The week after school was out we ventured down south to make a little music with our violin friends in Cedar City & St. George. We even got Grandma and Grandpa Nielson to join in our adventure and had a ball hanging out with them that week. Tia Moni, Mayra & Crystal kept watch over Sammy and Joseph which freed up room and made the trip a lot easier. I wish I was better at capturing moments through pictures cause there were lots of people we became better acquainted with on this tour. The Drysdales, Glausers and Driggs families to name a few. Brett's sister Carrie's husband is half brother to K. Drysdale which in my kids eyes, make them cousins. We had adjoining rooms to our new discovered kin and had a blast swimming, talking and hanging out together.
He we are driving down to St. George. Baby Kate is listening to her Vivaldi concerto, marking her music in preparation for the big concert. Sarah is shown behind her, um, could it be...texting?! We had to hear hours of her talking to her friend Tanner this trip. You learn all kinds of things driving with your teenagers for 4 hours. Highly entertaining, I might add.
It was so fun to have the kids doting grandparents along, Brother Brigham not included.
Brett, Sarah and Analisa the evening of the performance at the St. George Tabernacle.
The Madsonian Strings did a fantastic job performing for a full house. We loved it! Nice pose Matthew. You silly boy.
Spent a day exploring the spectacular Zions National Park. In the evening we went to Tuacahn and watched Les Miserables. More fun pics on Grandma Judith's blog.
While in St. George we decided to take the kids to the visitors center to see a sculpture exhibit by Angela Johnson. Viewing it on-line really doesn't do it justice. When you choose to go on a tour at a church visitor center a full time missionary is appointed as your guide. Our tour guide was this handsome, handicap Elder pictured above with Matthew. There are about thirteen sculptures each depicting a scene from the life of Christ. This missionary presented a short synopsis of each scene memorized perfectly along with how the message affected him personally. After every presentation he'd ask, "How did I do?" "Great! Just great!" I responded holding back tears. At the very end of the tour he asked us to guess how long he'd been out on his mission. "One year...18 months," we all took turns guessing. "One month," he said proudly. " It's not me, it's not me, it's the Lord speaking through me." It was truly a beautiful experience for our family.
The third week of June was filled with even more music at Suzuki Music Institute. Three of the kids participated this year and spent hours every day fine tuning their craft and playing with groups of kids their level. It was intense, but time well spent. They made lots of friends and connected with teachers that came in for this week of training from all over the world. It was held at Juan Diego Catholic school, hence the virgin Mary in the background looking over sweet Sarah's hand position.
Summer wouldn't be summer without relaxing in a nice cool pool.
And boys wouldn't be boys without sticks, dirt and fire. See my dear friend Michelle's blog for more pictures of our fun cookout.
The kids go nuts when Grampy comes over on his motorcycle. He took Analisa on a birthday ride and of course, everyone else wanted in on that action. My heart always stops beating for a split second when I watch them zoom off down the street. Precious cargo, you know. Grandpa is a safe driver and I know how much the kids love it so I just bite my tongue when they beg him for a ride.
June was busy and eventful. It's been fun listening to the kids make music, spending time with friends and family and making memories together.
4 comments:
That was the best two weeks of summer! Well, so far.
This is the coolest blog entry! I love it. Great job! We really do lead an incredibley rich and blessed life, dont we?
It's great to have you back and read all about what you've been up to! Maybe we'll get to hang out sometime before summer's over. That'd be really nice! ♥
Good times! I absolutely LOVE the picture of Katherine with her violin, the one of wet Sammy, and Joseph by the fire. I actually saw it on your friends blog. Fun updates!
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