Parade of Homes 2009

This last week the two of us plus my friend Laura spent a few days going through this years Cache Valley Parade of Homes. This is pretty much an annual event for us. We go every time we can and we always have a blast. This year there were fewer homes due to the poor economy but it was still a lot of fun.

I like our valley's parade due to the fact that most of the homes are more practical instead of the almost impossibly huge homes seen in a lot of other places. These homes tend to be easy to imagine living in. It makes the parade really fun for us.

A really fun loft

A fun peek window

A neat idea for an office area

For the little princess

A sailors dream room.

A room just for a little cowboy.

Isn't this a gorgeous fireplace!

A wet bar

Polka dots! I love polka dots!!

This year my favorite ended up being a townhome that I really want to remember for when I'm done with college, that is if we are still living in the valley. It would be absolutely perfect for Cele and I!

The front of my favorite house.

It even has a loft!

The master bedroom

The second bedroom. This room also had a
bathroom attached. There was also a laundry room on this floor.
I loved that! No carrying laundry up and down the stairs!

Isn't this fun! I love the idea of the picture nooks.

The main floor had this living room, a half bath, the garage...

This dining area...

The kitchen, and a small deck.

The basement had this room plus a full bath and an extra laundry room.
So... When can we move in?!!! Sigh school and bills must interfere. So on we
march. There are more homes to see.

A fancy kitchen/dining area.

Check out the tiling!

Laura loved this bed

All the sinks in this kitchen were carved out of one piece of granite each

When's band night?

Isn't this the prettiest bed set ever!

I am a sucker for corner tubs

Can we say BIG! (though not the biggest this year)

A window seat!

Come hear her sing

Now that the opera performances are only about a week away, I figured it was time to let everyone know the dates for the performances. Celestra is super excited and is constantly singing in french! Everywhere! She says she will be easy to spot but just remember, she is playing a boy in the production. As she puts it, no silly dresses or dolls for her. It's swords all the way. She even gets to poke one of the 'guards' with her sword.

And just so you have it, here's a little synopses of the opera:

Carmen
by Georges Bizet
Director: Daniel Helfgot
Conductor: Barbara Day Turner

One unforgettable melody after another ignites Bizet's tingling drama of passion and jealousy under the hot Spanish sun. Carmen, a bewitching woman in love with love, sets up a deadly and passionate triangle between herself, a jealous corporal and a swaggering toreador. The tempest she creates as she plays one man against another ultimately leads to explosive tragedy. Fiery, intense, tender and bold - the world's most popular opera!

Carmen Performance dates and times:

Wednesday, July 8 @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 15 @ 7:30pm
Friday, July 17 @ 7:30pm
Thursday, July 23 @ 7:30pm
Thursday, July 30 @ 1:00pm (matinee)
Saturday, August 1 @ 1:00pm (matinee)
Friday, August 7 @ 1:00pm (matinee)

All performances are in Logan at the Ellen Eccles Theater. You can get tickets through the UFOC website at www.ufoc.org

Belated Birthday Wishes

Well I did it again this year. I forgot to wish several people happy birthday throughout the first part of the year. So I am now attempting to, partially, make up for that. To all those I forgot on their birthdays, I am sorry. Please forgive me and know that I didn't do it on purpose. I promise. Enjoy my tribute video as a small way of saying Happy (belated) Birthday.

A new graduate

This weekend we got to spend some time up in Spokane, WA with our family. My niece, Brianne, graduated from High School and we went up to celebrate with her. That and it was a chance for the cousins to spend more time together, something they tend to take every opportunity to do.

Nikki (Bri's mom) celebrated by having a family party at her house on Saturday before the graduation where many of her family members came and joined us in congratulating Bri. She is the first of Nikki's parents grandchildren to graduate from High School (same for my mom) so it was a big deal. Bri got loaded with presents and Nikki, her sister Robyn and I worked on food prep starting the day before (mostly Nikki though). The party and graduation were a big success!

Congratulations Bri we are very proud of you! Good luck in college next year and don't spend all that money you were given on Anime. >_<

It's Official

It is now official. Celestra Alake Anderson will be a member of Cache Children's Choir's Cantate Choir. This is the highest level of the choir and the only auditioned choir. She just recieved her official notice this week via email. Celestra begins on August 22. (almost immediately following the completion of her Opera schedule) She is super excited, especially since this means she gets to go on tour with the group next summer. Destination: Denver, CO for the 'Sing a Mile High Children's Festival'. For more info on Celestra's favorite music group you can check out their web site at www.cachechildrenschoir.org.