Macbeth

 

So...If you are wondering where I have been or what I have been doing? This is it! I told Justin that as soon as I saw the score I should have put it down turned around and walked out of the production studio. With well over 100 pages of music to learn, I started working on my music 3 weeks before musical rehearsals started.(I never do this..especially since my rehearsal time includes my two little monkeys climbing all over me banging out there own tune on the piano as I try to learn mine.) Tonight, could be our last musical rehearsal, as Susanne(chorus master extraordinaire) promises that if we are brilliant she will cancel tomorrow nights rehearsal. Let's pray for this people..I sure would like a night off. I have to admit now that all the hard work is done, it is a great sing..so come see Utah Opera's production of MACBETH Oct 17th thru 25th. Verdi's ( or as Justin likes to call him Green) music is beautiful...although I am still baffled why he penned most of the Witches chorus' in major keys. They sound way to happy, lyrical and fun for the text that goes with them (ie..the finger of a strangled baby..YIKES!!) as Susanne says we need a little less Glinda and a lot more Wicked.

JellyBean Junction

 

 

Yesterday, Addison attended her first day of Preschool. She was so excitied to go all day that the first thing she did in the morning was pack up Cupid(her fav stuffed bear) in her backpack.( They kids were asked to bring a fav toy or stuffed animal their first day. I heard, "Mom, I'm ready to go now!" about three zillion times. Needless to say she had a great time, singing songs, playing, and painting and she can't wait to go back again.

Alaska

1. The Alaska pipeline, just outside of Fairbanks.

2. Mike panning for gold. We actually found some, although we didn't strike it rich!

3. The sign for the ice bridge in Fairbanks. The river freezes over every winter (-40-50 degrees) and they use the river as a shortcut.

4.Kayaking on Byers Lake. Mt. Mckinley is in the background.

Alaska

1. Charissa

2. Paddle Wheel Boat- We took a ride up the river and visited the dog sled training facility and an Athabascan Indian village. Very Interesting!

3. View from our room in Fairbanks. In the morning we heard the honking of Canadian geese!

Alaska

1. Sled Dogs- It was really interesting to see how they train the sled dogs. They were so excited to go for a run.

2. Stationary Moose-This was the best shot we got of a moose! All the others we saw thought they needed to hide in the trees!

3. Skin Coat- This coat was a real work of art. The girl who is modeling the coat recently got her Master Degree and wrote her thesis on the history of the Athabascan Indians who settled in the area around Fairbanks.

Alaska

1. Chum Salmon being smoked at the Athabascan Village.

2. Denali Princess Lodge. We stayed in the building on the right. This picture was taken on a hike we took to Horseshoe Lake.

3. Inside Denali Park. It rained a lot that day!

Alaska

1. In Denali Park - Caribou (commonly known as reindeer)

2. Denali Park

3. Denali - More Caribou

Alaska

1. Denali -The black dot is a Grizzly Bear. She had two cubs with her.

2. Snowshoe Hare - The Alaskans say when the bunny's feet go white, it is only 3 weeks until winter. This little guys feet were white. Denali had it's first snowfall and freeze while we were there!

3. Horseshoe Lake

Alaska

1. A trumpeter swan we spotted on a hike to Horseshoe Lake (Denali).

2. Getting ready for our ATV adventure. It froze the night before and was cold but a lot of fun!!

3. This is what tundra looks like. When you walk on it, it sinks down about a foot. Our guide said it was great to sleep on when you are camping because it is so soft.

Alaska

1. Town of Healy just outside of Denali Park.

2. Denali- The locals call Mt. Mckinley, Denali or The Mountain

3. Mt. Mckinley- We were very fortunate to get to see Mt. Mckinley. The locals say it is quite often covered with clouds.

Alaska

1. Randy and Kathy Hayes

2. The MOUNTAIN

3. The Mt. McKinley Princess.

Alaska

1. A picture of Denali (Mt. Mckinley) from a hike we took by the lodge.

2. The Hike - 7 Miles - We made it up to a ridge that overlooked a vast expanse of beauty.

3. We left Mt Mckinley behind for Ice

More Ice, and More Rain! We caught the cruise ship in Whittier. One of our first stops was Glacier National Park. This is a picture of Margery Glacier.

Alaska

1. Blue Ice

2. Charissa and Glacier

3. Gulls were everywhere. We even saw an eagle perched on one of the glaciers.

Alaska

1. We went to Skagway first but those pictures didn't make the cut. It was beautiful there as well!

Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier

2. Ice Bergs that came from Mendenhall Glacier.

3. Our Cruise Ship from the top of the tram in Juneau. We had lunch at the top and took a short hike. It was beautiful!

Alaska

1. Stump

2. Ketchikan - The stream below the buildings was teeming with fish!

3. Totem Pole Park

Which one is the Chief?

Alaska

1. Lumberjacks in Ketchikan. The lumberjack show was great fun!

2. Totem Poles

3. Arriving in Vancouver at dawn.

Cute Pic

Before we left for Alaska, we had a quick visit from Michelle. On this particular Saturday, Mike was doing the yard work and Addie was following him around. She settled onto one of the rocks out front and clapped for Grandpa every time he made another pass with the lawnmower. When Angie and Michelle came outside, they were invited to join her on the rock with a C'mon and sit here! Who could resist her sweetness!