Back to School

Well, another school-year has begun which could only mean one thing...band and choir (o.k. two things)!

Breck tried-out and made Drum Major this year. Because our band is so large, there are actually three Drum Majors.

Breck is the second male ever to be picked as Drum Major for the Scott County High School Marching Band. 

In addition to leading his part of the field before all home football games and at half-time shows, he leads the band in the stands,

and cheers on the team!

Here, is another picture of the band covering the whole field. 

For this particular number, Breck got to lead the entire band.

I thought my chorus concert days were over, at least for a little while, but that was before Breck decided to try-out for three different choirs this year.

So far he has made it into two, and is really enjoying his experiences.

The first chorus concert of the year was a tribute to all musicals throughout time, and Breck was the very first performer to sing "Old Man River" from one of the earliest musicals Show Boat.

Much to his Grandpa's chagrin (who was watching in the audience), Breck also displayed his talents in other ways (as the female love-interest in South Pacific)...Did I really just post this picture?

Kid's Birthdays

All of the kid's birthdays were low-key this year do to our crazy lives, but they still enjoyed the traditional favorite dinner, cake, ice cream, and opening gifts around the kitchen table.

Breck turned 16 this year and I think he got an Android tablet, or something like that (I loose track after awhile).

His cake of choice was Banana Pudding Wafer dessert.

His favorite gifts were from the Holts...

a homemade Goodwill Gift card (Breck's favorite place to shop),

and a way-cool personalized coloring book!

Brittney turned 20 this year (I can hardly believe it!),

and Merinda surprised her with a Mint Chocolate Cake.

Brad and I gave her a heart-shaped silver necklace (to symbolise our love for her), with a butterfly on the outside (representing growth and freedom to fly), and a red-ruby inside (her birthstone).

So no matter how long, or how far away she is from us, we will always be close to her, and she will always be in our heart!

Merinda turned 12 years old this year and Aubrey decorated her cake with flowers made out of candy (not too shabby--for Aubrey).

I am not sure how well Strawberry Cake and Blue Bell Lemon Bliss ice cream compliment eachother, but that is the beauty of picking the dessert on your birthday--nothing has to go together! Here, Breck and Aubrey are reaping the benefits of another birthday, and just being themselves.

Of all the gifts, we got the best reaction from the candy bars (wish we would of known that from the beginning!).

Just us girls at the kitchen table.

I think Merinda scored this year because in addition to the cool green reading chair from Aubrey, Brittney took her out to get her ears pierced...

AND get a manicure (yet another advantage of being the youngest)!

Aubrey wanted Strawberry Cheesecake for her birthday treat and it was decorated with Princess decorations (of course!). She turned 18 this year, and enjoyed celebrating her birthday with the family, and Tyler Jors (of course!).

Carrying on with the theme, she is reading her princess card, and will soon open her straightening iron (expensive enough for a princess), wrapped in princess wrapping paper (o.k. so it's snowflake wrapping paper leftover from Christmas, but we'll just keep with the princess spirit and make-believe!).

Detroit, Michigan

For one last summer trip, I went with Brad to Detroit.

Brad had to work at his company's headquarters for a week, and I was hoping to spend time in the hotel room catching up on a million things I hadn't had time to do all summer.

Well, I didn't even get a fraction of the things done that I wanted to, but I sure had fun.

We spent one whole day with Brad's boss Gordy, his wife Maureen, and one of Brad's co-workers Chang So and his family.

After catching a Detroit Tiger's game in downtown Detroit, we walked through the park and along the Detroit River boardwalk, while listening to stories from Gordy's childhood (who grew up in Detroit).

The riverfront was beautiful, and the Chrysler Headquarter Buildings were pretty awesome.

It was neat to look across the river and see a huge ocean liner, casino, and other buildings lining the riverfront, only they were actually in Canada!

A picture of us all just chillin. 

The day ended with an authentic Korean meal. You're going to have to tilt your head sideways to see, but I was proud of the fact that I actually ate this stuff, and even kind of liked it.

