Smooth Talker

"Mom, when I'm at college and you send me peanut butter, make sure it's the not nutty kind, but the smooth kind."



A Boy and a Violin

For more than a year Cooper asked me if he could learn to play the violin.

I wasn't against it.  I just wasn't ready to commit to more money, to more lesson time,

and to more practice time.

He already plays the piano.

But when he started third grade he was eligible to join the beginning orchestra.

Once a week, early in the morning, for a nominal fee.

We signed up, wrote the check, and borrowed a violin.

He was SO excited.

After a few weeks of early mornings, and being the ONLY boy, the excitement wore off.

But we talked about committment, and following through, and he stuck with it.

Here he is at his first concert.

I am so proud of him.



Waiting quietly for his turn. :)



The Dancing Duo

Tessa and Maia both decided they wanted to try dancing.

So we signed them up - Tessa in Jazz, and Maia in tap/ballet.

Here's a peek at their first recital - after just three months of lessons!

I wasn't able to upload the video clips, but, believe me, they're cute!



The Spirit of Christmas

Years ago a family in Alpine began sponsoring

a Live Nativity

in memory of their wife and mother who passed away from cancer.

Hundreds stand in frigid cold each year, awaiting the shuttle to drive them up the hillside

to the family's farm.

Hundreds watch the Roman Soldier on  pacing on horseback, interrogating, searching for the newborn child.

Hundreds walk through old-town Bethlehem and see the wares sold there.

Hundreds see the animals of olden days warming in their stalls.

Hundreds feel the hush in the crude stable where mother holds her baby.

Hundreds walk through icy pastures to feel the Spirit

of the First Christmas Morn.

What shall I do in memory of the Great One?

Snow Boy

Not much has to be said here.

Cooper just combined the fresh snowfall and his sense of adventure

and ended up with this . . .



Happy Birthday Cooper

All my children continue to ignore me.

I tell them they MAY NOT grow up . . . and they do it anyway.

Coop is case in point.

He turned nine.

He was just tiny, trying to toss balls into the basket during Sacrament Meeting.

Now he's big.  And waits until Sacrament is over.

My nine-year old!

Ivy bought him a bottle of rootbeer (and something else I think) and "wrapped" it in her blankie.



BYU vs UofU

The big game.

And Richard got tickets, that included good food, from a business contact.

So Coop and his friend Koji went along.

I'm pretty sure Cooper was glad he had his coat and gloves,

even though he had insisted he wouldn't need them.

Friends

It's so nice to have good neighbors . . . who are also good friends.

Little Matt lives across the street and he and Ivy are buds.

Lance & Nicole Get Hitched

My nephew Lance used to be a

little freckled, red-hair, scrunchy-eyed, smiley boy.

Now he's a big one.

I flew to California for his marriage to Nicole the day before the event.

I never saw his face without an enormous smile.

He was SO deliriously happy.

It made my heart sing.

I'm still waiting on better pictures, but here are a few for fun.

See that grin?  That's what I'm talkin' about!

At lunch before heading to the ceremony.  All smiles, no jitters.

Sisters Sandy, Carla (mother of the groom), and me.

Dancing with the father of the bride.

An Excellent Young Woman

In our church the young women do Personal Progress - a goal setting, experienced-based program

that focuses on the eight values of

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice & Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

and

Virtue

The girls begin when they're 12 and complete several experiences in each value, and then "end" the value with a ten-hour project.  McKenna dutifully worked and completed the program, so she earned

The Young Womanhood Recognition Award

Proud parents here, for sure.

Happy Birthday Kristen

Kristen - my forever friend - moved to Provo two years ago,
and it is such a joy to have her near.

Even though our lives are busy and we don't see each other as often as we'd like, it's great knowing she's just minutes away.
Our other roommate Mindi came to my house too and to celebrate Kristen's birthday.

I won't tell you her age, but she is the baby of the group!



The Flower in the Meadow

Lucky us.

Our friend Carrie McEwan is taking a photography class.

And she needed a model.

I just happened to have a really cute one available.