My House Debra

We had a fun time together sharing in the work and then joining in the play. We have so many leaves around here that it provides a lot of frolic as the girls jump into the pile of leaves

Life is a sea upon which the proud are humbled, the shirker is exposed, and the leader is revealed. To sail it safely and reach your desired port, you need to keep your charts at hand and up-to-date. You need to learn by the experience of others, to stand firm for principles, to broaden your interests, to be understanding of the rights of others to sail the same sea, and to be reliable in the discharge of your duty."

--President Thomas S. Monson, "Great Expectations", CES Firesides for Young Adu

As you will see from all the pictures below. I have had much to occupy my time and my talents. I have enjoyed the opportunity to help Chelsea with her wedding and to see so many people come and support her on her special day. I had a wonderful excursion with my grand daughters, performed in the Orchestra's fall Concert and am helping with the election for Jeff Novak. I look forward to seeing Audrey and my sisters at the end of the month. Dad and I are doing great an enjoy our life.

It has been a sad parting. Marsh and Vince moved away from Pleasant Grove last weekend and left us. Gary and Corrine had already left a month before. It's just Seth and I and Grandma now. What's up with this?

This past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of practicing. The Orchestra at Temple Square performed last night and Friday night. We did the Italian Symphony by Mendelssohn, a Wagner piece Vorspiel and Liebestod from the opera Tritan and Isolde, and then Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major. A 13 year old boy from Hong Kong performed and did an absolutely amazing job. I feel like a novice at the piano after listening to this young man. His name is, Aristo Sham. I had the chance to visit with him a bit when he was waiting back stage. Everything about him seemed like a young kid... until he played. Wow!

Leaves fall freely,
trusting completely.
Beauty lies all around.
Soon all will be bare,
and the silent sound of snow
will fall gently,
covering earth's bounty.
It is time for winter peace.

A couple of weeks ago I was able to go with the girls and Sara to Gardner Village. It is an amazing place and is so cute that I just love being there. During the month of October they have ghosts all around and it is just an Autumn Wonderland. The Ghosts are flying through the air on bicycles, plastered to the wall at Archibald's restaurant, standing all around and some are even using the hoolahoop. It makes for a very fun place to take grand children and we can't wait until next year when Audrey and Lauren can join us. This is hopefully going to be an annual tradition with Grandma. At least I hope so!!

Demi loves little dolls and had such a fun time in the Doll Shop. She is having such a fun time holding them and telling them she loves them. You're so sweet Demi!

Joy - you are sure cute - sitting by that big, green witch. You look like a fun little guppy. Love Grandma

Dad and I and Kaylma and Warren Rhorer, our friends from Midway were able to go on a 12 hike mile hike into the high Uintah Mountains last weekend. We really had a wonderful time and felt so exhilerated by the experience. We actually bit off quite a bit more than we were up to... but our attitude of high adventure carried us through. Kaylma and I actually hiked for approximately 10.5 miles while the guys finished up with the last leg of the journey going on up to Amethyst Lake. We stayed behind at the meadow. We were pretty tired. We actually did the right thing, because by the time we finished up we just barely made it back to the car before it turned dark. We had a wonderful time and Seth and I hope to be able to continue our hikes at least once a month. The Lord really has given us a beautiful world to explore.

Dede was my stand partner for the recording session. She is such a fun person and I enjoyed sitting by her. I sat with her today for "The Spoken Word" also. I'm getting to know my of the violinists all the time. Dad and I during a break.

My children will relate to the many times we have listened to Josh Groban and Charlotte Church sing together in the famous rendition of "The Prayer". Well last night after a week of recording for our new upcoming CD we were priviledged to have Andrea Bocelli come and his producer David Foster, (the composer of "The Prayer") We were video-taped with Andre Bocelli for his upcoming Christmas special in the performance of the Lord's Prayer. Then the Choir and Orchestra performed for them and their entourage of people "Come thou fount of every blessing" The spirit was very strong in this rendition. Our final project was to video tape with David Foster in the performance of "The Prayer" (He played the piano part) I can honestly say that after listening to the score many dozens of times that it was a thrill to be able to play the same orchestration with the composer himself. I believe that we literally lived the music. It was an unforgettable experience.

News from the Choir

When world-famous, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli walked into the Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, September 12, it was his first visit to the historic structure and his first face-to-face experience with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A few weeks ago when the Choir recorded “The Lord’s Prayer” for his upcoming Christmas album, so taken was Bocelli with the sound of the 360 voices recorded in the renowned Tabernacle, he determined to film a portion of his upcoming PBS television special from there as well.

He found what David Hurley of The King’s Singers, veterans of Tabernacle performances, described: “The Tabernacle seems to have this wonderful sound that contributes to the lovely sound that the Choir makes. It isn’t just the singers; it’s also the space within which they perform and the history of the choral singing there over many, many years.”

David Foster, acclaimed Canadian musician, composer and conductor accompanied Bocelli on the Tabernacle’s legendary pipe organ. Foster is a celebrity in his own right having produced 15 Grammy Award-winning albums including three for producer of the year.

Bocelli, who has sold more than 60 million albums, began his career “singing for relatives.” He learned to play the piano at age six and added flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harp, guitar and drums to his repertoire. But it is his voice that distinguishes him. At age 12, a soccer accident left his already weakened eyes blind. He initially turned to the law for his life’s work but quickly shifted to follow his passion – music.

August was a busy month of sharing in the joy of Lauren's birth. I was able to be there for three differnt visits and enjoyed spending a week with Audrey and Andy when Lauren was born. Audrey and Andy were so happy to have little Lauren here that they just radiated from their faces the whole time. Andy was anxious to learn all he could - changing diapers, getting bottles ready, burping etc. Audrey just kept exclaiming how happy she was to have her little girl finally here with her. She was always commenting on how cute she was and how delighted she was to look at her. I am so grateful for this new little bundle of joy and am so blessed now to have three beautiful little girls grand daughters to watch grow up.