Election Day

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So it is the night before the election day. As is our tradition, we spent our evening with the kids, going over the candidates and their various platforms, and accepting the kids' ideas about who should receive our votes. I think the voting process is vital and so important! And I want my kids to feel the same way.

My FIL was a WWII vet who fought to preserve our freedoms. He was on the beach of Normandy, seeing and enduring things that no man should ever have to see. He took most of those terrifying stories to his grave, but we do know that his hair turned white overnight from the stress of war. He was a master sergeant and definitely a patriot. He watched his friends die so that we could continue to have the right to vote.

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My dad was also a veteran. He didn't get a chance to go overseas, but he was still willing to put it on the line for his country. A couple of years ago he attended a patriotic program with me for one of the kids. When they started singing the army song, my dad jumped to his feet and saluted until the song was over. I was so proud to be his daughter at that moment.

My parents always voted when we were kids. They would argue about the candidates and then head for the polls. My grandma was an election judge for as long as I could remember. We don't take this responsibility lightly.

It doesn't matter to me if you vote for Romney or Obama, but please, if you are a citizen of the United States of America, take a few minutes and head to the polls today. Let your voice be heard. Somebody's dad, husband, brother, and wife died so that you could have that right.

OK, getting off my soapbox now...
sometimes I get a bit carried away.
Please go vote! :)

Bingham Ball

 Did I tell you my sweet Princess had another date to a fancy ball? This one was girl's choice and she was SOO nervous to ask anyone! She started talking about it the day after the Homecoming Dance, but then it took her a couple of weeks to ask.

Kayden was her guy of choice, a great kid who lives down the street. (I keep telling my kids that one of them needs to marry a Quinn, I really want to be part of their family! They seem to always have so much fun.) I spent hours making her dress and doing her hair. We ordered a flower and bought long gloves and masks since it was a masquerade ball.

They had their Day Activity (get-to-know-ya) on Friday morning since school was out for end of term. It consisted of a trip to the mall and a scavenger hunt. On Saturday, she picked him up at 5:00 so my sweetie could take some pictures before dinner and the dance. While we were waiting for the clock, I snapped these of just her in our front yard.

We borrowed the Gym Rat's nice car since it was easier for them to climb in the back in their long dresses. Princess's favorite place is the Village Inn, so that's where they went for dinner. Then we picked them up and drove them downtown for the dance. After dropping them off, we went shopping, delivered some Tupperware, and got some dinner. Our last stop was Harman's where we picked up some fancy little raspberry cheesecakes and mineral water as a dessert for the kids.

They stayed all the way to the end of the dance and then they came back to our place and watched a movie until midnight. The second couple is Princess's dance friend, Abby and her date, Damien. Aren't they just so cute?!

A Toss Up

Did I ever tell you that Teach can toss an awesome flag? She was the Color Guard Captain of the Marching Band at our high school for a couple of years. I loved watching her work with a flag and with a rifle. She even had solos where she would toss a quad!

She couldn't stand not tossing during the off-season, so she also signed up for Winter Guard season during the winter. In her junior year, the program was cut at our school, but because she loved it so much, she traveled to another high school after school to participate in their program.

She was largely instrumental in getting the program back for her senior year and she was the Captain of that team too. We spent tons of time preparing her application for the Winter Guard state scholarship that year, knowing it was a long-shot since there were only 2 given out in the entire state of Utah. Imagine our surprise when the first person named was my sweet Teach!

I tried to get her to join a guard team after she graduated, first at her university and then an independent group. She hasn't wanted to do that. She keeps telling me those times are past for her...

So I was excited to read the requirements for one of the girl scout badges that suggested we teach the girls about parades and marching and, of course, flags! I bought a few yards of China silk and went to work on 4 flags, 3 large ones and a small one for the little girls.

Teach pulled out all the poles, stripped them of their old silks and taped up the new ones. Then she spent time teaching my girl scouts to spin and toss. It was so fun to see her in action again! She even got out her rifle and tossed a few for the girls. She also taught them to march.

I asked her to write this post for me, but she got distracted and now she is at work so I am putting it together for you. Maybe we can get her perspective too. Anything could happen...

I Know Her!

I've told you before that I have several pretty famous neighbors. One of them happens to be Steve James and he has a daughter named Alyssa who is one of Prima Donna's close friends. About six months ago, Alyssa was asked to do a music video cover for the Safe and Sound song that is normally sung by Taylor Swift.

I think the Prima Donna was more excited about it than Alyssa and we have received almost daily updates as to her progress and eventual release date. I had heard Alyssa sing this song before and her voice is absolutely beautiful, but I was unprepared for the stunning presentation. She did an awesome job!

Our friend, Steve, is the guy with the club and the first boy playing the guitar is her brother, Adam. The second one is her cousin. Such a talented family! Take a minute and watch their video and if you like it would you please give them a thumbs up on YouTube? When she is famous, I'll try to get you an autograph! (Maybe I'd better have the Prima Donna start asking for them now and stock-piling them for later...)