Spring/Summer Recap-- Part 1

It is time for some major updates.  I used to update my blog weekly, but due to several things we are involved with as a family (one of them being LIVING LIFE!) it has been a real challenge for me over the last 6 months or so.  So, this is my attempt at an overview of the end of spring and beginning of summer.  Which just for the record, was awesome.

My youngest turned 14.  She is a very special girl to us and we are thankful for the 14 amazing years we've had with her.

When you turn 14, you are invited to go to dances that are held every-other month for youth ages 14-18 for kids all around Minnesota from our church and their friends.  It is cool because they have fun activities, games, dancing, and food.  I went to these same dances when I was a girl, so it is special to see my girls have this experience also.  And it was awesome to go with her big sister.

Speaking of dances, there was this little thing called prom.  Whew- what an undertaking.  A great big group of kids got together and contributed a little money and had someone cater an amazing meal.  The parents dressed like waiters and served them.  A few moms got together and decorated the room they ate in.

 I be-jeweled that dress!  It took me my neck and hands weeks to recover, I tell you!  It was worth it, though.

 The shoes are almost as important as the dress- sepcially the tennis shoes.

 They took a million goofy pictures.

Here is my oldest at her last choir concert of Jr Year.  Here are 3 buds, all juniors.

Memorial Day Weekend we made time for a hike to Willow River State Park in Wisconsin then walked around Stillwater afterwards.

We were at this building for and the sky was amazing.  It looked like the heavens were opening up.

 This was the last parade that my daughter will dance in ;o(  This was the first of many "lasts".  It feels really bizarre and is unbelievable to have a child grow up to this stage.  Very bittersweet!

I was part of a committee that helped to organize the visit and performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir when they came in June.  It was a once in a lifetime experience.  Little do people know they really are excellent entertainers.  I think most people just expect a spiritual or church-like performance.  That is one element, but they are also fun, funny, entertaining, you will laugh, and you will cry-- and you will get chills over and over again at their power.  

One of my favorite memories was meeting Alex Boye.  Look him on Youtube.  He has tons of free videos and is amazing.

Could I be any luckier?  I was standing right in front of him during rehearsal as he sang.  Front row seat sarinade.

Yea right…. my husband a rock star.  Keep dreaming, Honey ;o)

I can't say I minded standing with the choir as they rehearsed!!!!  

Or getting a bird's eye view of the force and power that Mac Wilberg puts into conducting.  It was amazing to see him from this vantage point.

Here they are at rehearsal.

And here is the performance.  So many people came.

And here we are at the end of a very long and amazing day.

And summer wasn't even half-way over at this point.  This will have to be part 1!  More summer re-cap pictures to come….