Saturday, February 27, 2010

Julia - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Julia auditioned today for a local talent show/scholarship.

I thought she did a beautiful job. We don't know yet if she made the cut. 64 auditioned. 7 make it to the final show for a chance at a scholarship.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow ...



Thanks Emily for driving all of the way out to accompany Julia!

Kerst's Valentine Party

Kendall and I went to enjoy some time with Kerst in his classroom for Valentine's Day.
Kendall REALLY enjoyed it! He loves his brother.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Jaley's cast

Jaley's last few moments with her cast.

Jaley had her cast removed this past Monday.
I couldn't believe it was still bruised!

The 2nd set of x-rays show great new bone growth; they were very pleased. She still has a little more bone growth repair to go on the tip of her wrist bone (the pointy part that sticks out - on your pinky side). They expected that. She is to wear a brace for the rest of this week but work on moving her wrist; it is quite tight. She is to keep wearing the brace for several more weeks while in gym class. I told Jaley that if she is to run backwards in gym class that she is to quietly tell her gym teacher that it is her mom's order that she is not to do that again. EVER ;o).


Kendall was a good sport. He hung out with us in the exam room while we waited an hour to see the doctor. I heard him giggling and turned to see what he was doing. He was laughing at his creation ... silly guy!


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Seasons of Love ... choir concert

Julia and Jenna had a choir concert last night.


Theme: Seasons of Love.

It was a real treat to see the girls singing together!



Julia's A Cappella group that she directs, Enchords, was a real hit last night ... the biggest hit if you ask me. I could listen to these girls all night! (I finally posted the "full size file" so that the sound is better for all to enjoy)

So ... ENJOY!

Misty. (Julia is 3rd from the left. She starts out directing them by giving them their rhythm).


Kiss the Girl



Julia also sang a part of a song in her Women's Select group "It takes a Village". She is the second girl to walk forward to sing.



Monday, February 22, 2010

Last Day

Jaley has been counting down.

Today is the day.

Today she gets her cast off.

I know she is excited. I, however, will miss seeing her cheerful accessory.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Self Sufficient

He found the scissor drawer.

He knows how to use them.

Here is proof:

Granola bars. Gogurts. Fruit Snacks. Kendall loves to start the dishwasher ... so there is an Electrosol Tablet wrapper in the collection too. At least he hasn't decided to open a self administering barber shop.

I just love that kid!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Would you?

Would you, could you?

I wouldn't. They can't spell.

(We saw this on the way to celebrating Kerst's b-day dinner - we saw it several months ago when I didn't have my camera .... and it is still there).

Sunday, February 14, 2010

One year ago

One year ago today ...

Our family went from this:

to this:

We took on my sister and brother-in-law's three little ones - Conner, Cade and Kaylee - for three months (Feb, Mar, April, May) while their mom (my sister, Shannon) recovered from a staph infection from a back surgery.

Boy was it a busy, hopping, fun, learning and a growing time! I miss my buddies...

xoxo - Your Highness ;o)

Saturday, February 13, 2010

All State Choir 2010

I have recuperated ... sort of. Busy busy week. Jenna's A League swim meet on Friday and Saturday (she swam her 500 in 6:11 !!) followed immediately by Julia's All State Choir experience (Sunday-Tuesday). I was fortunate enough to be able to go and chaperone her during the day. I brought a book to read but instead found myself captivated by their director and enjoyed every second of their practicing.

Their director, Dr. James Stegall, was visiting from Western IL University (professor of music and comedian; he had the kids constantly laughing and learning) . He shared some touching information about the stories behind the music selections to help the students connect with the music and the message/feeling they were to bring across to their audience.

He helped refine their techniques and had them rehearse in a variety of ways to prepare them for the concert. Here are some of my favorite rehearsal moments I caught on video ...
Listen to how Dr. Stegall transforms this choir in just a few seconds with a couple of tips. This is Alleluia from Songs of Faith by Paul Basler (sorry the quality I saved for the web is low and the sound isn't that great for low quality).
The choir singing Alleluia with hands on their cheeks for technique lesson. Their last note sustains for an amazing amount of time. Trust me ... full version is amazing!
Psalm 100. The kids are singing this while lying down. The director is trying to get the kids to read off of each other. During the concert said he would need to direct a small band for this number and he needed the kids to work together on this number.
He has the kids singing Psalm 100 with their eyes closed once again to get their cues from each other and to be very familiar with the accompaniment that will be replaced with trumpets and trombones.


Regina Coeli ... words have been changed to "I am a nerdling"



Regina Coeli ... words changed to "I have a Datsun". Actually it was to be "I have a Doxson" but Julia is not familiar with different dog breeds but knows what a Datsun is. Her Grandpa drives one ... a 1976 Datsun." So this is for you Grandpa ... Julia's choir singing "I have a Datsun" just for you.


Julia is in the second row just left of the middle.
It was an amazing experience for Julia. She was surrounded by the best of the best in the state. Over 2,000 students auditioned. Right around 450 were selected. She was a bit lonely as she was the only one from her high school that made the choir. I had a great time hanging out with her during the few breaks they gave them and to also eat lunch and dinner and attend concerts with her during her 3 days at All State.
Julia is in the middle of the picture
On Tuesday the choirs were able to sing at the State Capital. Their voices echoed off of the marble floors and walls. It was beautiful. Breathtaking ... the camera just doesn't do it justice. I zoom in on Julia at the end. She is standing to the right of the pillar in the middle. The women were on the 2nd floor. The men were on the 3rd floor singing down to the main level.



