Brighton Feb 26

No school=A Day to hit the slopes. The boys wanted to try the half-pipe.

A hazy, but beautiful view over the Wasatch Back

I hate photos of myself-this is for you, Dad and Mom.

Kevin, however, always looks good for the camera-this must be where the kids get it.

Leith had fun taking 'short cuts' through the trees and got stuck in powder a few times. Kevin is holding out his pole to assist.

India and her friend Karli- I am thrilled that India has a friend to ski with.

Niall is ducking the camera, but the others are 'mugging' for me.

Here is a spiffy vid of the boys coming out of a 'short cut':

On Wednesday, I attended meeting of the Utah House of Representatives Education Committee with Rachel and Allyson from my neighborhood. We were there to encourage the committee to defeat a bill they were considering. It is a long story, but it basically stems from a turf war between the school districts on the east and west sides of the Jordan River. We went to support our side of the issue and were prepared to testify during the public comment period. Sadly, they stopped taking public comment before we made it to the front of the line. Happily, the committee voted to kill the bill. It was a fascinating, hands on civics lesson as we watched and participated in the process.

Brighton Feb 19

We skied Friday afternoon and evening at Brighton. India and her friend, Karli, came too, but they stayed out of camera range. The boys had never skied at night before and had a great time before and after the sun went down. We had a few equipment problems- some of our goggles kept fogging up and will need to be replaced, and Leith's 'wormy', which hooks the tips of his skis together, broke. He discovered that he can ski without it. He had to slow down a bit, but that was good for me because, at least temporarily, I could keep up with him more of the time.

Niall and Kevin had their last game of the season yesterday- I finally got some decent shots with the camera.

Niall warms up.

He receives a pass from his teammate.

Kevin and Niall

Niall got his braces off earlier this week. He will likely have them again in a few years, but we are all enjoying his pretty smile now.

Niall wrote this poem entitled 'What is Love?' for an assignment in school. It was chosen to be displayed in the entry of the school and he was honored in the Principal's Pride ceremony. My favorite line from the poem is, "Love is....well....how to attract. Love is....you be nice, take showers, and wear cologne."

Niall and the Principal of Oak Hollow Elementary

A few days before Valentine's Day, Leith started making a valentine for a friend at school out of construction paper. I asked him if he would like to make one out of some better materials I had in my work room. He jumped at the chance and we got out some great things that I have collected over the years. India joined us, and we spent several days creating some really lovely valentine cards. Leith loves a project-he and India spent about 4 hours on this one afternoon and evening.

Some of India's designs-she gave these to her friends at school.

Some of my work

Leith's creations

India made this one- it says, "I 'FISH' you a happy valentine' day"-strange, but clever.

The boys wore pink oxfords to school on the day of their class Valentine's Day parties. Niall has his box for collecting valentines and Leith has a card for his teacher and one for his special friend, Dyllin, who is a girl :)

We had a fun Valentine's Day. We ate 'toad in the hole' -with heart shaped cut-outs and bacon for breakfast. Niall sang in a special group of children with the choir at church and Leith gave the Article of Faith in Primary. They wore their pink shirts again, but with ties and Sunday pants. Later, we had a nice dinner with Kevin's parents, Heather, who is married now and on her way to El Paso, Coral, Lance, and Diana, who is moving back to CA shortly. We will miss her-and her pies. She brought a fresh raspberry pie as a final farewell offering.

I think of Valentine's Day as day for family fun and celebration. My parents met at a Valentine's Day activity, and over the years, my mother has always sent cards and gifts to us and to our children. I have been frustrated with the dread with which my teen aged girls have approached this event over the last few years. I hope to draw them into a more wholesome view and to continue to reject over-priced flowers and crowded restaurants on this holiday.

India sprained her ankle in PE last week. She was on crutches for a few days while we waited for the swelling to subside and for the radiology report to rule out a fracture. At first she was thrilled to be excused from PE and have an elevator key at school. But, she quickly tired of the hassle and discomfort. Thankfully, it seems to be getting better quickly.

My book club took its second annual weekend trip to St George early in Feb. Last year I was very sick and couldn't go, so this was my first time. Thirteen of us drove down and stayed in the beautiful, huge, golf-course home belonging to the in-laws of our founding member, Rachel. We are a diverse, but very supportive and fun-loving group. I, personally, have a hard time relaxing and 'letting my hair down', so to speak and was, consequently, a bit nervous about the program of events planned. These were largely comprised of spa treatments, movies, and gab sessions interspersed with eating and exercise in the form of walking, jogging, and golf, outside, and hilarious dancing inside. I was able to successfully manage a pedicure, lots of laughing, the preparation of 13 grapefruits at breakfast, a screening of 'Strictly Ballroom'-thanks, Polly, for the DVD, and a surprising imitation of MC Hammer dancing. (Sorry, there are no photos or videos of this-we all agreed that what happened in St George would stay there.)

Unfortunately, our trip conflicted with the annual Robert Burns Supper at BYU. As much as I love and enjoy my book club friends and value their friendship, I could not stay in St George and miss spending an evening with my husband and many other fine gentlemen dressed in kilts! I left St George a day early and joined Kevin, Coral, Lance, Jack, and Cindy-as well as Kevin's parents- for Burns night. The dinner was great, but it seemed like less Robert Burns poetry was

read than in years past-sad.

Piano Recital

Niall, one of the oldest students at the recital, played his solo pieces first in the program. He sounded great-I can't believe he can play so well.

Niall takes a bow. He really loves his pink oxford and got matching bands on his braces.

Leith plays his class ensemble piece.

Leith nailed his solo pieces!

After his bow, he said, "That was EMBARRASSING!", as he sat down. He did a great job in spite of it being his first recital.

Niall sings a humorous 'cowboy' song with his class.

Leith's class with teacher, Miss Brianne

Niall's class

Thanks to Grandma Denna and Aunt Heather for coming to watch and listen. I didn't do a good job of coordinating with Coral, and she was sad to miss it. We headed over to In n Out for a celebration dinner afterwards.

Some photos from Jan:

It seems that I have been too busy to post regularly. I certainly have not been shoveling snow, so I don't really know what the problem is!! Anyway, here are a few highlights:
The boys are looking good in their new shirts-thanks Grandma!
India(first on top) sang in the Alta High School music dept fund raising concert based on the TV show "Glee". It is a vile show in so many ways-I can't believe I had to pay to see my daughter reprise it at school- arrrrrrrrrrrgh!

More "Glee"....

We managed a few runs at Alta one afternoon.

Niall and Kevin in the center. We had a family ski day planned, with Coral and Lance, too, but bad weather and illness spoiled our fun. We are still trying to get in some good days this season.

Kevin is coaching Niall's basketball team again this year. They have had a successful season with Niall scoring regularly, playing great defense and making quick steals. I have contributed by taking bad photos...

India on her way to a friend's winter Luau!