10-19-2010 Tuesday - Utah and "The Magic Flute"

We came to Utah for several reasons - first to see the beautiful autumn leaves change colors - this is outside of Holly's dorm...

Another was to get Drew set to come to BYU in January...

We ate good German food - a little Octoberfest Celebrating...

We visited our friend, Jared, whom Jeff baptized 10 years ago...

We had great food at La Caille french restaurant...

We visited with Holly whenever she wasn't in school...

We were going to go to the football game - but there was a thunderstorm...
This bus is from the "U" - the bumper sticker says,
"I BRAKE FOR ALL ANIMALS EXCEPT COUGARS"
Talk about rivalry!!!

But the biggest reason was to see Holly perform in the Opera, The Magic Flute. Long story short - the cast had already been chosen last spring, but she could still audition for the chorus. The director heard her try out and offered her a principal role as the "Dritte Knabe", which means the third little boy spirit. She was cast with two other girls who were juniors. She was thrilled to be cast at the last minute - but she only had 4 weeks (where the rest had all summer) to learn her lines in German and sing it as an alto which was a stretch for her since she is naturally a first soprano. But the director had faith in Holly that she could do it and he was really happy with her performance. She was the only freshman girl in the entire cast - she was beyond excited!!!

Here she is singing to Pamina, the princess.

Here are the three boy spirits stopping Papageno from committing suicide. She is holding the rope as he is about to hang himself - then as he jumps - she throws it over with him. Everyone laughed!!!

Holly is at the top of the temple next to the prince during the finale.

We saw three of her four performances. Afterwards, this is where everybody goes to celebrate. It's called Sammy's and it's in downtown Provo. They serve amazing burgers, sweet potato fries and even pie shakes!!! They actually take a slice of pie and mix it into the shake! Intense!!!

Yummo!!!

Noel, Shera and Luke attack Holly after the performance!

Our family congratulating her!

Grams and Drago flew up for a few days to see her!

Papa, Grandma, Matt, Christy and Nicole came too!
Christy came all the nights with us too!

The Hehl Family came and loved it!

Holly's roommate, Taylor, and her best friend, Victoria, came too!

The Blacks came - it was so good to see them and Holly was so surprised!

Andrew and his sister Karen were also in the opera.

Our good friends, the Brooks, changed their season tickets night to see her!

And sweetie Susan Adams loved to see Holly too!!!

10-16-2010 Saturday - Noel's First Homecoming Dance

Noel went to the Homecoming Dance this year with a bunch of her friends. She doesn't want to date until she is 16 which is only a year and a month away she's reminded me!

They went to the San Juan Capistrano train depot to take photos beforehand. It was a great venue for lots of cool backgrounds. Then the all went to Chipotle for dinner and to school for the carnival rides and the dance!

The girls go up...

The girls go down...

She looked so pretty that night - like a dessert -
scrumptious!!!

10-15-2010 Friday - MVHS Homecoming Game

Tonight Noel got to cheer at her first varsity football game!

It was Homecoming and MVHS was playing against Dana Hills. The JV teams cheer at Homecoming and at all the playoff games too. It was a really cold night and she was freezing - still so excited!!!

We won 52 - 26!!!

Go Mission!!!

10-12-10 Tuesday - South Pacific

"I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair!"
We saw South Pacific at the OC Performing Arts Center - it was a fun show, but a little bit risque I must say!!!

We were able to go into the Center Club Room during intermission and enjoy some treats and drinks. They had a Pacific Rim theme with egg rolls, won tons and macadamia nut cookies for instance.

Jeff had a school board meeting that night so Louie got to come with us instead!

Shera tried everything!

Luke rested during at the break. The musical was great - but Luke fell asleep and missed the end. It was late for a school night. But we are still so glad we saw it.

10-10-10 Sunday - Something Loooong Over Due - The Comforter!!!!

So... One of the things I have done for my kids when they get baptized at the age of eight years old is to make them a comforter. This is a special gift they receive that is a symbol of the Gift of the Holy Ghost (or the Comforter) after they are baptized into the church and are confirmed.

I was a little late for Luke's baptism last June - but I finally got it done!

And what was even worse is that I had never finished Shera's either! And she is ten years old now! (Talk about procrastinating...) I heard her asking about it for the past two years too!!!

So I had to share their faces of surprise and joy when they opened up their comforters!

I make them with their favorite colors - not too big, not too small - but just right!

Luke was so happy he thought he'd give a big kiss to his sister!!!

10-9-2010 Saturday - Out of the Darkness...

Noel volunteered at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - "Out of the Darkness" Walk on Saturday morning. Seven girls from the pep squad came to cheer on the walkers at the finish line. She was the only song leader that could make it, but it gave her the opportunity to get to know some of the cheerleaders better! They were really cute girls with a great attitude helping the walkers. Some had photos of their children, family members, or friends on their shirts - it was a very touching and worthwhile event.

10-7-2010 - MVHS vs. Redlands

Love our Diablo Banner the team runs through after halftime!

It splits right down the middle and velcros right back up for next the next game!

Mission Viejo 55
Redlands 6
Gooooo Mission!!!!

10-4-2010 Monday - "BOO" Cupcakes!!!

We absolutely LOVE Halloween at our home! There are so many fun activities, crafts and yummy treats to make!

Last night for our family night, we made cupcakes with yellow and orange cake batter and purple frosting. The kids had a fun time creating each individual masterpiece with all the decorations.

I found these cute skull and crossbones candies at Target and the bat picks at the party store.

They couldn't wait to dig in! They were perfect for a lunchtime treat today too!