WCSD Honor Choir

For the second year, Michael has gotten into the Washoe County School District Honor Choir. It is AMAZING! The three groups are 6th grade, Middle school and High School. Jared is excited to be able to try out next year. Last year it sold out at 1500 people at the Pioneer Center. This year it sold out at 2000 at the Nugget. As I said, they are amazing!



The 6th graders were up first


Then the Junior High schools.


That happens to be Michael's choir teacher playing the French horn. (The lady in red. ;-) )










Then the High Schools



This has been all three of my kids' choir teacher. Cai Lynn is now lucky enough to have her for honor choir. (She also teaches music to all the grades in their elementary school.)


Michael has had her for 2 years now, and hopefully the other two will get her as well!


What a great night! I just LOVE music!

Trick-Or-Treat!!!!!

Happy Halloween to one and all! Even though Halloween is one of my least favorite holidays, (if not THE least favorite) we are always SUPER busy! I know that it can also be so much fun and exciting, and thanks to great friends and family we did just that.

I hate the grossness and gore of the day (and season) and all that it CAN hold. But I also know how fun dress-up and candy gathering, etc is.

We had SO many Halloween parties to attend! With friends, neighbors, ward members etc, we were VERY busy! There was a total of 7 parties we attended and Jared's costume even changed once.

While I would like to be "themed" as a family, I haven't been completely able to talk the kids into it yet. ESPECIALLY the oldest. ;-) So there you have it.



We went trick or treating at my work that morning with the only two of my kids that didn't have school. :-)


My littlest lobster





That night of course out came the candy sacks and off they went...


This is the first year my kids have both been old enough and we know SO many of our neighbors that they were able to go trick or treating by themselves. I stayed home, manned the door and the dogs. :-)



Jessica and the girls came over about 15 minutes after the kids headed out, I told her the route, and she was able to catch up with them.



Tick-Or-Treat!!!!!

Another Round at Apple Hill

Once again we were off to Apple Hill. We absolutely love it! WE have our favorite ranches we visit for various reasons and it is well worth the 2 1/2 hrs once a year to pick apples, pumpkins, and visit with friends.



A view of South Lake Tahoe on the way there. (Michael took this from a moving car. :-) )


One of the little pumpkin patches



They got theirs! Now to get mine...


A quick photo op...


Jared and Ryan


Shawna and me :-)


You can always meet friends at Apple Hill!


One of my former students we happened to see there. This is our favorite place to have some lunch. The boys always get their tri-tip sandwiches.


Off to feed the goats


And pet the calves



And cluck at the chickens


A few of the kids I could round up long enough to pose for a picture.



Another pumpkin photo op


We saw this guy walking down the road with his emu on a leash. We found him again at one of the ranches where he sells his emu products.


Just like "Fisherman's Warf" I take a picture of the kids at this spot each year.


Now off to feed the ducks and fish. (The fish eat right out of your hand.)


Someone wants a pony ride


A couple more stops and then home. This is Tahoe on the way back. We collected some pine-cones and took a couple of pictures.



Another great day with friends and family.

October Overture

Once a year Michael's school does a concert called "October Overture". It usually consists of Jared and Cai Lynn's school, His school and the High School. This year the High school was unable to make it, but it was still VERY good! (Later in the school year the high school will have their own invitational concert.)



This is the first time all three of them have attended.... Cai Lynn is officially old enough and she made the choir!






First the Elementary school goes...




Then it's their turn... Michael's part







I just love this picture! Everyone has their own interesting expression. Michael has probably looked at it a dozen times and laughed so hard it was like his first time.


Great job guys!!!!!