This month has been full of fun summer activities and it's about time I let you in on some of them. Celestra, Myself and my best friend Tiffany made a trip down to Magna on the 21st to attend a Summer Solstice party at our friend John's parents home. It was an evening filled with good company and great food. Thanks for inviting us John. It was lots of fun!

John and his brother James with Cele's new sword

They liked it so much we had to eventually hide it in the car so they

would quit playing with it and Cele wouldn't loose her mind over their teasing.

Boys and their toys

Tiff and Cele hanging out at the party

Cele and I decked out in our Solstice flowers

Then it was on to the Parade of Homes, something Cele and I enjoy doing every year

This year we were joined by our friends Laura and Tiffany. Below are a few pics from our tour.

If you want to see more, check out my facebook page.

After that it was time for the annual Anderson-Lowe Family Reunion but I think we'll save that for the next blog.

Old Pictures

I was cleaning my house and found this picture. It's of me (if you couldn't tell) my senior year in High School. It's amazing to think of where I am now compared to where I thought I would be by this time at that age. Just thought I'd share a little of my past with you all.

A Musical Journey

The last two weeks have been almost completely devoted to music for the two of us. Let us take you on a photographic journey of our good times and great music.

We start off with Cantate choir awards day held on Monday, May 10th. Cele has now been in Cache Children's Choir for seven, let me repeat that, seven full years and has loved every minute of it. Cele recieving her newest bar for her very long pin from her director Jill DeVillbiss


The perfect attendance crew; Yep, Cele is in there somewhere

Cele with some of her choir friends; Bethany Budge and Kelcee Kendrick

Our next stop in our musical journey was on Wednesday, May 19 with a band concert that mom learned about the day before. Any how, all went well and the kids did great. Just to show you how far they've come in one year, I am putting a video up from their first concert. Then I will let you hear the three songs they performed this time. What a world of difference!

This is Hot Cross Buns from the 6th grade band's first performance of the year



Temple of Sinewava

Anasazi

and last but not least:

Fires of Mazama

And finally, the most exciting adventure on this musical journey comes last with the Cantate Choir tour to St. George. Three days of music, driving, and fun. Come explore with us...

The first day of the tour was spent mostly on the bus driving with kids acting goofy until they got too tired and started slowing down. We pulled into the hotel around 11pm and the kids simply crashed.

Day two started out very early, 5:30 am to be precise. After getting breakfast and dressed in their concert outfits we were off to the bus and performances at 6 different schools with a final concert at the nursing home Jill's (the director) father-in-law stays in.

School # 1 was a Jr. High with grades 6 and 7

There were 4 elementary schools, one being the workplace of a good friend of Jill's

An example of what the buss looked like in the interum between schools. We had instruments all up and down the isle and kids exausted from very little sleep and a long drive the day before. Yes the sleeper is Cele. However, there were other kids, like Riley, (who was sitting next to Celestra) who were engaged in activities like this:

The final school was another 6th and 7th grade school and by far the kids favorite performance.

After the school performances the kids got to change into their choir polo's and jeans. For a bit of a break, we headed for a water park so the kids could run around, cool off, and let out some energy before perfoming at their final destination.

Celestra in the fountain

Wading

Cele and Elise Idso

Cele and Makenna Finley

The 'Manly Men'

The entire Choir

The final performance was at Kolob nursing home where Jill's Father-in-law resides

The kids performing at the nursing home

Jill's husband and Father-in-law

The rest of the day was spent playing at a park, going to Shrek 4, and hitting the pool.

Day three was spent at Zions National Park and driving home. The kids had a blast with this.


Temple of Sinewava

Weeping Rock

Cele and her newest stuffed animal at Weeping Rock

My three girls: Celestra, Emma Cardon, and Emma Fjelsted

The choir at Weeping Rock



What natural accoustics can do for a song!
The Choir at the entrance to Weeping Rock

Cele with Emma Fjelsted and Kelcee Kendrick

Some of the beutiful scenery to be found in Zions


Hiking to the Emerald Pools

A couple of the boys having a good ol' time

Waiting for the rest of the crew before heading out

This was a really fun, if exhausting, trip and the kids had a lot of fun. Tomorrow ends this year for Cele and choir and then she only has about a week and a half for school before summer and boy is she ready!

The whole world is singing

The last two weeks have held two concerts for Cele (and the final two weeks of the semester for me - why it's taken me so long to update). The first concert was this years choir fest concert. It featured CCC's concert and cantate choirs along with the valley's 4th and 5th grade children, directed by Craig Jessop. The kids did a great job and have worked really hard for this concert. It was a great success and many parents were hoping we'd be doing something like it next year.

Choirfest with Craig Jessop

Cantate choir performs a few of their numbers

Combined choirs under Craig Jessop

Cele got to play the agogo bell for one of the pieces

'Alunde Allelujah'

Alunde Allelujah

Cele with Grandma and Grandpa Brown and
her cute cousin Ethan

SPRING SING

Then yesterday was the annual CCC Spring Sing

Once again Cele gets to play the agogo bell for

'Alunde Allelujah'

Cantate choir performs 'The Whole World is Singing'

(from right to left) Cele's friend Rayne,

Cele, Grandpa Brown, Grandma Brown,

Grandma Eiko, Mom


Now we just have the tour in two weeks and the 2009-10 choir season will come to an end.

Concert Schedule

We just wanted to give everyone a heads up for Celestra's concerts for the rest of the year. Her first concert will be this Wednesday, April 21 at 7:30pm in the Kent Concert Hall at USU. This concert is actually a really neat experience. It will be directed by Craig Jessop and, along with Cache Children's choir, many of the valley's 4th and 5th grade children will be joining them. The kids have been working really hard for this concert and the theme is "The whole world is singing" and the kids are singing songs from all over the world. The concert is free to the public.

Her next concert will be on Thursday, May 6 at 7pm in the Morgan Theater (next to the Kent) at USU. This is the Choir's annual Spring Sing and, once again, it is free to the public. The kids will be performing some of the numbers from the concert with Craig Jessop as well as some of the numbers they will be performing on tour this year.

And that leads us to her final perfomances. We are headed down to St. George this year on tour. The kids will be performing at several schools down there and doing workshops and clinics with guest directors. This will be a great opportunity for the kids. It is a three day event and, for those of you down in that area, I will get you more information as it becomes available. The dates for the tour are May 20-22.

Highlights

I promised Cele that, as soon as I could find the money, I would let her get highlights in her hair. Well today that dream became a reality for my precocious 12 year old. And after 3 hours of hard work by the girl doing her hair, here are the results. I think it turned out great and Cele is super excited and loves it. Now if only she'd stop growing up on me...

I'm Free

I was just looking through old files on my computer and found this poem. I had to share it with all of you. I know some that were really close to my mom are still struggling with her death and I know I still have my hard days. Maybe this poem can give you some comfort. It sure seemed to speak to me because it's truly how my mom would want us to be and remember her.

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I'm following the path that God has laid, you see.

I took his hand when I heard his call.

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day.

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much.

Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and peace be to thee.

God wanted me now;

He set me free!