one photo

The only photo of Elaine in the opening ceremony. She was signing a song. Craig was manning a couple of video cameras so he didn't take many photos at all, and when he did, he was right next to the fog machine, so they didn't come out well.
The OC was really just for the kids, and it's a good thing because it didn't turn out very well even though the kids had practiced many long hours over the course of the last six months.

To me, it showed the difference that the Spirit makes in how one of these events happen. The OC performance was not important to the overall event. The three main performances were seen by people from all over North Texas, many of them non-members.

Youth Conference: Texas Jubilee

I wish I could post photos of Elaine in Jubilee. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take any. Craig was able to take some photos at the Opening Ceremony, but he didn't end up getting any good ones of Elaine. I think we can buy photos of the actual performance; I'll have to see. There were rumors that the New Era staff would be there, so will have to watch and see if anything came of that.

Anyway, it was an incredible event. Three days of 2000+ kids from 11 stakes dancing and singing, also workshops and General Authorities speaking. Testimony meeting tonight.

In the actual public performance, Elaine was in one of the special ensembles done to the music of "God Bless the USA." She did a ballet number with about 10 other girls. She danced better than I have ever seen her: with more confidence and fluidity. She was beautiful! She also had a part in the media clips where she expressed her feelings for her country. Those were the two parts that it was somewhat easy to identify her. Otherwise, she was on the floor with too many kids all dressed somewhat similarly, so it was really hard to pick her out of the crowd.

I am really sorry that Lynette missed the cut-off date for age. This is something she would've really enjoyed doing also. Unfortunately, it is also one of those events that only happens every 30 years or so.

We did have a couple of non-members join us to watch it. Several of Elaine's friends, then also her dance instructor and spouse. Also, one other friend of ours. They all seemed to really enjoy it.

Now, I think I am going to take a nap! For the past three days, we've been getting to bed around 1:00am after doing laundry! And then, Elaine had to be back to the Events Center at 7:30am. Believe me, there were a lot of tired teens and adults in Sacrament Meeting today! I think the Bishop was the only one on the stand who was able to stay awake for the whole meeting!

Now that Jubilee is over, we can start really concentrating on getting ready for our trip to California in a couple of weeks!

More Pictures from Mom and Dad's Visit

Here are some more pictures from Mom and Dad's visit to Indiana.  They have gone home now, but we were sure glad they could come and see us.

This is a re-enactor at the Lanier Days festival.  He played a traveling medecine salesman, and he was quite funny.



One of our ward members does civil war re-enactments, and he let me fire a cannon.  That was really cool!

This is Mariana with her new haircut, and a barge going down the river in the background.

Mom and Dad in Madison's historical museum.  This is the old train station.

Happy Father's Day yesterday

I've tried calling you a couple of times, Dad, only to have Lynette remind me you were in Indiana, and by then, it was too late to call.
Hope you had a good day!

Happy Father's Day, Dad

I hope you are having a great time in and around Indiana/Kentucky. You are missing the coldest and wettest Father's Day ever recorded in Utah. It is 58 and raining right now (about 3 p.m.) It is snowing above 9000 feet.

Thanks for your great example and all the wonderful lessons you taught me about being a good Dad.

Enjoy the rest of your stay and have a safe trip home. We will see you Saturday.

Flint

Sights around Madison

Here are some pictures from our activities with Mom and Dad this past week.

This one is the old stone bridge where the heritage trail crosses city creek.

Mariana and Dad looking down at the construction on the bridge.

Isaac and Dad fishing at Versailles State Park.

Vacation time with Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad have come to visit us in Madison, and we are having a good time together.  Above is a picture on the river walk along the Ohio river.  Below is a picture in front of Cumberland Falls in Kentucky.  We went down yesterday and today and visited some of the natural wonders in southern Kentucky, like the falls and the Red River Gorge area.

This is a pair of arches called the Angel Windows.

This is a lookout over part of the Red River Gorge.

New baby pictures?

So where are all the baby pictures? Didn't you get to go see her yet?

This and that

So, Craig is off to Boy Scout Summer camp for the rest of the week. James is working pretty much 8-6 every day except the day he is working 8am-10pm. Elaine has school every morning that I've got to get her to. And the other two girls have various fun things planned that require me to drive them or some such.

Meanwhile, the dr put me on a blood pressure medicine to see if it will help with my migraines. (My bp is fine, but supposedly beta-blockers are good for preventing migraines). I started taking it a week ago today. He also told me to quit taking any Excedrin or Tylenol. So, trying to wean off those drugs has not been fun. I've had a constant headache, though sometimes it's worse than others. But the worst has been that since Sunday night (so only two nights, but it feels like longer), I haven't been able to get to sleep or stay asleep. I've also had another gastrointestinal problem that is very uncomfortable.

I'm not sure it's worth it even if it does keep the migraines away.

In just two weeks, Elaine has her "Jubilee" performance. It's a regional youth conference, but the youth are putting on a big dance show. The church has rented out the same huge events center where James had his graduation. The youth have been rehearsing for almost a year now. Elaine is the only one old enough for it in our family. Lynette was VERY unhappy when she first found out she missed the age cut-off by just a couple of months. Anyway, that means we are driving to and spending lots of last minute hours in rehearsals. (Elaine loves every minute of it!)

After she finishes her summer school class, we will be driving to California to see Craig's parents. This may be James' last chance to get to see them before his mission, unless they are able to come out for Rachel's baptism in November, and if he is still here.

Speaking of that. He is supposed to get his braces off in October. As soon as that happens, he can leave, so as soon as we know FOR SURE when they are coming off, we can start working on his papers. At least with all the overtime hours he has been getting, he will have saved almost all the money he needs for his mission.

Wish we could see you all this summer!

Dalley stuff

Elaine finished her exams this week. Monday she starts a summer school class in order to be able to go to Richland Collegiate High School next year. She is not happy about the summer class,as it means we had to rearrange our vacation plans a bit, and now she won't be able to go to Girls Camp.

In order to get into Richland, she had to take a couple of placement tests. She did fine on Math and grammar, but on the writing portion she got a 5 and needed a 6. The second time she took it, she also got a 5. So, I am reading about the course she has to take. At the end of the 5 weeks, she has to take the same computer-scored test one more time. Guess what she has to score to pass the class? That's right. A 5!

I'll have to finish this up tomorrow. I've got to get Rachel to bed.

Mariana's tornado kick

It was test time again.  This is Mariana doing a tornado kick.