April

I've decided that there is nothing more adorable than watching a group of Kindergartner's in a school singing program/play. The next most adorable thing is watching a bunch of 1st graders in a school singing program/play. Here's just a couple pictures of James' 1st grade "Bugs" singing program. So dang cute! 

I especially loved James' spider glasses. Of all the bugs, he was the only spider. I already miss my kids at this age. I know I didn't stop and really enjoy this age with my older kids as much.

A few times a season, when they need us and we are available, Richard and I join with the Idaho Falls Symphony in the first violin section. We play in a couple rehearsals and join them for the concert. This concert was especially neat to play in, because our employee and Sarah's piano teacher, Annie Brown, soloed with the orchestra. She is a fabulous pianist and won a competition to earn her this opportunity. She is only a Sophomore in high school here. Amazing!   

I also started her on the violin when she was about nine or ten. She was one of those prize students who came to every lesson having actually practiced and learned everything you told her to. Sarah has enjoyed taking lessons from her.

William participated in his first ever UVMTA (Upper Valley Music Teacher's Association) Festival. He learned and memorized two pieces for this: Knight Rupert by Schumman and Bach Prelude in C minor. When he came out of the room after being judged he told me he didn't make any mistakes. The judge must have thought he played rather well, because she gave him a perfect score of 100! Nice! I guess he has set the bar pretty high for future festivals. Here he is with his teacher, Stephen Thomas, and his good friend and son of Dr. Thomas, Ben. 

We were excited to make a quick trip to Utah to attend the wedding of a dear friend, Sugar (Alice) Ashton. She's been a coach at Mountains & Strings for several years, and we just love her!

She and James have always been especially good buddies. 

I got a few pics of the kids while we waited for Mark and Sugar to come out of the temple. Thomas wasn't with us on this trip. He stayed with his cousins back in Rexburg.

 

And, of course, we celebrated Marianne's birthday on April 9th - 13 years old! She was really very worried about becoming a teenager, and has always said that she doesn't want to grow up.  Her main concern was the probability of turning into a "snotty teenager." And, although she has had her moments (Don't we all?) she has actually been a very sweet teenager and such a joy! Her dimples don't lie! Marianne is very helpful, an amazing friend to EVERYONE, and is always trying to do what is right. I'm not sure how we lucked out with such a gem of daughter, but the Lord, for whatever reason, sent us a very special spirit when He sent us Marianne. We love her and are very grateful that she is a part of our family!