Sam's band concert photos from my phone

It was my parents' 48th anniversary, but they came to support Sam with his final year of high school band.  He really is very enjoyable to listen to.  He played with his band (picolo), a combined one and an ensemble group of 4 (flute).

 

My birthday

Birthday this year, none of us had to work, so I decided to take everyone to the sheepdog championships and watch the duck herding events.  But in the morning, Sam got to be part of the memorial day program put on by they city at the cemetery. It was neat to see and I love watching Sam play. He finished and I met some of the others that played in the band while Sam helped the percussionist load the truck.... and came back with a sore and red hand. The wheels had come off the bass drum and smashed his hand/wrist.  Since we were going to Bear Lake, we felt like it would be wise to make sure that it wasn't broken.  Jer took Sam to get an Xray and I went to take a birthday nap.  We missed the sheepdog thing, so we stayed home and played card games and set up a backyard movie with Beth's family.  Ada made me a sugar free birthday cake and we had fun timing lighting birthday candles with wind gusts. I had a fun day.

 

Ada's high school graduation

Ada officially graduated from High School!  I'm so glad.  She's worked hard and it will be fun to see which direction she takes next.  I took her and Sam early. Sam was in the band playing for graduation.  Then Dad brought Evelyn and Seth, where we met up with Grandma, Grandpa and Nellie.  It felt a little surreal, but good.  We ran into my Great Uncle and Great Aunt (Doug and Linda).  They came to support Oscar in the choir.

Ada, Donny, Brenton

Me, my mom, Ada, Nellie, Evelyn, my dad, Sam (Jer ran Seth to a party, which he thoroughly enjoyed.)

Emma, Elise, Alexx, Ada

Ada and Mr Parker.  He's one of the two advisors that she's worked with in FBLA and she also was a TA for him this year.

 

Exciting things

Between getting my friend's apartment set up and 4 of the 6 of us dealing with sore throats... we juggled Sam's end of year concert where he played flute, piccolo and sax.  It was focusing on graduating seniors, so it was an extra long concert.  We got to celebrate Brooklyn and Oscar as they go off to their next adventures. Seth had just tried out and been accepted into the jr high percussion program so he was excited for the concert.  He enjoyed the first hour and a half but not the last hour.

His director called these 7 up to recognize them for getting superior ratings at State.  3 of them did solos (including Sam) and the girls were all part of Sam's flute choir. I was particularly impressed with Peter on his french horn and Esther in the flute choir. 

Ada got better in enough time to help me find supplies for her graduation party and grab lunch with me.... and now I'm sick.  It was bound to happen. I'm just hoping to get better before all the graduation parties and such. It's been fun to have her home half of the day since she's done with her tech school. Now she's trying to apply for jobs. That can be intimidating... She's a good worker though.

Sam made Sunday dinner.  He made buttermilk pancakes and bacon.  Jer took a picture of his "may all your bacon burn" shirt while he was cooking bacon.

Sunday was a pretty amazing day. All six of us were able to attend the Lindon Temple Dedication done by President Eyring.  The talks by the youth were particularly powerful.  All my kids wished that the Hosanna shout wasn't so monotone, but they liked the handkerchiefs. 

Right after the dedication, we were able to go with Ada to get her patriarchal blessing.  The patriarch and his wife are so sweet. I felt the spirit strongly and I wish I could record more here, but I'll respect the sacred nature of her blessing and just note that I am amazed at how Heavenly Father knows each of his children. Each of my kids received the expressions of love and direction that suit them best and in a way that suits them best.  It's pretty neat.  I'm blessed to have been a part of it.

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My throat is not as sore as Ada's and Jer's were last week, and Evelyn and Sam got through theirs pretty quickly... but I'm taking it easy this week.  Sleeping in and not trying to pack my days with things that have to be done.  Luckily, Janine has the daycare the next two weeks so I have time to recover.  That being said, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo (on Taco Tuesday) with tacos.  I didn't want to run get everything for traditional tacos, so I improvised with ground chicken, black beans, beets, onion grown by Ada, salsa I made last week and a ceasar salad mix that we had sitting in the fridge.  No one jumped for joy over the beets, but they all ate it and had fun talking about tacos.  

Sam had a saxophone solo and I think he's definitely getting more confident and enjoys playing.  He got to compete in the State Festival 5 times this year.  Both his Jazz Band and Symphonic Band got superior ratings (1s). And both his flute ensemble and his flute solo received 1 and 1-. (I think he got the minus because of me but I'm not sure.  My phone started ringing while I was accompanying him.  I silenced it with one hand and kept playing with the other.  Whoops.)  And his esports Varsity team took 2nd place at State.  He likes to dive headfirst and do whatever he's doing full force.  

 

Music week

 

I've been practicing the organ for Easter Sunday.  Evelyn is going to be helping me with a more involved piece and both her and Sam wanted to come and learn how the organ works. I loved their enthusiasm.  And I hope they will get chances to use it.

I think it's so funny. The house always sounds like music building practice rooms.  Two songs and multiple instruments being played at once. 

Our wonderful nephew, Jordan, was Cogsworth in the school play.  I really wanted to see him in it, but I had a little more than a half hour to drive more than that away.... I knew I'd miss about half the play but still tried anyways.  We didn't make it til the end of the play because of a wreck and needing to stop and get gas.  We got to congratulate him, eat pizza and him and Seth played mario kart while I talked with the adults.  Still worth the drive.  The same night, we sent Seth with Grandma and Grandpa to sleep over at Sharon's house... Jer spent half the day helping set up (mostly making graham fingers in copious amounts) the reception for our niece, Mariah's, wedding. Ada spent the day working with her teams for their state FBLA competition that started today, Sam took a practice ACT test, and Evelyn just didn't want to do anything...   The next morning, Ada watched Jude and Josie at the temple while we went to the sealing.  Then she helped me take the wedding photos.  Sam did flash cards and Evelyn helped Ada a little. My parents took Seth to one of his best friend's birthday party. Ada left after the luncheon for a mandatory prep day for the competition.... Evelyn helped me take pictures at the wedding and we had a blast with the beautiful bride and groom.

Ada's official Sterling Scholar picture was up in the hall while I was there for the band concert.

Sam played a lot this time.... He played with the Symphonic Band, his Jazz band, the lower Jazz band and his flute choir.  He came home and just wanted to play computer games.  

I saw him chilling behind the curtain while the other bands were playing....

Evelyn has made a lot of progress this year!  She's loving playing the classical music that the new director has chosen.  Dad loves it too. Their orchestra is going to the State Festival tomorrow.  Both her and cousin Amelia's orchestras are ranked in the top 15 of the state.  Maybe they'll get to say hi.  They both play 2nd violin, so that's fun.