Summer

Summer...this means a vacation from work, only to do more work! I am helping Trevor with his huge summer load of instruments--cleaned 3 sousaphones and 3 french horns this week. Only about 10 more sousaphones to go! At least I'm building some muscle from all the lifting! I've also been doing a lot of work in preparation for school next year because I'm starting a new job--choir director at Sky View High School. I'll be half-time there and half-time at North Cache 8/9 center.
I'm excited about it! Lots of prep work to happen before school starts though.

When I'm not working, I've been trying to spend a lot of time with the kids. We've been in a pretty good chore and practicing routine--let's hope we can keep it up when school starts! I also have a summer project coming up to just go through the whole house and get rid of stuff! I took the kids to Bear Lake last week with our 4H YFP group. It was really fun to play on the beach and just relax for a few days. The kids enjoyed hanging out with the other youth their ages.

Emily just got back from girls' camp. She survived her 4th year overnight survival hike. She said it wasn't even too bad, so she must have had fun. She's been busy this summer with EFY, camp, Driver's Ed, a teen writer's conference, and working for her Dad. She is the proud owner of a learner's permit--and is doing a good job in learning to drive--we haven't even hit anything yet! :) (knocking on wood...)

Max and Sam have been playing baseball. Sam did a good job in his first year. He played outfield and 2nd base. I think it was a good experience for him. Max has really matured as a player this year. He's been a consistently good hitter, and alternates between 3rd base, catcher, and left field. His team is in the play-offs, they just won their game last night, and will play the next round next Tuesday.

My sister Sandi came up from Texas for a couple of days. It was fun to have a family reunion with all the cousins while they were here and then we went up to 2nd dam with Sandi and Scott. Her two boys are really cute--little Soren is a very jolly baby. He's got the cutest baby chuckles! Mannix had really grown up since the last time they visited. He's about 3 1/2 now.

The 4th of July was super fun! We had a family picnic and then did some small fireworks in our driveway. Trevor took the kids to the Logan City fireworks on Friday night since I was out of town. I had an opportunity to play with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra on their summer tour up to Sun Valley Idaho. It was fun to play with the orchestra. It's a good group. The guest artist was Peter Cetera from Chicago--"You're the Inspiration!" I had so much fun re-living those old songs from high school.

I think that's about it! One of these days I'll have to see if I have any photos to put up. Ginny lost her top two front teeth, and is very cute right now. I think I do have a few pictures of the kids to dig up.

summer

School is out and summer begins. I thought I was going to be so motivated to get projects done and clean out my proverbial corners, but so far, I haven't really gotten much accomplished. I have, however, got the kids practicing, reading, doing a few chores, and playing baseball. So, not too bad in the parenting department. The main thing I have been telling myself I need to do is get up early and go walking, but not much happening in the exercise department. I crave the sleep-in time. I'll get it together one of these days...

Ginny quote of the day..."Mom, what year were you born?" (Long pause from mother, who was really not listening and thinking about something else...) When she didn't get a response, Ginny said, "That's okay, that must be really hard to remember something from that long ago."

I told that story to my Dad today, and he had to ask what I am turning this year on my birthday, which he knows the answer to very well...it's a big one this year, and I'm going to celebrate! Not until October, though, I'm happy to remain 30-something until then.

Spring Break

We're relaxing a little during our spring break. Whew! What a relief! It is nice to take some time off--although my school kids were not impressed when I told them my spring break plans were to to laundry and taxes... But, as an adult, sometimes I think it is more fun to catch up on things than to "play", just because it feels so good to get things accomplished that I am usually behind on. I cleaned my fridge yesterday! Laundry today... the kids are having fun playing with their friends. I did actually sit down in the middle of the afternoon yesterday and watch a movie. Can you imagine? A movie in the middle of the afternoon!
Loved general conference this weekend. There were lots of messages on families and parenting that were just what I needed. We had a really nice Easter. Ginny didn't let us forget any of the family traditions. She reminded me every 15 minutes all day on Saturday that we were going to dye eggs after conference. Then, lots of reminders on Sunday that we were going to have an Easter Egg hunt right after conference. She keeps us hopping! The kids had fun finding their Easter baskets on Sunday morning. We had to give Ginny and Sam a few seconds head start on the egg hunts since Max is so fast.
The kids are getting ready to start soccer, and then later, baseball. This is a busy sports time of year. I like it, though, because it is good exercise and fresh air for them. We'll be busy with all of those games. Ginny is going to play soccer for the first time this year. She has a ballet recital coming up, too. The boys are already playing catch in the yard, as their true love is baseball. They like soccer, too, but it is baseball that they dream about.
I'll have to see if I have any pictures to post later this week.

Some pictures from 2009. Sorry you have to turn your head sideways to see Ginny at her dance recital. Emily's extra "tan" is her opera make-up from Carmen. Trevor is playing the euphonium at Logan's first annual Tubachristmas, which he organized this year.