They Say It's Your Birthday!

Emery High had a swim meet in Richfield today.  Jim and I decided to take Banner out of school for the afternoon so we could cheer Tennyson on.  The swim meet seemed to go on forever but finally it was over and we took Tennyson out for her 18th birthday dinner at Steve's Steakhouse.  We then drove home and this was waiting for us. 

 A delicious Red Carpet Cake with 18 candles.

 Banner had trouble lighting the candles because she has never been allowed to do it before. 

 Tennyson, while we were singing "Happy Birthday to You".

 They're all out with one breath.  All that swimming has given her super lung power.

This is the inside of the cake.  It was soooo good.

Happy Birthday Tennyson.

A Concert and a Birthday!

We were privileged to attend the San Rafael Jr. High choir concert last night. The choir that Banner is in is made up of 8th and 9th graders.  I think they sing very well for how young they are.  Banner is directly behind the conductor in a burgundy colored dress. Every once in a while you can see her.  Sorry about the bad camera job. I was trying to get a close-up of her but it didn't work.

We then came home and celebrated Jim's birthday.  As usual he had a German Chocolate cake with coconut pecan frosting.  I had a hard time finding the german chocolate for the cake this year,  Food Ranch had none and I bought the last package at Stewart's. He only had to blow out 3 candles this year.  I don't know why I chose 3, I just did.

Let's Swim!

It's swimming season again at Emery High School.   Their first region meet was against Delta.  They won!  Good job Emery.  Here is Tennyson swimming the 100 meter breaststroke.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!

Emery High School presented Dirty Rotten Scoundrels this past weekend.  Tennyson played the part of Muriel Eubanks.  We enjoyed listening to her sing and even do a little dance with "Andre".  Sara, Whitney, Hannah and Jonas came down from Salt Lake for the production.  Liz and Dennis also came along with Banner, Jim and I.  I had never seen this play before so it was a refreshing change.  All of the kids did such a good job with their parts and we were very much entertained.

Four Arkansas Travelers

Here are the four kids playing their quartet.  I finally had to put it on youtube to get it on here.  Just turn my playlist off and enjoy this fun piece.

Banner's Halloween Recital!

Arkansas Traveler for 2 Pianos 8 Hands

 Banner and Justan Potter

 Kelsie Cox and Nate  Potter

Taking a bow

The Hillbillies from Dogpatch

Some Fall Colors!

I saw a pheasant rooster in the backyard this morning. By the time I got the camera out and changed the lense the bird was gone.  I found a few colors in my backyard so here are a few pictures.  Red.

 Pink.

Purple.

I love a golden carpet of leaves.  I imagine in a few weeks Banner will make a leaf house out of these.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Christmas List 2010



Liz & Dennis---------------------------------John & Rebecca

Anne Adele & Maurie-------------------------Shelley & Alan

Shelley & Alan-------------------------Anne Adele & Maurie

Jennifer & Jim----------------------------------------------Sara

John & Rebecca--------------------------------Jennifer & Jim

Sara------------------------------------------------Josh & Stacy

Josh & Stacy--------------------------------------Liz & Dennis

Morgan & Andrew----------------------------------------Esme

Noah & Becky--------------------------------------------Arden

Whitney-------------------------------------Morgan & Andrew

Miranda & Brooks----------------------------------------Jonas

Madison-----------------------------------------------------Leah

Rachel---------------------------------------------------Madison

Tennyson-------------------------------------------------Gabriel

Kelsie----------------------------------------------------Whitney

Arden-------------------------------------------------------Maren

Seth-------------------------------------------------------Hannah

Banner------------------------------------------------------Kelsie

Hannah--------------------------------------Miranda & Brooks

Jonas---------------------------------------------------Tennyson

Gabriel--------------------------------------------------------Seth

Maren------------------------------------------------------Banner

Leah--------------------------------------------------------Rachel

Esme-----------------------------------------------------------Lily

Lily------------------------------------------------Noah & Becky

The Cake, The Dinner, The Party, & Jeremy the Horse!

Tennyson. busy making fondant and the finished cake.

Turkey, it was well worth the wait. We also had potatoes and gravy with red cabbage.

Corn from our garden.

Sara's delicious rolls.

Green beans

and tomatoes and broccoli from Lizzy's garden.

Whitney and some good books to read.

Yay, an oven mitt.

Here comes the cake.

Peanut butter and chocolate cakes with buttercream frosting and fondant.

Our horse Jeremy.

Miranda receiving instruction from Tennyson

Sara and Jeremy, running free

Whitney takes a turn around the pasture.

Brooks didn't want a turn.

Banner would rather ride the four-wheeler

Whitney, enjoying her special day.

The Danger is Over!

Remember when a step out of my french doors meant serious harm or a plunge to certain death?  Well, those days are over.  Jim finished our steps which are really another level to the deck.

We can now walk out the door and go down the steps on either end.

We still need to stain the rest of the deck to match the "Trex" which will never need to be stained or treated.  I love using this door, it is so much nicer than going through the dining/sewing room.  Next project is siding around the doors but that will have to wait until next summer.  Castle Valley Outdoor's hunting season starts on Sept. 1st so I won't see much of Jim until it's over in March.

Flashback to 1986!

I found this clip from my favorite Moonlighting.  Some of you might remember it too.  Click to turn off my playlist and enjoy the music by Billy Joel.

What a Weekend!

It all started on friday evening with Huckleberry Ice Cream

and Josh's homemade shortbread.  Delicious!

Brooks, Banner and Hannah posing for Lizzy.

Miranda, our tissue grabber in Minute to Win It.

Hannah, after shaking balls out of a Kleenex box tied to her back.

Our champion headbanger, Tennyson.  She still has a headache.

Brooks and Josh had to shoot rubber bands to knock over empty pop cans.  They did pretty well against the small children on the other teams.

What a photo op.

Esme needs support from Jim as she gets her first taste of the "hard" stuff.

Part of our crew.

Our sweet Maren.

Here's the whole tribe.

And later, a pool party at Lizzy's.

And later, a softball game.  Way to go Noah.

Miranda at shortstop, Allison and Brooks on third.  I guess they decided that runners on the same team can share a base.

Mighty Josh, up to bat.  Trent catching.

She no longer needs Jim's support(or permission).  She can drink all on her own.

Sara gets a hit.

 Hannah showing her stuff.

"Scarey"

Come on Miranda.

Banner smacks the ball.

Whitney taking care of second and Stacy in center field.

A few of the spectators.

Tennyson dancing on first, Banner in right and Kirk and Jorgen pitching.

Catch the ball Becky!

Jonas, watch the runner.

Brooks, Jonas, Tennyson and Noah, in charge of the firework display.

Essie gets a sparkler.

The grand finale. 

Thanks everyone for making this weekend memorable and fun.