Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving 2009 was a real treat for our family. We served 22! To make room for everyone we moved one of our couches into the living room, and set up two more tables. Everything looked and tasted wonderful. The best part was spending time with family and friends. The Wiseman family of 7 joined us as usual, and in addition we had a bunch of Carters too! My Aunt Bonnie was here, and my cousin Craig and his wife Tracy, their daughter Wendy (my 1st cousin once removed) with her husband Ben and two kids Xander and Eliza, and her brother Jake.




After feasting we enjoyed visiting and laughing. Later Xander came and told me that Thanksgiving was over now, and it was time for us to get on with the Christmas singing and instrument playing! So we all crowed into the living room and got out the instruments and played and sang Christmas songs. I must admit we are getting better each year!

It was a great Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for all the many blessings I have been given. Especially family, friends, and music.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Kaula Pork

We have been blessed to have the Elders in our home every Monday night for dinner and Family Home Evening. They have been teaching Elizabeth. Such a nice spirit to have her being taught in our home. On one occasion I had asked the Elders if there was any food they were craving or wanting. Elder Burroughs if from Hawaii, shyly said (as he rubbed his tummy) that he'd love to have Kalua Pork. I had no idea what that was, but offered to make him some sweet and sour pork instead. He was happy with that. Well, I chatted on facebook with Jenn Hoopii, my companion from Hawaii, and she told me all about Kaula Pork and how to do it. She said that if I made it for the Elder that he'd be my Friend for ever. So after searching online and getting more advise and recipes, and even going to a Hawaiian restaurant my friend told me about so I could see what it tasted like, I did. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. A few hours before dinner I got the thought that I should make some cake for dessert- so ran to the store for some pineapple, and Rachel baked a pineapple upside down cake. Well, the dinner was a success. Elder Burroughs ate until he couldn't eat anymore! When we served the cake, Elder Stanley (his companion) said "go ahead- tell them!". "Tell us what?" we asked. It was Elder Burroughs Birthday! We quickly put a candle on his piece of cake, and sang to him. I am so happy that I made Kaula Pork!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

NWPA

On November 7th Kevin, Jessica, and Melissa traveled with the Marching Band for their last competition of the marching season to Corvallis to compete in the OSU Marching Band Competition and Oregon State University. To my surprise after getting them all sent off, Brian says, "Let's Go!". I was in shock, because Brian rarely even wants to go to the local competitions. I guess after all these years with kids in band it is finally grown on him. So He and I packed up our coats and rain gear and headed off to Corvallis, Oregon. We got their just in time for lunch break- which was boring. But once the shows started again we enjoyed ourselves. It was fun to see all the different bands and the variety of shows and ability levels. It was a fun day. I'm glad that we went (even though it was freezing!) Our kids our great!












Yea Melophones! Yea Saxophones! Yea Tubas!Yea Percussion Rack!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Fall Choir Concert

On Oct 28th was the Choir Concert at Westview High School. Brian asked me, "Am I imagining it, or are the choirs getting better each year?" I thought that maybe he was just getting used to and appreciating choir concerts, since we have now been attending them for the last 9 or so years. Then at the band competition a mom commented to me, "Boy wasn't that a great choir concert the other night? They were so good for the first concert of the year!" That made me stop and think about it. You know it was a very good concert! The groups were bigger and better this year.
Kevin sang in the Cantores group. He looked very handsome in his tuxedo. They sang 3 madrigal type songs : All Ye Who Music Love, My Love, I'll suffer Gladly, and Il Zabazione Musicale. The harmony and blending was wonderful.

Kevin and Jessica both sang in the Concert Choir. They sang Ah, el novio no quere dinero! (Kevin played the drum)

They also sand Danny Boy, and John the Revelator. Kevin stood next to Jessica- he said that he traded with the guy next to him to give us "better photo ops"! Too bad Nathan, standing in front of her, blocked my view of her! It was a great concert. So fun to have such musical kids!

Monday, November 2, 2009

More Halloween

Here is our only carved pumpkin this year- done by Rachel.
Some pictures of the B-Ward Youth party. Here I am leading the games:The kids all lined up for relays:
Padme Amidala in action blasting a giant spider! Rachel and her friends pose in the picture taking room: