I HAD to Post these Pictures

So what do you get when you cross 3 gigantic bean bags, 3 people & a Honda Pilot? 3 EXTREMELY squished people! The story behind what you will see. Tabitha is in charge of decorations for the opening social at the Institute this coming Friday. She borrowed these from the Olenslager family. There actually were 4 but there was no way we could jam anymore inside the car. Take a look at these pictures:
That's only 2 bean bags in the back seat.

YES! There ARE people under those bean bags!


Take a look at these HUGE bean bags! All 3 of those were really in the Pilot.

Cassie's Challange!

So my friend Cassie (photographer extraordinaire ~ http://www.clgphotography.net/main.html) challenged us to blog about something that makes us cry. Hummmm, what to do? For those of you that know me well, know that I'm just an emotional sap! I'm not much of a Country/Western music gal. But I have to say that when I saw this video in a Marvin Goldstein class last year, I couldn't stop crying. I think it hit a little too close to home with our kids growing up way too fast. I'm so glad we let our kids "sleep in the middle"!
billy dean

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And a few photos that pull on those heartstrings STILL! It's ssssooo hard with the first child! Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier with the rest of them.
Putting Robert on a plane 9 days after graduating from high school.

Heading off to the dorm at BYU-Provo

Anyone else up to the "challenge"?

It's Time Again!

Time for another Shut Out the World Party!!! Life has been busy, busy, busy and it's time to regroup and just chill with family. The only difference tonight is we'll be introducing Josh to our private party. We've alreay picked our movies.


Now to get the snacks and pizza fixings and we'll be all set! Have a great Friday!

For you, Lydia

The Nylons are an accapella group that has been around for almost 30 years I think.

Here's an upbeat one that they did with only drums as a backup instrument.
http://www.thenylons.com/video/seasons_lg.html

Fun Friday Night

The weather was gorgeous!!! (The wind did kick up and it was a bit nippy!)

The company was GREAT!!!


And a FANTASTIC concert by the Nylons!
It was out at the Bellewether greens. So no reserved seating just blanket sitters in the front and chairs after that. So we had front row blanket seats. We've seen the Nylons many times (this was Josh's first time) but this had to be the BEST concert. They were so relaxed and down to earth and quite funny. And of course the music was OUTSTANDING! What a fun night to spend with hubby, Tabitha & Josh. Who could have asked for more? Well, Robert & Jessica we so totally missed you not being there! THAT would have been perfect!

MUSIC! It's SO extremely important!

Okay, just to warn you ~ I'm sooooo on my soap box! So back in May I mentioned on the blog about our victory at the Middle School to keep 7th & 8th grade band to every day and all year round. We knew we'd have the same battle again this year and that is holding true. But what really has surprised us is happening over at the high school. Seems the administration finds a need to make changes to the current schedule. All WASL test score related mind you. We had a hint this was coming too. But I just received some minutes from a meeting where this was discussed. It seems comments from 2 school board members (don't know which one exactly ~ yet!) that attended this meeting were very negative against band. Such a follows:

1. Amount of time for band (too much of a commitment)

2. Band reduces other elective options (issue for freshmen primarily)

One of these board members, Larry Korthuis, to be exact actually said at a different meeting, he didn't understand "why music/band is placed on such a high pedestal"! Arrrggghhh! They don't get it! Not everyone is into sports! Not everyone is into FFA! Not everyone is "highly capable"! Not everyone is into woodshop, metalshop or photography! But we should have those classes available to those that ARE! And it's also about CHOICES! CHOICES!!! What classes do the students WANT to take for their electives? Isn't that why they are called ELECTIVES?!?! Stop trying to micro manage (mostly at the ms) the student's class schedule. Let them make the "grown up" decisions you keep telling us that they are capable of making. If they want to take band for their elective all year round ~ LET THEM!!! If they still are meeting graduation requirements, it's all good.

Here is a video clip that was very timely in being sent to me. After watching this I don't think you can say that music is too much of a committment for this Father! Or how music has added a richness beyond measure to this young man, his family and literally every single person he comes in contact. This boy is a HERO!! His Father is a HERO! We need more people like them in this world. I wish I could show this to the Lynden School Board, HS & MS Adminstration, and LIT Committees. But I fear they wouldn't "get it"!

Please "get it"! Even if your children don't have a talent in music, they can have the talent to appreciate, respect and enjoy those that do. Our lives are so blessed in many, many was because of music. Grab a tissue!

Have a Nice Day!!

A little something for our overcast Wednesday morning!

Times of Change

So when did this happen? When did we go from this...

and this....


To this..

and this?

The arms have changed from Daddy to someone else. Just wait ~ it will happen to your daughter before you know it. Hey Dad's, start pumping that iron now to get buffed up for this time in your life because it WILL happen!! BTW, this is Josh. He's awesome!

A little mindless fun!

I'm SO tired it's not even funny! Robert & Jessica pulled into Brigham City, safe and sound around 1:50 AM our time. Definately wanted a phone call but for me, I just never really get back to that sound of a sleep and morning came waaaayyy to early. But successful and went to the gym anyway. If that's all I accomplish today it's good. Well, and a few bills to pay.

Here's the mindless fun ~ meez.com. You can create fun images! Here's just a few I had some fun with.
Band Mom taking pictures at a concert!!


A little Lord of the Rings fighting


Jedi MOM

Whew! What a morning!

So today was the day! The day that Robert & Jessica left to move to Utah. I would be lying if I said I was stoic and didn't cry. Let's just say my head hurts and my eyes are burning. Lizzie was the sweetest and put on a break dance show for us this morning and we all got to feel her again. Her way of saying goodbye until she makes her grand appearance in October. I can't wait to see her.

My sweet friend Gracelyn took pictures of us yesterday. I'm so glad the sun FINALLY came out.



Here's a funny story! If you look at Robert pics from his birthday he's a bit hairy on the face. We call it his Abraham Lincoln beard. Well, both Jessica & I told Robert he had to shave for the family pictures. We wondered why he was taking so long as we ALL were literally waiting on HIM. Jessica goes to check on him and comes down just cracking up because he literally shaved his entire beard off! All we wanted him to do was trim himself up not shave the entire thing. Such the obedient husband and son. But neither Jessica or I are complaining ~ we both love to see Robert clean shaven.
Aren't they adorable?!?!