Another co-worker of Brad's and his wife (Doug & Mindy) joined us for dinner (Incidentally, Mindy went into labor the next day). We had a wonderful time in Detroit, and want to thank Gordy and Maureen for showing us the sites, and for taking such good care of us!

Pioneer Treck Part II

Day two of Trek  

began with a beautiful morning.

And yes, port-o-potties were apart of that beautiful morning (it's amazing what you appreciate after a day in the woods, plus, it sure beats what the pioneers had to use!).

Even though we didn't do any "trekking" the second day, it was still packed-full of pioneer activities.

Pres. Holt consulting with other leaders and making plans for the day.

One of our "daughters" assisting Sister Omohondro with breakfast (yet another difference between the real pioneers and us - personal cooks).

Breck enjoying the wondrous bounty!

After breakfast we had fun talking amongst our families,

and playing music? It must be a family thing, only this time Breck's "sister" actually knew how to play the Recorder.

After more instruction from our trail boss,

we gathered in families once again to talk about our pioneer ancestors, as well as shared our own "modern day" pioneer trials and experiences.

Next, came pioneer games.

I am not sure what this game was called, or even the premise, but the kids sure got a kick out of it!

There were games for adults too, like stick pull. I don't know its official name, but it was fun to watch. 

Especially seeing the look on Brad's face when he got crushed by Joe Alexander (bigger does not always mean stronger).

Each family then showed off their own muscles with a game of tug-o-war.

Our family was feeling pretty confident after one win. 

Our victory was short-lived, however, after several families smoked us!

It's not because we didn't try our hardest, you can see it in our faces (well, at least in my face).

Despite the clinching teeth, grunting, and groans, 

we just couldn't hang on!

But it was all in good fun! (maybe we would of won if Joe Alexander was our anchor instead of Brad).

As if we didn't have enough rope burns, all the Ma's got to go head to head. Even though I gave it my best, my noodle arms just couldn't take anymore (and besides, I want to know how many real pioneer Ma's had energy left over to participated in tug-o-wars).

Next, came pioneer crafts. I don't even know if pioneers really painted close pin dolls, or made friendship bracelets, 

but they sure turned out cute, and even looked like the ones on Pinterest (under Pioneer Crafts!) 

After a tough work-out of pioneer games, we were more than ready for an authentic pioneer lunch of taco salad (ok, probably not a staple at the pioneer table, but it was so yummy, and the best part: we didn't have to make it ourselves in the pouring rain!).

The next few hours were spent in reflection,

or individual time spent reading letters from parents (real), scripture study, reading church magazines, meditating,

or napping (for those of us suffering from pure exhaustion).

Each family then had the opportunity to perform a skit of their choosing. Our family chose to reenact the story of Ammon from the Book of Mormon.

As a proud Ma, I have to say that our kids did a pretty good job. And what would the story of Ammon be without arms? 

Another family performing their skit,

and fabulous Ma Kathy and Pa Joe from Georgetown, with McKenzie and Aaron looking on.

As you can see from the colorful array of rain jackets, the weather couldn't decide if it wanted to monsoon, or be hot and muggy. But it did not deter us from the days festivities.

After listening to words of inspiration from our Stake leaders,

it was time to eat our final meal of Trek, only this one we had to prepare (or at least warm in our dutch ovens).

We all inhaled the ham dinner, and dutch-oven cobbler with ice-cream for dessert.

It was then time for one last family photo before returning to our separate homes. Brad and I had such a wonderful time at Trek, and even though it ended up being only two days, we felt it still accomplished the intended goals. We want to thank all of the leaders in front of, and behind the scenes who worked so hard to make this a success, and for our kids who showed total love and respect for each other despite hardly knowing one another before Trek. We will always remember this experience, and the renewed appreciation we have for our ancestors who sacrificed so much, not because we experienced anything remotely close to what they experienced, but because for one small moment during Trek each of us pondered what it might have been like to be a pioneer, and how blessed we are to be right where we are, here and now!