Singing and Spinning

Grown ups only on the boat

2010-07-28T23:03:00.000-06:00

Occasionally we will have a grown up outing on the boat. It's a great time to give something new a try without having the kids wanting to know when they can swim or when they can play. Plus we don't have to feel the pressure of getting the kids home to bed.

Wake surfing was attempted.

Wake boarding was accomplished.

Some wake was cleared.

And I got in and did a little bit of it as well.

Summer Company Showcase

2010-07-26T18:27:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love watching my girls perform. I love seeing them smile and get into their numbers. It makes my day to hear them being excited about the up coming performance or how they did afterwards. I'm very grateful that their dance studio provides them with several opportunities to get out and perform.

The girls both did a fantastic job ending the year with the showcase. They are both looking forward to next year and getting to perform again.

Yuba Lake Day 2

2010-07-24T22:41:00.000-06:00

During the night, the wind really picked up. Enough that it made it difficult to sleep, but not enough to pick up any of our supplies.

The water was less than ideal so we tried to the tube for a while. Things were going along great, until we somehow dumped the tube. We had a huge scare while we couldn't find cute little David. Finally he popped up next to the tube, as he had been under it in the little air pocket. Scott jumped in as soon as we realized we couldn't see him. I'm so grateful that Scott is always quick on his feet. I know that if anything ever happens, Scott is not going to be the one that freezes. I hope I can be more like him if the need ever should arise.

After spending a little time on the boat, we headed back to our campsite. The wind continued to get stronger so we decided to get a hike in and call it a day. While the dad's were hiking, Heather and I stayed behind with the camping gear and those that did not want to hike. They were quick about the hike and didn't encounter any more rattlesnakes.

After the hike, the dad's made the first run with the boat back with supplies. Heather and I again stayed behind. It was a good thing we did because one of the tents got picked up in the wind. We scrambled quickly to gather it and get it put a way. We put the kids in the other tent with snacks and we continued to clean up the site.

We ended the day, hot and tired. But very relieved that everything turned out okay and we had a lot of fun. We're all looking forward to going camping and boating again. My preference is drive in camping. My limit? I think about nights.

Yuba Lake - Day 1

2010-07-22T22:55:00.000-06:00

Our girls have been dying to go camping and Scott is always looking for a reason to go boating. So we planned a boat-in camping trip with our friends Jason and Heather. We reserved the site, put together our menus and made sure not to duplicate any supplies that were excessive. We took off from work a little bit early and headed down to Yuba.

Boat-in camping is A LOT of work. We had to load the boat and send the dads and a couple kids with the boat to unload it. So you are carrying heavy bags and coolers from the floating dock right into the water and then piling it up on the side of the lake to wait for the rest of the group to arrive and carry it the rest of the way up the camp.

Finally we were all at the site. The hike up to the camp site was not a long one but it was covered it brush and very itchy. We piled everything on top of the tables while the guys anchored and mored the boat.

Scott came up to help figure out where to put the tents. The very large rattlesnake hanging out by where the door of the tent would have been quietly encouraged him to set up camp on the beach instead.

The kids had a blast playing in the water and roasting marshmallows. This was a first time for some (Scott) to have real life S'mores. Next time we make S'mores we'll be sure to pack wet wipes.

There is a new bridge in town...

2010-07-20T22:42:00.000-06:00

...and we sort of watched it get put in place.

We had a lot of fun, keeping the girls up til after midnight to head down to the freeway. We didn't get to watch it move because they had to level it out just a bit more to fit in the space that had less than an inch lee-way.

This is only the second overpass if its kind in the US. And the only company that can move such a heavy bridge is from Scandinavia. So all of the workers down on the road below us were from Europe. How cool is that?

Her Final Meet Rocked

2010-07-10T22:40:00.016-06:00

Jade has really been working very hard on her gymnastics lately. She loves getting to do an individual competition. And she's actually getting pretty darn good. She'll never be an amazing gymnast. She's already pretty tall. But she does have the muscle and the power to be pretty darn awesome. Her best events are the beam and the bars, but she has improved a lot on the vault and the floor.

Her scores for her final level three meet were...

Beam 9.2

Vault 9.55

Floor 9.15

and her worst score was on the apparatus that she normally scores the best on; bar 8.95. I thought she had actually done really well on it but instead got her worst score of the season. Her coach was going to look into it and get back to me. Unfortunately, her coach doesn't excel at following up with parents. (I've sent an email asking about it since and have not gotten a response). Jade was very discouraged with her score, and would have placed first or second if her score had been in line with her past bar scores. Oh well. Better luck next season.

A Saturday Morning Outing...

