Get It Free While You Can!

I played my hymn arrangements (mostly incomplete) for some of my family on Sunday, and Paige demanded that I give her a copy. Actually, she asked nicely. So, here's a link to the only one I've transcribed so far. Once I collect enough, I'll try to sell a book or something, so get it free while you can!

Anges de Noël (Angels We Have Heard On High/The First Noel)

4-Year-Old Seeks Husband; Must Be Able To Dance

A couple of days ago, Camary (our 4-year-old) came wandering into my room and said, "I still don't know who I'm going to be married to."
Me: "Oh yeah?"
Camary: "Maybe it will be Skyler's dad." (Skyler is one of Camary's friends.)
Me: "I think Skyler's dad is already married."
Camary, in a resigned tone: "I know."
Me, jokingly: "What about Beau?"
Camary: "The kitty?"
Me: "Yeah."
Camary: "No, he doesn't dance very well."

Camary frequently wonders who she is going to marry, usually assuming it will be someone's dad or one of Ryan's friends, so I tried to explain to her that her husband is probably about four years old right now. She gave me a look that said, "Right, like I'm going to marry a 4-year-old!"

So, if you know any 4-year-old boy out there, send him Camary's way in about 12 years. Just remember: He has to be able to dance.

The Cub-anapolis 500

Brief announcement before beginning the post: Please everyone pop over to Notes From the Writing Chair and become a follower. Just scroll down to the Followers gadget below my profile and click the "follow" button. It's quick and completely painless. I want my blog to look semi-impressive should anyone (i.e. an editor or agent) decide to have a look at it.

Okay, back to the post.

Cub-anapolis 500 was the theme for pack meeting on Tuesday. The cubs decorated cardboard boxes to race in. Sam and Finlay turned theirs into pigs (purple and pink, respectively).

Sam's pig car

Finlay's pig car

They raced three laps around the gym, with their families acting as the pit crew.

Sam running in the boot "tires."

Getting gassed up with lemonade.

Finlay getting his windshield goggles washed.

Gas for Finlay.

Even Camary got into the action!

This is one of the most fun pack meetings I've ever been to, and I've been attending pack meetings for eight straight years now. After the race we had "flat tires." Doughnuts with ice cream on top covered in chocolate syrup. Oh, so yummy!

Ryan's Trombone Solo

Angie mentioned Ryan's solo at the Solo and Ensemble Competition. We recorded a practice run, so I put a slideshow together with some pics we got. Enjoy!

New Gardening Blog

I created a blog to chronicle my gardening experiences. I hope it's informative!

Loafer Canyon Gardening

My New Car! (And some other stuff.)

It's a 2003 Chevy Cavalier with less than 60,000 miles on it. We needed something to replace the van (which died an ignominious death), and something that I can graciously loan to Ryan now and then once he gets his license (next month!), especially for things like 6:30 am Marching Band practice or early morning seminary or all the band activities I'm always running him, too. We were very blessed to be able to pay cash for the car.

Yesterday was the Region Solo and Ensemble festival at Emery High. Since Tracy was playing for Ryan and one of his friends, and since we love Castle Dale, He and I and Camary and Xander took a little day trip. It was fun. Tracy played for Ben first. It was two hours before Ryan's solo, so we went out and got some lunch. We got to the restaurant at the same time as the North Sanpete High band, so we had a looong wait for our food. It was worth it, though. Then we raced back to the high school for Ryan's performance. He did good, but I don't know yet if he qualified for State. We also go to see Tracy's Aunt Eileen and his cousin Sylvia and her husband, Kevin. Eileen was playing piano for lots of the Emery kids. It was great to see them. We drove home over Huntington and Fairview Canyon. So beautiful! It was a fun day.

UPDATE!!! Ryan did in fact qualify for State. Way to go, Ryan! And I neglected to mention that Aunt Eileen was Tracy's first piano teacher. Did a good job with him, eh?

Thunder Snow!

Did someone mention spring?? Here's what it looks like at our house today:


And there will more tomorrow and possibly later this week. Suddenly, I'm in the mood for Christmas music again. It thundered during the snowstorm, though, which I find weirdly cool.

Other random tidbits:
Tracy got a new calling as the ward choir director. Yay! Go, Tracy. I'm sure he'll be great. He'll get his baptism by fire on Sunday when the choir performs. Ryan went up to the Region Honor Jazz Band at Snow College last week, and had a great time. Ryan is pretty awesome on his trombone. And did you know that Snow College has the best music education program in the state? Cool. Rusty has taken over the egg business and does all the work with the chickens now. We figured he wouldn't make much, though, so we're paying him $20 a month to do it. He's really been motivated by it. Xander continues his reign of terror. He can now open the DVD cases, so I may have to find some place new to store the movies. He went to nursery this week (a little early, but Tracy stayed with him.) Hooray for nursery! Don't you agree that the nursery leaders have the most important calling in the ward? I think so. Here are some more random pictures.

We visited Grandma and Grandpa Lofthouse after visiting the Draper Temple Openhouse last week.
We got to watch the thrilling end of the BYU-Utah basketball game.

Grandma Cindy will be happy to know that the chicken pillows are being put to good use:

So, basically we're just muddling along like usual.