Festival of Trees

At back to school night in August, I saw a sign up for the Westfield Singers.  I thought that might be something the boys would be interested in since they loved chorus in Lexington.  Then I read they would perform at the Festival of Trees in December and I signed them up! 


Truth be told, the boys do not love the singers.  I pretty much forced them to do it even when we realized that only 65 kids out of  student body of 850 are in the choir.  I really should say out of 425 since you have to be at least in 3rd grade.  Other kids were dorks and teased my boys for doing it.  I had a few choice words for them, but I have refrained from telling them to their face, but I digress.... 


The boys stuck it out and we were thrilled for their performance today.  Both of our moms came up to watch and Rich was post-call so the whole Jackson crew was there to support our fellas.  It was held in the South Town Expo Center and they sang from 11:35 am -12:05 pm.  They sounded great and had a wide variety of music.  They had kazoos, boom whackers and even did the hand jive (probably a factor as to why my boys didn't love it all that much....).   True, Trey never cracked a smile, but they did a fabulous job. 


We had lunch together after and then browsed the displays.  Wow!  The United States Capital gingerbread house was unbelievable.  Oh the trees!!  We saw a scouting tree, Barbie tree, golf tree (Rich's dad needs that one ASAP), but my hands down favorite was the Harry Potter tree, complete with the Sorting Hat, glasses, wand and Hedwig perched on top.  LOVE! 


The quilts were amazing.  One reminded me of my sweet friend Traci Underwood and a few made me think of my amazing Great-grandma Beardall.  They were works of art. 


I laughed at the mickey head wreath, Zach was enamored with the Cars tree and the girls fell in love with every pink, purple and sparkly display. 


It was a wonderful event and I was so proud of Trey, Josh and Matt and for all the hard work, time they put into the songs and for doing this entire thing for ME!


Love you guys!

Kangaroo Zoo

We discovered a kid paradise tonight- Kangaroo Zoo.  I have heard about this place for years from family and friends, but we had never been before.  Our sweet niece/cousin Ruby celebrated her fifth birthday there and it was a par-tay!  The boys tagged along and enjoyed the fun too.  We had half of Rich's family in the building!  The bounced and played for 2 1/2 hours, feasted on pizza and cake and cannot wait until we can go back again!!  Happy Birthday to little miss Ruby!

Missing our Kentucky friends

 

I would say without a moments hesitation that our greatest blessing from Kentucky were the people we grew to love like family.  We have been so lucky to move close to both the Hamiltons and Alcorns, but there are others we dearly miss.

We were luck to get to see the Madsens in August when they stopped by Utah on their way to Yellowstone.  Rich and Josh go wayyyyyyyyy back (high school) and they are the reason we have a son named Josh and that we ended up in Kentucky in the first place.  So many memories from Stanford and seven years in the Bluegrass together.  We spent numerous Thanksgivings, Halloween parties and Christmas celebrations together.  We love them so.  They have been in Fresno that past 3 years, so this visit was the first time we had been together since they left Louisville.  It was wonderful to meet little LizaJayne and catch up.  It had been far too long.

Then last week, we got a visit from the Millars.  We spent four wonderful years in Lexington with them, and I can't say enough good about Ashlee and Drew.  They are such kind, generous people who we just clicked with when we first met.  They helped us so many times and we spent a few holidays together over the years.  Ashlee saved me countless times when I was on bed rest or just needed help with the kids.  She is amazing.  Now we've just got to get them to move back to Utah!

We are so blessed to have a decade of memories with such incredible people.  I was missing Kentucky so much last week, that I went through photos on my computer and printed a few out and put them in a frame that hangs on the wall in my kitchen.  It makes me smile to see Churchill Downs, Darley and Keeneland each time I see those lovely images.

We miss you Kentucky.  We really, really do.  But you'll never be far from our hearts and minds.

Santa

Has there ever been a better picture with Santa?  I mean there are smiling faces, a terrified two-year old, milk, cheese, O.J. and a whole stack of Coca-Cola!

Gotta love Kohler's.  Kristi called me on Monday afternoon and informed me there was a Santa next to the produce (every Monday from 4-8 pm)!  We went straight there after Josh's basketball game. 

Santa gave out goodies and there were donuts and chocolate milk for good boys and girls.  Zach got close enough while still in my arms to whisper 'tools' and the girls chatted him up and mentioned wanting toys I have never, ever heard of.  Good thing Santa in charge of getting those gifts under the tree!

Who needs a mall when you've got a grocery store?

Ho! Ho! Ho!