Piano Recital

I started teaching piano lessons last year to my nieces and nephew and then in the fall, decided to expand to teach other students. I limited my days to two days per week (plus the day that my brother's kids come) and got about ten students. I held a recital for the kids to have a chance to play in front of an audience.

Here are all of my students.  They range in age from six years old to thirteen.  Travis and Eliza are included.

Here are the programs that Westley made.

The rest are pictures of some of the kids playing the piano: Travis, Sakura, Maggie, and Eliza.  I didn't get my nephew A.J. for some reason.  The last picture shows the audience.  We held the recital at our church building in the primary room.  I wish I had access to a grand piano (can't use the chapel), but this will do for now.

More Nathan Cuteness

Nathan loves to hang out with Westley when he practices his trumpet.  It's so adorable how much he adores Westley.

We were in the car.  I'm not sure where we were waiting, but I jumped in the back while waiting to snap a few pictures.  He has a cheesy face that he always uses whenever he knows he's being photographed.  It's so cute!

Westley is FOURTEEN!

He wanted the Imperial insignia on his cake.  I tried to do it with a pattern and powdered sugar.  It didn't work out very well.

Westley turned fourteen this week.  We don't celebrate birthdays very huge around here.  He had a few friends over to hang out.  We did our usual birthday cake and presents.  I can't believe how grown up he's becoming!  Happy birthday Westley!

National American Miss

I got a random invitation in the mail from National American Miss to an open call for this pageant. It involved a free photo shoot and we could keep the photos, so I figured that if nothing came of it, at least I'd get some nice pictures. So I took Eliza to the open call. She was invited back to participate in the pageant as a finalist, and we have decided to put her in the pageant. Here are the photos from the open call.

More Random April

Westley at a band competition at Sandy Lake.  Caleb also went to Sandy Lake, but I didn't get any pictures.  I wasn't there either time, but Westley's chaperone knows me and sent me this picture.

Travis went with his scout group (Webelos) to the police station and learned about SWAT.  His leader moved at the end of the month and was able to get him done with everything for Webelos and Arrow of Light before moving.  Now Travis is done but he doesn't turn eleven until September!

The Family Back Home

While we were gone,Nana came to babysit and so did Aunt Kaori.  Aunt Kaori sent me several pictures from her time with the kids.

She made the cinnamon rolls one morning for breakfast.

She had them take baths.  Nathan did not like the bubbles.  Who knew?

Jonah drew his toy drill.

Unfortunately, we missed Jonah's first school program.  Aunt Kaori went to it and took some pictures.  She also videoed it, but I haven't watched it yet.  Jonah is on the front row in the cowboy costume.

Hawaii with In-N-Out

In-N-Out sent us on another fabulous Hawaii trip.  Corey has the chance to earn this trip every three years by hitting 95% of his goals for that three year time period.  It includes things like keeping profit margins, being burgers up by so many, selling a certain percentage of fries, and putting people through management.  Of course, there are more things than that, those are just the things I can think of right off the bat. 

This time we went to Maui.  We were able to participate in three different activities.  We chose kayaking and snorkeling, a helicopter ride over the island, and a spa day.  I cannot find the picture of the kayaking, though I know I have it somewhere.  I've included some pictures from the whole trip.  We didn't take a lot of pictures, which I'm a little annoyed with myself over, but new technology prevents me from wanting to take many photos.  I just need to get a good digital camera and use that instead of my phone, but the phone is definitely more convenient.

We also did a scavenger hunt with other people from different divisions and regions.

One of the fancy dinners that we attended.  I can't remember if this was the first night or the last night.

Corey participated in a performance with a band comprised of former members of famous bands.  In-N-Out gifted him with this electric guitar signed by the band members.  They also paid the several hundred dollars it cost to ship it to Texas.

These pictures above were all from our helicopter ride over the island.  It was really quite amazing and I wasn't quite as terrified as I thought I would be (of the height).

Some of the beautiful view from our hotel.

We spent little time on the beach--Corey is not so into sand and ocean, but it was beautiful!

This is us on our last day while we were waiting for the shuttle to take us to the airport.  It was a wonderful trip and hopefully the second of many more!