I probably won't get all of my facts right ... The composer shared the story behind this song with their director (Snowflakes by Lane Johnson). In 2000 (or 2001) the day before Thanksgiving the composer's brother, sister-in-law and their 5 children were in a car accident. The parents were killed. The 5 children survived. Lane Johnson and his wife took in the 5 children (they had 6 children of their own). It was a difficult time for all. After 2 years of mourning and adjusting they finally went through the parents' belongings. They found a book of poems that the mother had. He came across this poem, Snowflakes and felt inspired to put it to music. It described their situation. That even with despair, our Heavenly Father is there and we are blessed to be able to start each day anew ... like a fresh blanket of snow that covers the ground ... that begins with a snowflake. Snowflakes is beautiful and Julia's choir sounded just like his recording on his website.

I can't wait to receive my recording of the concert. Here's to next year Julia! Practice hard and prepare for the next audition for All State 2011

Friday, February 12, 2010

17 - give or take ... Windows

We had our windows measured by Certified Home Services. We got approval from our HOA to leave out the grid lines so we can have a clear view.

17 days (give or take) before the installation begins!

34 windows ... phew.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The cutest Valentine - E V E R

Kendall had a Valentine Party with his playgroup friends today.



He received one of the CUTEST valentines EVER...

Emma holding a sucker (holes are punched above and below her fisted hand with a sucker inserted). This scan just doesn't do the card justice.

My friend Emily is one of the most creative ladies EVER ... What a cute card. Cute girl.

I might have to swipe the idea for another time and event.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Windows - the BIG decision

With the tax credit expiring at the end of this year, we have been thinking about replacing our windows.

We looked into a couple of companies ... one company claimed how great their radon gas windows are. Their scientific experiment in our home was impressive. John, my scientific math minded guy, knew that radon gas didn't last long in the windows. So we were still on the hunt.

We found the right fit. Joe, the window rep, was extremely knowledgeable of his product and others and backed up John's thought that argon gas didn't remain long in the window (18 months). He introduced us to a glass that was developed by a Lockheed Martin employee. This glass has a special coating on it similar to LoE 366.

These windows are made right here in Colorado with virgin vinyl (unlike the local hardware store window selections - we did those in IL in our sun room ... but with a whole house and in CO sun and heat, we needed something that would survive!).

We are looking forward to Certified Home Services improving the look, feel and efficiency of our home!

I'll keep you posted on the progress!!!

Now John will have an even more difficult time getting me to move from our home. Wood flooring, dream kitchen, and now AMAZING WINDOWS!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Julia + stick shift =


It has been awhile since Julia took the stick shift out for a spin with John, she happily informed me upon her safe return ...

"Hey Mom, I haven't lost my touch for stick shift driving ....

I never had it."

Silly girl.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Enchords - Kiss the Girl

There was an assembly today at school.

Enchords performed - Julia's amazing a cappella group that she directs. And they had fun!

The theme for the week: Disney.

The song: Kiss the Girl

Julia got Mr. K involved - a beloved teacher at the school. The girls asked for Mrs. K (his wife who also works at the school) to come down to join their group for their musical number.

She did.

She stood there.

They started to sing.

Mr. K came out ....




and kissed the girl!

Good Luck Jenna!


Jenna has her "A League" prelims tonight! She is swimming the 500 yd Freestyle. She has been working hard on her flip turns. I can't wait to see how she does. The magic number is 5:50.00 for State Qualifying Times. Her current time is 6:16.16 ... with 19 flip turns, she can shave off some time!


Swim Jenna, Swim!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

My Favorite Sound

Here is my favorite sound in the morning. And lucky me, I get to enjoy it every morning!


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Casted

Yesterday was the day. Jaley got her very first cast!

She had a hard time sleeping the night before ... worrying about what color to get. Silly girl!

I was voting for yellow or red. Her nickname is "Jaley-bug" and we could decorate it to look like a bumble bee or a lady bug. Her self-proclaimed "trademark" is a bumble bee.

Decisions decisions.

She had a hard time deciding while waiting for the doctor. The nurse who put the cast on had to wait another couple of minutes for the final decision. What a hard life!

She picked yellow.

She had buyer's remorse at first. Apparently she really wanted black so she could draw on it with metallic sharpie markers. Plus she said it wouldn't show dirt as easily.

We went to Hobby Lobby and picked out some beads (on a sticker) so we could be-dazzle her cast. We headed home and decorated it, threw on a coating of Modge Podge and then sent her off to school.

Her trademark ... the bee

She was excited about her bright cheery cast ... that matched her.


So about her break and cast:

She will be in her cast for 3 weeks. They wanted 4 weeks, but she spent almost 1 week in the "splint" so they are counting that towards her sentence.

I got to see the x-ray too. Everything is digital and was pulled up on the computer. She broke both bones in her wrist. The pointy part of the radius bone that sticks out below your thumb and opposite that same position on the ulna. On the ulna, the doctor called it has a buckle fracture. (I might have switched the bones with they type of break). She described it has crunching a pop can. These fractures only happen in children. She also said that if she was to pick a break, she'd pick the one Jaley has ... although she did both bones which she said she doesn't see often.