February Catch-Up

February was our sick month. We all got sick - one after another - with that nasty flu that was going around. For the most part, we are a pretty healthy family. The kids usually only get sick once or twice a year, but it only lasts a day, and then they are back to normal. Richard - maybe once a year, and me...almost never. I think I've been sick (besides an occasional cold) twice in the past five years, and even then only had to stay in bed for one day - tops. But, this flu took each of us down for darn near a WEEK! It was quite a blow. We toughed it out and didn't go to the doctor. I figure there are two outcomes to being sick. Either your body heals itself, or you die. I generally assume our bodies can get over it themselves, and so far (since none of us are dead) they have done just that. (knock on wood!!) We've been blessed.


However, we still managed to sneak in a few good memories, and I even managed to pull the camera out once or twice.


First, on Feb. 12, (Right after James' week long flu and right before mine.) several ASTA string teachers in the area got together and put on an all day festival for about 100 students. 13 of these students were chosen by judges to perform their pieces in an honors recital later that day. Marianne was one of them! She played the 3rd movement of a concerto by Vivaldi, and did such a great job! I was a proud parent that day. James and William also participated in the festival and did very well. James performed Lightly Row on violin, and William performed Perpetual Motion on viola. My facebook friends may remember my status about James pulling a booger out of his nose and eating it during the introduction of his piece. I'm sure the judge was impressed when James still came in right on cue.


Here is a picture of the honors recital winners that was published in the local newspaper.

During the all day festival, Nicole was so kind to take Sarah and let her play with Rachel at their house. You can see from the picture below that they had lots of fun! Becky took James to play with Abram after he was done performing that morning. These two awesome sisters totally saved me that day!

Thomas also had a cello recital in February. He and Brian performed the first movement of Vivaldi's Cello Concerto in G for Two Cellos. They sounded awesome!

Our kids are always thrilled to play with the Ashton kids, especially since we don't get to see them often. Keeping them apart and quiet during the recital proved to be, well, impossible. Note to self: Do not plan to get the Ashton and Ferguson kids together for an event that requires self-control.

Our quartet (Mt. Moran Quartet) finally got a professional picture taken, thanks to the wife (K'young) of our violist, Ryan DaBell. James Gordon is our cellist. We play for wedding receptions and other events, but we have never been very good at advertising. We used this picture on business cards that we had made up, and passed them out at a bridal show we played at recently. This is something we love to do, so why not try to do more of it? We also perform once a year at the Spori Art Gallery at BYU-I. This was another reason we needed the picture; so the university could put it in a brochure for the performance. Just thought I'd throw it in here. 

And, that pretty much wraps up February! We are grateful to be enjoying March now and the warmer weather that is gradually (very gradually) making it's appearance.