Another High School Performance

I think you should all email Jen to tell her how much you appreciate her permitting me to post these potentially embarrassing clips from her high school era performances. She watches them now and only sees mistakes that jump out at a music professor, but this clip predates any such training. Everyone great has to start someplace, right? So without further adieu, here are some clips from Jen's high school performance of Damn Yankees (1995).

Fifteen Years ago. . .

As part of the preparation for our big move to California I am converting Jen's old VHS tapes to a digital format. I thought you might enjoy a segment from this collection. Perhaps I'll post more later. I also have plenty of good clips of Jen's family from fifteen years ago (I even found her sister's wedding video complete with awkward teenage photos of her and her husband). If any of Jen's family want those videos to stay private they can send me a small donation!

The clip below is from Jen's high school graduation program. She is not too excited with my posting this video but she finally conceded. The whole video was seventy minutes of high school performances (singing, speaking, etc.). Notice the guy with the comb over on the piano (it was fifteen years ago--he has since remedied this travesty).


Also, I am currently converting Jen's high school performance of Damn Yankees. She plays the sexy lead role, Lola, and wears a short red dress. More on that to follow. . . .

Learning and a fun fort!

Today Abby and I had "school time" where we sang songs, did puzzles, and worked on a letter and some shapes. She is getting so smart! Then we built a fort in her room and she chose to watch "Finding Nemo." We really limit any TV time, so this was quite a treat. She is just so much fun.

Loving Cousin Dexter

While we were in California we were fortunate to spend time with Matt's sister Heather and her husband Brandon and son Dexter. Dexter is 9 months old and is getting pretty mobile. He is absolutely adorable and has the biggest blue eyes. Abby and Dexter are already having a great time together. We went to their new apartment and walked around Fullerton College where Brandon will go to school in the fall. We love spending time with them and are excited to only be 2 hours from them pretty soon.

Matt and Brandon

Abby pushes Dex
Dex pushes Abby
Abby and Aunt Heather

Abby has a wonderful playgroup on Thursday's and she really enjoys all of her friends. I also enjoy going because the Mom's are all amazing women. We will really miss them when we move. Here is Abby in her new swimsuit I found at the huge Disney store sale a couple weeks ago. She picked it out herself!

Abby at the Tempe Beach Splash Park
When I was in Provo years ago I had some unforgettable musical experiences with my friend and fellow musician, Rob Gardner. When I moved to Tempe I found he had moved back to his hometown of Mesa and was able to work with him again. He has written some wonderful works including, "Joseph Smith the Prophet," "He is Jesus Christ," "Saints and Pioneers" and many more. He recently wrote a new work called "Lamb of God" and went to London and recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. He asked if I would come and help him with the choir for the recording. I jumped at the opportunity to work with Rob again and knew I would be working with a marvelous choir (I wish I could have them as my choir). So on the evening of July 16 and all day July 17 I worked with the choir. But I was in a different role than usual--clinician instead of conductor. So Rob (conductor) and the choir each had headphones of the LSO recording and I was listening to the seemingly unaccompanied choir and giving ideas on how to improve things and make the best recording possible. Saturday was a very long day, but it was quite an experience. I just love working with choirs and it was great to know I contributed to what will be an amazing recording. The work will be premiered on September 10 in Gammage auditorium in Tempe.
I was out in front of the choir and giving advice and critique after each recording.
Rob Gardner and Jen after a long day of recording.

Abby sees the house!

Today we made one more trip up to Bakersfield before we return home to Tempe. We took Abby and Grandma Barbara. We went to the Design Center to pick out carpet, tile and counter tops and then went to the house. Windows and doors were taped up for painting. I snapped a few pictures so that you can see the evolution of our house. Abby was quite excited to see her room and ran all through the house. I can only imagine what it will look like when it is finished! Exciting times!

All of us at the bottom of the stairs.

Abby enjoying and exploring the new house--here she is in what will be the sink!

Future gymnast?

I thought we were in need of an Abby video and so here is one I took when we were house hunting. She loved the space in all of the open rooms and took advantage!

Incredible news!

A NEW HOME!!! A NEW HOME!!! Abby will have space to run and play!

Yes we did it. After many long, tiring days of looking for a home in Bakersfield with our wonderful realtor, Dee Oliver, we found a home we love! We are so excited. Abby has not seen it yet, but she will this week. It's actually not quite finished yet, but we've been inside and also toured the model home. It is 2,612 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with a loft, parlor, formal dining, great room, etc. We get to choose the countertops and flooring this week. We did not plan on a new home, but the incentives they offered made it the right choice for us. We cannot wait for you to come and visit! The front is landscaped with grass, a few trees and roses. The back will need lots of work--uncle Brenty we need you! We also have a 9 acre park that is just around the corner. Here are some photos.

The front of the home--garage door not yet installed.
Floor plan.
I realize the model is not our home, but this way you can see what the inside might like some day in the future!
Parlor.
Formal dining.
Loft pictures (this is at the top of the stairs)
Drawing of the home.

4th of July Fun

Since the fourth of July was on a Sunday this year we did most of our celebrating on Saturday. We began at the Church for the 7 a.m. breakfast. A lot of people attended and we had a great time. We spent the rest of the day together! Sunday we went to Church and that evening enjoyed fireworks shot off by the city of Tempe (a 40 minute show) from our backyard. Here are some pictures.

Abby and friend Indi Lee.
The kids marched around with whistles at the breakfast and Abby had 2!
Mom and Abby outside of the Church.
Abby dressed up for Church on the 4th of July.
Abby watched fireworks while sporting her new princess pajamas.
On Monday July 5th Abby, Matt, and I went to her friend Brayden's second birthday party at the Inflatable Party Zone. I think the adults had more fun than the kids!
Matt and Abby climb up the slide.Matt and the other adults battled it out!
Matt raced in the obstacle course and won!
All of us at the party!
All the kids at the party--not enough room on the mat!
Pizza for everyone!

Beat Texas

You may recall that last year Nebraska played Texas in the conference championship game and won, until in an unprecedented move (not actually permitted in the conference rules) the refs put 00:01 back on the clock. With that one second Texas kicked a field goal, won, and went on to play in the national championship. Of course, the bad blood goes back years, perhaps since UT joined the Big 8 and it became the Big 12. They used their massive popular appeal to ramrod their agenda through the conference. The headquarters moved south to Texas, revenue sharing took an inequitable distribution that favored UT, and that university secured a home advantage for every conference title game. It is ugly. A few weeks ago, Nebraska walked out on the Texas and the patsies who gave into the Texans demands each year. Nebraska will play in the Big 10 beginning in 2011. So in Nebraska's final season with the Big 12 the University of Nebraska produced this video which seems to identify a single date of importance: Oct 10, 2010 - the day Nebraska plays Texas. The message is simple: Beat Texas.