Adair Family pictures

Our family, as of 2011:



Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids:

Some of the couples:

Cyle and Athena

Clint and Audra

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas was super sweet. We were able to travel to Oklahoma to my parents house. The very best part was that our whole family was there -- all four of us kids there together for Christmas for probably the first time in a decade. I can't tell you how amazing it was being together. It was so good for my heart to be with my family, watching the kids play together, and staying up late talking, and getting to know my new sister-in-laws better.

We traveled through the snow on Wednesday to get in late that night. On Thursday we were able to visit the Braum's plant. It was interesting to see the dairy, ice cream and other products being made. Then we went over to the bakery to see them making all the rolls, cookies, cakes, and ice cream cones. I am sure we all gained weight just by breathing in that delicious air. :) We all had a good time and then ate lunch at Braum's on the way home.

On Friday we went and saw Sherlock Holmes while Grandpa and Grandma were nice enough to watch the kids. (Good movie!) That night we had a family talent show and let me just say, this family has talent! Lots of wiggling ears, standing on balls, cartwheels, piano playing, and tap dancing. Wow!

On Saturday, Christmas Eve, we went to Medicine Park and took family pictures. I have to say, they went pretty well and everyone cooperated with me while I bossed them around taking pictures. I think we got some good ones. Check out the next post for the pictures.

On Christmas Eve we shared a delicious dinner and then the kids acted our the nativity while Codi read Luke 2. Then we had a special visitor -- SANTA! Clint had arranged for Santa to deliver a bike stand for Audra, which she loved! The kids loved getting to visit with Santa. After Santa went off to do his other deliveries, we continued our Christmas Eve celebration. As a family we performed Michael McLean's, Forgotten Carols. A story that uses Christmas symbols and ornaments to tell the stories of the minor characters in the Christmas story. Grandma was the story-teller and the rest of us sang and played the other characters. I loved how we all got to participate as we really focused on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Before putting the kids to bed, they each got to open a gift.





Christmas Day we all got up and went to church. For me, taking the Lord's supper, the Sacrament, had increased meaning that morning as I focused on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me. Then Codi and I were able to sing a duet about the birth of our Savior. I always have a great time singing with my sister and hopefully our baring testimony helped add to the influence of the Spirit during the meeting.

After getting back home, we had a fun time opening presents and being together. Then on Monday we all packed up and headed home. It was a treat being together for the holiday. I love my family!!!

Take Note

This was probably Take Note's biggest seasons so far. We had a ton of gigs that December! In addition to performing at many nursing homes, we also sang at three other large venues. We also had lots of PR and had a couple of different articles written on us.

In November were asked by our stake PR representative to perform with the Colorado Mormon Chorale. After talking to the director I got the sense that he wasn't quite sure how we would sound. In fact, from our "inside source" in the choir, they we a little hesitant to share a program with us because they thought we would be an amateur group. It made it all the more sweet when after the concert we got a ton of wonderful compliments from many in the choir, including the director, how amazing we sounded. We also heard from many that we had "stolen the show". The choir mentioned they would love to have us sing with them again. It was a great night!

We also were asked by the Longs Peak Barbershop Chorus to sing on their concerts. We were able to do an Friday evening and a Saturday matinee concert. It was really fun sharing the stage with those gentlemen. On Friday night there was quite the scare! Most of the men in the chorus are on the older side and during the second to last song, just before we were to join them on stage for the big finale, one of the men passed out and face-planted from the second riser. He was out cold and it was pretty scary because he was almost 80 and no one was sure what had happened. The paramedics were called and the hall was cleared. We finished by performing the last song in the foyer. That was certainly most most unusual ending to a concert that I have ever participated in. Luckily, the man ended up being alright, although he did not perform with us the next day.

We also had the local Longmont Magazine do a feature article on us. You can read it HERE on pages 16 and 17. It has been great getting our name out there and we are already booking many performances for the spring.

