lil squeaker

Ok, maybe this is funny to no one else, but it makes me laugh! A teacher friend of mine at school gave me a pair of new shoes for Audrie... that squeak with every step. Audrie thought they were the best. thing. ever! She was so disappointed when we took them off her and her steps didn't squeak anymore....

fa la la

The past couple weeks I've definitely had my fair share of Christmas caroling. The Bentonville Children's choir has a younger division of the organization, Camerata (grades 2-6) that performed for the Lighting of the Square in Bentonville a few weeks ago. They performed a few Holiday songs before the Mayor threw the big switch to light the town... it was all very Who-ville!

Camerata also performed their Winter Concert this past Saturday and it was so very cute and adorable to see these little singers in their tuxedo uniforms singing for their parents.

Last week the FCA group at our school asked me to bring some choir kids and guys from my guitar club to lead some caroling before school. The kids did a great job... especially for 7am in the morning!
And finally my last concert of the season... my school concert. The SHMS Choir presented their Winter Concert last night and did a fabulous job if I say so myself. I do have a million kids in choir! Here we are warming up before the concert and trying to squeeze everyone into my choir room...

And of course, my number one fan was there last night. My momma! Love her. (the photo turned out blurry for some reason). She is the smiling face I look for in the crowd at my concerts!

But after all these wonderful concerts... the best one was the one Jamie, Audrie and I put on in the living room the other night...Jamie got his saxophone out to practice for a Christmas special we're doing at church and Audrie was enthralled.

She was pretty impressed with her daddy's saxophone skills!

Today's the last day of school for me in 2008. I'm SO excited about the next two weeks off! Hope each of you find time for some peace and goodwill, too!

adventures in babysitting

Since we've been busy with concerts and holiday events, we've had to hit up our list of babysitters a little more lately. Audrie actually really likes being around new people and most importantly... new toys. She does well with being babysat as long as they give her food and attention (and who doesn't love that?)! My friend, Carrie, kept Audrie a little while this past weekend and even took some photos for me. Carrie has a little boy, Collin, who will be two soon. And apparently Collin and Audrie had a great time together!

I don't think Collin liked Audrie chewing on all his toys though!

But he must not have been too upset, because he tried to sneak a little kiss...

Audrie even got to take a bath at Carrie's house- her favorite!

Audrie has alot of boy friends in her life (and I even have 5 close friends who are pregnant right now... all with BOYS). But I'd have to say Collin with his sweet smile might be winning over her heart!Thanks, Carrie, for the photos! So sweet.
Audrie does love being around other kids! My niece and nephew, Jacob and Emma, came over tonight and Audrie never left Emma's side. It was adorable to see her so fascinated with Emma. Even a 10 month old needs a little girl time I guess!Jamie mentioned that's why we need more kids, so they can entertain each other. I say one is plenty for right now!!

rockin around the christmas tree

Thanks to our friends, Kate and Wes, for inviting us to their Christmas Party tonight! We drank real eggnog and Audrie got to wear her new dress. We didn't get to stay for the results of the sugar cookie decorating contest since Audrie was getting sleepy but I'm sure we made at least the top ten!

Thanks, guys, for all the great food and Holiday Cheer!

candles in the window

I can't even begin to describe what this week has been like around our house! Jamie and I adore the work we do with the Bentonville Children's Choir, but it gets tough when all the concerts hit. Wednesday through Saturday night this week the BCC has been performing every evening at John Brown University's Candlelight Christmas Service... and it's been truly amazing. We have one more performance left tomorrow night and even though I'll be glad to have it over with- this has been such a tremendous experience for everyone involved! A true Christmas blessing. Here we are warming up backstage...
Who knew these goofball teenagers could create such magical music?!
Since the whole cathedral is lit by candles for this event it was very tough to get any photos during the concert. You can sort of tell that is me conducting some little fuzzy singers...
There is just something about children singing Christmas music that simply melts my heart!

The JBU Music director, Paul Smith, and I after the concert last night... If you don't have any plans tomorrow night, you should make the trip to Siloam Springs to hear our finale concert... but bring a kleenex and prepare to have your heart blessed. Makes all the "pull my hair out" moments in rehearsals a little more worth while!

walking update

I've been coming home on my lunch breaks this week to hang out with Audrie for a little while (since I'm busy every night this week with children's choir concerts). Today I caught a few seconds on video to update you on her adventures in walking...

I know it sounds cliche, but it really is amazing how fast she changes before our eyes!

moonwalk

We have several Christmas parties over the next couple weeks with work, friends and family that we are really looking forward to. This weekend we went to our first one for Jamie's work. And usually when you think of an office party- you think dull city. But Jamie's office party is actually always a blast and I love going every year! You can click here on Angela's blog to see more photos and even watch a video of Jamie doing the moonwalk...!

hairy news

Well, I told Santa that this year I wanted hair extensions for Christmas...! Really it's just one of those things I've always wanted to try at least once in my life, so this weekend I finally did it. I love them! Kim's sister, Kristy, is a hair stylist at a salon that does hair extensions and she hooked me up- matched my color and texture, ordered them for me and put them in. She did a wonderful job and I'm so excited to have such long hair! It's really fun!

That's my hair before she got ready to put them in.

And after! 23 inches of long curls.

It will take awhile to get used to- getting my hair caught in everything... I feel a little like Cher flipping my hair over my shoulder all day! :)

rock band junkies

I'm really starting to become a Rock Band Fan. Jamie's always been really into it but I mostly liked to stay in the cheering section in the past. But lately I'm becoming more of a fan! Friday night our friend Melanie came over to hang out and we discovered she had never played before. There were some high expectations since she is a band director, but she did really awesome on the drums- we were very impressed with her rock-n-roll skills!

Jamie is still amazing on the guitar as always!

Audrie and I stuck to vocals (doesn't she look excited to be helping me sing).

At first I refused to admit there was any musical aspect to this video game but I have to say that you do need some understanding of rhythm and beat patterns to really do well. I might just have to take it to my class this week and let my choir students have a little School of Rock!

audrie the ballerina

When I was home last week on Thanksgiving break I played dress up with Audrie and had a little photo shoot. I have an adorable polka dotted tutu that I put on her and tried to snap some quick photos...

It's getting more and more challenging to get photos of her because she is always on the move!

But I still try to catch a few precious moments before she takes off again.

"Every morning I wake up wondering how I could ever love you more than I already do."