Spring Piano Recital Video

Tonight Connor and Braden performed for their Spring Recital. They did a great job! The pictures aren't great. What I really wanted to do was take one of the two of them, on stage after the recital was over, but I decided not to humiliate them.
I am so proud of the time they put in to playing the piano. I definitely think it should be a lot more, but it certainly could be less. I am grateful that they do what they do. It's hard as a kid to see the future outcome of a little time practicing. So even though they are not concert pianist, they do a great job. I've always been impressed by how they will play in Priesthood and at recitals without throwing a fit.

I know that I always seem to want more and better from them, but I hope they realize how proud I am for what they do give me. They are great kids!

Connor's Spring Piano Recital Video

So I think Connor did a great job. It breaks my heart, but he has convinced me to allow him to quit taking piano, so this was his last recital. I hope at some point he'll change his mind, but for now I can only hope that he continues to challenge himself and keeps playing!!

(Sorry the recording isn't the greatest. Parker thought he had to climb all over me when I was trying to film it.)

Braden's Spring Recital Video

Braden did a great job on his songs tonight. He continues to progress and I know one day he will be incredible!

Spring Break!

So Spring Break did not turn out the way I wanted it to. No trips to Saint George with our trailer following behind. No getting away to hike and play with my children and none of their friends to interfere or interrupt! No trips to Grandma's and Grandpa's to do absolutely nothing, but hang out and relax! Oh well, I guess I can't win them all! We did try to do some fun activities. We were able to go swimming on one day.

Of course the older boys would have nothing to do with it all, but we were lucky enough to bring along some of our great friends!

We also had a great time going roller skating. We saw lots of movies and just played and played. It is always nice to have a break from school and all the other activities we are involved in. Now, How do I get a break from work.......

Easter Bunny Time!

Easter this year was great! No church, so no rushing around to find Easter Baskets. The kids are so cute. They always sleep in the same room the night before Easter. Then when they get up, they have to follow the string, picking up eggs as they go, til they find their Easter present. I love how the older boys still participate! They make it fun for the kids and are so patient with them. It's truly one of those "Proud Mom" moments.
Halle and Parker where so excited to find what the Easter Bunny brought them!
Not much this year for Easter, but the kids were glad to finally have a few new basketballs and ping pong paddles. Parker was thrilled with his soccer ball, so he can start practicing for his games. And Halle, you can never go wrong with a Princess Movie!

Connor's Birthday

So Connor's Birthday was pretty low-key. He picked steak for dinner and had his two best buds Kevin and Tim over. Sherri and Lauren gave him the book Hunger Games. I wasn't too sure about this gift because Connor just doesn't like to read. Suprisingly though, he has really been enjoying it. Good choice Sherri.The most coveted present was a quilt from Grandma and Grandpa. (picture coming) Braden got one for his birthday and now Connor has one. Wesley is jealous and thinks June just won't come soon enough!

The grand present! A red IPOD. Connor was so excited. It is even engraved with "I Rock Therefore I Am! Connor Rocks!" What would a birthday be without your two closest friends. (Even though one can't take one single serious picture!)

Happy Birthday Connor! I hope you had a wonderful day!!

Happy Birthday Connor!!

Happy Birthday to my 14 year old! Wow, where do the years go? Connor is such a great kid. He's funny and talented in so many areas from sports to music. He recently made the audition choir at the Junior High and is pretty excited about that. Some of my favorite moments are at night when he will sit down at the piano and just plays and plays. I love to listen to him. For his birthday, he wants a harmonica, so he can have a "portable" instrument!! He is always looking for someone to go outside and play lacrosse, or basketball, or learn the latest trick on a skateboard with him. He often thinks that he must have been adopted because we are such a low-key family. He just doesn't feel like he fits in. He has interests in so many different areas and when he puts his mind to something, he can get it done and do it well!

Connor's friend base is so broad that it is hard to keep up with what he is doing and who he is hanging out with on a daily basis. As his mother, I try to keep him under my wing, but it is no easy task! I can't say that he is the most humble person around, but I think that contributes to his overall confident personality, which I think will take him places in the future. He continues to be our most stubborn child who, with the help of his loving parents, is slowly learning when and when not to conform. I think that for the next few years, Connor will definitely keep us on our toes, but we could not imagine what the past 14 years would have been like without him!!

Happy Birthday Connor! I love you!!