May Mash-Up Part II

Howdy, folks.  So in my last post I mentioned that it is hard to focus on spring cleaning because the beautiful weather entices me to hike.  Well, the good news is that I finally started buckling down and cleaned out a ton of closets and drawers and cupboards this week.  Brooklyn even skipped class today so we could clean out under her bed.  (Not much is happening post AP Testing.)  Mighty scary under that bed, but we came off conquerors.

The even better news is that prior to this week, I caved into temptation and spent some amazing hours on the trails.

April Showers bring May Flowers.  I love it when blossoms start peppering the foothills.   This first picture was taken during a run up City Creek canyon, just before it started to hail on me.

On the way back, I passed through the cemetery.  This tree is one of my favorites--I'm so glad it survived the windstorms.

This photo was taken during a 5.4 mile run on May the Fourth.  The informal run was organized by SLRC in honor of Star Wars Day.  The climb up Rattlesnake Gulch was grueling, but worth it for the views.

Back to our own Bonneville Shoreline Trail, I've found a whole rainbow of colors during recent run/hikes.  I call it Trail Pride.   Note: the orange mushroom and green waterfall pics were taken up Millcreek while hiking Mount Aire.

I love ALL the colors, but really, it's the yellow that make me happy.  Blankets and blankets of yellow.

While hiking Mount Aire, I anticipated some beautiful vistas.  I was delightfully surprised, however, to get the summit and discover that it too was dotted with delicate yellow blossoms.  Splendid!

On a solemn note, seeing the Capitol on my morning runs reminds me that our nation is troubled, particularly after this week's unimaginable and yet all too familiar shooting at Robb Elementary.  Our Annika is the same age as those taken.  I can't fathom the grief of their loved ones--a grief so heavy that one can die of a broken heart.  My heart hurts with them, but I find solace in nature.

There is comfort in the safety of our home as well.  I enjoy our yard most during spring when the daffodils and tulips poke their heads. 

Even as I'm grateful for our little flower bed, I'm mindful of those without the safe refuge of home.  Foremost in my mind are those in Ukraine and other war-torn nations.  However, I think also of those who are homeless due to mental illness or misfortune.  There are likewise so many for whom home is not a safe or nurturing place.  My prayer is that each and every hurting soul may find a flower somewhere and feel of God's awareness and love for them.  "Consider the lilies of the field."

Music and the Arts create another peaceful refuge in times of turmoil.   Decades ago, I documented the life histories of six survivors of the Cambodian Khmer Rouge as part of my honors thesis.  Even though the Khmer Rouge strove to erase Cambodian culture and the arts, these brave men and women turned to music for solace and identity during this horrific time.

In our house, it occasionally feels like music creates the chaos rather than soothes it.  It's not unusual to find a violin, cello, and clarinet all practicing at the same time.  The resulting cacophony is intense, but I love it.  Hopefully Spark does too.  Look closely on top of the piano and you'll discover that Talia's made him her captive audience.

Here's Talia again, this time performing at her studio recital in the Marmalade Library.  As a solo piece, she performed Adoration by Borowski beautifully.  Then as the concluding finale, she was part of a trio that shared a peppy rendition of Bugler's Holiday.  So fun.

The very next day Brooklyn had a solo cello recital where she performed Bach's first cello suite in its entirety.  That's a huge undertaking! We took lots of videos, but I forgot to take a photo so I'll share this one instead.  This is Brooklyn performing with the Utah Youth Philharmonic at Abravanel Hall the weekend prior.

The Youth Symphony and Youth Philharmonic combined for this magnificent performance of Shostakovich's Fifth, making her one of 37 cellists!  I don't know exactly why, but Utah has a pretty phenomenal Suzuki strings program that sprouts talented instrumentalists by the dozens.

This performance was particularly special as it marked Barbara Scowcroft's 35th year as conductor for UYOE (Utah Youth Orchestras and Ensembles.)  I was excited to read in her bio that years ago she studied music at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Annika had her own moment in the spotlight this May, performing with Miss Joni's class at Kingsbury Hall with Tanner Dance.  The recital was extremely well-done, swapping elegance and individual expression for the glitzy synchrony that I often associate with dance recitals.  The studio provided the costumes, so I don't have a picture of Annika in her flowing purple dance dress.  However, here she is dolled up with a bit of makeup.  Jason didn't recognize her when he went to pick her up after dress rehearsal!

And here she is after her actual performance.  I slipped away from work for a couple of hours to watch the recital and felt so grateful to have been there.

As for Eli, he's doing great with the clarinet and piano.  His biggest accolades, however, come from his mad skills as a mathematician.  A couple weeks ago he brought home a trophy and gold pin from Math Olympiad.  Apparently he placed in the top 2% of the 100,000 students who participated worldwide.  Amazing!  I have no idea where he gets his expertise since we do no extra math at home, but I'm grateful he's picking it up somewhere.

