My Two Mozarts

Friday night was the twins' piano recital. They've been working so hard practicing their songs. They both did great and we are so proud of them. Courtney was a little mortified because she tripped going up the stairs to the stage, but it wasn't very noticable. I then reminded her of the time when I was a senior in high school and I forgot 2 eight counts of my "Senior Solo" and stood on the stage with a hand on my hip and another on my forehead as I tried to figure out my next move! It made Courtney feel better. :) So, one year of piano down, and many, many more to go.

My twins. How nice of Courtney to not stand up so straight. When she does, she's about 4 inches taller than Connor. Does not make Connor happy.

Friday night was the twins piano recital. They've been working so hard practicing their songs. They both did great and we are so proud of them. Courtney was a little mortified because she tripped going up the stairs to the stage, but it wasn't very noticable. I then reminded her of the time when I was a senior in high school and I forgot 2 eight counts of my "Senior Solo" and stood on the stage with a hand on my hip and another on my forehead as I tried to figure out my next move! It made Courtney feel better. :) So, one year of piano down, and many, many more to go.

Here are the videos of their performances.

P.S. For a peak at their improvement, watch the videos from last years' recital. What a difference!

Hugh's Home!

Actually, he's been home for a few days. (He got home about two minutes after Zoey arrived, so his homecoming was a little less exciting. Sorry babe!!) Anyway, they had a great time. They drove 17 hours to the lake, fished there for two days, and got NADA! So, they drove another 5 hours to another lake, and caught some pretty big fish. So, he's had his fix now. NO MORE WHINING!!! (Just kidding...he doesn't really whine.....well, not all of the time.)

I just like this one cuz Hugh's shirt is off!

There were these huge old trees popping up in the lake!

He loves to fish so much that he'll even use HIMSELF as bait!

A New Addition!

Call us CRAZY, but we got another puppy. This little one came from a family who just didn't have time to spend with her (or her brother, Cooper), so they looked for a family who did have the time. The family they found was The Howes! Well, the Howes could only take one (Cooper) so we got ZOEY!! Such a cutie pie! She's a Shih-Tzu/Poodle mix, otherwise known as a Shih Poo. She and Griffin are getting along GREAT. They played ALL day, and are now taking naps. They can't get enough of each other. It's so fun to watch!

This is Zoey. And yes, she needs a haircut.

This was at 6 this morning. I thought this picture was hilarious! She is OBVIOUSLY not a morning dog!!!

Practicing their Rumba for Dancing with the Dogs!!

"Someone! Please get me to my stylist!!!"

This was after her bath, a little trim around her eyes, and a hairdo by Caitlin.

What Mom's REALLY Want for Mother's Day

I thought this was too funny so I had to share! Happy Mother's Day!!!

• To be able to eat a whole candy bar by herself, and drink a glass of Diet Coke without any "floaties".
• To have my 14-year-old answer a question without rolling her eyes in that "Why is this person my mother?" way.
• Five pounds of chocolate that won't add twenty.
• A shower, without a child peeking through the curtain with a "Hi'ya, Mom" just as I put razor to my ankle.
• A full-time cleaning person, who looks like Brad Pitt.
• For my teenager to announce, "Hey, Mom! I got a full scholarship and a job all in the same day!"
• A grocery store that doesn't have candy, gum, or cheap toys displayed at the checkout line.
• To have a family meal without a discussion about bodily secretions.
• To be able to sit down on a plane with my toddlers and not have some pencil-neck-yuppie moan, "Ohhh, nooo! Why me?"

Mother's Day

I've had a great weekend. Hugh is still out of town (he comes home Wednesday), but he was smart enough to have arranged to have flowers delivered to me on Friday! They are beautiful. And he had bought a card for the kids to give to me today, already signed by him. Job well done. (Just so you don't think my hubby is a scumbag for being out of town FISHING on Mother's Day...I did give him the ok. It was either be gone during Mother's Day, or be gone after the kids get out of school.....I opted for the Mother's Day.) Yesterday, I went with Hugh's mom, my sister-in-laws, my nieces, and Courtney & Caitlin for lunch at The Bitlmore Shopping Center. We went to Paradise Bakery, and then to Mojo's Yogurt (it's like juju berri) for dessert. We then walked around, did a LITTLE bit of shopping (just a little, cuz it's the Biltmore and everything costs big bucks) and then headed home. Later in the day, my mom & Ron came over, along with my step-brother and his family, and my brother and his "friend" Lisa. (She's very nice). I forgot to take pictures during this part of the day (probably because my brain was FRIED from how stinkin' HOT it is here already!!! 106 yesterday. Yuck!) so you'll just have to take my word for it that we had a nice time. Today was church, and an afternoon of relaxing for me. Gotta love it!

My flowers.

Look at these two roses....symbolic of Hugh and I. Totally kidding.

My silly girls.

Courtney took this picture. A little "artistic" with the angle. This is me and my niece Kailey.

All of us girls.

These two are ready to pop!

Graduation Day

Check out this picture I found. This is from June 1, 1988 - the night of our high school graduation. I was (and still am) sooooooo in L.O.V.E. with HUGH CHASE!

Tattoo

This apple came with it's own tattoo! Is it a star? Or a person??

Really? Is it that time already??

Where did the year go?? School is out two weeks from Thursday, and I'm totally stumped on End of the Year Teacher Gifts. Any ideas that could be passed my way would be greatly appreciated!! Yes, that would mean you have to leave a comment. Or email me. Or Facebook me. Or text me. So many ways to communicate these days....

Amazed

I am continually amazed by the generosity of the people in my life. A wonderful young man named Geoff Cuzick passed away last week after a year long battle with cancer. He was 24 years old. It was the first time I had ever witnessed someone throughout their entire battle with that horrible disease. I remember talking to Geoff about his diagnosis when it was first discovered, and then watch him fight and fight to get better. But it wasn't meant to be. Heavenly Father has other plans for Geoff. His funeral is this Thursday, and several people in my ward are helping to transform the chapel and foyer of my church building to make it more like a representation of Geoff and his life. The two women who have been asked to take on this task, Lori Hall & Daniece Crump, have a vision of what they want, but haven't been able to find what they are looking for. The other night, I was doing a little Blog Stalking, and again, it has paid off. I came across the blog of a woman I know named Jacki Randall. Jacki is a wedding coordinator, and has a wonderful blog showing some of her events. (Really, check them out. Beautiful!!!) Well, there, right before my eyes was EXACTLY the pieces that Lori had been looking for. I called Jacki, told her what was going on, and she said we could borrow ANYTHING we wanted. Lori & Jacki spoke today, and have set everything up. How wonderful is that?? I'm so touched as I watch people come together to help the Cuzick family as they prepare to say their final good-byes to their son, brother, uncle, and friend.

I'm so blessed that I have all of these same wonderful people in my life.

Loved This

If I was somewhere....let's say Grand Central Station.....and I saw something like this happen, it would bring me to tears. Tears of Joy! That's what a dork I am. No lie, I had tears in my eyes just watching this. It made my day.