St. Patrick's Day Flash Mob

Keith and I are playing in a community band called "The West Michigan New Horizons Music Ensembles Concert Band."  It's a bit of a mouthful.  Between us we just call it "the band."  The purpose of the band is to provide a musical opportunity for older adults who have not played their instruments since high school or would like to learn to play for the first time.  There are New Horizons bands all over the country.  Members in our band range from retired band teachers to people who've only been playing for a couple of years.  There is a beginning band and an intermediate band as well as beginning strings and a swing band.  When Keith and I joined it significantly reduced the average age of the band.  But we are not the only not-yet-retired folks.

So to the flash mob.  Did you know that you can do a flash mob at a mall without telling the mall that you are coming and they won't arrest you?  You can tell by the looks on the security guards faces that they were not expecting us.  Keith wasn't able to be there.  (He had a Wood Badge thing that day.)  And you can almost see me once or twice, but I am there.  I'm playing trombone on this one.  I am behind the kiosk in the middle of the lower court, right behind the security guards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWic6OblCZw

Estella's Baptism

Two weeks ago Estella was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We are so proud of her.  We were glad to have Grandma and Grandpa H here with us.  We missed Grandma and Grandpa O, but we are so proud of them for the service to the Lord and the people of Columbia.

The kids sang "Keep the Commandments" and Alicia played the obligato on her flute.  The primary children will be singing it (with Alicia on flute) for the sacrament meeting presentation next week.  I'll get a video so I can post it.

My Little Stokowski

The other night it was 2 year old Chauncey's turn to lead the music for Family Home Evening.  So he got out the primary song book and set it up on the music stand (facing the window, his back to the rest of the family) and proceeded to conduct "Follow the Prophet."
It was so cute I just thought, "Wow, I wish I had a video camera right here."  Then I realized that I was holding my iPad in my lap, Duh.  I'm a little slow on the whole technology thing.  I managed to catch the last few seconds and boy are they worth it.

A Grandmother Just Like You

Happy Mother's Day to all of our Grandma's!

We Love You!

Hi Ho Silver, and Away!

Chauncey is two.  His communication skills are improving every day.  The other day he was going around and around the house on his stick horse.  Suddenly he stopped in front of me, put his little hands on my knees and said, "ba dump, ba dump."  I said, "Huh?"  He replied with a renewed sense of urgency, "Ba Dump, Ba Dump!"  I replied, "Oh!" Click here
My children have asked me to do a lot of interesting things to enhance their play experience, but I think this is the first time I have been asked to provide the sound track.

Parable of the 10 Virgins

I was asked to participate in a musical production of the parable of the 10 virgins in December.  The whole thing is a little long to post here, and maybe all of my friends who were in the production with me wouldn't really appreciate that anyway, but this is the finale.  The song is written in three parts and I love the tight harmonies.
The production involves each of the ladies singing a solo that reflects the personality of her character.  Five are wise and five are not.  I could see myself in each of the roles, especially the two that talk about how hard it is to take the time to renew ourselves spiritually each day.  "In the morning I am too busy and in the evening I am too tired."  As a result I have committed myself to do better at reading scriptures, praying and serving others a little bit better than I have before.

Toddler Drum Set

Today Chauncey was playing with his musical instruments.  One at a time just wasn't enough, so he arranged them all into a pint sized drum set.