Pictures from Grant and Spencer's Choir experience

 Grant and Spencer had the wonderful opportunity to be in a children's choir this fall with several members of our ward. The choir was directed by Theresa Pesci the wife of our bishop.  At first Grant didn't want to go and thought he wouldn't like it but after the first day they both loved the practices and the chance to be with other kids their age.  Grant was asked to sing a solo part and it made him feel really good about himself to do it. He was nervous and thought seriously about backing out but he did it and I was so proud of him.  I had been worried for awhile about my boys and their busy schedules preventing them from having very much time with friends to play. When this opportunity came up I felt like it was an answer to my prayers. It helped them make a lot of new friends and really enjoy the time with other children developing their talents.  The first concert was on a Wednesday night took place at a local chapel. (Tyler's old singles ward chapel)  He said that when he was there in the evenings around Christmas time he would hear this choir practicing back when he was single so it was pretty strange to have children in the choir now. His life has changed so much and so fast in just a small period of time.

Grant and Spencer's great grandma Helen and Aunt Josephine were able to attend.  They were especially touched when the children started to sing Silent night in German. "Oma"'s parents came over from Germany and she grew up with many wonderful German traditions that she continues to this day.

 Spencer was disappointed that for the first performance he did not get a Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer nose.

 The second performance was on Friday night kind of late at a chapel on the northwest side of town.  They were holding a Christmas open house with nativity displays tons of really good refreshments and lot's of children's groups performing. It was a little bit of a mad house. Spencer was very happy that he got his nose and Grant was happy that he didn't have to sing his solo part that night. He was pretty nervous till he heard about the change. They both did a wonderful job on Friday. Karen and her kids came with Matt. You can see the back of them in the picture just below. they are on the far right.

 The final performance was at the St. George Tabernacle and it was really magical. It started to snow just as we pulled into town.  When getting out of the van I pulled my hood up over my head so that My hair wouldn't get messed up. Well that did something to my vision, judgement and coordination because when I went to step up and get josh's coat just inside the van over his car seat I hit my head so hard on the door frame of the sliding door that I heard some crunching in my neck and felt some serious pain. I had to sit down on the ground because I thought I might pass out all while Tyler was hyperventilating about met getting dirty. (Classic)  He was worried about getting clothes dirty first even though I might have broken my neck. I thought it was pretty funny even at the time.  For the rest of the night I had a really stiff neck.  Tyler eventually snapped out of his extreme anxiety to help me up. :)

 Once inside the kids had some time to get there robes on and warm up. As you can see they really enjoy each others company.  Josh had a massive dirty diaper that we changed in the hallway while he shrieked and tried to escape numerous times. He also looked liked an abandoned child who had been living off the streets when we arrived. Grant was put in charge of feeding him while on the trip.  Grant did a good job Josh Just wiggles and moves and grabs so much that a lot of his food wound up all over his face and hair and clothes. It was pretty awesome. Tyler loved holding him at the same time his wife collapsed to the muddy snowy ground. :)  It was all pretty funny.

 Once everyone was dressed and presentable Tyler and I went into the tabernacle to get seats and wait for Brother Francisco and Matt.

 The tabernacle was decorated so beautifully with lighted Christmas trees red bows, ornaments, greenery and poinsettias in the windows.

 Spencer said his eyes teared up especially while his brother was singing.  He said it was all so beautiful and it sounded so good that it made him feel really happy. Theresa Pesci said nearly the same thing.  She looked outside before just before the children were supposed to come in on a song and teared up as she saw the beautiful snow coming down around the gas lamps outside the beautiful tabernacle windows.  She caught herself and got the kids started...a little late but no one noticed. They sounded like Angels. The acoustics in that building are pretty spectacular.

 Josh was very interested in exploring so Tyler and I tool turns taking him to the entry way where he could look at the decorations and play on the stairs. At one point Tyler peeked outside and had me come with for just a moment during the performance so I could see Josh's reaction to the snow. He loved it. And so did I.

 Brother Francisco seem to really enjoy himself. I looked over a few times to see him happily singing along. I am amazed that he gets around as well as he does.  Especially in weather like this.

 Grant and Serena sang solo parts in the beginning and end of "Where are you Christmas?"

 After the performance we spent some time in the snow having a snowball fight with the boys and their dad.  I thought me might be able to get a great Christmas card picture. But immediately after this one was snapped Spencer darted of saying he had to go to the bathroom. Turns out he didn't and he was just trying to get out of taking a picture. So that was the end of my cool Christmas card dreams.

 We stopped by the Temple to see the nativity and look at the pretty lights. Spencer was pretty snowed out and quickly went back to the car with Josh and Tyler. Grant and I took some time to look around and go inside the visitor center.  The spirit is very strong at the temple normally but their was something very special about being their with the nativity and the snow and hearing the Apostles talk over the speakers about the birth of the Savior.  I am so glad that we had that moment together as a family.

 Grant and Spencer noticed right away that the baby Jesus was covered in snow and felt pretty bad about that.

 After we stopped at the visitor center we made our way over to my Friend Rikki's parent home in St. George. She invited us to stay with them a few weeks ago so we lucked out.  Her parents have a beautiful home and they took very good care of us. Rikki's mom had lasagna, garlic bread and a salad waiting for us when we arrived and had even planned for the kids to decorate cookies afterwards.

 After and before the cookie decorating the kids had fun playing down in the basement with the pool table and ping pong balls. They especially loved wrestling around in the theater room.

 The theater room was amazing.  I really enjoyed the few minutes I spent snuggle up to Spencer watching Christmas shows.

The next day church was cancelled. The boys spent a little time out in the snow.

 Grant was overjoyed. He reminds me so much of a story book we have that talks about Santa as a child. In the book it shows santa enjoying the cold and the snow so much that he spent as much time as possible out there.  Grant is the same. He loves a good snowball fight and forgets that not everyone wants be roll around in it as much as he does. At one point Tyler dropped him in the snow and rolled him around in it.  Grant laughed so hard and proclaimed, "That was awesome do it again."  The snow was on his face and his neck and he didn't even care.  HE LOVES SNOW!

Tyler did a good job keeping the kids entertained with a game of pool. They really enjoyed playing with him.  The roads opened up about Sunday at noon and then it was time to go home. We were sad to go but grateful for clear roads to travel on. Matt ended up staying the night at the Ramada too and stopped in for a minute to say hi just before we all traveled home. Rikki's dad made some soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for us to eat before we got on the road and I forgot to mention the waffles with homemade Cinnabon syrup. Sooooo yummy. I had the syrup in my oatmeal and it was fabulous.  I also forgot to mention that we had scrambled eggs made from their own chickens. Very tasty.