Mother's Day

What a wonderful Day!  Jessica made a yummy breakfast: waffles, pancake (yes only one with left over batter for Rachel), and fried eggs.  I got some great new metal spinners from Melissa and Jessica for the backyard. (It’s time to throw out the old ugly worn out ones).  Rachel gave me a nice little card book that she made. I got a nice phone call from Jennifer.  I also got a nice Hallmark from my husband.  Church was very nice.  Two nice talks on how great their moms are by 2 college girls home for the summer (my former Laurels), and 2 talks from some wise sr. men of our ward.  One is 100 years old!  Some great stuff.  The ward was also treated to a sweet song sung by the primary kids.  All the RS sisters were given a box with 3 chocolates in it hand delivered by the YM. YUM.  We came home from church to have the table all set and dinner almost ready- that is one advantage of having Jessica attend the singles ward.  She served us up some great curry.  The highlight of the day was to skype with Elder Kevin Leete.  We were all set up so we could see him on the TV, and Jennifer was logged in too and skyping to Melissa’s account- we had that laptop set up so Jennifer could watch and hear Kevin on the TV.  We all sat on the couch- with the laptop on the coffee table pushed out far enough so we all fit on the screen.  We waited patiently for Kevin to log in at 1. . .however we waited an hour- he appeared at 2.  We had a great time talking and seeing him.  All is good in missionland.  His testimony is strong.  He is working hard.  He is happy.  And we are proud.

One of our mother’s day traditions that I enjoy is to have a mother’s day concert where the kids all perform for me.  Well, earlier this week the kids said that no way was that happening this year.  I was bummed, but had accepted it.  Well, today in the kitchen while Melissa was making brownies- I mentioned that something was missing this year.  She said, “You mean your concert?”  And I said, ”yes”.  She then told me that she had prepared to sing something and that Jessica was going to accompany her.  That brought a smile to my face.  So later after dinner, we gathered in the living room for the little concert (little, cuz there was only going to be one number performed).  To my surprise, as Jessica started playing- I started to recognize the song and was so excited.  Melissa was singing the Knot Fairy!!  She was so cute and sounded wonderful (voice lessons are really paying off).  I was a little thrown off, when the accompaniment sounded different- Jessica had made a new arrangement.  I had to listen to it again to appreciate it and accept the fact that they had made it better.  A big thank you to my lovely daughters for sharing their talent with me.

 It was a very nice mother’s day.  I am very blessed.

Melissa's Violin Recital

Here is a recording of Melissa playing at her violin recital. 

She played Concerto No. 5 in D Major, Op. 22, 3rd Mvt, by Friedrich Seitz.  

Her good friend, Keturah,  accomplianed her on piano - all for a plate of brownies that she helped bake!

Westview's Music Man

We went and saw Westview’s Music Man on Friday.  Melissa looked gorgeous as she was all dressed up for the pit pictures and for when they got to parade across the stage for their bow (wasn’t really a bow, just a walk across and down to the pit). We really enjoyed the performance.  Dad is always surprised at the level of talent there is at a high school.  I enjoyed several of the kids from our ward and stake.  The pit sounded great too.

Melissa before the Friday show in her $10 designer dress we found at Goodwill.
(I hemmed it and used the portion I cut off to make straps.)

In the Pit



After the Show

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.

Sunny Saturday

Jessica got some good driving practice and drove me and Rachel to the St. John's Parade (a Portland communtiy) yesterday. Jessica was excited to drive across her first bridge- The St. John's Bridge, and it is a very beautiful bridge! Melissa was marching with the Meadow Park Middle School 7th & 8th grade band playing the Sousaphone. We enjoyed the sunshine- quite a treat, and we have the red noses and famer tans to prove it.It was a fun parade, but nothing very exciting. It did have a lot cars of all shapes and sizes.

Kevin was off singing with the Westview Concert Choir at the State competion. They got 4th place.

Brian was in Fairview, Utah attending his Aunt Frances's funeral. This is his mom's sister. Brian was able to visit with his Knapp relatives that he hasn't seen since coming home from his mission. He had a good visit, and had a lot of pictures to share with us when he got home.

Frances Marion Knapp Thompson

Nov 7, 1931-May 4, 2009

This is a picture of Cheryl Newey (cousin), Gerald (Frances' husband), Kathy Kesler (cousin), and Richard Boyer.

This is Gerald and his four daughters: Kathy, Debra Peterson, Cheryl, and Lori Cleverly (I met her at our wedding).

Jessica Plays Scherzo in D by Gurlitt

I've been really proud of Jessica and how she takes her music seriously. She practices very hard and it shows. She sang the nathional anthem in a trio for the girls Varsity Basketball game on Thursday night the 19th. They sounded great! She had a great piano recital last night. Here is her performance.

Live Cats Meow

Look what we found!

Enjoy.

Christmas Rectials

Saturday was a musical day- a first of many of the season!

Rachel's was the first. She had a cello recital at 11am. As she was tuning up in preparation, "Oh NO!" her A string broke! Luckily her teacher had an extra one in her case, so they put it on and tuned her up. She played a duet with her teacher titled Perpetual Motion. She did a great job. It was fun to hear the different students at their different level of expertise!

(unfortunately I'm unable to get the picture off my camera- the doohickey that does that isn't working!)

Later that day we went to the Cedar Hill Crossing Mall and listened to Melissa play in a violin concert with Segue Violin Studios. It was in the food court area. Melissa played in every number- the duet part to all of them. It was a very nice concert also. After the teacher tuned everyone up, she started the concert- however the concert wasn't to start until 3:30 and it was only 3:15! This wasn't good for Brian was off picking up Jessica from Drum practice early so she could enjoy the concert too. I didn't want them to miss half the concert, so after the first number I motioned to my watch to the teacher. I mentioned that the concert wasn't to start to 3:30, right? She said but everyone is here- I said no! So they stopped, and waited 10 minutes to resume. Right as they were beginning again, Brian and Jessica walked in. PERFECT TIMING! At the conclusion of the concert, she asked if anyone wanted to hear anything else since they were all here. Another parent requested the first song again- since they were in the bookstore browsing, waiting for the concert to start. . . So anyway everyone got to hear the whole concert.

Here are the numbers they played:

The Magic of Christmas

Silent Night

Fanfare

Polka dot Waltz

The Rainbow

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

The Blacksmith

The Medallion Calls, from the Pirates of the Caribbean (this drew a crowd from shoppers!)

I am a Child of God

Oh Lord Most Holy

Jolly Old St. Nic

Jingle Bells.