Ukulele Camp at Papa's

Lexi has been at Grandma and Papa's house this week learning how to play the ukuele. We arrived today and she did a little performance for us, so I taped it. It is pretty good for a few days of music lessons.

2016 Tony Awards - Uncle Milton

We don't watch a lot of television. In fact, we didn't have any channels for so long that I often forget that we have the basic ones. Tonight was a special occasion. We watched the beginning of the Tony Awards because the kids' great uncle Milton composed a 7 minute musical number/medley. It was amazing!!!  Here is the official link: Tony Awards

You can also watch it here:

Piano Lessons

One of my friends has a teenage daughter that is an excellent piano player.  She also loves kids and babysits often.  She decided that she would like to try teaching piano lessons.  Since she is new to this, she is charging $10 a lesson.  For that price, I decided it was worth signing Lexi up.  She only has this little keyboard to practice on.  The lessons are going very well.  She is loving it and practicing without being reminded (at least so far).  She also adores her teacher.

Christmas Evening

This evening we went to our close friends' house for dinner & fun.  

Papa Steve played the accordion.

Picture of me with Aunt Melissa - we were very good friends in high school.  Now, the kids adore her and are very excited every time she comes to town.

Zoo Day

Grandma Margie wanted to get out of the house today, so we headed to the zoo.  We figured we could take it fairly easy.  I am sure we did a little too much walking for someone who is supposed to be recovering.  We sat and watched a few shows though.  Lexi also participated in the hula hooping contest.  Afterward, Steam Powered Giraffe (Aunt Paige's boyfriend's band) performed.  

Lexi in the hula hoop contest

Steam Powered Giraffe (Musical Automatons)

Here is a song that I recorded today:

Happy 4th of July

We had a fun-filled 4th of July here in California.  The morning started off with a flag raising ceremony and breakfast at Grandma's church.  Of course, it was quite chilly for us.  It was probably the first time I’ve had the Declaration of Independence read to me. 

Mid-morning, we headed to Grandma’s work to watch a little local parade.  The neighbors around the facility dressed up patriotically and paraded through the grounds.  There were adults, kids and dogs all decked out.  Some of the kids were on bikes others were on skateboards and scooters.  When it was over, we went for a walk along the beach.  We happened to walk behind Mitt Romney’s house.  He goes to church with my mom, so we've seen him quite a few times.  Of course, we didn't see him or his family.  He is out campaigning.

That afternoon, we headed out to the desert for a pool party at Aunt Vicky’s house (Papa’s daughter).  It was warmer out there, but still a little nippy for a pleasant swim.  The kids jumped in though.  We also had picnic/bbq food.  The kids and Papa got temporary patriotic tattoos.  That might have been their favorite part of the party.

Later, we headed to the San Diego Zoo to watch Paige’s boyfriend and his band perform.  They have a contract to play every day this summer.  I’m sure we’ll see them quite a few times during this trip.  For today, I’ll just post pictures.  By the way, they are a steam punk band, which is why they are wearing robot costumes.  

Lexi was able to get in on the zoo's hula hoop contest.  It wasn't an easy task for her since her pants kept slipping.  She continually had to slow a little to pull them up without missing a beat.  There were quite a few kids & adults that got cut.  Lexi made it down to the final 2 and was keeping up with the tricks until her hoop dropped.  It was just too difficult to pull her pants up, do the tricks, walk around and hula hoop all at the same time.  She won the same prize as the first placed girl though.  I'm sure Lexi will get more chances to win the zoo hula hoop contest while we're here.  

We ended the night with dinner at the Big Kahunas, which is one of our favorite spots here.  The kids were quite exhausted though.  They had little pizzas.  We headed home and they were asleep before we arrived.  

Temporary Tattoo

San Diego Zoo

Hula Hoop Practice

Hula Hoop Contest

Final 2

Christmas Music at the Mormon Battalion

Last night, we went to the Mormon Battalion in Old Town to watch Papa Malcolm's band perform. The kids enjoyed the music. I even taped them dancing to one song, Mary's Boy Child. Even though the kids got a bit out-of-hand during this song, they definitely had a good time.