Kade has been learning one of my favorite piano songs, “Clair de lune.” I love hearing him practice it every day. It’s so beautiful and he’s getting so good at it!
Brad and I got to go to the temple tonight which was such a good experience. And the kids had a party together which they loved!
Kade’s state soccer tournament is this weekend here in Great Falls. He had a game at 7:30 this morning and at 7:30 tonight. It was a weird schedule. We had a lot of fun cheering him on even though it was so cold! The team won the first game and unfortunately lost the second game.
The kids all had their end of the year piano recital this morning and Tenley also played her flute. Tenley, Ryder, and Luke had all practiced their songs 100 times! Kade practiced a lot as well and they all sounded so good! They got to play at the history museum on a 1925 chickering 9 foot piano. It was beautiful! Luke got a flower for graduating from book one of Suzuki!
We got to go to a special choir concert for Kade tonight. It was in a nice church and their voices sounded beautiful. Last week he tried out for the highest choir at his high school and made it! He lives being apart of choir and I love going to his concerts.
Also, the sun was shining bright today so Luke came for a walk with me!
The BYU Idaho choir is on tour and one of their stops was here in Great Falls! We all went to see them preform and it was such a great concert with uplifting messages and inspiring songs.
Tenley had her volleyball games in town today at the high school. It was so nice not to have to wake up super early and I loved being able to come home in between her games. They played well and got third place in the gold bracket again. Brad, Ryder, and Luke were able to be there for a lot of her games as well which made it more fun for both Tenley and I.
Tenley and Ryder were apart of a scholarship recital tonight. Tenley played her flute and Ryder played the piano. They both graduated, Ryder from level one Suzuki in the piano and Tenley from level 2 Suzuki on the flute. They work hard and I love seeing them share their gifts. All of the kids the participated did such a great job!
Kade made it home last night! I think I sleep better when I know all of my kids are home sleeping under our roof. I only get such comfort for a few more years. But I need to stop thinking about that!
Kade enjoyed his trip! And I’m so happy he’s home!!
Kade is off on another choir trip. This one is just for fun. They’re actually in Utah and they went to some very nostalgic places of mine today. They had dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square which serves their spumoni ice cream just like they used to. He also saw where I used to go country swing dancing with friends all the time. Then they got to see the Tabernacle choir rehearse and take a tour of temple square. He said the weather has been beautiful and he’s been having a great time! I wish we were with him!
The kids had piano lessons today and they found out that they all got superior! I know that always the best feeling to hear that your hard work paid off. Luke especially worked hard the last week. His song Allegro was no where near ready for festival but I promised him that if he let me help him and he practiced the song three times every morning and three times every night that he would have it ready. He did all those things and he got a perfect score! I’m glad he trusted me and worked hard!
It was a busier Sunday than normal. Brad was in Cascade for a branch conference, Kade had multiple choir practices for Palm Sunday services next week, Tenley had flute and piano festival after lunch since she missed it yesterday, and the stake primary had a devotional out on by the 7-11 year old primary kids. The devotional was adorable. Ryder and Luke sang multiple songs and Ryder had a speaking part. All of the kids did such a great job! And the weather was nice and sunny and hardly windy so it was a pretty great Sunday!
We had a busy day as a family today! Tenley and I were in Helena all day for her club volleyball tournament. They played great and only lost two sets all day long. They got third place in the gold bracket. It was fun to watch them play. And Tenley and I had a lot of fun together.
The boys all went to piano festival today and they all played so well! They practiced so hard for months especially this last week and I’m so proud of them!
Kade went to his first prom tonight! I was so sad to miss this!! But luckily there were some awesome moms taking pictures of the boys. He isn’t back yet but I can’t wait to hear how it went!
Kade had a choir concert tonight where they joined with the Great Falls High school and both middle schools in town. At first I was a little sad to be missing the BYU basketball game, but after how that game turned out I couldn’t have been anywhere better! They sang great songs and I loved it. And apparently Kade’s friend that’s a girl (I don’t think I can use girlfriend in this sentence) came and brought him flowers. That was so sweet of her.
Kade had his concert in Tacoma today and since Heidi lives in Seattle she went and watched his concert! She also spoiled him with a lot of treats. I was so grateful she supported him for us! I hated not being able to be there. She sent us some videos and it looked like a great concert! His conductor had a lot of energy. I’m glad it all went well for him!
Today the young men and young woman planned and led sacrament meeting for church. Kade was the organist! He did a great job. We practiced together at the church last night and he was having a blast playing with all the stops. I think he really enjoys playing the organ. All the speakers were youth and all the youth sang a hymn together for a musical number. I loved it. It was a wonderful sacrament meeting.
A few days ago my friends reached out asking if it would be possible for me to do a last minute musical number for sacrament meeting. I said yes because I’ll take any chance I can to get my kids to sing! The meeting was all about temples so Kade and Luke sang ‘I Love to see the Temple’ together. Luke had a little solo part at the very end. It was so adorable to me! I think a lot of other people enjoyed it as well. Brad had to be an hour and a half away at a branch conference so that was sad but such is our life with his calling right now.
We got a lot of snow last night and since Brad had to leave so early to get to his meetings, Ryder was willing to shovel for me! It’s actually the third time this year that he’s gone out to shovel. He says he enjoys it and I’ve appreciated his help so much. He’s been turning into a huge helper for me!
We got to go to two Christmas services today. Kade sang in another ward so we went to that and then went to our ward right after. Both services were filled with such beautiful music and talented people! It was uplifting and joyful. Ryder and Luke sang are the the primary kids, Kade sang with the choir and a men’s chorus and Tenley and I got to help with the closing hymn. I played piano, Tenley on the flute, and a friend on the organ while the congregation sand Silent Night. It was such a joy to play with Tenley again.
The kids played games when we got home today and Brad smoked a delicious ham for dinner.
The Sunday before Christmas is one of my favorites!
This morning the kids and I minus Kade met up with our friends at the Salvation Army to help organize gifts for families in need. They had a lot of donations! I think Luke was more interested in the toys than helping but he was still very helpful!
Tenley and I spent most of the rest of the day getting presents ready. I think things will calm down after this week but it’s definitely a little crazy right now.
Kade had his holiday choir concert tonight. It was a nice program and Kade is so handsome! I went alone because Brad had church meetings and Tenley, Ryder, and Luke were at a Christmas party.
