Senior Center Recital

Because of Covid, it has been hard to find ways to serve in our community.  Thankfully, I was able to find an opportunity for us to play piano for the residents of a local senior center.  They really seemed to enjoy it.  The kids all played one or two songs each and did a great job.  I have been having Emily give me lessons recently, so I even played a song, as well.

Christine, "Scarborough Fair" (I just wanted to record the kids playing, but I handed the camera to Michael when I went to play and he took this picture)

Jonathan, "Demons" by Imagine Dragons

Daniel, theme from Minecraft

Andrew, "My Heart Will Go On"

Emily, "Bohemian Rhapsody"

They had a cute little dog walking around.  Emily had to stop playing when the dog came up to her because she didn't want to hurt him when she stepped on the pedals.

Great job, kids!

Daniel's Outdoor Band Concert

We really enjoyed Daniel's outdoor band concert, but it was so cold and windy!  It was weird to think that when we watched the same concert last year, it was the last normal school event we went to before all the Covid closures started.  Anyway, Daniel had a couple of small solos, so that was cool.

Mandalorian

At about six seconds in, you can hear Daniel playing his trombone, "bum bummmm" until about the 19 second mark.  Then, he starts again at the 33 second mark for about 15 seconds.  Then, again at 59 seconds for another 15 seconds.  Finally, at 1:53 you'll hear him playing, "dun dun dun, dun dun, dun dun" for about 20 seconds.

Lean On Me

Guardians of the Galaxy

Great job, son!

Decisions, Decisions

If it weren't for COVID, college visits would be much easier.  Emily and I visited BYU back in October, and we had to make up our own tour. She is also considering the University of Arizona.  They are not giving tours either, so we decided to go to campus and make up our own tour again.  I think we did pretty well.  We saw the student union and their "mini mall" courtyard, which is amazing!  We also walked around a saw many buildings where she might have classes some day.  We also discovered The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Institute building across the street from the visitor parking garage.  It wasn't on the map, so we were glad to find it.  Emily especially enjoyed seeing the music buildings and the observatory.  The actual observatory was closed, but it looks really cool from the outside.  After we were done exploring campus, we drove to the apartment complex she is interested in.  The apartments were wonderful!  It's a little far from campus, but they have a shuttle.  She really wants to live somewhere that has a kitchen and this was a really great option.  Finally, we drove back home.  It was tiring, but it was a great trip and we're so glad she had the chance to see the campus.  She still has a big decision to make, as every school that has accepted her has also offered her a great scholarship.

Here a some pictures of our "tour."  We've decided that we are practically professional tour guides, haha!

Emily's 18th Birthday

Emily had a wonderful birthday!  We can't believe she is already 18!  

On Friday, we celebrated as a family by going out to dinner at Osaka.  Then, we stopped at Cheesecake Factory for everyone to get a slice of cheesecake.  Emily wanted that instead of a birthday cake.  (Don't worry, she had a cake with her friends.)  We came back home and sang to her and she opened her presents.  She was so excited about her new digital piano keyboard!

On Saturday, she went to lunch at Freddy's and then to an escape room.  They technically didn't make it out in time, but really they did because one of the locks was broken and it cost them time.  They were only 12 seconds over, so they actually made it.  Then, she and her friends came back home and played some games, had pizza and cake, and watched a movie.

Happy Birthday, Emily!  

Jonathan's First Campout

Jonathan had his first campout this weekend.  It wasn't for Scouts, but it was with his church youth group.  Michael was able to go with, and Jonathan was so happy about that!  They left at 5pm on Friday and came back around 11am on Saturday.  They had a great time!

Valentine's Day

Michael and I had a nice date for Valentine's Day today!  We went out to dinner in Scottsdale and then did a little shopping on the way home.  We spent the evening relaxing with the kids.  

Flowers for Emily

Flowers, gold earrings, and chocolate-covered strawberries for me

There were plenty of strawberries for me with plenty to share

Ready for our date

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Our Scholastic Superstar

We are so proud of Emily!  All of her hard work has paid off!  She has received four college acceptances so far (no rejections, of course!) and each one has offered her a scholarship, including: Brigham Young University, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University.

Way to go, Emily!