Intermountain Suzuki String Institute

Last week Alicyn had the opportunity to go to the Intermountain String Institute, which was held at Juan Diego Catholic School in Draper. It was quite the opportunity and WE THANK EVERYONE who helped to get her there. Kayleen, her violin teacher held a fundraiser for all her students last fall so we could raise some money to help with the tuition. We had so much support from family and friends. We are so grateful to you! Institute started on Monday morning and ended on Saturday afternoon. (June 16th through June 21st)

Alicyn was able to be on education leave from regular school. Monday, we went in the morning to register and get our schedule for the week.

Our classes started at 1:00 on Monday and we met her Master Class teacher Ms. Bossuat. She is incredible, from California, and studied with Dr. Suzuki himself. She taught both of us so much this week.

On Tuesday, our second day with Ms. Bossuat, she was able to help us know that Alicyn's chin rest was the wrong kind for her chin and she was having to strain to much to hold the violin to play correctly. We found this out partly because, Alicyn ended up passing out in the middle of her 10 minute session with her in front of her 4 classmates/mom's and 8 teachers in training. She fell backwards and smacked her head on the concrete floor with her legs twisted underneath her. It was quite the show that had everyone scrambling around the room to help. I didn't panic because she did this once before at her regular lessons. (it is a little worrisome when her eyes are rolled back in her head and she is white) We took her out into the hall, thinking it might be cooler, and she used an extra T-Shirt the teacher had as a pillow. The thing that was so disappointing to me was she missed out on valuable time with her teacher. Ms. Bossuat told Alicyn at the end of the week that she will never forget her...we made a lasting impression. LOL


Alicyn also took three other classes during the entire week. A Dalcroze class, which was so fun for her and interesting for me. Here is the definition of Dalcroze:The Dalcroze Method is a method of teaching musical concepts through movement. A variety of movement analogues are used for musical concepts, to develop an integrated and natural feel for musical expression. Turning the body into a well-tuned musical instrument, Dalcroze felt, was the best path to generating a solid, vibrant musical foundation. The Dalcroze Method consists of three equally important elements: Eurhythmics, solfege, and improvisation. Together, according to Dalcroze, they comprise the musicianship training of a complete musician. In an ideal approach, elements from each subject blend together, resulting in teaching rooted in creativity and movement.

Alicyn had a chorus class which helps with sound and pitch of music. Where they learned three songs from The Lion King, with dances and performed in three days time. It is amazing how quickly kids pick things up and can turn it into something great and amazing to watch. Grandma Diane came to watch and took us out to lunch afterwards. Her chorus teacher was Ms. Debbie who is the newest member of the Tabernacle Choir.

The fourth class was to focus on her violin techniques, as a group they learned songs with rhythms and did all kinds of activities with those songs to help her with the rhythm of the songs she is learning right now.

My favorite part of the whole week....the time I was able to spend with Alicyn. We had so much fun together and went to lunch every day, (she is hooked on Subway) which was fine with me lunch for both of us at $5.

Our friend Laura, she was in the violin 8 class and they played the Hungarian Dance, WOW!! that was fantastic and my very favorite song that was played the entire concert. Laura is who inspired Ali to want to play the violin. So I of course am very grateful to her. Ali wanted to find her every day so we could hang out with her and her mom Missy. I wish I would have gotten a picture with them. They are our dear friends.

For now...Alicyn is so excited to practice, and play with that shot in the arm of fun, and teaching we had all week long. She told me she never wants to miss Violin Camp...EVER! So, I guess I will try and start saving my money now. It will take place the same week of June next year and she already wishes it was time to go again.

All the violin students performed as groups (their level) on Saturday, and I was proud of her to get up there and do her best. She was worried about it and didn't want to.
One thing Alicyn said....she wishes she could go to that school all the time and not her school. She thought that Juan Diego was just a violin school all the time. I had to explain that it is like her school, they are just out for the summer and are letting us use their building (she was disappointed). Next year I think I will put Zach in a few classes to get his little mind going musically. He would have loved it too.

Thanks again for all the support and help to get her there!!

Our Family Fun Day

We had a blast at Lagoon on Friday June 13th, which was also Dave's birthday.

Alicyn was brave this time and tried all the roller coasters she was tall enough to go on. We also got soaked on Rattle Snake Rapids, played with our cousins, and had dinner with the Sugarhouse Stake where my Aunt Vicki and Grandma live.

We also ran into Tricia Nelson and her family which was a surprise and a highlight....Ali keeps telling me she has a crush on Camden, but has sworn me to secrecy (so you don't know about that). Maybe he will find out if he keeps using mint toothpaste. "LOL" "wink wink" I am kidding, I hope they are too young for smooches still. Camden just cracks me up! You would have to read Tricia's blog to get it if you haven't already.

Anyway, we had a very fun family day. Zach took me on the Rock O Planes and had me upside down, after turning and turning he yelled at me...oh mom, stop us I am sick. I was letting him be the pilot and wasn't so fond of the spinning and upside down myself. My kids loved the new ride Odyssey so much! We were able to snap a few photos.

