Music Recital

Yesterday was the semi-annual recital for Sara's Music Lessons. The recital's don't really change much from year to year, so I don't know why but I was especially excited about this one. I felt a little bit like their parent because I was so proud of them all. Since there are so many students involved, Sara seperates the students into 3 smaller recitals. I had 3 students in the 2nd recital and 3 in the last recital. I unfortunately had 6 other students who couldn't participate in the recital for a variety of reasons.

The 3 girls pictured below are The Wagner sisters. I've been teaching them for over 3 years and have really enjoyed watching them progress. Kirya and Alysha are twins and were about 4 when I started teaching them, and now they're going into second grade. Their sister Caitlyn just finished 3rd grade and switched from the piano to the violin about a year ago.



Here are all the students and teachers from the second recital.


In the last recital I had Madison. She is probably one of the most dedicated students I've ever had. She practices everyday, and it shows!


I also had Melissa. I've been teaching her violin for about 6 months. She is such a sweetheart and probably one of my favorites because her family is LDS.



Last but not least is little Isabella. I started teaching Isabella when she was 4. I especially like teaching Isabella because she always dresses up for our lessons. Sometimes if I forget and don't complement her outfit, she'll say things like "Don't you like my dress?"



All the students and teachers from the last recital.


Besides the recital, something else exciting happened yesterday. Eric passed the last project he needed at school to get his next raise. He had worked really hard on all his projects, especially this last one. I'm so proud of him! He only has 1 class day left before he gets a break for summer. Kollin and I are so excited to get to have him home every Saturday!

Memorial Day

We had a nice Memorial Day BBQ and swim at Sarah and Dan's.




Eric was a trooper and got into the VERY cold pool with Kollin.

After feeling how cold it was I don't think Kollin was very interested in the pool. That's ok though because he still kept plenty busy with all of the cool toys Aunt Sarah has in her backyard. And when he wasn't playing, he was eating watermelon!

My 30 Day Shred

I've debated about weather to blog about this or not, because I'm a little sensitive and have a hard time admitting that I struggle with certain things. But...I have to remember that I'm blogging for the memories, and I can't worry about what people are going to think of me when they read my blog. All I care about is recording memories, struggles, triumphs, etc.. for our posterity. So don't judge me!

Anyways...I've been wanting to loose weight for a while. I have slowly gained and gained over the past year and a half. Because I was so sick during my pregnancy with Kollin I ended my pregnancy 35 pounds lighter than I did when I started. I vowed that I would never gain that weight back. Well I failed because I've gained just about every pound back.

I've tried to get into running, which I really do enjoy, but it kills my body! And I could never stick with it long enough to build strength in my legs. I even attempted to train for a half marathon, which sadly didn't last long because like I said it hurt my body and I struggled to find time each day to run. (As Eric would say "Excuses, excuses!")

So last week, after one of those mornings when I had a total melt down because none of my clothes fit, I decided it was time to change. Especially because I feel like just about everyone around me is loosing weight. So I went out and bought Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. I joined myfitnesspal.com where I can track my calories and exercise and I made a comittment to myself that for the next (at least) 30 days I was going to eat healthy and exercise regularly.

This all happened last Tuesday, so I've been at it for over a week and I weighed myself earlier today and not only have I not lost any weight, but I've gained a pound!! I'm definietly feeling discouraged, especially because for the last 3 days I've been doing 30 day shred morning and night!

I'm not giving up! Even though the scale isn't exactly being friendly, I know that I feel better. I'm putting the scale away until my 30 days are up, and I'm crossing my fingers that my dilligence is going to pay off!

Our Trip to Parowan

At the end of April we took a last minute trip to Parowan, Utah for Aunt Kathy's funeral. She passed away unexpectedly in her sleep and when Eric heard the news he really felt like we needed to make the trip for the funeral. Eric was able to get Friday off work so we headed out Thursday afternoon and stayed in St. George Thursday night. While in St. George we met Eric's friend Mike, and his fiance Louisa for dinner at Cafe Rio. (Yum!) Visited with Shelby and got to see her apartment. Did some shopping at Down East Outfitters, and most importantly...decided that if we ever get the opportunity we really want to move to St. George!

On Friday morning we drove the rest of the way to Parowan. I had never been to Parowan, only driven through on my way to Salt Lake so I was excited to spend some time there. Eric had told me about a time when they were there visiting Uncle Gene and Aunt Kathy and he and Rob were stopped by a Police Officer for riding their dirt bikes on the road and when they told the officer that Bishop Carter was their Uncle, he let them go! So I knew that Parowan was a small town, but I really liked it there. When we got there on Friday afternoon all of Uncle Gene's family was at the mortuary in Cedar City so Papa Jeff walked us to a little park across the street from Uncle Gene's house to entertain Kollin. We bundled up because it was SO cold!




Later that night, was the viewing at the church. I still can't believe how many people came to the church for the viewing. It must have been everyone in Parowan and then some because people kept flooding in. The line just to get into the Relief Society room was crazy long. I had only met Aunt Kathy once at a family reunion before Kollin was born so I didn't know her well but after seeing the number of people at the viewing, and the funeral and all the love and support from their ward, I knew she was a special lady.

The funeral service on Saturday was beautiful. Kollin and I listened from the foyer because I knew he wouldn't be happy in the chapel. I think my favorite part of the service was hearing a memory of Aunt Kathy from each of her Grandchildren. It was really special, and reminded me of how influential Grandparents can be. I'm so greatful for the few memories I have of my Great-Grandparents, and the hundreds of memories I have of all my grandparents. I'm so glad that Kollin has lots of Grandmas and Grandpas. It's so special to see the bond he is already forming with each of them. I know he definitely enjoyed spending the weekend in Utah with Grandma and Papa!

Easter 2011

I'm behind in my blogging...like always. Here is a recap of our Easter.
Since Eric and I and all of my married siblings were going to be with our in-laws on Eater Sunday we decided to celebrate on Saturday. We had an Easter egg hunt with a ridiculous amount of eggs. I think there were like 300 and something eggs for Kollin, Grayson, the 3 little girls and Konner! Grandma and Grandpa Hancock definitely spoiled all the kids! Kollin was still a little to young to be enthusiastic about egg hunting, especially after 0one of his eggs opened and he discovered there was candy inside. With a little help from Daddy he still made out pretty well!









Anytime we all get together we usually end up playing games at the kitchen table. While we play, I let Shayla "babysit" Kollin. It usually works out pretty well because she loves Kollin and I get to enjoy the games knowing that Kollin is being some what watched after. Well, after realizing that all the kids were being really quiet in the back of the house, I walk back and find this...





All the girls we putting their p.j's on and they couldn't leave Kollin out!! Sweet little Shayla thought it was the funniest thing ever, and I thought it was pretty cute too. Probably won't be the last time he dresses up in girl clothes either!


On Easter morning Kollin and Eric woke up to find that the Easter bunny had visited our house. Kollin got his very first golf set (which has since been put away after hitting Mommy, Daddy and Bella one too many times with the clubs).







After church Eric and I dyed a few eggs while Kollin took a nap.




Then, we enjoyed a delicious Easter dinner at the Carters with Sue, Jeff and Grandma and Grandpa O. We had a nice quiet evening, but definitely wished that Sarah, Dan and the kids could have been there! We're looking forward to celebrating Easter with them next year!!