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.