Sunday, May 2, 2010

Spring Music

Happy Arbor Day, Earth Day, and May Day!

Here are just a few smatterings of photos and video taken this spring from Brooke's recent vocal and band concerts. The video images are poor, but you can hear their songs. Brooke was nervous about trying out in solo in front of the entire choir and was wavering about whether to do it. Her music teacher said that when a person tries out, he or she should sing looking at the audience (and not at their feet), sing with courage, have the words memorized, and be able to stay in tune. The courage came, and she gave it a try - which was a really good experience for her, whether or not she would have been chosen to sing. She was selected and was excited about singing in a small group for the third verse of the song, "Ballad of the Underground Railroad" - slaves sang this song in code to help others get to freedom in the North during the Harriet Tubman days.

Brooke at her Vocal Concert


Brooke in Small Group


Dixieland - Choir


These other images are of her band concert. These band members just started playing their instruments last summer and have come a long way in ability since then. They practiced in small groups with other common instruments and have just recently started playing together as an entire 5th grade band.

Brooke on end playing trombone


Star Wars

Friday, January 8, 2010

This Is Not Sunny San Diego

So while Stewart is off at a history conference in sunny, 70 degree F, San Diego, we are back home having our 6th snow day, mostly staying inside. But hey, we don't really mind being at home, catching up on reading, playing Legos, learning new magic tricks, and watching movies.







Snow banking up next to our 4-ft fence


Snow mound near our driveway


Bella would really rather be in sunny San Diego


And if you're still wanting some leftover holiday cheer, tune in to Brooke's recent Christmas piano concert - (the images are fuzzy, but the sound is better. First pause our "Tunes on the Fly" box, so you can hear the piano music):

Ukrainian Carol - Brooke - Piano


Pat-a-Pan - Brooke and Chloe - Piano duet

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Welcome 2010!

This next slideshow is of the Minnesota gathering of the Brewer and Conner families. We were grateful to have family photos and then celebrate New Year's Eve with a dinner and party, and finally have sweet Elizabeth's baby blessing. Many thanks to Jerry and Jen for all they did for the gathering and to Robin and Darren's family for traveling by van round-trip 56 hours to get there and back. Good to spend time with family and fun for the cousins to play.

Christmas with Family in Wisconsin

This slide show has some photos from Brooke's music concerts - trombone, choir, and piano. The rest is of memories of the time with my family in Wisconsin over Christmas week. It was so good to come home and spend time with Mom and Dad, plus Taylor and Darin and Derrick and Amy's families, and the dogs. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you did and do for us and for your abundant love!