Utah Fun!

Our summer was kick started with my trip to Utah the first week of June. I left my kids with grandparents and headed up to Utah with the East Valley Mormon Choir. I stayed in a hotel with six other women and recorded beautiful music in Abravenal Hall all week culminating in a performance at the Tabernacle.

Every day we spent time on Temple Square!

This was our rehearsal in the Tabernacle. One perk to being short I got to sit on the front row. I loved watching the organist. The Tabernacle has the most powerful spirit and singing in it was amazing.

These are all my wonderful friends I sang with.

I never imagined as an adult I would get to go on a musical retreat!

It was the perfect vacation because we were so busy singing everyday that I didn't have time to miss my kids! I felt so blessed to be part of something so amazing.

The CD we were recording will come out this fall!

Summer Swim Team

This was Emery's first year on swim team and Emmet's third! It was my favorite swim season so far. I loved watching them both race and they had a great time. I was amazed at how much fun Emery had. She woke up every morning excited to go to practice and she loved the swim meets. Here are some pics from their first swim meet! The meets are held in the evenings, but it's still over 105 degrees. So sweaty!!

I lover her dive!

Finishing her first race!

This year Emmet wanted to wear the official speedo, but he made me buy it one size bigger because he didn't want it too tight. I was worried it would fall off in the pool! We did avoid that mishap!!

His favorite stroke, backstroke!

Last Day of School

What an accomplishment the year has been. I can not believe how quickly the year flew.

Emery loved kindergarten and thrived despite a rocky start. She's really grown-up!

Emmet has a love hate relationship with school and despite his teacher moving to Switzerland in October his new teacher was wonderful. He handled the change like a champ.

Easter

My favorite holiday Easter! It is such a beautiful time of year in Arizona.

Potato Sack Races

to...

enjoying cousins to...

a crazy Easter Egg Hunt

ending with water fights

and a giant water slide.

I love these memories!!

April 2011 (My favorite time of year)

I love April and what a fun month it was.

We celebrated my birthday at a family Easter Egg Hunt.

I held my third Let's Play Music Recital.

Emery had her song memorized, but was too nervous to play without it.

I love his tongue in his cheek. He worked hard to memorize his song.

Each of my third year students composed their own songs.

Emmet's was entitled, "The Grey Sky".

March 2011

The kids and I have been participating in the East Valley Mormon Choirs. This was their first concert and they loved every minute. I was especially nervous for Emmet because he sang a duet in front of 3000 people at his first concert. He surprised us all and did an amazing job. It was so fun to watch!!

For Spring break we headed to Pasadena, CA to visit my brother's identical twin boys. They are the first Olson cousins for my kids.

My kids had fun feeding these cute twins. It was nice there was one for each. Emery especially loved holding the babies.

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years!

A quick recap is in order. I haven't felt like anything too exciting has been going on with us, but here are a few noteworthy activities!

1. December 10, 2010 was the four year mark of Sam's death.

It was a good day and I'm so thankful for all of the sweet phone calls, emails and notes. It's always nice to know that people remember. With each passing year that day gets a little easier. The last four years have flown by. Thank Goodness!!

2. I completed my first semester at ASU! I absolutely loved my classes and the fun friends I made. I am still amazed that I was able to take nine credits and not neglect any of my other duties. My biggest worry about starting school was making sure my kids came first. It's such a great feeling of relief to know I was able to find balance! It was so sweet when in their personal prayers they would pray that mom would get an A on her test.

3. I usually dread, despise and hate the holidays, but guess what...this was the first Christmas I enjoyed since Sam's death! Here a few fun pictures.

We kicked off the holiday season with a fun evening of decorating gingerbread houses.

Emery had a great time playing with her cousin Gid.

Emmet loves his cousins and had a great time playing with them!

We always show off our musical talents Christmas Eve. My kids are carrying on the tradition singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Emery's favorite part of Christmas is the Nativity. She takes being Mary very seriously. I have already been preparing her for next year when she passes the baton and isn't Mary!

Santa did find us. Don't worry those gift aren't just for E and E! My parents and Chance and his wife, Angela spent the night. Christmas morning is much more magical when we share it with more than just the three of us.

My dad and I Christmas morning! We were a little tired.

I had to include this. Emery loves her American girl doll and that pajama outfit was worn for days!

4. We talk about Sam often and even though it's been four years we do miss him terribly, but...I am constantly amazed by how blessed the three of us are.