Annie’s baptism

We got to be with the Ekbergs for Annie's baptism today. It was really special to be with them.

Afterwards, we drove to Newark for a NJ Devils hockey game that we had free tickets for. Fun experience!

Adirondacks skiing

Everyone made so much progress skiing this time!

David really benefitted from his lesson, and he became quite self sufficient on the bunny hill by the end of the day. He even went up the chair lift with Mike to the top a couple times and got some help but managed parts on his own. Good for him!

Lewis and Beau made so much progress with their turns and were really doing well! They had a lot of fun!

I was mainly on bunny hill duty with David. When Mike sent me up the chair lift to find the other boys, I misunderstood his directions of where to go and ended up on a blue square that was quite steep and harrowing for me. It sort of did me in! When I got to the bottom, I found the boys, who insisted on taking me up again. I did it, but I was just done after my too steep for me experience. Back to the bunny hill with David to finish out the day for me!

Adirondacks Day 3

Mike and I tried out the cross country skiing trails near the house. They were beautiful and lovely. We went separately so as not to leave the boys alone. We were both so glad we did it, but also surprised by how much work it was, and how it was harder to balance than we realized!

There's our completed puzzle, as well as the boys relaxing by the tv before more skiing.

Adirondacks Vacation

We feel incredibly lucky!

Our friends Chester and Heidi Elton from the YSA stake have a beautiful home in the Adirondacks, and they lent it to us for a few days over President's Day weekend. What a treat!

Since we have had the warmest winter on record in NJ with almost no snow at all, it was really a treat! The boys loved playing in the snow, sledding around the house, and building snow forts.

The first full day we were here, the high was 5 degrees. Frigid! We had thought that would mean people stayed indoors. But no! They were right out there for tons of the daylight hours! Lewis almost doesn't seem to feel the cold. He could have gone all day and night!

Mike and I got out snowshoeing for a bit. We also did a puzzle indoors and kept the hot cocoa going. Mike did his yoga. Beau did lots of ab routines. We played some games and taught the kids mancala. It was a fun day!

Strong Beau

Here's Beau holding David.
And then doing an ab workout on vacation. He is really into working out recently, which is great for his energy and mental health too, so we're really proud of his motivation and dedication.

Valentines

First, the snack.
Beau is a boy after his dad's own heart; he doesn't do anything halfway! Here is his after school snack one day. All carefully arranged and thought out!

And our Valentines assembly this year!
Each boy picked something that totally reflected him individually.

Beau have fun dip packets. Simple. Popular. Just had to write his name, which he did in beautiful cursive.

David wanted to give a fun toy, plus he wanted a treat, so we added a Hershey kiss.

And Lewis, within .8 seconds came up with a creative, fabulous, punny idea!

Love these great kids!

More temple pictures

Lewis’ first time attending the temple

What a special week with Lewis!

We got to take Lewis to the temple for the first time on Saturday to do baptisms. It was such a beautiful, special day! Lewis just seemed happy and peaceful. We loved having that experience with him.

I had stayed up organizing a number of names. Lewis was baptized for Clifford Ellis, Israel Middleman, Jacob Middleman, and all of Israel's brothers. I was baptized for Dora's mother and grandmother - Hannah Sandler and Esther Smith. Also a sister and someone on the Ellis side. That was a really neat experience to feel more connected to them. I also was able to witness for the first time. I felt so grateful to feel of the priesthood power and authority I was exercising in that role, and to feel that was sacred and important, even though it was a small, simple thing.

Afterwards we went to Reading Terminal Market and just had a completely delightful time with this special boy!

Hike at the watershed

Lewis' Cub Scout group put together a last minute hike for Saturday, and we were so happy to join. It had been so rainy and dreary, so the sunshine was so welcome. It was quite a soggy, muddy walk. David started out great, but was a trooper as the wet and slipping and fatigue set in. Lewis always seems to be in his element when he's out in the woods!

Beau presenting & swimming

Beau and the whole 3rd grade presented on China and various things related to the country and Chinese New Year. He did a great job teaching on Taoism.

Another meet for him! Last one of the year, and first one as a 10 and under. It meant fewer ribbons, but he swam so well! Still first in his heat in the 50 free!

Daddy’s congratulations poster

Mike is so sweet!
He and David made this poster for Lewis while Beau was at swimming!
So cute!!!

Ice cream sundae to top it off

I promised Lewis we'd try to find an ice cream sundae, and we did! What a way to finish it out! Lewis was so thoughtful and kind with the lady serving him, and very excited for his first ice cream sundae in his memory. He finished it on the train ride home, along with some studio C watching.

What a day!!!

Pizza dinner to celebrate

Lewis was excited to have NY pizza to celebrate. Plus they had cream soda! Doesn't get much better!

Audition in NYC

We took the train in - always an adventure unto itself. Lewis was a complete delight to be with the whole time.

After finding the studio, we headed to a cafe across the street to kill a little more time and warm up and practice. Then we were off to the audition.

It was legit!
There were hundreds of young professionals everywhere, mostly dancers, auditioning for various Broadway shows. Mostly An American in Paris, Moulin Rouge, and Rocky. Everyone was stretching, warming up, printing headshots, chatting.

There were 20 other kids there to audition for Amahl.

We had a bit of a wait because they were running behind. And then Lewis was put last in the 2nd group (W last name!). So, more waiting.

Finally his group went in. I could just see feet through the crack in the door window.

His group first had to do a sort of avant garde walking across the floor for 3 minutes, and just standing for 5 minutes.

Then each boy sang Don't Cry Mother Dear individually with the accompanist.

I could hear Lewis through the door, and he did beautifully! I was so proud of him. And, he felt really happy and proud of himself, which was the best part! He said he was one of only 4 out of 11 kids in his group who had it memorized. So, good for him!

Seriously one of the most amazing memories of our life! It was such an exciting day!

Lewis - star performer!

Our week was taken over with a most exciting experience!

On Wednesday, Lewis' boy choir conductor reached out to ask if Lewis would want to audition for a boy soprano part in an opera - Amahl and the Night Visitors. He was recommending only Lewis for the part.

Thursday we met with Fred and got the music and began to learn. Saturday we met with Fred again to work on it. Lewis is a fast learner and a quick memorizer. It was completely amazing to me, actually, to see him pick up and nail parts I could feel that I didn't have down yet. Good for him!

He worked on it during whatever free time we could find across a busy weekend. And, Mike has him perform it for each friend we were having dinner with and everyone he could.

On Tuesday, I took Lewis into NYC to audition for these seriously big shot directors. It was an experience we will ALWAYS remember!

Piano recital

Lewis and Beau both performed in the annual Performathon hosted at Westminster: a two day affair to raise money for Homefront.

Sneaky Sam for Beau and Bright Orange for Lewis. They did a super job!