"Let's Go To the Movies" Piano Recital 2024

 

Our spring piano recitals were a smashing success!  For the first time, we had three different recital times.  We had a few kids play in all of them, but it was nice for the audience to not sit for so long.   The theme was "Let's Go to the Movies"-- and everyone played pieces from movies.  This was the 5:00 recital.

Here's the 6:00

Here's the 7:00.  I say it after every recital, and I'm going to say it again.  I love my job!  I enjoy each student so much and I find it very fulfilling to see them progress.

If you have to play in a piano recital on your birthday, at least we'll sing "Happy Birthday" to you.  

Bethany was asked to perform a number at the Miss Riverton competition.  She played a beautiful arrangement of "A Wish is a Dream Your Heart Makes" and I accompanied her.  Bethany played great.  She has always performed well under pressure.  I wish the same could be said of me, but I'll just keep practicing.  Maybe someday.

Cannon is continuing with his voice lessons.  Hearing him sing is one of my favorite sounds in the world.  

Here are a couple links to some recent master class performances:

I Won't Bring You Flowers

I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight

Wonderful Day

 HERE is a video of George's most recent performance.  This was his first time performing a piece using looping technology.  Cool stuff:)

I Love America 2024

 The Fourth of July is the BEST!  I loved every minute of it.  

And there were a LOT of minutes of it.

The day started bright and early at 6:30 am at the city's flag-raising ceremony.  The Riverton High School Madrigals (including Cannon) sang the National Anthem.  Here is the link if you'd like to give it a listen.  I thought it was quite lovely. 

Bethany and Greta played a lovely duet of America the Beautiful.  Here's the link to part of it.

Ben's parents, and fellow Rivertonians, were there as well.  They are wonderful!

Twinning with Miss Riverton

George was a little beat up from the tumble he took off his friend's electric scooter the night before.  Oops.

Here we are just before the chuckwagon breakfast.  We have chuckled for years about George never looking directly at the camera for pictures-- always off to the side.  I guess old habits die hard.

Next up-- the City's cornhole tournament.  

I wish I could say we won... we didn't.

I wish I could say at least I played well... I didn't.

I wish I could say I was worthy of my partner... I wasn't.

Faith, however, was brilliant.  She played the best I've ever seen her play.  Spectacular.  I was so proud of her.  I was sore ashamed of myself.  It remains to be seen if she will ever play with me again.

Faith busted out her Rex-Kwan-Do pants from Halloween a couple years ago.

A little Bingo in the afternoon, along with our neighbor, Sarah.  The three on the left all won.

Off to go on a ride at the carnival

The swings were my favorite ride as a kid.  

Poor Greta was rather upset after the ride-- I guess the height and speed were a little more than she had anticipated.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture of our three youngest.  

Poor Abe got stung (twice!) by hornets when he accidentally disturbed their nest up in a lamp post. He was trying to get access to a power outlet, so we could charge devices while we hung out at the park.

Later in the day, Abe decided the hornets had to go. Was it retaliation?  A public service for the other park patrons?  Who's to say?  Cannon was Abe's faithful sidekick.

They were victorious!

In my own personal opinion, the children's haystack dive is the stupidest of all the city's celebratory activities.  That may sound harsh... you be the judge.

At 3:00, in the hottest heat of the day, the city people throw a bunch of candy/coins/trinkets onto a tarp covered with wood shavings.  They say "Go!" and the children turn feral and collect as many "treasures" as they can get.  In this picture, you can clearly see Greta appearing to climb over the other children.  One of those "other children" is Peter-- you can see his red vans against Greta's calf.  Respect, Greta, respect.  

We joined the Schramms for dinner in their backyard.  And this plate of food seriously almost brought me to tears.  Pulled pork, watermelon, corn-on-the-cob, and my very most favorite salad-- Camille's famous 7-layer salad.  SO GOOD!

The return of the Fox vs. Schramm football rivalry.  

Schramms were victorious this go-round.

Then we all went back over to the park for the fireworks show

 

I'm not usually a fan of taking pictures of fireworks, because they never really capture the majesty.  These pictures are no exception to that rule.

However, I made an exception during this show- and did take pictures. Because it was so impressive that I wanted a photo to remind me of the moment.  Perhaps the best fireworks show I've ever seen. We just yelled and cheered and were delighted when, after what appeared to be the climax at the end, the show continued for another ten minutes.  And we like to set up as near to the front as possible so we can just lay on our backs and look up.  It made me feel so grateful to live in America, and so grateful to live in a world with fireworks shows in the summer to enjoy with your family and friends.

July 3rd 2024

 In the words of Faith, "THIS IS MY VERY FAVORITE NIGHT OF THE YEAR!"

The Riverton Parade is the evening of July 3rd, and in our humble opinion, it is NOT to be missed!

July 3rd is the summer equivalent of Christmas Eve.  You know the next day is the big event, but the excitement,  anticipation, and lead-up activities of Christmas Eve are almost more fun than the actual day of Christmas itself.  There is special music that you only listen to leading up to the Fourth of July.  Certain clothing that is only for this summer holiday.  

Greta's 2024 patriotic fashion choice!

Taylor, Dallas, Ryder and George

Aliyah, Dylan, and Faith

Twinners

My favorite moment of the parade is when Justin goes by with the marching band and our whole gang goes absolutely berserk cheering for him and screaming his name.  We've done this for three years now and it is more fun each time!  He has now left for the MTC and we will miss him next year. 

Abe's sister Marjorie and her family joined us and ended up twinning with Greta

We didn't have the whole Schramm Fam this year, but we'll take however many of them we can get! 

Abe is so good as to reserve us a good spot, set up tents and chairs for our comfort, and bring coolers of cold water and popsicles.

If you want to go to a parade in comfort and style, take Abe along.

If you wish to be thoroughly entertained during a parade, take Cannon along.  His running commentary and kindly heckling of those parading by was hysterical  It was like having my own personal comedian sitting right by me.

And then the post-parade pot-luck after parade in the backyard.  A summer evening with perfect temperatures, in the backyard with friends and family we love, celebrating our city and country-- that's about as good as it gets.

Aly and Gret

It's always a treat when Clark and Brianna join us.

My sister-in-law Laura

Marjorie and Chris, JJ and Chris' mom

I know it's not the safest thing... but they were sure enjoying themselves

We make a pretty good team.

We played until it got dark and neighbors started setting off a few little fireworks. As we were cleaning up, Faith said, "This is my absolute favorite night of the year-- it's like I'm living in The Sandlot."