Zachary David - Turns 5 Years Old!

My little Zach turned 5 years old this past week. It is hard to believe how fast he has grown up. He just loves to have a birthday and be fussed over. We have been so busy at Alicyn's violin camp this week, I haven't had any time to do other things. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Zachary had a birthday party on Saturday the 14th, only two of his friends were able to make it. We were so happy that Matthew and Logan came!! and we are grateful for cousins to make it seem like a lot more. We had so much fun at his "transformer" party. Lots of fun games!

After his birthday party we had a birthday dinner at our house for Dave and Zach with our family. It is always so nice to get together. (more pictures later). LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!

Today is my sweeties birthday. We have a fun filled day planned of going to Lagoon. Zach's birthday is on Monday and when we asked Zach what he wanted to do for his birthday he said, I want to go bowling and to Lagoon. Well it just so happens that it is my Grandma and Aunt's Stake Lagoon day today. WAHOOO! That is the only day we can afford to go to Lagoon. ha ha ha so it worked out perfect. We will celebrate birthday's today as a family and have fun fun fun. After all That's what fun is! (Isn't that the Lagoon Slogan?)

Remembering Gram

Though the circumstances weren't happy ones it was so nice to gather as a family and reminisce about Gram and Grandpa. We did laugh some too, there were great stories and memories shared all day. We had family come from all kinds of distances. I always think that when we have a funeral it brings the family unit closer together, and knits the knots that much tighter. How great it is to be able to lean on each other and buoy each other up. There are many things that we do as families that have a similar effect. Weddings, Babies, Milestones in life. I feel really blessed to have the family I have.

New Toy

Dave and I have been talking about getting the kids a trampoline for a little over a year. They keep asking for an XBox or a Nintendo Wii. We decided that instead of them playing games all the time it would be better to have something that kept them more active. Plus, when I was a kid our trampoline was one of our favorite things.

Our trampoline was rectangular, and you can't buy those anymore unless you have a gymnasium license for gymnastics (I tried). All the "grandkids" still love jumping on it. One of the rules my mom had was no jumping on Sunday. My sister and I had a secret code that we use and would always try and change to out smart my mom. We would do the code to each other and then sneak out in the backyard like we were getting away with something. My mom always knew and after a bit she would call us back in the house.

Anyway, I have been watching the sales and there was one advertised that seemed like it was a pretty good deal. Dave and I met at the store and surprised the kids that night.

They both have big plans of sleeping out on it (that was one of my favorites too, but sometimes we would get yelled at for being to noisy). They both have begged for the sprinkler under it too, another one of my favorites growing up. Too bad it has been cold, I haven't let them yet. I am sure that will come, it can't be freezing here forever, can it?

Ali and Zach had fun helping dad put it up. You gotta love those bonding moments. :)

Memorial Weekend

We went camping over memorial day weekend to Flaming Gorge. We have been going there for about 4 or 5 years now every Memorial, and always have a great time.

We left at 5:30 on Friday morning and on the way there it snowed so hard we couldn't see the side of the road. I thought, oh man, what are we doing??

We had rain off and on all weekend but it sure was better than sitting at home.

I also saw my first moose (two of them) in the wild "in Utah". That was awesome for me.

End of Preschool!

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

(MY CAMERA TAKES AWFUL PICTURES INSIDE.)

Zach had so much fun in preschool this year. I give all the credit to Miss Lisa, she is absolutely wonderful and we love her! There were some mornings that Zach would be so grouchy when it was time for school and she could get him to snap out of most any mood. What a relief for me! She is heaven sent. He told Miss Lisa yesterday that he misses school, which both of us were happy to hear. He learned so much and grew up a lot this last year.

(he looks like an alien with those eyes)

Zach was always funny with me and learning new things. Before Preschool, I tried to say the ABC's with him and other fun songs - he would say "stop it mom, stop singing". Now I know I don't sing well, (I think some of that is because I can't hear so I am always off key). However, he was so opposite of Ali, she wanted you to sing everything imaginable when she was younger. Not Zach, I am happy that he has always loved books though.

Hard to believe that my baby has grown up.

1st Horse Show of the Year

Alicyn did a great job. She ended up switching horses the week of the show but she and Jet did just great! We hadn't tried on Ali's cowboy hat since last fall when she was in the last show. We were in trouble, her hat no longer fit her. In order to compete you have to have a hat. Well, Shane ran to Reams for me just before she was to enter the arena and bought a new hat, he went the next size up since she wasn't able to go with him. It was too small too! Great! So for one class she had to wear a pink hat with a red shirt. Yes, I know...it matched so well. We are prepared for the next show, I took her with me and we had her fitted for a new hat so that won't happen again. Ali has just been telling everyone that she must be getting smarter cause her brain grew.

Specer and Emily (cousins) also rode in the horseshow.

Much thanks to Aunt Christy & Shane for all the help that day.

This is also the day that Hilerie helped me look for my wedding ring...which still hasn't been found. I am sure lucky to have the family I have.