Trip to the other side of the Mountains

So I went to Spokane and visited my best friend Kim (and her family). I drove over and took Scott's grand niece Christina with unfortunately she ended up coming home early and so we didn't get to ride home with me. Check out Christina's blog for the whole story.

My weekend was very relaxing!! Kim and her family spoiled me as always!

Here are a few pictures that we took.

Me & Kim

Kim & Doug Megan
Britney
Our yummy strawberry shortcake dessert

Pictures of Kim's garden

(I took a lot more pictures than this because EVERYTHING was beautiful but I am just posting a few of my favorites)

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Another Recital Performer

This is Phil Holt another student that takes lessons from the same piano teacher as Gabby. We loved this piece that he has played at several of the recitals so we thought that we would share the recording with all of you.

Recital Videos

Here are the two videos of Gabby's performances. I haven't been able to get the other videos to upload yet so if and when I am able to then they will appear for your entertainment. :)

(Note: Video will play more smoothly if you start the video and then pause it to let the video buffer until it gets to the end (the gray bar next to the play button) then press play again)

Gabby playing: Reflections of the Heart by Martha Mier

Gabby & Keenan playing: A Colossal Day by Carolyn Miller

Way to go Gabby!!

Saturday was Gabby's last piano recital for this year! It was such a joy to see all that she has accomplished in less than 2 years of taking lessons. She has completed what would "normally" take 5 years for a student to complete in less than 2 full years of lessons.

So I thought that I would share her performances and a couple of others as well. There are many very talented students but we didn't have enough memory on our camera to video all of the recital.

Also, I'm posting a few pictures of the awards that she received (6 in all).
She received the Award of Excellence (This was given out to every student that completed a year of lessons with Mrs. Davis)
She Received a ribbon for being in the Flash Card Club (This is if the student can go through their 60 flash cards in less than 2 minutes)
She Received a ribbon for being in the minute or less Flash Card Club (this is when they can go through the flash cards in one minute or less)
She received a ribbon for being in the 90% Awesome Lessons Club (The students receive an awesome on their lesson if they have practiced and come with the lessons totally prepared)
She received a ribbon for Excellence in Interpretive Skills (This is when the pianist is expressive in how they play and can bring out the emotion in the piece or pieces that they play)
And last but not least is the ribbon for Excellence in progress (This is a new category that Mrs. Davis introduced because she has some students who complete more than one years worth of books in a year)

Receiving Excellence in Progress Award

Gabby & Keenan

Gabby, Mrs. Davis, & KeenanSorry I'm having problems with the video's uploading so I will put them on the next post once Blogger will upload them.

Intorducing Noelani!!!

Teresa's new niece was born yesterday! Her name is Noelani which means "Gift from Heaven". And she truly is! We went to visit her last night and we enjoyed the opportunity to get to meet her and hold her.

Congratulations Kim & Ray!