The boys are singing

Today we attended the Hillcrest High School Solo and Ensemble Festival. Nathan and Daniel both sang solos, Nathan participated in 2 small ensembles and 1 quartet along with Vocal Ensemble as well. Daniel participated with the Mens Ensemble. They both did very well. Nathan is going on to Region with his solo, quartet and ensembles. Daniel is an alternate with both his solo and his ensemble. Daniel did a fabulous job with a song that was too low for him. I don't think his new Chorale teacher did a very good job picking it out. I wish that Mr. Bentley had done the choosing. Oh well, Daniel worked hard and did his best. We are looking forward to our performing arts tour. I think Rob is actually getting excited in spite of the two overnight bus rides! We are also happy to see my dad out of the hospital and on the mend. Rob's mother is doing well and her ankle is healing and she is getting around by herself better. Stephanie has been really sick but seems to be on the mend. It's getting late and I need to sleep.

Scouting brings rewards

Today Rob was rewarded for all of his efforts and years of service in the Boy Scouts of America. We went to a nice reception tonight and awards presentation. He was awarded the District Award of Merit. Out of over 200 leaders in our scout district, they only gave the award to 10. It was very exciting and fun to see him be acknowledged for his service. Everyone else is doing well, except Stephanie can't seem to shake the sore throat (which keeps coming back) and the cough. Most people around here don't get rid of it for 10-15 days. This morning I was at school accepting the laundered costumes from the Renaissance Feaste. This officially closes the activities and now we move on to Performing Arts Tour. We will leave on March 18 which is very early this year. Hopefully it won't be too cold in Orange County. Everyone is getting excited to go. Daniel is learning numbers for the Productions Company show in California Adventure and Nathan is busy learning music and dance numbers for VE's show in Disneyland. Daniel is also getting ready for the Productions Company Revue in May. He got two parts besides the ensemble numbers. He will be doing a monologue from "The Shadow Box" and he will be doing a number from "A Chorus Line" with 5 other people. We can't wait to see the show!

Celebrating Life!

Today we are celebrating life at our house. This is my one year anniversary! One Year Cancer Free! We are looking forward to many more. Going through cancer was a real learning experience, though not one that I would want anyone else to have. This last year has been one of regenerating and regaining strength and health. I am thankful every day for health an strength and for all the prayers and love given to us. Do something for yourself today or a loved one! We will be doing the Komen Race for the Cure again this year. If anyone wants to sign up on our team and walk with us, you are welcome! When it is time to sign up I will post the website to go to for sign up. It will be the day before Mother's Day in May. It was a lot of fun last year and I am looking forward to being able to finish faster. We love you all!

Hello everyone!

This has been a rough couple of weeks. My grandmother passed away, she had been sick and went peacefully, it was still sad. I couldn't go to her memorial this week because of other obligations I had. Some of my siblings went though and took mom with them. My dad had to be hospitalized and is still there, I don't think we have a complete diagnosis of what is wrong, but he sure feels awful. I haven't been to see him but I have talked to him several times on the phone. Mom is back and with him and I know that just that makes him feel better. We have been busy in our family with the Renaissance Feaste at the high school. Nathan and Daniel are both very involved, with Nathan as one of the Royal men of the court and Daniel as a Steward. Daniel is also involved playing Polonius in the version of Hamlet which they do during the feaste for entertainment. Daniel also auditioned for the Musical Review which will be in May. He was called back today for a song and a scene. We will know soon if he gets any parts. He will be involved in all of the group numbers. They are doing excerpts from Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway plays and musicals. It should be a great show. Several of the kids in the Productions Company told me that Daniel's audition was "awesome". Rob's mother is recovering from breaking her ankle and cracking her wrist when she fell on ice almost 4 weeks ago. She is home now, (she had been in a rehab facility until the 13th). Christopher is excited because he got his Kevlar Vest to wear when he is out on the job. He has been waiting to get it and I am glad that he has that protection as well. He is dating a girl named Brittany, she is really nice. Our life feels like a whirlwind right now, and I don't think it will stop for a while! We will be leaving on Performing Arts tour on March 18 and that will come so quickly! Both Nathan and Daniel are involved and both will perform at Disneyland. Rob and I are both going on the bus as chaperones. I don't think Rob is looking forward to the overnight bus ride but I think he is getting more excited about being there with the kids. We are happy to be healthy and have so many blessings.

Hello everyone,

We have had quite a lot of snow lately. I think we have shoveled enough to last a long time! We watched the funeral for President Hinckley on Saturday. It was a beautiful program. We were also very sad to hear about Grandma Great. We will surely miss her. We wanted her to be able to meet Kyle, Jessica was sad that she didn't get to. Rob was notified on Sunday that he is being awarded a District Award of Merit for Scouting. They choose 9 leaders out of about 200 each year to receive the award. We are excited for him. The award ceremony will be on February 23. He has been involved in scouting for years and has helped a lot of boys along the way. It is nice to see him be recognized for his efforts. We have had our nephew (Hal's son) Ammon here a couple of times this weekend. We haven't seen him for two and a half years (since before his mission). We also saw Brett Rigby this weekend. He was at our sacrament meeting. He looks really good and he is off of the oxygen now. He says he feels 1000% better! We got to have Kyle here too - he is growing so fast and it is fun to play with him and see his cheerful personality come out! Hope everyone has a great week!

Hello,

This is the first post of our new blog! January was a busy month for all nine of us! Rob's mother fell on ice and shattered her ankle requiring surgery and screws and plates. She is in a rehab hospital and is doing well. Daniel performed in a production of "Pippin" at Hillcrest High School. It was a weird play from the 70's but it had a great message and was fun to watch. He is loving the acting, dancing and singing. Nathan is working hard on his quartet and ensembles for the Renaissance Feaste coming up in February. Jessica went back to work at the Marriott and I get to keep Kyle occasionally when she has a day shift. She usually works the afternoon/evening shift. Stephanie is working hard at classes and at her job. Daniel is now at the Utah Theater Association conference at BYU for three days. Because Scott is also a drama guy, they saw each other at the conference yesterday! Kyle is getting bigger every day. He is a morning person and wakes up talking and happy every morning. He is laughing and smiling all the time. He also rolled over for the first time recently! Rob is sick of shoveling snow! We woke up a couple weeks ago to 12 inches and it was still snowing! We have a good foot and a half in our front yard, maybe more and the snow piles would make an AMAZING sledding hill for little kids. Chris is enjoying his job with Loomis. He is officially assigned to the Park City ATM crew and he really likes it. He just qualified with his own gun and now has turned in the 38 that the company issued. He is excited for that! Nathan's big news is that he is definitely going to BYU in the fall. He was accepted in January! He is planning on doing the music program. We are happy, but very cold with all the snow. We hope everyone else is doing great!