Sticking with STEM, here's Eli serving up cotton candy at Emerson's STEM night.

The different science and technology booths were so interesting!  Here we got to watch our neighbor Mary Hunt demonstrate how she patches holes in hearts.  

We also got to see Eli's final elementary school art show.

Eye-popping dimensional artwork, followed by Mr. Beetles.

Speaking of art, check out this fantastic painting that Talia created.  Since Talia's decided not to raise a guide dog next year, she should be able to squeeze art into her schedule.  I'm so glad!

As for Brooklyn's artistic ventures, she assembled this photo shoot as an assignment for her art history class.

It's a nod to Madame Monet and her Son, using Annika as a prop. 

Other moments from our May Mayhem: Church and Church Get-Togethers.   On the first Sunday of May, Brooklyn spoke in Stake Conference at the Assembly Hall.  For those unfamiliar with the lingo, stake conference is a biannual gathering of church members from surrounding local congregations.  Speaking in front of such of a large audience takes a lot of courage, but Brooklyn spoke with insight and poise.  She was only allotted four minutes to share her message since Lynn G. Robbins from the Seventy requested extra time at the pulpit.  In those few minutes she shared some wonderful thoughts about how faith can help us through times of tribulation.

Speaking of stake-level activities, here's Annika climbing trees at a stake Primary activity.  (No, that was not the planned event, although I do suspect it was the most fun.)

On a ward level, we rented a taco truck and held a neighborhood party that included axe-throwing.  Doesn't get much more fun than that!

One Wednesday evening the youth took a hike all the way up to the Living Room.  14 year-old Rosie the Yorkie made it too!

Claire, Emi, and Shige.

Hazel spots something.

Could be a giant snake.  

Eli and Ezra resting on one of the "couches."

Topping off the vista with some Creamies.

CC's a fan.

CC, Colton, and Zach, followed by a flaming sunset on the way down.

On a more relaxed note, here are the Young Men gathered for some gaming.  I love how Annika has plopped herself right in the middle.  Since I had pathophysiology class on Wednesday nights this semester, she got to hang out with the Young Men quite bit.

Making some cards after.

Ward temple night at the Bountiful Temple.  I think it's going to be quite some time before the Salt Lake Temple is back in use.

Karaoke night.  Unabashed, Eli really got into it.

Brooklyn and Talia sang "The Other Side" from The Greatest Showman.  But truth to be told though, it was Annika's rendition of "We Will Rock You" that stole the show.  

Joining in the fun with the Young Women leaders. 

Encore!

My personal favorite May church activity was this Mother's Day yogurt buffet, complete with fresh fruit and granola.  Yum!

To better celebrate our amazing mothers, we drove up to Hyde Park this Mother's Day to have dinner with Grandma Susie and Great-Grandma Hansen.  We had a great time listening to the childhood recollections.  Did you know that Grandma Norma Hansen was one of the very original computer programmers for IBM?  She wishes now that she'd bought stock back when the company was just getting started.

A few stunning pictures of a glowing Hyde Park evening.

Speaking of mothers, we are so glad this little gal made Brianna a mom again this year. Violet's expressions really are the best.

Last weekend Jason had a great time watching Violet and Ruby while their parents went to a party.  Violet is quickly learning to drool copiously whenever cooking utensils are around.

Here are the big girls playing outside.

Beautiful hands.

Those artistic hands of Jason design some pretty amazing buildings.  Last week Jason and Brooklyn took a short trip down to St. George for the ribbon-cutting of Switchpoint.  The building looks fantastic!  This 24 hour daycare facility is going to be life-changing for so many families.

It may look like Brooklyn's just chilling, but she actually helped get a lot of the spaces ready for the open house.

A peak upstairs.

And now outside.

How do you assemble this thing anyway?

Perfect place to practice a little cello!  They actually had Brooklyn perform her cello suites as background music for the open house.

Time for the ribbon cutting ceremony.  Hope Carol's been lifting weights in preparation for those scissors.

While the Switchpoint ceremony was in St. George, Brooklyn and Jason spent the night in Springdale since there was ASSIST work to be done there as well.  Brooklyn helped Jason measure up a new site for the Springdale Museum and Visitors Center.

With so much work to be done, I'm glad they still managed a few hours in Zion.

Jason took Brooklyn for a hike along the East Rim trail.  I'm not sure she remembers, but she's been there before.

Here are a few photos from Brooklyn's first visit to this overlook.  That's Brooklyn front and center with Annika in the sling. My, time flies.

Jason and Brooklyn booked it down the trail, jogging most of the way so that they could make it back before all the restaurants closed.  From what I heard, the coconut shrimp was worth the hustle.

While I always love a trip to Southern Utah, I'm so glad that Brooklyn could go with Jason instead this time.  Our time's running out!  This time next year she will be nearly graduated from high school.  Until then, I hope to enjoy the small moments and remember that whether college is in-state or out, she will always be family.