Musical Memories

A few weeks ago, Grams and Grampy took our family down to Tuacon for the weekend to see "The Little Mermaid," which was fabulous! Ever since we've been home, Danny J has been obsessed with Ariel. I have to read him Little Mermaid books at least once a day! The whole family had a great time!
Saturday afternoon we headed down to Cedar City and saw another musical at the Shakespeare Festival there -- "The Music Man." Reid and Macie were both old enough to join the adults, so they got to sit on pillows and enjoy some culturally enriching entertainment. They, too, brought the music home with them. I've heard "Sha-poopie!" and " Seventy-six Trombones in the Big Parade" lots and lots in the past few weeks! Thanks, Grams and Grampy, for helping us make some fun musical memories!

Chinese Camp and the Start of School

We had a whirlwind of a summer and were just starting to enjoy some hot weather when the Provo School District decided it was time to go back to school! Someone needs to fix this problem... let the kids go to school during the wet and cold spring, and let them stay home and play in the nice hot summer sun. That's my opinion, at least. But I had to send my kids back to school regardless. I miss them everyday!

Macie is now a big 3rd grader, still in Chinese immersion, and her teachers are Mr. Gao and Mrs. Nelson. So far she loves them! Reid has started full days of school now that he is in 1st grade, and his Chinese immersion teachers are Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Nye. They are great, and he is picking up Chinese very rapidly! His favorite thing to do is play basketball at recess!

Davis started his "big boy" preschool just two days a week, with Mrs. Garrett, and I do a little neighborhood preschool for him on the opposite weekdays. He is a little smartie pants! Check out his fancy-schmancy backpack (it had to have rollers!). We also carpool with Davis's neighbor buddy, Creed. Hooray! I've never had a preschool carpool before, and I love it!

These PJ pals sneak outside to wish Macie and Reid a happy first day of school. Davis didn't start until one week later.
At home, Danny J is teaching ME some things while his brothers and sister are gone. So, I guess you could say that we are ALL back to school.

Here are some video clips of Macie and Reid speaking and singing Chinese!

Reid is performing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," and Macie is demonstrating how to bargain for Chinese goods in a class role play.

A Beautiful Baptism!

It's hard to believe that our oldest daughter is eight years old! Macie had a BEAUTIFUL baptism on August 6th, and we were blessed to have an abundance of family present for the special occasion! Special thanks to all of her grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who made the effort to be there for the event! It was a day that will never be forgotten!

Macie and Danny smile in their spotless white clothes!

The whole group posed outside for a photo after the baptism. Unfortunately, first we were standing in the sun, so we asked everyone to move to the opposite side of the church. As soon as everyone got settled and the camera was almost ready, the sprinklers turned on and hosed all of us in our Sunday clothes! Finally, we got settled again (for the third time!) and were able to take a picture without glaring sun OR spraying sprinklers! What a blessing it was to have the support of so many of our loved ones!

Macie shared her baptism with Danny's cousin, Megan Rogers, who was baptised just a few hours after Macie was! The two eight years olds pose here together.

Danny and Macie practiced at the font and at home. It went perfectly! Thanks to my fabulous photographer friend, Raquel, who took the confirmation picture and photos for Macie's invitations. Her shots were amazing!

WE LOVE YOU MACIE! CONGRATULATIONS ON A WONDERFUL CHOICE!