Piano Recital 2016

There is absolutely nothing that compares to the anxiety of a piano recital.  Sure, other things will be nerve-racking in life - but a piano recital is it's own beast.  

Olivia presented a little bio on 

and then played

Addie presenting a bio on and then played

Olivia and Bryson played a duet

And then Addie and Sarah played a duet.  

These two don't love it anymore, but Olivia has begged us not to make her quit.  

Drew came home dying to start piano and had his first lesson 2 weeks later.  

School Days

Olivia had to make a 3-D statue of a main character in her book report book.  

She read Harry Potter and chose Hermione.  

We all had our own run in with her in the middle of the night in the dark.   She lived the rest of her days shut in the cupboard. 

And we hit the 100th day of school.  Drew made the traditional kindergarten 100s poster . . . Yankees. 

(He was trying out a face like Liv's.)  

He taught himself how to write his name in cursive.  

Daddy Daughter Dance 2016.
It was a 20's theme and we just happened to have a flapper costume in the basement.



Olivia invited Sadie to tag along since her dad was out of town.

Cheer - again.

We survived another 2-day competition.  

Ruby stayed buckled into her carseat, sleeping for almost a straight 5 hours on Day 1.  Day 2 . . . not so much. 

I took a few pictures of Olivia before I realized there was no flash photography .  

They always finish strong and then immediately look at their coaches . . . their reactions will tell them everything . . . did they do good, bad or terrible?!  

and then none of Addie.

Luckily I picked the most expensive competition of the year to enforce that Drew come to support his sisters and hang out with me. 

It was Addie's last chance for a Summit bid.  And again, they did awesome on Day 1 and then just lost it on Day 2 and there was no Summit bid (or jacket).  Poor Addie.  They've worked so hard and then do so bad at the competitions this year.  

Olivia's team has been awesome and she came home with another jacket.  

My 3 Girls

Addie got this darling little Gymboree outfit at a baby shower and I loved it!  It was my favorite outfit and it was one I could have never afforded.

Addison 2003

Olivia 2006

(I never took a good picture of her in it)

  

Ruby 2016

Battle of the Books

Olivia and best friend Addy Kohler put together a 3rd/4th grade team for Battle of the Books.  

They read and they practiced hard with Barb.  

I made them matching purple (their color choice) bows.

They almost made it to the final four, but were absolutely sure they lost due to volunteer score keeper's error.  They were all so disappointed.  

They had fun trying, made new friends and they're already talking about 2017-2018 when Liv is in 6th grade and Addy is in 5th grade and they can form a team again (4th and 5th graders read different books). 

Welcome Sight

This is such a welcome sight after all these years.  

Olivia and Drew have figured out an amicable way to incorporate all interests into their playing.  And we're relieved to see these Avengers are an interest.  

Still At It

Ah man.  It's hard to believe we're 6 years into this now.  But at least we're becoming professional at navigating the competitions (I paid for NO parking and we were on time).  We had this year's first 2 day competition - with jackets - last week. 

Olivia's team has been killing it this year and got a summit bid to Florida at the first competition of the season.  She's worked hard and has beautiful, straight leg front and back walk overs. 

They won first place and got the jacket.  Last year she didn't go to this competition so she "sneak wears" Addie's coat like this one and finally has her own.

Addie's team had a strong start, but they keep dropping stunts.  Unfortunately it's been the same flyer for the previous three competitions - which is disappointing after awhile.  Friday they had a perfect routine and we were all hopes for jackets . . . and a summit bid.

But the flyer dropped . . . to the floor.  They lost the summit bid, but they got the jackets.   I have to admit this was the first time I was crushed by the loss.  If we're going to Florida, I really want to be going for both girls.  We still have one last chance. 

Ruby and I spend quality time in the car together, I introduced the girls to blackberry shakes, I wished Grandma Sharp was still living right next to the Salt Palace, we went to Kneaders, shopping and I had fun at my first official outing with my

THREE

girls.

Ruby found a way to sleep through most of it . . . and be really cute.

10 inches

This was not a decision that was made lightly. There was an immense amount of thought put into this decision which took well over a year to finalize.   

BEFORE

AFTER

There have been no regrets.  And she's still cute as can be.

Birthday Girl Olivia!

Mom kind of failed as birthday planner this year . . . We blame our new baby girl.  

Luckily Dad bought donuts for birthday breakfast . . . 

She had 2 birthday wishes . . . one was an American Girl Doll bed.

Her bestie, Addy, came over to go to Nickelcade (Liv's pick) that day and brought her the Best Friends necklace they've been talking about for months.  

Dinner at Los Hermanos with Banna and Branda (and their shirts). 

And birthday wish #2 . . . a new gumball machine . . . Aunt Jackie came through on that one.  

We celebrated later with Lisa with hot dogs, S'mores, cake (made by Olivia) and games at the park.  

We sure love our Livy-Lou-Who (and our Michael Ann).   

Eight is Great!

Olivia was baptized the beginning of September.  We waited a bit assuming we'd be in our house, in our new ward and situated . . . but that wasn't the case.  We did go to the ward before we moved in so the primary would know here a little, but we moved in the week before so it was a little choas - but we might thrive in choas - I'm not sure. 

We went on a pre-baptism date night with Liv up the the Garden restaurant.
It's hard to believe she's 8!

Kate was here for school already so she got to come. 

I never went on a mission, but I consider Motherhood my mission and I've now converted two - at least to baptism.  We're still working towards true conversion. 

And some pictures of our Best Friends Forever and Ever.