Last Winter Orchestra Concert

When they were little, everything was firsts, but now it seems like last everything.  The orchestra played really well!  I'm going to miss going.  Lucinda is a senior, and Ibby has decided to quit orchestra next year.  I tried to talk her out of it, but once that girl decides something... she is definitely stubborn.  Those quiet ones always get you.

Sunday Shoot

Warren Dunes

I was somehow talked into helping drive the youth to Lake Michigan for camping and fun -- and it really was fun!  In the end... the 2 1/2 hour drive took a little more than 5 hours!  But with Chicago traffic and construction, there really was no way around it.  And the camping in the torrential rain with no nearby bathrooms wasn't exactly my cup of tea 😛   But other than that!  Delightful!

Watch Out!

Someone got their drivers license!  I was a little apprehensive because she made more than one driving error whilst traveling to the DMV... but she passed her tests and is now all set to rule the road!  Jessa was nice enough to come along to lend moral support.

Happy Mother's Day!

A Friendly Visit

Our first visitors came on Feb. 25 and we had the most wonderful time!  The few days before they arrived were sunny and temperate, but the forecast for the weekend was only clouds and rain.  They had been in Paris and made their way down to southern Spain just to see us, so I wanted to make sure it was worthwhile for them!  I sent up many prayers to Mother Nature, but then it was out of my hands.

Friday, the sun peeked out for a little bit -- just enough time to have a sunny lunch al fresco, but then it hid again while we went for a long, windy walk along the Mar Menor

 Saturday was Lucy's birthday so we decided to take her shopping in Cartagena with the double motive of showing off our nearest Spanish city

I haven't introduced them yet!  Here are Jon and Twila, aren't they cute?

 We were able to see some of the Roman ruins and the nice view of the port from the old castle mount.

 Sunday we needed to take them to Alicante so we all went since we hadn't been there before.  We found the castle there and were able to enjoy some spectacular views of the sea and the surrounding area.  It was a radiant afternoon!

 The boys loved the "canyons"

 But then the clouds rolled in!

 I obviously couldn't get enough of the swiftly changing sky!

 And the swiftly running boys!  They're too fast for me.  We hurried up to the top and then ran back down, making it to the car just as the first, fat drops fell on us.

 When the rain stopped we looked for a place to eat and admired more of the city.  This is the most beautiful post office I've ever seen!

And then we had to say goodbye.  It really was the most marvelous visit!   Thank you, Warners, for going out of your way to see us!

Orchesis

These two gorgeous girls did a wonderful job at their dance concert in the dance they choreographed themselves!

Happiest of birthdays to my Lucinda girl and her twin cousin Camille! Lucy was born in the early hours of a cold, but sunny day in Fujisawa, Japan. Camille was born 30 hours later across the world on the same Sunday evening. We've never lived close to them, but I'm so happy that they're still good friends smile emoticonThey even have matching moles on their necks -- like a sweet promise to find one another heart emoticon

Lucinda helped me out with a rousing rendition of happy birthday to... herself

Piano Recital

It is gray and snowy here today.  And I am soooooo tired!  I've been getting up at 5:45 to take Lucy to seminary and it is wearing on me.  And even if I am tired all day, I am rarely tired at night.  My hormones are all out of whack!  So I can't go to sleep very early and the cycle starts again the next day. 

Yesterday the girls had their piano recital and Matthew joined Lucy for a duet!  It was really fun and was the last piece of the recital.  It was a hit!  And Lucy played a lovely Debussy piece right before that and did really well.  If she just put her mind to it, she could be really really good!  But she keeps talking about quitting piano lessons.  I know that she doesn't necessarily want to become a concert pianist, but she could at least study it in college and teach piano to other people.  How nice would it be to have a natural talent like that?  Ibby did really well, too, but she gets so nervous!  She just hates recitals so much!  I could see the dread on her face the entire time!  Poor Ibby.  The boys were really good, but towards the end, Archie was whispering loudly about how long it was taking and when I said there were only two more people, Phin practically shouted, Yay!   And then promptly assured me that it was his crocodile saying yay, not him.  Andrea Ringer came because she is the YW pres. and super nice.  And Rachelle Simpson came because she is thinking of having her girls take lessons from Pam.  She is also the Primary Pres.  Matthew told them that if he hadn't been at the ward council meeting he might suspect that our family was some sort of project, haha!  It looked that way for sure.

There really isn't much going on here.  Lucy has had some friends over to watch movies a couple of times.  I guess rearranging the basement really made a difference!  So that is fun to have fun and laughter going on.  I've been drawing and crocheting.  I'm almost done with Phin's blanket.  It is funny how they're turning out to be all different sizes.  Ella's and Ibby's are more lap blankets, but Phin's and Charles' are humongous!!!  I just finished the 108th square for Phin's and need to start binding them together today.

dance and skype

The girls are dancing in the dining room today because I suddenly sold the dining room table (since yesterday) and now it is empty.  I had been halfheartedly trying to sell it for a few months and then someone wanted it today and came and took it away.  I thought it was pretty, but it was a little too precious for what we use it for.  It would sag on the side while we were doing crafts and come apart in the middle while we were trying to keep the Settlers board together.  But I had decided to just live with it and now I have to find another table!  I might have wanted to get a white table, but it wouldn't look very good with the sideboards so I guess I'll just get wood color.

Did I mention that Lucy and I might be going to Guatemala in July?  Too bad we don't speak Spanish. 

The girls had their dance recital on Saturday.  I didn't get one pic of Lucy in her costume!  Sometimes I am so lame!  But I got one of Ibby and some of the girls outside.

We were able to skype with  Ella yesterday for Mother's Day so that was great!