Friday, November 30, 2012

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Hi everyone! It's Nathan. I was recently in the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at our middle school. I was Charlie Brown and had tons of fun participating in it. Mom took a few videos on our Friday night performance.

I hope you enjoy them. Here are some pictures Mom and Lauren took.
 Opening Monologue before the song
Opening Number - You're a Good Man Charlie Brown 



 
Me giving supper to my dog (Snoopy - on the doghouse) and his bird friend (Woodstock - on the ground)
 

The amazing front board in the school
 

During the kite song when the kite is flying

Beginning of The Kite song 
 

During Baseball game as I sit off to the side and narrate (through song) the whole thing


 
Back in the Drama room with my friends
 
Crabbiness survey after baseball game





Monday, November 26, 2012

5 Years Ago Today


Thanksgiving 2007
 
5 Years ago today we had left for the hospital after getting the call that a heart was available for Lauren.  Here she is early in the morning on the way into surgery.

 
This is what Lauren looked like the next time we saw her.
 

Our Christmas card picture was a bit unique that year.


Several weeks later, Lauren was on her way home just in time for Christmas!!


I am so grateful for the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father and this amazing miracle that was granted to my sweet daughter.
 

Cruise to Alaska

My parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary by taking most of their kids and spouses on an Alaskan Cruise.  It was very kind and generous of them and was unforgettable.  Here are some of the highlights of the trip.
 
 
Leaving Seattle on September 16th - Don't we look relaxed?
 
The first day on the ship, we spent time in fierce mini golf competitions.
 




Greg and Wendy took advantage of the sun and time to unwind and read. 


An early morning walk on deck somehow is more fun than one at home!

 
The first formal night - dancing the night away.



 
 
 
 
 This is Ketchikan - our first port.
 
Blair and some of the others went on a salmon fishing expedition. They caught some salmon and also great views of whales swimming alongside of them.
 
 
 


The Star Princess from the Royal Carribean Fleet.

Mom and Dad before our float plane outing.

Jen and Russ in flight. The views were incredible!!

 
 

 







Some early morning hot chocolate while we traveled through Tracy Arm - notice the glaciers in the water alongside us.


 
 
 It was really cold out on the deck this early in the morning!!!

 
Our next port was Juneau - we took a bus ride and then hiked to Mendenhall Glacier.
 
 
 Yes - this is a glacier with a waterfall beside it.  Isn't that incredible?
 



 
 
 The town of Juneau was quaint and fun to wander around in. 
 
 
 The next stop was Skagway - home of the Alaska gold rush.  Here is our ship with the tree-filled mountains and expanse behind it.
 
 
Jeff and Carly posing in a lobby of the ship.
 
 
 One of the best things about this trip was eating around the table together.  No kids to need our help, service with a smile, and unlimited choices of delicious food!!!
 




The last night.  The views everywhere were just breathtaking!!!  It is tough to capture them in photos.


Blair attempted to relax a bit.  It was tough for him to be disconnected from his phone and computer for so many days, wondering if anyone was needing him.
 

 Home Sweet Home - our kids were excited to see us and handled everything here without a glitch!
 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Why Mom Cries

The kids tease me because I will start tearing up at random times for what they think is no apparant reason, but.......
 
 Senior Night at the high school football game - They call out all the senior football players, marching band members and poms dancers to come out on the field with their parents.
 Opening Night of Charlie Brown.  I kept watching Nathan and couldn't believe that was my son.
 Rachel hit the button to submit her application to BYU.  She will be out the door before I know it!
Megan is #15 this season - this is her first game and I was accompanying Rachel while she performed a trumpet solo.
 
Lauren came home early for Thanksgiving and we kept it a surprise from Nathan until this morning.
 
Wouldn't all of this make you cry too???