Chaz's First Choir Performance and his New Suit

Chaz had his first performance with Acapella Choir this week. The choir program at his school is huge; there were four choirs as well as a bell choir. The Acapella choir was very good. With so many boys, it has a rich, full sound.

We bought Chaz this new suit for choir. He looks so grown up in it.

I've attached a video of one of his songs. I've shrunk it way down so that it will be easier to download; as a result the video quality is very poor.




Hospital Tour

Our new hospital opened up for tours this weekend. We are so excited to have a hospital that acceps our insurance so close to home. Before this, our closest hospital was 45 mins away. I'm just glad the kids held off breaking bones etc. for this new hospital to be built.

As we went through the tour of the Primary Children's section we had fun hunting for where Jared and Ruth's pictures had been hung. We found Jared's on the 1st floor, next to a restroom and overlooking the ambulance/emergency drop off. Ruth's was much tougher to find. Hers is hidden away down a hallway of offices on the third floor. We told her that hers was so pretty that the workers wanted to hang it where they could see it every day.

On the tour we also were able to tour the operating rooms, radiology department, mother's area, and many others. There were hospital workers on hand to answer questions. Every room in the hospital was labeled and I got a kick out of one door that was labeled "nourishment". It wasn't near a cafeteria or anything, and somewhere in my brain I pictured some sort of WillyWonka type of room behind that door; maybe a bunch of squirrels cracking nuts or something. The other picture is Ruth and Jared looking through an MRI machine.

Wrapping up Soccer

One more game and we are done with fall soccer. Jared has had a great season.







Here is a cute little picture I took of Jared and his friend Gabbie from across the street.















David's Christmas Album

Kaitlin has been counting down the days until the release of David Archuleta's Christmas album. As soon as she got home from school we rushed off to buy it. Christmas has now come to our house and carols abound.



Motorcycle Endorsements

Chuck and I both passed our motorcycle driving test at the DMV last week. It was a cold day and Chuck had to drive the scooter to work in freezing temperatures. I'm glad we passed so he doesn't have to do that again. The DMV people thought it was cute to see a husband and wife team in for the test; I guess they don't get that too much there.

Hospital Art Open House

This week was the open house for all the children who's artwork was accepted by the new hospital. Jared and Ruth were excited to see their artwork blown up, framed, with a plaque with their names on the frame. We are excited for the hospital tour in a couple week where we will get to see where their artwork will be hung in the hospital.

New Retainer

Ruth has been so excited to get her new retainer that will fix her cross bite. She said that it was like "a late birthday present" and even though she didn't have to, she wore it to school so that she could show all her friends.

As we were waiting in the Orthodontist's office Jared whispered to me, "It's no fair! Kaitlin and Chaz got braces and Ruth got a retainer. I want a retainer!"

I'm not sure when Orthodontia got so cool, but if it helps my kids adjust to their dental treatment plans, then I'm all for it.

Happy Birthday Ruth

Ten years ago during the Saturday morning session of General Conference, Chuck and I were at the hospital with my midwife (who looked like Marie Osmond). Conference was on the TV but I was in labor and totally did not pay attention to any of it. Between conference sessions we walked up seven flights of stairs to the helicopter deck and back down and then in the afternoon session I gave birth to bright eyed Ruth. It was if she was saying "Hello Word! Here I am!"

On Friday that same spirited girl had a birthday party which she planned and partly paid for. The theme was "Random Birthday" meaning there was no theme and Ruth did whatever she wanted. Everyone seemed to have fun.



Free Day at Aviary

On Thursday we braved the cold and went to enjoy the free day at the city aviary. Our noses were pink and many of the birds were hiding in their warm nests, and were therefore hidden from our view. I'm not all that impressed with the aviary itself; I'd never pay to go there. Luckily, next door to the aviary there is a cool park and playground which we all enjoyed very much.