Idol Update

Well, sorry to say that Tabitha did not move on to the next round. :( The judge told her that the song she picked (a Whitney Houston song) wasn't what they were looking for the show this season. But the judge encouraged her to audition next season. We talked with her this afternoon and evening and she's in good spirits. She LOVED the experience and is considering auditioning again as long as it's closer than California.

There is the possibility we may see her on the show where they show people from various audition venues. They do sign their rights to their image away when they audition as the camera's are rolling on each contestant as they audition. So let's all keep our eyes peeled when the show comes back on for the LA venue and look for our Tabitha. She was wearing a red dress so hopefully it won't be to difficult to spot her.

Now they get to enjoy the rest of their vacation at Disneyland for 2 days!!!!

No Regrets!

I'll tell you, when you start getting to "the age" where you thought in your 20's and 30's, "oh, that age group is a long ways away" you really do look back at your life and think "what if I had it to do over again, what would I change?" We all have those thoughts.

One of the first things that came to mind was I wish I had given my "dream job" a second try. What was my dream job you ask? You KNOW it has to involve this place!

Being in the Disneyland Parade. Yup!! I did audition at the tender age of 17. WOW! What an experience that was! I LOVED it! And I made it to the final cut. But the other girl beat me out because she had a few more years dancing experience than me. And I never went back and tried again. My regret? I wish I would have!

So you can imagine how excited (and nervous) we are for Tabitha following her dream. Today, right now as I type this she and Josh are in LA sitting at the Rose Bowl waiting for her turn to audition for this:

She will have NO regrets or "I wish I would have..." because she's going for it!! And she has all our support despite whatever the outcome.

WE LOVE YOU BABY!!!

We Couldn't Be Any Prouder....

... of our sweet Jessica!! This girl is rockin' her photography. We've ALWAYS known she's had this talent. Here's some of her earlier photos.






It's just SO much fun to see her growing and learning and taking AMAZING pictures. Here's just a small sample:






You can check out her blog at Jessica Anderson Photography.

First Week out of school...

...has been GLORIOUS!!! There was a lot of the usual activities like Amber's driver's Ed. class and drives, bassoon lessons, voice lessons, and step-aerobics classes. But there was also a day where we did absolutely N.O.T.H.I.N.G.!!! It was amazing!!! We almost felt guilty doing it while Rob was off working hard all day at the office. We had a Harry Potter movie marathon, Amy scrapbooked and we stayed in our pj's and didn't even answer the phone. Unless it was Rob of course.


Seeing bunnies in our backyard. Probably munching on our garden :P


Rob trying his hand at being a chocolatier! Yummy but not as pretty as Chocolate Necessities.


Enjoying a walk on the trail.


Amber trying a mask while mowing the lawn because of her allergies.


A friend bringing me flowers.


And something we haven't seen in almost 30 days. Rain!!!

Next week won't be so relaxing as we now will start attacking cleaning and organizing bedrooms, painting the downstairs bathroom, reviewing math (so David doesn't get rusty) and Rob traveling to Calgary for work.

At this rate I can see summer flying by way too quickly!! But it's always better when we get pictures of some of our most favorite people.

Little cheesy girl!


Copying her Daddy as you can see Mom laughing


Come on Mom!! The new family photo!! LOVE IT!!

Update to Today

So it's a beautiful Sunday and everyone in this house is asleep except me (Amy)! Stayed up way to late last night I'm afraid.

Ok, so let's get you up to speed with the rest of our activities. We were just so, so busy getting projects completed before school was out.

Amber started Driver's Education classes, 3 nights a week until the end of June. Which also meant a not so lovely trip to the DOL. And 2 trips because of Mom. On the first trip I left Amber's class waiver at home. Boy, did I feel like a dork after waiting for 2 hours in line. And then after another 2 hours in line (massive long story about that) she FINALLY got her permit.


Farmer's Day Parade

The Veteran's carrying the flags get to me EVERY time.


Tractors....

Tractors....

And more tractors.... (hey it's Lynden! What do you expect?)

Yay! Band!!!


Amber is a banner carrier since you just don't march playing a bassoon.


Traditional Edaleen Dairy!! Yummiest ice cream!


A Beautiful Sunday afternoon

Playing kick ball in the backyard


And blowing bubbles


And tackling your sister


And conspiracies against Dad


Ending with taking David down :D

The Last Day of School. The kids are a little more than happy!

Running FROM school to the car


Happiness


A "school's out" treat at Starbucks.

And just having some fun because I'm "evil" that way. Just ask my kids ;D

Portland

So we all (including Robert, Jessica & Lizzie) left too early on Thursday morning to get Amber down to Pacific University for her Music in May Honor band.

Uncle Dayday sitting with Lizzie eating some breakfast

Robert, Jessica & Lizzie decided to take the Portland way toward home too.

My view ~ it just made me snicker seeing Robert's feet up on the dashboard.

They stopped with us to drop Amber off at the school, went out to lunch at Chevy's and then to take a walk around the Portland temple.


Love watching Lizzie grow up! Such a big girl drinking out of a straw.

At the Portland temple

Just look at this handsome boy!


Lizzie didn't just want to hold David's hand, she HAD to have Papa's too.


David spoiling Lizzie with love


And Lizzie wants to show David this:


The beautiful side doors. Lizzie looks so little next to the huge doors.


Showing us something


Our little flower sniffer

Saying our goodbye's:






And off they went to Boise to visit Jessica's brother and family before they headed back home to Utah.

Off we went to check in to our hotel where David was spoiled by being able to sleep in his own king-sized bed for the weekend. Where we had fun doing nothing, swimming, scrapbooking, playing tourist and watching movies.

One of the BEST places in Portland to get chocolate:

Cacao Drinking Chocolate


Such a classy display.


The BEST hot chocolate ~ EVER!!!!

Then before we knew it, it was time to drive back out to the University for Amber's concert.






Amber with her director. Oops, I didn't notice his eyes were closed.

Then the LONG drive home and we arrived home around 1 am.