Racing!

Had a great time on Saturday at the Lake Norconian 5K Race. Kari, Stephanie & I all ran in the race. It was a nice course that went up into RCC and then onto the Navy Base and around the Lake Norconian and then back again to RCC. We all did pretty good. I was first in my category with 36 minutes, Kari was first in hers with 26 minutes and Stephanie was 7th in hers with 30 minutes. I guess I'm lucky to be old! That way I can get a first place! Anyway, we had fun. They both ran back to find me and ran the last bit of the course along with me. I think it helped b/c I took almost 2 minutes off my previous time. I really like doing these races and it was really fun to have my girls with me. Next year, Bryan and Heather are going to run too.

Halloween 2009

All the kids looked so cute in their costumes. I didn't see all the grandkids on Halloween or around that date, but here are pictures of a few of them. The ones you don't see are just as adorable as the ones you do see.

Cookies R Us

We had fun on Halloween decorating cookies. We decided to do it outside for obvious reasons. Glad we did b/c they really got into it - and not just on the cookies. We had lots of fun and just hosed off the area when we were finished. It's better than worrying over stuff getting on the carpet.

Oh - I just remembered - it's those little things right about this box where you add pictures. It's been a while since I did it. Oh well, here they are!

Karen's First Race

Just finished my first 5K race this morning and came in 1st in my age category - and yes...there were more than one in the category! I think there were 3, but hey, I'm glad I finished. I even had a nice sprint at the end which I had wanted to do but wasn't sure if I could do it. I don't know the time yet but I'll post it when it gets online. They didn't have any results listed as of yet. It was pretty exciting and fun to be part of a group of over 500 runners. There was a smaller 5K walk and a 1 mile fun run also going on for a total of over 700 runners. It was pretty amazing. Now I"m all excited about doing my next one in November. There is one right here in Norco on Nov 14 that starts at RCC and goes up and around the Lake Norconian and back to RCC. It is sponsored by the Lake Norconian Foundation and the Norco Kiwanis Club. Maybe some of you would want to join me :) That would be so fun. Of course, I probably couldn't keep up with any of you but it would still be fun. Maybe a month from now I'll be faster. I'm trying to post a couple of pictures to go with this, but I can't find the place to do it. I'll just post this and then do the pictures later.

Karl & Stephanie's Wedding

On July 16, 2009 we all went to the San Diego Temple for Karl & Stephanie's wedding. It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time. Afterwards, we returned to Norco for the reception at our home. Again, a beautiful day - the ring ceremony was so nice and everyone had a fun time at the reception. They are off to their honeymoon in Antigua for a week. All our children and their families were there and we so enjoyed each other's company.

We're operational!

We got our call from Edison this afternoon that we could turn on our new Solar Electricity system. So the picture shows me turning the switch on! The other picture is the panels on the roof. We are very excited about the new system and the money it will eventually save us each month. PLUS...we'll probably get to use the air at least some of the time this summer.

Happy May Day

Also on Friday, I was talking to one of the students after her lesson and the doorbell rang. I figured it was her Dad coming to pick her up, but instead, it was my friend, Sheryl, with these beautiful flowers in hand just for me! What a sweet surprise. It is often the small, little things that people do that we remember the most. Thank you to a very nice and very long-term friend.

Bach Festival

We had a fun evening last Friday with my Music Studio's Bach Festival. All the students played Bach music and they did a fantastic job. I set up the keyboards to sound like Harpsichords so we were just a little bit authentic. We held it outside in the back yard and invited parents if they wanted to come. It wasn't a recital so we had some games and instruction. All the students received a Bach statue and a 10 page handout about Bach. I think they gained a nice appreciation of him as a composer and as a person. I had a list of fun facts about Bach that were quite interesting - like he had 20 children! Also he spent a month in prison when he wouldn't compose what the Duke wanted him to compose! He changed jobs soon after he was out of prison. The bottom photo is Tara playing her Bach piece. She likes to play but isn't so sure about practicing.

Easter Eggs

Yesterday, Scott, Tyler & Emme came over while Bryan and Heather went shopping, so we decided to dye our Easter eggs while they were here. Tyler opted to continue watching a movie so Scott, Tara & Emme went at it. We had lots and lots of fun.

Happy Easter

Surprise!!!! We now have a blog. I think I could become addicted to this. It is kindof like online scrapbooking. But I suppose I could think of it as an online journal. Sooooo, if I keep it up then I shouldn't feel guilty about not writing in my journal! Right???

Since this is my first day, I probably won't have any pictures yet but, be patient, I'll do it right away. For now, we had a fun egg hunt with some of the kids. Tomorrow is Easter and we remember the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I just watched a YouTube video of Elder Holland giving a message on the last days of Christ on this earth. He spoke and then continued while pictures were shown of the last events of Christ's life. It was a thoughtful and moving video. We are so very blessed to have a family we love and to have the gospel in our lives to help us. May we be ever grateful for our blessings and especially the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our brother.