2010-07-08T22:37:00.014-06:00

We woke up and the weather was amazing. We had a busy day ahead of us, with Jade's last gymnastics meet. But we so wanted to go on the boat. We asked Jade if she wanted to go out and she was instantly worried about making it to her meet. She has been working really hard and wanted to do well. We assured her that she would not be late for it and that she would still get to compete.
Scott's sister's family was able to join us in the spur of the moment and we rushed out to the lake. There actually was a bit more wind than we would have liked, but it was still very fun to get out on the boat.

We had to go and meet Mike at the harbor (since he had been at work). On our way back, we were waved down by a boat full of college students. Their boat had died and no one was stopping to help them. Scott did one of the things that made me fall in love with him. He gave service and went above and beyond what could have been expected. They asked for a jump, instead, he towed them to the harbor and then jumped them. It wasn't their battery and they did eventually get it working. But, I love that Scott showed the girls that it doesn't matter what you are doing, there is always time to serve others.

Once we took care of the college group, we went back out for a little bit longer. Jade did a bit of wake boarding and then she and I headed home to get ready for her meet. Scott stayed out longer with Ivy and his sister's family. They continued to have fun, even though they tipped over the raft with sweet little Ivy on it. Ivy rose to the occasion and was very proud of herself for doing so well with the wreck.

A night of babysitting...

2010-07-06T22:32:00.006-06:00

I am so NOT the family's first choice for baby sitting. In fact, I was never the neighborhood's first choice either. But I love when I do get to watch my sister's kids. After all, she has watched mine a LOT.

We got to have the boys over. Kat was at girl's camp and Jon had to work. We started out with playing out on the trampoline, then we had dinner and watched some of Alice in Wonderland. The little kids loved it (by the way, it was the original not the Tim Burton). Then we played on the trampoline some more and the little's continued watching the movie. Zachary had a blast on the trampoline and it will be tough keeping him off it whenever he comes over to play.

Then we finished the night with a craft. My mom was having a procedure done the next day, so the kids all made her "get well" cards.

We had a great night and can you even get over how adorable this little blonde is? On the trampoline he is truly all smiles.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T01:55:00.000-06:00

First Outing on the Boat...

2010-07-03T23:39:00.000-06:00

Scott has been DYING to get out on the boat. The weather this Spring has been so cold and so unworthy of a boating outing. But, finally on Memorial Day it seemed to be a good enough day to go out and enjoy the lake, the girls, the boat, the tube and our friends. Plus it was the ONLY thing the girls wanted to do for the day off.

We had a wonderful time, even though the water was too cold for me to want to get in and Scott was comfortable in his full wetsuit. I know, I know, it was the end of MAY. Crazy ridiculous weather.

The girls had a blast and enjoyed cheering the boys on while they were on the tube.

Memorial Day 2010

2010-07-01T23:39:00.000-06:00

On Sunday we went up to Brigham City to visit the graves of Scott's grandparents. The kids were very sweet and said many nice things about their Great Grandma E. They miss her and often worry about how Grandpa Great is doing without her.

We thought that by going up on Sunday, we would have fewer crowds. We were wrong. It was still pretty busy.

The morning of Memorial Day, Kat and I headed up to visit Doc and GG's grave. This was the first year we have ever done this. I think it might have to do with that this is the first year they have had a headstone. It is kind of that "If you build it they will come" mentality. So, we stopped on our way and grabbed a flower and were touched that two of our family friends had already decorated Doc and GG's grave. (The early morning sun and my phone camera wasn't a great combination for pictures).

It was a beautiful memorial day and I truly miss those whose graves we visited.

Casual Bloggers Conference

2010-06-30T23:14:00.000-06:00

At the beginning of March, as many of you know, I launched my blog "The Family Trifecta." It was an idea that Scott and I came up with together while driving home from California. There was talk of him contributing and being a part of this Family Trifecta we were betting on. Instead, we decided that I would just get it going and if it grew, then we could add the "Daddy's Ticket" later on.

I started posting on it several times a week. From the research I had done, I did everything by the book. I even set it up on WordPress instead of blogger. I know there are a lot of "big bloggers" that still use blogger, but I wanted to have more control over it than blogger offered me.

As I embarked on this journey, I found out about the Casual Bloggers Conference. Although I have blogged for years, here at Singing and Spinning. I have done nothing to promote this blog, I have never considered building a readership and am always so surprised when I get comments. So, I talked to Scott and told him what workshops there would be and what I thought I would get out of the conference. He thought it sounded like a good thing for me to go to. Especially because it was local and relatively inexpensive. I quickly signed up (and was among the first 100 to sign up).

Finally it was time for the conference. I had been talking about it for so long, I thought the day would never come.

I met Melissa there, because she was helping her friend at the Basa Body Opening Party. She and I handed out pillows and collected blogger cards from everyone we met. There were several women that I had admired from a far for as long as I have been blogging. Some I met have since become some of my favorite reads.

