Random Pics

Since I haven't posted in awhile, here are some other random pics to share. The first few are of Aspen's Mother's Day performance at her preschool (so cute!!!).

These are my cute piano students who performed at our recital earlier this month (minus all the boys who had soccer games and skipped out!).

Aspen did a great job. She is really coming along and already starting to read music, although she still gets lost trying to follow along reading the music and playing at the same time.

Connor fell on the end of our bed (wood with sharp edges, not smart, I know), and gave himself quite the gash. I was, of course, at work and Dennis was home with him (heading to the babysitter soon). He called a neighbor who is a nurse (thank you Sara!) who came running over to examine the wound. We decided he didn't need stitches (probably did). It's healing nicely, but he'll have a nice scar (the first of many, I'm sure).

Christmas Recitals

Tis the season for Christmas recitals, although I guess Aspen is the star of our family this year! Devin's school did not invite parents to the Christmas performance (rude!) and Shaylee is on a competition dance team, so they'll have lots of competitions in the spring, but no winter recital.

This was Aspen's first dance recital, and she was really nervous. It was really informal with the parents at the dance studio. They could wear cute red or white tutu outfits, but Aspen opted for just her pink leotard. Once we convinced her it was okay to just dance with her class and we'd sit and watch and clap and take pictures, she did a great job!

Nice third position!

This is serious business!

Connor likes to practice this move in our kitchen:

Okay, so maybe I am having fun.

Here comes the leap!

Aspen also performed "Old MacDonald" in her first piano recital. She did a great job, even if mom sat on the bench and helped her keep her place (it's tough performing in front of all those people!).


My other students also did an excellent job--I feel so honored to teach them and watch them progress with their music. Keep at it guys!

Aspen also had a Christmas program for her preschool--she loves Learning Dynamics! It was, of course, on the day of a huge snowstorm, but that didn't deter the kids from having a great time and singing their hearts out.

The four year olds had speaking parts, but the three-year-olds got to act out part of a song. Aspen was just about the cutest present I've ever seen (check out the concentration as she holds up the present and sings):

Aspen with her favorite teacher, Mrs. Peterson:

Connor and I enjoyed watching.

Although he would rather have been with dad (who was taking pictures). For those of you who aren't aware, Connor is a "Daddy's Boy." If daddy is around, he wants nothing to do with me.

Cruising.

Yes! I got my dad. :)

It's Summer!

Well, we had the perfect start to our summer (I say that as a mom because I like structure, and we've had it, with a lot of fun mixed in). So we had a crazy weekend of doctor appointments (Shaylee got an eye infection), scout office (Devin needed a new uniform and book), library (hurrah summer reading program), soccer games, and more. We spent a fun afternoon at Grandma & Grandpa Brown's farm on Saturday hanging with Dennis' cousins. (Author's Note: Mild potty language follows). Aspen wanted me to take her to see the cows. One of them was going to the bathroom.

Aspen: "Mom, is that cow peeing?"
Me: "Yes, Aspen."
Aspen: "Where's his toilet paper?"

Hmmm . . . not sure how to respond.

So we went inside where she explained to her dad, "Cows just pee in the dirt, and they don't use toilet paper."

So here's Aspen with the cows.


The rest of our summer got off to an amazing start as well. The kids voted to have scripture study in the morning so they would get up and get their studying and chores done. Okay. Dennis and I have both gotten up and worked out at 6:30 a.m., then we've had scripture study from 7:15-8:15 a.m. (including studying articles of faith and a new scripture dictionary we started with words the kids are learning in the scriptures), then the kids have breakfast while I shower, etc., then we do homework (algebra, french, writing, typing). I'm having the kids do research papers on our Disney cruise and Walt Disney World (motivation--anything not included in the paper will not be included on our vacation). Then it's chores and off to play. I've even had time for the park several times with Aspen and Connor, weeding, laundry, piano lessons, scouts, dance, etc. Whew! I hope we can keep up this pace.

These are some photos I hadn't downloaded from my other camera. The first few are of my dance recital (the kids all did awesome--I even got to play a duet with Taylor):






These are random photos we've taken recently:

We decided we didn't have many pictures of the cats, so here is one of Athena:

Sorry these took so long to post! These are from Alicia's graduation at BYU: