the christmas program

If you know me at all, then you know I love music.

Other loves of my life include my children, (duh!) and photography.

So when I get to incorporate the first and the last

because of the second, then it's a good situation.

I always complain when it comes to school programs though.

Mostly because they are corny, and they take WAY too long.

Truth be known?

I love them.

I always choke up.

What could be sweeter than watching a

bunch of kids sing their hearts out,

knowing they are cooler and sing better

 than Taylor Swift, Bing Crosby, or even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

I love how confident they are.

I love that they are having fun.

I love it when they... aren't so good?

{wink}

I love that my own children get so excited to show off to me.

I secretly laugh when they try to sing to me at home,

and I keep stopping them, telling them they are going

to ruin the surprises at the program.

Until this year.

Stockton stopped me dead in my tracks one night

as he and Brinlee were (trying) to sing me all their songs.

I almost dropped dinner as he stated,

"this is the one that I'm singing my solo!"

Uh.....

my kid can't sing.

I mean, really.

His sweet little heart is so into it!

His emotions get the better of him,

and he can belt out with everything -

but the tune.

So, to say this truely frightened me,

is more than an understatement.

We have been working on the piano together.

I'm impressed with his memory,

even though his rythym is a tad off.

But to SING?

I know better!

As a mother, I supported, I was excited,

I got there early to get a good seat -

(which by the way, no such luck, even 45 minutes early! 

Holy cow, people! 

Way to crowd up for my son's big moment!)

- but when the time came,

I was so worried....

Until my sweetheart opened his mouth.

Now, I'm still a music teacher,

and I'm not going to go so far to say

that he's ready to go have an audition with the 'Mo-Tab',

but I'll be danged.

My sweetheart of a son,

did a good job. 

I may have even had to wipe a slight tear from my cheek.

Typically, I use this blog for family,

but I had so many cute shots of kids I know

from church, and friends, piano,

and helping out at the school,

that I just had to post them!

obviously, the most darling girl up there...

 Brinlee's friends Eli, Hazen and Garrett ~

(such cute, sweet little boys!)

 

If anyone sees Mr Simpson,

tell him I got a shot

of his

BETTER side...

and he can 

HAVE

this one,

for

FREE!

My darling Natalia, and her Grandma Jan

(otherwise known as my HERO!)

Cloggin' it up~

Little STUD Logan,

(actually, he's as sweet as they come!

Get's it from his Mother)

Three of my

AWESOME

piano girls...

Olivia, Katie, & McKenna~

(kiss kiss girlies! You're SO full of talent!)

 and my DEAR friend Kye~

oh the things I could say about Kye~

I'll just leave it with,

I wish I could be as cool as Kye.

{seriously!}

Kye & Deven - being TOTAL STUDS!

They had the High School kids screaming like crazy! 

But of course,

in the end,

my two stylin'

little singers

were my favorites.

How could they not be?

 

~the houses~

I'm SO tired, I can hardly see straight.

"For Reals!"

But I had to get this post up.

Typically, the 'HOUSE' project is saved for the

beloved Christmas Eve Family Party.

However,

I totally caved in this year.

But I really REALLY wanted to 

rub it in to some siblings,

(nee ner nee ner)

that we did ours early.

We actually did houses a week ago,

I just have been pre-occupied with other projects.

It's Finally Done

The tree is up.
I hate putting up the tree.
I know I'm a Grinch.
I don't care.
I still hate putting up the tree.
Mainly, it's the lights.
So, my sweetheart of a husband
bought a pre-lit tree this year.
{oh how I love him!}

It started out fine.
Kids were excited.
Things were moving along.
No one even bugged me to help.

It started getting a little more complicated.
(hello!? It's a tree, how hard can it be?)

Then there was an issue.
The PRE-LIT part
on the
TOP
of the tree....
wasn't pre-lit.

After ...... some TIME
and kids finally giving up and going to bed....
and maybe a little bit of
irritation....

My smartie pants ~sweetheart~
fixed it all.
As usual.
And.
our tree.
is.
beautiful.

He's so cool.

Thank you dear.
I love my tree this year.

One more reason I love where I built~

I LOVE this big hill!
not nearly as much as the
kids do.

Just for fun (and a little embarassment)

Nothing better to do on a Friday night than to
look through my photos
and try to show the true
personality of my
teen.
{hmmm}

This is getting a bit ridiculous.....

My latest Project

I'm SO excited to have this done!
A local business contacted me a few weeks ago
and wanted to work out a
"package deal" for gift certificates
for their employees for Christmas gifts.
In order to get ready for this, I've
needed to get a portfolio book ready,
and design and print gift certificates.
It's something that has needed to be done for
quite some time. I've quickly made certificates before
when the need had arisen, however I
have wanted to get some professionally
printed for a while now.
This business opportunity finally motivated me
into accomplishing my desire.
I know it's a bit silly-
but when the whole project was completed, I
just HAD to take a picture.

(it IS what I do, after all!)

These are the actual certificates.
They turned out SO very cool!

These are postcards I had printed to describe
the gift package the employees would receive.