The next day, I met Melissa for the general sessions. She had to leave for a while and was sweet enough to bring me back lunch. Regrettably, I hung to myself for the bulk of the conference. It's not like I had planned on hanging to myself, but I'm shy and hate being rejected. So, I didn't go to the big party that night. Instead I went home and played with my little family.

Saturday was the last day of the conference. It was amazing. There were some break outs that I wish I would have gone to, but over all, I was happy with the ones I did attend. (Again, hung by myself and didn't take my camera out very often).

Matt Townsend was AMAZINGLY funny and had some really great information. In fact, I have pulled from my notes from his session more than anything else. Only because his session was about relationships and that is something we work on at home, work, family gatherings, church and in friendships.

I loved the panel on "finding your voice" and loved getting to learn about two awesome bloggers. Jessica Bern at "Bern this" and Kristina at "Pulsipher Predilections". I now read both of them regularly.

They had some amazing giveaways, but I didn't feel the giveaway method was the greatest and not because I didn't win anything. Screamin Coupons was giving away an iPad. In order to enter the iPad drawing, you had to sign up and then they gave you a ticket. But that ticket went into one great big bucket of tickets from all the vendors. So you didn't really have to participate to win their prize.

The closing keynote was Courtney from CJane. She hasn't always been a blog that I've enjoyed, but it has been a blog that I've subscribed to for quite a while. After hearing her voice, her intonations and her singing, I now really like her and have started really reading more of her posts.

I really did learn a lot. I learned about SEO from Sarah at Tech4Moms and how to make some money in Vanessa's (I Never Grew Up) workshop. I also learned that the next time I go to one of these type of events, I will be more out going and I will go to the parties. I will be confident and I will be prepared with things to talk about.

Jade's Dance Recital

2010-06-28T22:56:00.000-06:00

Jade had a very busy night for her recital. She had 3 company numbers, 1 technique number and her tumbling number.

The technique class had a couple groups combined so it was a pretty big group. I am not sure they had had many opportunities to practice with the whole group. Jade and another girl collided and it totally distracted Jade for the rest of the number. I felt badly because she had been doing such a great job and then pretty much just froze.

One of the things we've learned with Jade is that she is very easily distracted. So, I am grateful that we have her in two things that force her to learn how to concentrate and recover quickly from distractions.

Jade had an absolute ball doing her gymnastics number. This was the biggest she smiled the whole night. Plus she got to do her round off back handspring. That always excites her.

Over the past few months, Jade has really improved her company numbers. She's not a "natural" dancer but she absolutely loves it. And because she loves it, I'll continue to support her in it.

Ivy's Dance Recital

2010-06-26T22:46:00.000-06:00

Ivy loved her recital. She was so proud of herself. She got distracted a time or two and just stood there, being adorable of course, but just stood there. I'm not sure if she forgot what came next or what, but it was pretty darn cute. I have learned that when the girls do forget their dances, it is best not to say anything about it the night of the performance. Much better to bring it up the next time before they go on or while they are at home practicing their dances.

They had a monitor going on in the back so the kids could watch everyone else perform. Ivy loved getting to watch.

Field Day 2010

2010-06-23T21:46:00.000-06:00

I sneaked out of work for a little while the morning of the field day at Jade's school. She didn't know I was there for the first 10 minutes or so. But then she found me. She is such an active and fearless little girl. I watched her climb up the outside of the jungle gym and just run without a care. I love getting to see her smile like she is really having fun. So often she has the worried look on her face - like in the first picture. But her smile is my absolute favorite. With her funny teeth and all.

Dress Rehearsal - Spring Recital

2010-06-21T21:44:00.001-06:00

The girls love getting to perform. I think it is their favorite part of dance. Getting dressed up and being on the stage with the lights. They absolutely LOVE it.

For the recital this year, the girls did the competition numbers plus they had a couple other classes that they had dance numbers for. Jade had her Jazz Technique class and they dance to a Miley Cyrus number. She also had her tumbling routine. For that number, they all dressed up in 80's clothes. It was very fun trying to find her clothes that looked like what I wore in my dance classes.

Ivy did a "bug dance" that was adorable. Half of the girls wore ladybug outfits and the other half wore bumblebees costumes. They were so adorable and we are all set for Halloween.

May 24, 2010 - Snow storm

2010-06-19T21:42:00.000-06:00

There is something painfully WRONG with this picture. I couldn't bear to take a picture of my bleeding heart bush because the branches were breaking quickly from the weight of the snow. Seriously, May 24th is not a day for SNOW. It is a day for sun and swimsuits!