It is hard to explain how much I love getting to perform with these amazing women! When I choose our music to put together a program and then help direct the group, I have a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment. I spent so much of my life developing those talents, I would feel like a part of me was missing if I did not get to use them. I'm so grateful for the support of my family, especially Ken, as I pursue this art. Music is an important part of me feeling complete and these women that I work with, in this goal of making beautiful music, have a dear place in my heart. I love these gals!

I'm Thankful...

I absolutely love Thanksgiving and the opportunity to focus on all my many blessings. I realize that I am very blessed and can see God's influence in my life.

This year we decided to spend Thanksgiving with the Allreds and Garrards in Utah. It was a wonderful long weekend with lots of relaxing and seeing fabulous friends. Definitely worth the drive across windy, cold Wyoming.

We got there late Tuesday night, talked far too late, and then slept in a bit on Wednesday. Ken and Shane took Trevor and Reid out for a guys day. The boys had a blast while Rochelle and I prepped for the big day. That evening we got our turn to see a movie and do some last minute shopping -- I needed to stock up on the BIG containers of Stephen's hot chocolate! Then we picked up the boys and headed down to Provo to meet Mark and Malinda at Brick Oven. Yum!!!

Thursday was a pretty low key day while we prepared for the big meal. My mind kept thinking of my family and especially my brother Cyle. He was arriving home from serving in Iraq that afternoon. I was sad I couldn't be there to welcome him home and thank him for his service. Thanksgiving dinner was delicious and it was another treat to have Mark and Malinda come up for the evening with their kids. There are few things as wonderful as being with good friends.


Friday morning Rochelle and Shane were gracious enough to host breakfast for a big group of transplanted Colorado folks. We missed the Paynes (but emergency surgery is a pretty good excuse) and Apezteguias! Then the rest of the day was spent watching movies and napping as we prepared for the cold. We had decided to go up, meet the McNeals, and see the lights on Temple Square. It was beautiful, but super cold. Luckily, Rochelle is a genius and planned ahead, bring a thermos full of hot chocolate! I love being on Temple Square and it was perfect way to ring in the Christmas season!





On Saturday, we packed up and said goodbye to our dear friends and headed up to Salt Lake. One of our favorite professors from our BYU days, Dr. Doug Bush, was performing in an organ recital in the tabernacle. It was a wonderful recital and it was a special treat to be able to hug and talk with him a few moments.

We then headed around the Great Salt Lake to be with our friends Stephen and Ashlyn Garrard. We always have such a wonderful time with them! Ashlyn is an amazing hostess and Stephen is so much fun to sing with. (In fact, it was over about 20 years ago that Ken and Stephen met at a music camp at NAU and they have been friends ever since.) We played games, stayed up late talking, ate delicious meals, and even performed a musical number in their ward before we had to head home after lunch on Sunday.

It was a wonderful holiday and it was fantastic to spend it with friends that we love like family.

Family Pictures 2011

Every fall we are excited (and I get stressed out trying to choose our outfits) to have our family pictures taken by the amazing Becky Payne. As always, she was an joy to work with AND she makes us look happy and beautiful. Check out her beautiful work here!

Thanks again Becky!

Me at 36

Not quite sure where the time has gone. My mother certainly doesn't look old enough to have a child that is 36. I look at my 4 children who are getting bigger and more mature every day and I still think that I am not old enough or responsible enough to have kids. Time, despite some of my efforts and plenty of anti-aging cream, continues to march on. On November 19th I turned 36.

To celebrate, friends and I went out to dinner and then Breaking Dawn part one. I can't tell you how lucky I am to be surrounded by beautiful, charming, intelligent, fun, spiritual, and service minded friends. They make my heart so very happy. I keep hoping that by osmosis, or some other way, I will become all the things these amazing women are and hope they won't catch onto the fact that I am pretty much a big nerd and stop hanging out with me. I always feel better about life when I have spent time with my dear friends.

On my actual birthday Ken and I went on a date and then came home to watch the BYU football game. After 15 plus years that man still makes me weak in my knees. I am grateful everyday for how he takes care of me and our family. He is such a good man and I am so blessed to be his.

