Camille is home for 1 week. She has a break between winter and spring semester. So we will enjoy the pleasure of her company for the next week. Then she will return to her apartment and new classes. This semester she is just taking nursing classes so she won't have as many extra things to keep her busy. She continues to help brides-to-be find the perfect wedding dress and also serves as the RS president in her ward.
Kirsten has 2 more weeks at BYU before she returns home for the month of May and then begins a new adventure at the foot of the Tetons in June. Her summer job consists of being an outdoors camp counselor at the BYU-I sponsored outdoor center. She will be leading ropes courses, horseback riding, handcart hikes and sleeping in the wide open space under her handcart. Each and every night we will certainly be praying for her to not encounter any scary animals and to be warm as she sleeps.
Sarah competed in the Jr. Miss competition 2 weeks ago. She danced beautifully and floated across the stage in her lovely gown. She was contestant number 21 out of 22 other contestants. She finished as first runner-up and also was selected as a leader in fitness, self expression and talent. It is good to have the early morning rehearsals (6:00 a.m.) behind us. Here are some pictures from the event (though they could use a bit of adjusting....not going to take the time right now!).
Catherine continues to do her best in school. She loves her Algebra teacher and seems to understand the math concepts quite well. She is registering for 9th grade tomorrow. I certainly dislike thinking about her growing up so quickly. She continues to take violin lessons and is working hard on a ballet solo she is preparing for the Spring recital.
Spencer is working on the Great American Challenge which consists of memorizing the Gettysburg address, knowing the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner, memorizing the preamble, knowing all 50 states, writing the pledge of allegiance without spelling errors and knowing all 44 presidents in order. He is well on his way.
Matthew and I have enjoyed playing battleship over the last few days. We have actually been on Spring break. It really hasn't felt like much of a vacation because part of our family was involved in other activities but Spencer, Catherine, Matthew and I enjoyed a bit of time together.
As mentioned above, Dave and Sarah were involved in the first Madison High School Orchestra and Choir retreat. Dave is not afraid to go out on a limb with his innovative ideas. This past weekend he organized a big activity with 180 high school students. They invited internationally acclaimed guest clinician, Brady Allred and a formers student of his, Cameron Rose, to work with the high school students for 3 days in preparing 3 major works including Haydn's Little Organ Mass, Mozart's Regina Coeli, and Randall Thompson's "The Place of the Blest." It ended with a great concert on Saturday Night where students performed for their parents and other concert goers. They performed very well. Fun activities were planned in the midst of hard work. A trip to Lava Hot Springs, a banquet and a night at the local "Fat Cats". Dave was very pleased with the outcome as were many of the students. Going to another location to experience a Music Festival type experience would have cost the choir and orchestra over $70,000. This experience cost both groups about $16,000. A huge money savings. Plus parents were able to enjoy the fruits of their children labors.
We missed Dave and Sarah over spring break but we are glad that they enjoyed their experience.
I have finished up my semester's accompanying jobs. One senior recital I accompanied included playing the Frank Sonata and a Mozart Sonata with a violinist. It was a very challenging work for me to prepare but I was able to accomplish it after 1 year of effort. We both felt that our performance was successful.
This next week will be a bit slower. No teaching at the university and very little accompanying. It will be a nice break.