Grandpa Greats Visit

2010-06-16T21:40:00.000-06:00

Grandpa Great is an amazing man. He has more energy than I feel like I do on most days.
Bob and Janet were coming down for Jade's meet and Scott suggested they invite Grandpa Great. I don't think anyone expected him to do the hour and forty-five minute drive, but he accepted right away. We were thrilled and Jade was ecstatic that he was coming down to see her at a meet. (She worries about him quite often since Grandma E died).
We did not expect to see this...

Grandpa Great joined in the Twister games and had a great time. He even fell to his fanny and bounced right up to continue playing. I have a feeling that playing Twister with Grandpa Great will be a memory that they will have for a very long time. (Plus it helps that they'll have pictures of it in their books).

Scott also joined it and did a great job of pinning and tickling Jade.

Ivy decided to show everyone how well she can read. This poor girl is going to be pretty bored next year in preschool. But boy does she love that she can read. (Actually, having Ivy read has helped Jade with her reading. Jade will tell Ivy that she can read all of the 4 or fewer letter words on the page and Jade will read the longer ones. Great teamwork - not so easy to follow the story though.

May 22, 2010 - Meet #2

2010-06-14T21:35:00.001-06:00

We really pack a lot into the last week and a half of school. How on earth she does it is beyond me. But, she does it and she loves it.

Jade did really well in this meet. She still has a lot of work she needs to do on the floor and she was very disappointed in her score. (I'm not sure how we get her not to focus on her score when she needs a certain score to advance to the next class (which she already accomplished). Oh well. It is Jade and she is competitive. So, we'll let her worry about her scores and see how she does with it. If she starts stressing out too much, we'll have to have a talk. :)

Her scores were...
Vault 8.9 (and that would be because she forgot to salute the judge - again).
Bars 9.65 (she was really excited about that score).
Beam 9.5 (another score she was thrilled about).
Floor 8.55 (an improvement but not high enough for her to smile about).

She needed to get a 34 to advance to Level 4 Pre-team.

I have a feeling next year we probably won't be quite as lucky as we were this year on having no dance/gymnastic conflicts. Fingers crossed it works out as smoothly as this year.

Dance Festival - Aztec Dance

2010-06-11T21:31:00.010-06:00

Jade's school does a great dance festival. I have loved it both years she has been there. They do an around the world theme. So, each class does a dance from some region in the world. There was a ninja dance, a Brazilian dance, a Jewish dance and for the first graders, there was an Aztec dance. (Last year the kindergarten class did the Chicken Dance).

Really, does the tongue have to be out on every picture when she is concentrating?
Jade did an adorable job, really knew the dance and pretty much got into it.

This is Gabby. She is one of Jade's best friends. If you ask Jade, she'll say she's her "BFFFFFFF" I think she's missing that the B and F actually stand for something and that "BBBBBBBF" actually makes more sense.

My Girls

2010-06-07T22:37:00.001-06:00

Sometimes, I just have to post pictures of my pretty little girls. I love them with all my heart and I'm so grateful that I am their mom.

Beautiful Bubbles Blowers and Poppers

2010-06-05T22:37:00.000-06:00

One day I worked from home and managed to take a few fun pictures of the girls and Zero playing in the yard with bubbles. The girls love when the weather starts to get warm and the bubbles come out. Zero had the best time of the three. He loved chasing after them and popping them with his mouth.

More Dinosaur Park...

2010-06-02T21:44:00.000-06:00

Here are a few more pictures from the field trip. I'm really glad I got to spend time with Jade and her cute friends.

Field Trip to the Ogden Dino Park

2010-06-01T21:41:00.000-06:00

I love when I get to take a day off and go with Jade on a field trip. This last field trip was "AWESOME" (according to Jade) and I have to agree. Although the rain SUCKED.

If you get a chance to go to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden, you should totally take it. They have done a great job and the staff is very kind and helpful.

The kids did a scavenger hunt and had to find different dinosaurs. There was a presentation by a sweet couple that helps clean the bones once they are discovered and brought to the museum. Plus it was just a fun time to get to play with friends.

Cinderella outgrew her Glass Slippers

2010-05-31T21:35:00.000-06:00

I have been so happy with Jade's school teacher. She has taken on some wonderful projects. The greatest of which is was their first grade play. It was just her class and it was only 10 minutes. But it was so well done and so adorable. She took on costumes, sets and had everyone memorize their lines. Even the narrators.

The play was called "Cinderella Outgrew her Glass Slippers". It was taken from a short plays book but I can't remember what it was called. Anyway, the basic story behind this was that Cinderella wanted to go to Vet school, so she was making leather shoes to sell and save money for college. The prince fell in love with her shoes and bought a lot of them and off she went to college. Her 3 fairy godmothers ended up helping her step sisters find their princes.

Jade was one of the fairy godmothers. She did a wonderful job and I wonder if she'll catch the acting bug or not. She's got more than enough on her plate for now - but maybe one day.