Elliot's Viola Trio

Elliot, Spencer and Mike performed Irish Melody at a recital Friday night.

Our Summer Vacation, or. . .Swimming Pool Blues

The pool looked like this when we opened it in the spring. The cover had caved in the last two winters due to snow, the coping was missing chunks and looked bad, the tile was sooo dated, the water, well yuck -- so, we decided on a little do it ourselves pool facelift, or rejuvenation even. We drained the pool, sending 20,000 gallons literally down the drain.

Mike and Elliot start jackhammering away at the old stones.

Mike worked at it for a couple of weeks and was making some pretty good headway, until the ladder fell and plunged him into the deep end, sans h2o, and he fractured his shoulder cuff. Ouch. Four weeks with an immobilized arm, no pool repair, no golf, no sleep. ugh.

We hired contractors, we waited for weeks for them to show up and/or for it to quit raining, although it seemed they only did come by on really rainy days, and eventually the contractors finish and Mike and Elliot gave the pool a really good acid wash.

It took 55 hours to fill it, but Squirt got some great swim time in unchlorinated water in the meantime,

and it was clean, warm and open for the 4th of July!


Mike's arm is healing, he's hopeful he'll be able to golf this summer, we've had kids in the pool by the dozen, and that is the end of our pool story.
Grab a towel and come over for a dip (just be sure to comment on the new look)!

Elliot's Spring Viola Recital

Elliot performed Humoresque by A. Dvorak at his spring recital last night. He nailed it. I love that he accessorized with his skull leather bracelet. He takes private lessons and also plays in the Concert Orchestra in school. He's worked his way up to fourth chair in Concert Orchestra and hopes to be second chair in 9th Grade. His favorite part of last night's performance was Grandpa taking us to dinner after the recital. Elliot said his prime rib was fabulous and realized he does like pie -- at least banana cream. We are proud parents. It was a fun evening.

Happy Birthday to Elliot!

(April, 1995 - 21 1/2" long) That was then --

(April, 2009 - 72 3/4" long) and this is now.

Presents at 6:45 a.m. Is it even light outside?

Squirt LOVES to open presents -

and thinks he is helping so Elliot can get to school on time!


Elliot chooses Settebello's for dinner. We ate gourmet pizza.

Three days later, Elliot is still partying! A movie and dinner at Bonsai with a bunch of pals, and then on to our house for cake, ice cream and a gallon of milk (14 year old boys are ALWAYS hungry) and then they ran through the neighborhood in the dark. I think our neighbors are really happy to have a teen in the 'hood again! (not) Check out their chopstick skills -- pretty impressive.

Happy 14th Elliot! We love you and your teenager ways.

Easter Sunday - Thanks for the Salmon

We were sick on Easter so no photos of us, but we still thought Scott and Laurie should know how much we loved the fabulous salmon (and the recipe) we received via friendly courier while they were in Alaska last summer. This is what was left by the time I grabbed the camera. It wasn't on the platter long after the shot. Yes, it was our last fillet and yes, Sue did bring us more than one -- just thought you might like to know. :) We love you guys (and your fishing skills!).

Mike and Elliot hit the slopes

Mike and Elliot got in some pretty good ski days this season. They skied at Alta, Solitude and Deer Valley. They look like they are having fun and they are so cute. Wait a second -- Elliot, are you skiing black diamonds without asking your mother? Oh no!

Now You See Them -- Now You Don't

After 26 long months, the braces came off in February. Yippee!!
Elliot is sportin' a megawatt smile.

Pool or Pond

It may be time to clean up the pool. We had a couple of ducks lounging on it recently. I wouldn't want to swim in it today.

Curley in Peter Pan

Elliot just finished his performances in Peter Pan at school. He was the lost boy, Curley, and a pirate dancer. He had mere seconds between costume changes and it was fun to watch him run off and on stage between characters! I pulled out the old brown Singer and stumbled my way through two costumes with limited swearing and only two trips to repair shops. Lucky for me he was supposed to look a little ragged. My personal favorite line of his -- "Not knowing my own mother, I often like to think she was just like Cinderella." I think he meant the cooking and cleaning Cinderella, not the one having the wonderful night out at the ball!
He did a great job and the play was fabulous! They spent three months rehearsing songs and dances and it showed. We had no idea junior high productions were so elaborate. Here they are singing I Won't Grow Up. Elliot sings his solo lines towards the end of the song -- he's usually on the right side of the stage.

Goblins

Goblin Valley

In March we hiked the Bell Canyon/Little Wild Horse loop in Goblin Valley.
The slot canyons were amazing!

First Hike in 2009