So here's our 2011 post. Just in time to ring in the new year!! haha. So this is Steve with his Certificate of Completion for his setting up the new edger at work. Quite the achievement. NOT! This was also taken on Halloween, hence his crazy eyes!
Olivia is so excited to go back to school. She put Taylor's backpack on and his hat. Still in jammies she will head to the door and say,"see ya! I'm going to school."
Christmas morning was alot of fun. Steve keeps telling people that Santa didn't come until 7:30am. Soon are the days when that will end. We were just so tired from the last several months that having this break was very much needed. Taylor has this new obsession with Transformers. So he got two from Santa and one more for his birthday. And these ones were quite difficult to put together and take apart. I felt silly that it took me 45 mins to do BumbleBee when my brother took only 10 mins to take him apart and re-assemble, except the windshield wasn't going back correctly. So I just smiled.
This is a new epic photo. Steve received his bonus this year and spent it in a special way. He took me and my mom both to Salt Lake, shopping in Park City, dinner at Benihana's AND The Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Concert Sunday Morning Broadcast with my favorite Baritone, Nathan Gunn, and actress Jane Seymour. We loved it! I love Steve! I am thankful that we could go and have a good time. Steve hadn't been to Benihana's since before his mission. He was in HEAVEN!! And the food was incredible!!!!
I asked an usher if there were any left over programs because if I'd had my WAY I would've gone Saturday night, but we exchanged tickets with my friends and family for our Thursday night ones for Sunday. They always deck out the pipes and stage so festive. This year's theme was medieval because they (Jane Seymour) told the story of Good King Wensceslas. It was awesome and I encourage whomever reads this to read up on it. The whole song has about 8 verses but it tells the whole story.
This picture is Nathan Gunn singing Silent Night. He did Twas the Night Before Christmas that Ryan Murphy arranged. The original music was from a 1960s animated film that I grew up watching. So as soon as he started singing I really knew I was in for a treat.
Daddy and daughter time. Bia was READY for a nap
We've tried numerous things to get Taylor to switch from "Missionary Hair" to something new. It's part of his Autism, but here's a new one. He was ok with it at first and was excited really, but then stated, "Nope. I just want missionary hair." Well, better to train them now then when they're 15.
A huge accomplishment for me this past semester was doing seven recitals in one semester. Originally it was nine but then quickly went to seven. It was a crazy load of music but I learned so much and enjoyed doing some great collaboration with some super budding musicians. The first recital was in October and I don't have a picture but he is a tenor. (#1)
#2 and #3 -Brad and Jenna Barson. Baritone and soprano. Afterwards with their daughter, Avery. She was born only 6-8 previously. Jenna did awesome. Their music was probably the most intense. They are Music Education Majors so their recitals are only about 30 minutes long. They decided to combine it into one recital. So it was still 60 minutes worth of music but I only had a ten minute break. Much needed. Their voice teacher, Dr. Jon Linford, was very pleased with my playing and said it was done very virtuostic. That's such a huge compliment. I am so thankful to have this experience and glad that it's over! It was a blast. They sung in Italian, German, and of course, English.
#3, Tessa Ross, Viola. I think viola has become a favorite new instrument of mine. I always wanted to learn violin, but when I her Tessa play it's pure beauty. I love this girl and am so thankful for her. She plays with her heart each time. She is such a beautiful girl that it comes straight through into her playing. There was the 2nd movement of her Bach concerto that is gorgeous and she played it so heart felt that I wouldn't be surprised if there were people with tears in their eyes. She only needed me for a 20th Century piece by Englishman, Ralph Vaughan Williams and her concerto by JC Bach. I will miss her dearly when she moves out of Rexburg. I love her!
#7 - Kim Keel, Soprano. She apparently didn't have her husband here the entire semester we worked on her recital because he was on the east coast doing culinary school! I didn't know that until that night after the recital. She accomplished so much. A fear of performing at her best as well. For me it's a pure thrill to be on stage and others it gives them anxiety attacks. Kim wasn't one of these people but she wanted to perform well and show her family and friends her hard work. She did very, very well and I'm so proud of her. She sang in German, Italian, and English. She also has a little boy that's about one year old.
The new obsession in our household is super heroes. Here is Avatar Bia and Super Hero Bia.
Also he has to take a few of himself. Maybe he will do photography!
The Birthday Boy! He wanted a Transformer Party. So we did!
Steve has started school. He is probably about half and half of 'yes's and 'not cool's'. He's got 4 semesters left. We had a little battle with the Financial Aid Office. They were denying him any aid. After much talking and prayer and stress he was finally granted his funds. Now he can finish and enjoy what he does most. Movies.
We also spent an early Christmas Eve with Steve's family. The kids were very excited because they got to open gifts early. It always feels like Christmas on the movies when we open gifts because it's pure madness! Growing up we'd take turns in birth order so this is a fun time for me too! We also got to see a great and wonderous sight our Steve's older brother proposing to his girlfriend. It caught us by surprise and it do so to Jenn!!! We're excited to have her join our family. She's a sweetie and definitely the right person for David. I can hear the bells! We're so blessed to have so much of our family so close. The only ones out of reach this year were my sister in CA and Steve's younger sister in Salt Lake. We missed them dearly but were able to Skype and see them for the holidays. We love them so much!!!
We love you all and are so thankful to have you in our lives. Whether it's here close to us or across the world. We are grateful.
You guys are amazing! I loved this post.. I feel all caught up on what you guys are up to. You look so pretty all dressed up, how fun to get to dress up all the time (totally jealous!).
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