I wanted to do this blog post because so often in my scrapbooking I am the one behind the camera and I don't show up too often. But in recording our family history (and since this has become my journal) I guess I should record some things about me too. So here is me at 36...

I am a mom to 4 beautiful, passionate, fun-loving, smart, and crazy children.
I am the wife of a handsome, patient, understanding man who always wants to do what is right.
I love to sing with Take Note!
I am a voice teacher of about 12 students. I love seeing them progress!
I am a political junkie.
My hair hasn't been this long since high school.
I am still overweight, but I am working on it.
Sadly, though, I am the queen of yo-yo dieting. Working on that too.
Going to institute taught by Bro. Lehman is one the highlights of my week.
I still am trying to figure out life balance and self-discipline. Not so good at those things.
I am serving in the nursery right now.
I LOVE going to book club every month.
I am grateful that I still enjoy learning new things.
I still am working on the basics. I really had hoped I would have those down by this time. :(
I love watching BYU sports and cheering on the Cougars.
I love the people in my life deeply.
I am a daughter of God.

A Small Part of the World

At school Morgan and Trevor were able to perform in the school program, "A Small Part of the World". The program shared songs and culture from countries all over the globe. In choir they had been learning and rehearsing the songs since the beginning of the year. Trevor especially loved singing Allouette, a bird song from France.

It was a two night presentation with the grades K-2 performing the first night and 3-5 performing the continuation of the show the next night. Morgan auditioned and was selected along with a handful of other 5th graders to be a narrator so she got to perform both nights. Morgan and Trevor both got to also be dancers to some of the songs. Ken even got to help out and was asked my Mrs. Keller to be the sound guy. It was a great show and it was so fun watching the kids and their friends have such a great time up on stage!

Ken with Trevor backstage.

Happy Halloween!

Who doesn't LOVE candy?

My kiddos were so excited for Halloween. The weekend before the big night we carved pumpkins. On Monday they got to have parties at school, a trunk-or-treat and chili cook-off at the church, AND the big night of trick-or treating. Ken got to take them around the neighborhood as I manned the door.

Morgan was a nerd.

Trevor was Darth Vader.

Peyton was the cutest witch around.

And couldn't you just eat up this super cute Thomas the Tank Engine?!?

Trick-or treat!

8 Years

It really doesn't seem like it was that long ago that Trevor arrived as a cute little bundle. He is certainly not little anymore! Trevor turned 8 and while his grandparents were there the Wenhams came up and we were able to have a family birthday party!

Trevor is full of life and passion. He is super smart and does really well in school and is well liked by the kids in his class. He is a happy kid and is also talented. He is taking piano and singing lessons as well as advancing quickly in Karate. Building with legos, playing with friends, especially Trey, and playing minecraft on the computer are some of his favorite things. I can't imagine our family without him!

Happy birthday buddy!

Bump, set, spike!!!

Almost anyway. :)

This fall Morgan got to try out volleyball. She wasn't exactly sure about it when I signed her up, but she began to love the sport. We all loved cheering her on at her games. She was lucky to have a great coach and really began to catch on to the fundamentals of the game. It was really exciting when she started consistently being able to get her serve over the net in games. The Diggers had a winning season and it was so fun to watch Morgan, and all the girls, improve their skills.

Go Diggers!



.

The Age of Accountability

This last October, Trevor turned 8 years-old and chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ken and I were so proud of him for being willing to make a covenant with Heavenly Father to take upon him the name of Christ. It was even cooler because he was able to be baptized exactly on his birthday, October 15.

It was a great weekend spent with wonderful family and friends. Both sets of Grandparents were able to make the trip for this special occasion. It was even cooler that they were able to participate in the program of Trevor's baptism with my dad giving a talk on baptism and the covenant Trevor was going to make, my mom giving a prayer, and Ken's mom leading the music. I got to give a talk on the Holy Ghost. It was such a special day for Trevor and our family. The Spirit was really strong and we had many friends come to support Trevor as he took this big step.

This was definitely one of the highlights of our year!

Grandpa gave Trevor a purple heart hat to remind him of the sacrifice and courage
it will take as he keeps his covenants.