'Tis the Season

We've attended several Christmas parties lately. At the church Christmas party Blake and Derek performed. Blake played the violin, Derek played the piano and Katelyn shot the video.

They got a candy cane from the Bishop and got to sit on "Bishop Santa's" lap (our former Bishop - Bishop Rife). 

Later that same day we attended the annual Now I Can Christmas party. They got to see a lot of Santa that day but they were still excited the second time around and were asking if the one at this party was the "real one". They each got a gift at the party which was organized by an Eagle Scout candidate. 

Violin Recital

Blake and Derek had another violin recital. I know I'm their dad but... they are so talented. They also volunteered to play in primary. Blake played violin while Derek accompanied him on the piano. It always seem surprising when 8-year-old kids can actually play.

Reflections Art Competition

The boys entered in the school's reflections art contest again this year. They both entered in the same category. Blake took 1st and Derek took third. Derek took it well but it didn't hurt that last year he took first.

The event had a very lovely MC.

The theme this year was "Diversity Means". Here is Derek's entry.

Here is Blake's.

Indoor Soccer

Blake and Derek are playing in door soccer this winter. They play on the same team as the summer league so they are still playing up a year (they are younger than most of the kids). There was only room left in the "Gold" division so all the teams they play are really, really good. They've been taking it well and the whole team is really improving. They didn't win again tonight but I was very proud of how hard both of them played.

The lighting isn't great so it makes it hard to get good photos.

Blake & Derek's Concert

Here are some shots from Blake and Derek's semi-annual Orchestra concert. They really are getting to be quite good.

Amy helps out with the Cellos. The director asked her to play in the concert.

Pumpkin Patch & Museum

This is our last vacation post. We hit the museum on the OU campus in Norman.

We later met some friends at a pumpkin patch.

Family & Friends

The real reason for our vacation wasn't to visit places but to visit people. We spent a lot of time with family that we hadn't seen in a long time. 

We also got a chance to spend some time with friends.