'Tis the Season for Concerts!

It's the second week of December. The busiest week of the year. It actually started last week and will end next week, but we are certainly in the thick of it right now! We've already had two band concerts, the Centennial Children's Chorus "Songs of the Season", Fort Collins High School Holiday Gift Concert (2 performances), Linton's Pride Choir and 1st Grade concert, one performance of Aladdin, and several more concerts to go! They have all be excellent so far. We were especially impressed with the high school because it was our first time seeing that concert. Hayley sang with the auditioned Women's Chorus, and also played with the "Jingle Brass" a group of band kids who played Christmas carols from the lobby while things were changing on the stage. It was just a beautiful concert with the symphonic orchestra, jazz band, and choirs. They ended in an inspiring rendition of the "Hallelujah Chorus." It's nice to know the ACLU hasn't axed the Christmas spirit in Fort Collins yet. . . .

Jeffrey was so proud to have his first real concert! He said he needed to take a bath the night before so he looked especially good for his concert. He requested that Emily come to his show during the day because she would miss it for "Aladdin." He said "I go to all of your concerts!" He did a great job. We were proud.

The first grade concert was combined with the Linton Pride Choir concert. Mara had another solo and sang beautifully. She doesn't seem to get nervous.

Mara played the xylophone in several songs too. She is with her best friend, Katherine.

"Aladdin" has been a big part of our crazy concert week as well. The show last night was terrific! I was actually quite happily surprised after the reports from Emily and after seeing the first dress rehearsal on Saturday. The kids really rose to the occasion and pulled off a very entertaining show. This is a picture of Emily/Jasmine pouting. She has a very good grouchy face. :)

Jasmine and Aladdin in disguise.

"I can show you the world . . ." Emily sounded like an angel. She totally outsang Aladdin.

Do they look relieved?!

Emily and her hair dresser/make-up artist/costume coordinator. (She makes me look really old!)

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving break was a whirlwind of food and fun! We had our best Thanksgiving weather ever for our drive to Utah and back. We must have broken our "get stuck in Rawlin's" curse somehow! We always have the blessing of eating two Thanksgiving dinners with all of our favorite people.

Turkey Bowl with the Hansen cousins was so much fun that they did it again on Friday!

I don't know how the Hansen's find seats for everyone, but they always do. We had a very enjoyable evening with all of the best things. Good conversation, games, and cousins.

These kids had a blast playing the gossip/pictionary game. Still not sure what to call it, but it is so funny.

I didn't get any pictures of the dinner at the Hemmert's, but that meal was splendid as well! Dad's gravy was the best yet!!! Friday afternoon we had a fun Hansen activity at Brad and Chelsa's church. We stuffed teddy bears, made cards, played games, and ate good food. The best part was when Grandpa Santa showed up! I need to get pictures from someone!

Saturday morning we went to Brick Oven Pizza as a pre-game lunch and to celebrate Grandma Joyce's 65th birthday!

We got lot's of baby love! Two cuties!

Mara just can't get enough of the babies. We wish we lived closer!

After lunch we surprised Grandma with a few special songs just for her. The kid sang "I wish every child in the whole wide world had a grandmother just like you."

The grown up kids had a "Hemmert Family Singers" reunion and sang "Let's Go Fly a Kite." Coordinated outfits and all. It was pretty funny. I think Mom enjoyed it.

The best part of all was when Dad sang their special song "More." I don't think there was a dry eye. It was one of the sweetest things we have ever seen.

We came home on Sunday tired but full to the brim and overflowing. It helped that BYU won the big game too and some of us got to witness it in person. :)

Cubs and Cloggers

In November the fifth grade had their patriotic program and Mara had a big part! The program was a musical review of American history from pre-colonial times to the present. And they did it in under an hour!

Mara was the All American girl and she sang a verse of "My Country ''tis of Thee" and then clogged to "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy/You're a Grand Old Flag." The singing was lovely, but the clogging was amazing! She choreographed it herself and she took the house down! Seriously, the school was stunned and the applause was uproarious! Mara was a star for a few days after that. She loved it! :)

Mark had his chance to shine as well. He and Neil built a boat together for the Raingutter Regata. His boat was based after a model ship he bought in Jamestowne. He built a railing with matchsticks and stained it. His ship won a race or two, and got an award for his design as well.

Oh, watch the side! It was pretty entertaining. Most of the boys took their losses in stride, but it was intense at times.

Jeffrey made a boat too. This is a catamaran. They were specifically forbidden in the races because the double hull makes them really fast. Of couse, the "forbidden" aspect made it all the more appealing to Jeffrey. So he and Neil made one and the scout leaders let Jeff race when the cub scouts were done.

It really was faster than the rest of the boats. Jeff was a proud boy.