The Final Notes of 2011

The concerts are now officially over for this year and they went out beautifully. On the 14th was Mount Logan Middle School's band concert. As Celestra told me the next day after school, their band teacher said he 'would take nothing back'. Meaning the kids did an awesome job. And they really did. Cele has come such a long way in just a few short years. It's amazing to me that she's already been playing the flute for going on her third year. It seems like only yesterday she was in the sixth grade band and I was wincing when I heard her practice.

Once again, I appologize for the sound quality. It is certainly not the best but you should get the gist. I hope. The following videos are four of the five numbers the band performed. The fifth was a joint number with the school choirs and I didn't record it because I was on the front row and all you would have heard was the choir.

In Honor of the Fallen

(The kids played this for the Veteran's day assembly but this was their first, and only, chance to perform it for the families.)

Deck the Halls with Chips and Salsa

Christmastime is Here

Coventry Carol

After the concert, we took a few minutes to get some fun pics of the kids and even a few of us meddlesome parents.

Santa, her reindeer, and one of her elves

or

(Left to right) Erika, Celestra, and Jess

Cele and one of her two best friends, Erika

Erika plays the Clarinet in the 8th grade band with Cele

Cele and her Grandma Eiko

Just mom and me

Cele and I with Erika and her mom

Then, as the final note in this years holiday concert series, we had the Cache Children's Choir annual Seasons Greetings concert. The kids did a good job here as well but they are sure glad to be on Christmas break, and so are we as parents!

Cantate Choir performing

The mass choir performing 'What Child is This'

After the concert and much time spent cleaning up, we headed out to Zeppies, a local Italian ice shop, for a yummy celebration treat. Grandma Eiko, Aubrey and James joined in the fun.

Celestra and her 'step-brother' James

Tadaima Minna san

I figured it was about time we updated again. Better late than never right? Well, as always, its been another busy season for us. So I will update by pictures as that's a little easier for me.

To start we have Celestra in one of her happy places. Surrounded by dogs! The dog you don't recognize is our upstairs neighbors and we often dogsit her. Cele loves it as you can see.

Thanksgiving:

This year, as last year, we spent Thanksgiving day with my adoptive family. This year it was held at my sister Desiree's place in Idaho Falls. Mom, Dad, Tonya and her family, Alisha and her family, Celestra and I, and (of course) Desiree and her family were all there. It was great to see everyone again. I love being able to spend time with this family. They are truly some of my favorite people. We love you all very much.

Little Thomas fast asleep

Cele with her cousins (Left to right) Daniel, Jacob, and Nathan

Alisha's boys Ethan and Kasen

Too cute for words.

Then, since Todd and Sarah are also living in Idaho Falls these days, we stopped by their place on the way home to say hi. Cele got in on a board game and the boys had fun with Maya (our puppy)

Jackson being silly

Maya hanging out

Cele with her uncle Todd and cousin Brian

Nutcracker:

Yep once again this year Celestra was part of the Nutcracker chorus so most of November was spent running her to and from rehearsals. Performances were held over Thanksgiving weekend with one each on Friday and Monday nights and two on Saturday. This was her fourth or fifth year doing it and she still loves it.

Cele with other members of the Cantate choir who also performed in the Nutcracker

The kids showing off their true selves

Gallery Walk/ St. John's Cathedral

This year the Cantate choir performed for the annual Winter Gallery Walk in Logan. Their performance was held at St. John's cathedral. This was the choirs first performance for the Christmas season and, as always, they did a great job.

The next day the kids performed at the Tabernacle for their annual performance there but I forgot to bring my camera. We will have to ask Grandma Eiko for her copies of the pictures I am sure she took. We even went to lunch with Grandma Eiko, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Todd, Brian, and Jackson after the performance. Thanks for lunch Eiko, it was delicious. And it was great to see the Carey family again too.

But we're not done yet!

This year Celestra also had her first flute recital. She played Gesu Bambino and did an awesome job. I have a friend who took a video of it so when she is able to get me a copy of it, I will let you see it. Once again, I forgot my camera. Grandma had hers though so we'll have to get copies of those pictures from her as well. I did snap one quick one with my phone though. So here's what I've got.

If we haven't mentioned it yet, Celestra is third chair flute in band this year. Go Cele!

Now for the last two performances on Wednesday and Thursday and a little bit more school work and we can relax for Christmas break, minus work of course.

What did we do on 11-11-11?

This week has been non-stop rehearsals and performances for Celestra and I, and its not over yet!

But as for this week: Starting on Monday, the kids had their first rehearsal with the American Festival Chorus and Craig Jessop. Wednesday was more of the same but it was also the first late night for the kids. They didn't get home till 10pm.

Then Thursday we made our way to Salt Lake for the final rehearsal. This one was the kids first chance to meet up with the Madeleine School Choir whom they performed with last night. The kids had a blast getting to know each other and getting to sing in the amazing Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake.

Yep that's right, Cele and her choir got to sing not only with the American Festival Chorus directed by Craig Jessop, AGAIN. But they also got to perform inside the Cathedral of the Madeleine with the children's choir associated with the cathedral. What an amazing opportunity!

