attempt to revitalize the old part of town. It is actually a quaint little area where they close off the street to give people walking and sitting room and it felt very comfortable there!
I had a nice time. It was great to get out and hang with family for a bit! The weather was perfect!

This is the group. Their name is "The Flavors" and although the name leaves a lot to be desired the lead singer has a pretty good voice and some of the songs were quite good. . . I won't say a lot about their version of "Ring of Fire" from Johnny Cash . . . it just left me feeling a little frightened :)!

This is the back of Pat's head! I wanted to include her in the blog because she helped me get to Nampa. I drove the back roads but had her drive in town. I am glad I did because I hadn't been into the town of Nampa for a long time and at times I wasn't quite sure where I was!
Thanks Pat!

I wanted this dog. Very cute!

Tyler helping out his Daddy!

We brought Hayden with us (Hailey had spent the day with her Dad) and he decided he was going to stay so he could help tear down the equipment. They love helping.

I was surprised at the size of the crowd. There were all kinds of people there, very interesting! This evening the band played longer because the town was holding a walking event, a group of people who were "walking against domestic violence" and there was supposed to be 500 to 1000 people who were going to show up later on because the walk was to end here.

I have to point out the old gentleman you see near the bottom of the picture was actually rocking out to some of the music - the rock songs!

I would like to come back out to this event and maybe take a little time to walk around and check out some of the local shops. Kurt told me they had a couple of bookstores really close by and I noticed there was also an antique shop. It is actually a very cute and comfortable area!

I made Hayden take our picture. Kurt kept his eyes open this time! I was thrilled to get to go and spend a little time with Kurt. I definitely hope to make it out to this event again. Maybe come earlier when he arrives for setup and when he is working hard I can browse some shops! Aren't we a cute couple?!

Kurt, still as handsome as the day I married him!

Sadly when I got home I realized that I hadn't even gotten a picture of Tanya, Zach or Gloria!(Rob was working another show in Boise). Will have to be more on my toes next time. Hopefully Tanya will have some good pictures too. Will have to click the link to her blog in the future to see what she has! I had a great time talking with Tanya too!

Willow!

Willow is a pretty hyper dog with issues. She drives us absolutely crazy sometimes but we also love her to pieces. I think I spent almost a year threatening to take her to the animal shelter because she was so wild but, it never did happen.

Kurt had picked up some dog treats at a warehouse store and we had used them as a door stop while carrying in the groceries. The dog biscuits were just forgotten by the door . . . Willow couldn't leave them alone. The look of angst in her eyes that she could smell these wonderful treats but not get to them!

I would just walk past the laundry room and see her in there just staring at them. It was rather comical! (I just love this first picture)!

She also has a penchant for hanging out with the boys while they shoot arrows. It is really weird, she just stands right next to Hayden and watches. If he kneels for a shot she always puts her legs over his legs and I am not sure if she thinks she is helping!

I don't think I have ever heard of a little dog companion with the story of Robin Hood?!

Life In The Cave! - Random Thoughts

Wow! It has been a long few days. Kurt had an unfortunate incident happen to him at his last job. Somehow a piece of dirt or sand had gotten into his left eye and really irritated it. When he returned from the job Saturday it was quite red - bloodshot looking. By Saturday evening his lids were actually swollen looking and wasn't all too pretty! By Sunday morning he couldn't take it anymore and went to a quick care place. Turns out that he has a scratch on his retina! Poor guy! Quite an unpleasant situation!

The house at this point turned into a cave! We needed to keep the blinds all closed because the light irritated it, well, I think it actually hurt like the dickens, anyway the house remained quite dark. And, if you know me, this is a tragedy. I am a window person and a sunshine person, it's amazing what you do for love, isn't it (tee hee).

I am surprised at how the lack of light really sucks the life out of you! It didn't help that the t.v. was on constantly too so Kurt had something to entertain him in his convalescent state. You have a tendency while passing through with laundry or such to stop and see what's going on! So, needless to say, it has been like living in a cave and thankfully Kurt ventured out today for a little while and seems to be doing alright. I didn't hesitate as he drove away to run around and open all the blinds and bask in the golden glow . . . ahhhh - Glad your doing better Kurt!

Hangin' at The Jensens!

This week was a crazy week. Kurt has been VERY busy with work and he had a job that took him out of town for about 4 days. Hailey and Hayden were originally going to go with him but it didn't work out. That really saddened the kids so I figured that nothing would cheer them up more than getting to go swimming at Aunt Chris's house!
So Friday, late morning, we headed over to Nampa . . . Mark and Jonathan were camping . . . so it was Me, Chris, her girls and my kids!

They had a great time!

Getting ready to get in. We had already had a nice lunch and now it was time to play! If you watch throughout the pictures you get to see the transition of Tyler. He was very afraid of getting in the water. He would stand on the steps but that was it. Throughout his time in the pool, Emma and the others gave him encouragement and by the end of the day - he was lovin' it!

Emma, don't be shy!

Howdy Kelsey! I am afraid she is more like me, doesn't really like to get wet. She sat out and talked with me and Chris on the Canopy Swing or went in to play video games!

Swimming can be hard work, huh Hayden!

Here's Ty safely on the steps!

Hailey loves swimming!

I think Kimmy didn't stop moving the whole time and wow, could this kid cannonball!

Tyler not quite ready to get in all the way . . . . just contemplating . . . .

Oh hey, went down another step!

Kimmy and Ty taking a break in the lobster pool!

WOW! Emma talked him into the tube! She is hiding behind him but believe me, this was a BIG STEP!

He wanted back to the ladder but Emma slowly moved him around the pool, he was fussing a bit but she kept talking sweetly . . .

We were all cheering for him!

Hi Chris! She made some excellent sun tea . . . I didn't drink as much as I wanted! It was soooooo goood!

Now they have Ty going around the edge of the pool, he whimpered often but the kids just kept things positive!

It was nice to sit and chat - mom's with kids don't get to do that very often. It felt weird not cleaning something but I'd do it again in a heartbeat! There is something to this "relaxing" thing that I need to research more!

Is that Chris or Cheryl Tiegs?

Of course if you are a teenage girl you MUST get in some tanning time with a good swim. Hailey and Emma were no exception!

By this time Tyler was walking freely around the pool. Emma had given him a challenge and he took it! The water was up to his chin but once he found out he could stand up on the bottom . . . freedom reigned!

I truly believe Kimmy is part fish and Hayden's eyes were so red at this point it was almost creepy.

After the kids swam they enjoyed watching and playing a little video games and enjoyed some popsicles. The day went by SO FAST! It was sad to have to leave but I hope there will be other days!

I would like to someday get a pool similar to this ourselves and then we can take a turn hosting a day of swimming and popsicles!