Happy St. Patricks Day!

Today I show up to work to find one of my co-worker's dressed in Green. This guy loves every Holiday----as you can see by his picture, he is definitely dressed for today. He even brought cookies with green frosting on them to work for our Pot Luck Lunch. We had a good laugh with him, because the cookies were every shape, except for St. Patricks Day. The reason you ask, he had no cookie cutter shapes that were for St. Patricks Day, but he figured as long as they were shaped for any holiday, they would work. Obviously we ate them and didn't complain what shape they were, but it did make for some interesting conversation at lunch time.

Now, mind you, the hat was a donation from another co-worker who let him borrow it, so he could have the "complete" look and I could get this picture to share with everyone.

Thanks Mr. T for being such a great sport, you never know where or when these pictures will show up.

How long has it been?

It seems like so long since I have updated my blog. I guess I figure I haven't done anything exciting to write about---just keeping up with life in general. Sometimes I take a few minutes to read your blogs and find that you have so many interesting things to say--I feel so inadequate, so I just say nothing. However, I have been busy keeping up with the family and making sure they are where they need to be. Work has finally slowed down a little bit, so it is time to get my personal life back.

Currently I am in the middle of training for a Marathon that I will run next month with my daughter and brother. We will start the race together, but I'm pretty sure they will be waiting patiently for me at the finish line, but that is OK -- Iwill try to stay up with them for as long as possible. Wish me luck.

Ry has been very busy with school, piano lessons, voice lessons and dance class. She was chosen for both the Ensemble Festival and Solo Festival Honor's Recitals (she memorized two pieces for each---one in November and the other one in February). She is currently working on a Concerto that she will be performing in the Concerto Festival in April. She is definitely our little performer in whatever she does.

Linz has been busy with school and work and trying to fit in some type of Social Life---however, I think the school and work is winning out. She loves the Major she has decided to pursue and will soon have us all very healthy. Well, maybe everyone but Dad!

We are looking forward to Spring and warm weather (especially the warm weather) There is nothing like a good long run outside in the Springtime weather. After running inside on an indoor track all winter (which is a great way to keep in shape), I look forward to the road and the new scenery that Springtime brings.

Newest Addition to our Backyard

The past couple of week-ends have been spent in the back yard, putting together our new gazebo. We are so excited about finally having it put together. Now, just waiting for the weather to warm up so we can actually enjoy it! (I was able to enjoy it for a few minutes last night. Thanks to all those who came to help Dave put the roof on! We appreciate the help given to us to get this project finished up. Come on over and help us enjoy it!

It's Rylli Performing

This past month, Ry has been very busy with her performances. She participated in a Stake YW/YM talent show--here is a video of her performance. It took place in the Cultural Hall, so the sound system was well...... you be the judge of it.




Today, Rylli participated in the Concerto Festival -- playing Haydn in F Major. Here is her last practice at piano lessons. She worked hard to get this Concerto learned, memorized and perfected. The accompanist is Mrs. Williams, her piano teacher.

Young Women Broadcast

After many weeks of Sunday evening choir practices, tonight the Lehi East, North and South Stake Young Women performed in the Conference Center in SLC for the Young Women Conference. They did amazing--they sounded like angels. Here is a picture I took from the practice they had last Saturday in the Conference Center Before the performance, a dozen red roses were delivered for Rylli. Her Grandpa Simpson had these beautiful flowers delivered to her because she would be performing. He is very proud of her! She was very excited that she was the recipient of the flowers (she just knew that someone had sent them to Lindsey, until she saw the card and her name was on it)

December is Birthday Month at our House

The month of December brings 3 of the 4 birthdays in our family. We started the month out with Rylli's 13th All-Girl Birthday Party. Here is a couple of group shots that we were able to get. These girls were alot of fun and full of lots of energy. Many of them are new friends Rylli has made at Jr. High and we are very excited about her choice in friends.
As you can see, they are being girls, posing for the camera in their funny way. These pictures will also show you how fun they are. Hopefully they also had a good time playing games, eating Pizza along with the Cake and Ice Cream. One young girl told me she was "hyper" because I fed her lots of sugar! (I'm not sure a piece of cake and some ice cream qualifies as "lots" of sugar!).

As the month goes by, I will post more pictures of the other birthdays and other activities that we are involved in during not only the Birthday Season but the Christmas Season too!

November = Ensemble Festival

At our house, November means Ensemble Festival time. Rylli and Haylee have spent the last 2-3 months working on two Duets to perform at this years Festival. This is the third year they have played together. This year not only will they perform their pieces at the Festival, but they are performing one of their songs, Praise to the Man, in each of their church meetings.

Here are the girls just before going in to perform for the judge. I have tried to post the Video of these two playing their songs together, but it's not working too well--so obviously I am doing something wrong. I'll have to figure out how to get the Video to post to the blog and will update this at a later date. We are looking forward to hearing their results and hopefully another "superior" rating will be theirs.