The Cathedral of the Madeleine in Downtown Salt Lake City

Inside the Cathedral. It is absolutely stunning in there. If you ever get a chance to visit, you certainly should make a stop here.

This is the organ loft where the kids sang. Since their part was essentially that of the angels, having them singing from up on high, their voices ringing from above, made it even more amazing. (At least I think so :))

So what did they perform? Well since the concert was held on 11-11-11 you know it had to be something special right? Well it was certainly that! They performed the War Requiem by Benjamin Briton. It was one of the most amazing concerts I have ever been to, and that's saying something! Don't believe me? Ask the family that was able to come!

Here are a few pics of the kids before the performance last night.

Warm-ups before joining the Madeleine School choir

Practicing with the Madeleine School Choir just before the performance

Just a bit of goof-off time before performing

These three lovely ladies are the choir directors for the choirs. The one in the middle is the Madeleine School Choir director.

Then it was off to the cathedral for the first performance of this amazing work

Joining us at the concert were Uncle Ken, Aunt Kristine, Cousin Shannon, and her two adorable kids Isabelle and Thomas. Thank you guys for coming. You made the concert even more special for Celestra. We loved seeing you again. And Shannon, Cele LOVES her flowers!

Shannon and Isabelle

Celestra and Aunt Kristine

Celestra with Shannon, Thomas, Isabelle, and Aunt Kristine

Cele with her Aunt and Uncle

Aunt Kristine, Cele, Myself, and Uncle Ken

And now tonight we have the final performance of this amazing work. To be held here in Logan at the Ellen Eccles Theater.

Puppy's First Snowfall

Weather or not Celestra or I are winter persons, our puppy certainly is. Today was her first chance to really play in the snow. Man did she have a blast! It was just too cute so Cele got to take some pictures and even a fun little video and then, of course, we just had to share them with all of you!

A Spooktacular Day

You know I think I'm Waaay too nice sometimes. My child is 13 years old. She's at the age where I said I wouldn't let her go trick or treating any more. She is just too old. Leave some candy for the little kids right? Yeah well kinda hard to enforce that when her best friends are still going! So, lucky Cele got to go trick-or-treating again this year and MAN what a HAUL!

But before she could head out for her sugar high, she had to go to choir practice since they have a big performance coming up next week. In fact there are two performances next week so practice, practice, practice. However, it was still Halloween so most of the kids in choir dressed up from the young kindergartners all the way up to Cele and the other two girls in her choir that are currently the oldest kids in choir.

So here's Celestra, once again in costume, but this time with mask in place. She is with two of her choir mates, Daniel as Phantom from Phantom of the Opera and Lucy as Little Red Riding Hood.

The Sound of Spooky

Last night was Cele's first band concert of the year. This year the band student's got seat assignments based on their level. Cele is third chair flute! This was also the kids Halloween concert so they got to dress up as well. The bands did a great job. No videos this time though because I forgot to charge my camera battery before hand. I was able to snag a couple of pics of Cele and her friends before it died though.

Cele with her good friends Erika and Jade

Cele in costume

Concerts Here We Come!

Celestra’s Concert Schedule Winter 2011

Date	Location	Time	Details
Wed, Oct 26	Mount Logan Middle School Auditorium – Logan	7:00 pm	MLMS 7th & 8th grade bands
Fri, Nov 11	Cathedral of the Madeleine – SLC	8:00 pm	War Requiem American Festival Chorus & Cantate Choir
Sat, Nov 12	Ellen Eccles Theater – Logan	7:30 pm	War Requiem American Festival Chorus & Cantate Choir
Nov 25, 26, 28	Ellen Eccles Theater – Logan	7:00 pm with a 1:00 pm matinee on Sat	Nutcracker
Fri, Dec 2	St. John’s Episcopal Church – Logan	TBA	Gallery Walk Choir (Eiko will probably have some art work on display as well)
Sat, Dec 3 (tentative)	Tabernacle – Logan	Noon	Concert & Cantate Choirs annual performance
Wed, Dec 14	Mount Logan Middle School Auditorium – Logan	7:00 pm	MLMS Bands Christmas concert
Thur, Dec 15	Kent Concert Hall – Logan	7:00 pm	Seasons Greetings Concert Cache Children’s Choir – all choirs

So far, this is all of the concerts for the season. If any more come up we will be sure to let you know. If I were to choose only one performance to make it to, I would choose the War Requiem with the American Festival Chorus under the direction of Craig Jessop. The chances that the kids get to perform with Dr. Jessop and his choir are always some of the best. This would be a great concert for those of you in Salt Lake to get a chance to see Celestra perform as well. My second recommendation would be the annual Seasons Greetings choir concert. This is always a fun concert, even for the little ones.

Nature at it's Best

What does a puppy, a teenager, a mother, a grandmother, fall, and a beautiful canyon equal? Why tons of pictures of course!

Today was a gorgeous day in the canyon and we've missed spending time with Grandma Eiko since she's been gone so much so this was a perfect day. Thanks Eiko for the suggestion. It was lots of fun! We headed up to Tony's Grove and took the trail around the lake so we could fully enjoy the fall scenery, while taking a slew of pictures. But this time we added a twist. See if you can spot it.

Tony's Grove Lake