Olivia - All State Band

Olivia decided she wanted to play the flute in the school band.  She played the year before and this year they hired a new band teacher which allowed for more opportunities.  Her teacher submitted her name for the All-State band and she was chosen.  Just her and one other boy in the school.  It was an all day event.  They spent the day working with a band director who taught them lots of new skills.  After a few hours of that they separated into sectionals and had more opportunity to work just on her flute.  At the end of the day they put on a concert.  Livie did a great job and the smile on her face couldn't get any bigger.

 

 I LOVE this girl!

  We were so lucky to have Grandma Gibb come with us.  She had come down during the week to help me with sewing costumes for the school play - more on that later.  Since she was at our house and the All state band was up in Surprise, AZ (half way to her house) she came with us.  We stayed the night in a hotel and then took Olivia in the morning to the school where the All-State Band was being held.  After I spent my few hours that I was designated to spend as a chaperone, Grandma and I spent the day shopping and having lunch with her 2 aunts.  It was a fun afternoon.  I always love getting together with those lovely ladies.  Since I never knew my own grandmother, I feel like they give me a little glimpse into her life.  Wish I had a picture of us at lunch. 

Livie did great and I just can't say how proud I am of her.  She is one driven girl.  She works hard and has quite a talent for music.



Spring Break - March 2013

Spring Break this year was H-A-R-D!  Alexa's fell on the week after the other girls.  So I had to try and entertain for two weeks while still making sure that school was still going on for the girl/girls that were still in school.  So I really never had a spring break.  We tried to make the best of it.  The only pics I took were of when we went to the zoo.  Here they are.

 McKenna enjoying the elephant exhibit.

Not much of an exciting week.  We had ortho appts., activity days, and still YW's since we were on a different spring break then all the kids in the ward. 

Towards the end of the week, my mom came down to help me with sewing.  I was responsible for 20 costumes for the school play.  (Notice Responsible - NOT actually sewing all 20 costumes.)  Although, I think I did sew on or cut something on every single dress.  It was a LONG month but we got them done (more on all that later.)  It was nice to have my mom's help.  I'm sure we wore her out BIG TIME. 

At the end of the week we took Olivia up to her All State Band - which will be the next post.

Alexa's Desk!

When we got to our rental in AZ Alexa was without a desk.  While at Grandma and Grandpa Gibb's house we saw this old desk in the basement.  I recognized it right away because it used to be my brother's desk when I was growing up.  Many a kid have used this desk and it has been painted and abused for years.  Grandma let us take it home for Alexa to refinish it.  It was a great experience for her and a tough project.  We decided that it would be a great project for her Young Women Personal Progress.  It definitely exceeded her hours that were needed.

 The finished product!  Not too bad for a sad little desk.

Daddy Daughter Dance

The girls LOVE their daddy.  The school put on a daddy daughter dance and they couldn't be more thrilled to take the dad.  Livie didn't get to go because she had Road Show practice at church but lucky for Daddy, we have plenty of girls to take him. 

The got all dressed up and had a GREAT time.

 Check out these smiles!

Daddy took them for a special treat at McDonald's afterwards.  

What? Snow in the Desert?

Back in February we had Activity Days at our house.  It happened to snow and so pretty much our activity turned into playing in the snow.  The girls were so excited. 

 Maya couldn't wait for the snow to stick to start a snowball fight.

 Then Alexa's friends showed up to play in the snow.  They didn't have any snow gear so we got the container out of the garage and outfitted everyone.

 And then I went out to the garage when it was all over and remembered what I don't miss about snow.  Wet clothes at the door.

Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL?!!!

One rare evening we had some free time while we waited for the Dad to come home from work so we could eat dinner.  The girls and I went over to the park behind our house to play some football.  I don't know hardly anything about football but Maya had been playing at school and loved it.  So, she helped us to know what to do.  She told us no rushing (not sure what that means but we didn't do it.)  When the Dad got home he got in the game too.  I love spontaneous nights with nothing going on.  Just wish it happened more often.

 

Love Day 2013

Happy Valentine's Day to my family.

A long time ago Tim and I learned that we really don't like going out to dinner for Valentine's day. 

It has always been just a family day for us.  So to make it special I slaved in the kitchen ALL DAY!

Homemade rolls in the shape of hearts

 Since I love Asparagus, I made that for me.  Roasted up so nicely.  Caprese Salad with the cheese in the shape of a heart (thanks again pinterest).  And Steak that I let Tim cook up just so I wouldn't mess it up.

 We missed Alexa since she was out babysitting. 

And my sweetheart brought me roses.

 Heart shaped cake for dessert.

 I love when I have the time to do things for my family and make a holiday fun for them. 

Hope they enjoy it too.

Brian Regan - Jan. 2013

I know I have posted about Brian Regan before but he's one of my favorites.  The end of January we went up to Prescott to see him perform again.  My face seriously hurts every time I see him or even just watching him on You Tube.  We went with my parents and this time Alexa came with us.  (We missed Maren and Andrew.)  It was so fun to sit next to Alexa and listen to her giggle through the whole show.  Here's a little sampling of one of his acts. 

Getting ready for the show to start.

 Super excited!

Such a fun night.  Can't wait to go again.  And thanks to Livie for babysitting.  While we were gone McKenna got sick and Livie did great taking care of things.  So sad for McKenna.

 

Odyssey of the Mind 2013

Maya had the opportunity with her gifted class to compete in Odyssey of the Mind with the other Legacy schools in the district.  They had to build a structure with balsa wood and see how much weight it could hold.  They had to do a commercial introducing there structure and why it is so good.

Although it didn't hold up the kids worked hard together and enjoyed the experience.

 Cute kids!

New Year's in Prescott 2013

After celebrating our anniversary we headed up to Prescott to spend new years with my parents and to pick the kids up.  My Aunt Melinda and Uncle Randy happened to be driving through at the same time also so we got to spend an evening with them.  I have so many fun memories with them.  They are great.  I have been telling my girls about them for years.  My girls were able to meet Melinda when she came to NC but never Randy.  So they were excited to meet him after I told them about all the teasing he used to do to me (and still does.)  We played games and visited it was so fun but too short.

 I think Maya was praying that it would snow.  Her prayers were answered while we were up in Prescott.  They couldn't even wait until it stuck to the ground before they got out there.

McKenna

On New Year's Eve Grandpa had a gig at one of the Retirement homes in Prescott.  The best part, it was in the middle of the afternoon.  It was a fun party and the girls had a great time.

Some of the party goers.

 The lady in charge introducing Grandpa.

 Grandpa - this picture is such a blurr because you gotta see this guy play.  His hands are moving so fast you can barely see them.  He's still got it.

 I thought this was darling.  This little couple got up and dance - oxygen and all.

At the end the singer that sings with my dad sang Happy Birthday so Alexa decided

to do a little lip syncing.  It made me laugh for days.

 New Year's Eve Grandma went all out on the food.  Too much to enjoy.

Look at these happy faces.

 Alexa enjoying Grandma's iPad.  They LOVE her iPad.

 Maya enjoying a little 3D movie watching.

 And of course, cards to pass the night away. 

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It sure was a fun time.  We love to visit Grandma and Grandpa.