Bray's singing...

Way to go, Bray!
On Saturday, Bray and I took off for Seattle, and left the kiddos with my parents. The weather was a bit treacherous, so we ended up using our chains through Snoqualmie Pass, and adding an extra 2 hours to the drive, but God was good, and we made it there safely!
Bray didn't compete until right after church Sunday, so we did a teensy bit of shopping, and running around in Seattle rain before heading to a church family's house to stay.
We went to Trinity Church in Seattle and then on to the competition from there. It was a long day, with 14 amazing singers. I've been to a lot of vocal competitions, of varying skill level, but I honestly can say that after each person sang, I thought, "well, this person could win,too!"
Bray did well, and won an encouragement award, or 4th place. We were not at all disappointed, and the judges had good things to say.
The best part, though, came right after the competition was over. The accompanist for the day was the guy who plays for Seattle Opera, and is also a 'scout.' He came up to Bray and basically gave him the Director's contact info, and told him he wanted him to come audition-that they were interested! After that, a member from Portland Opera also said they would like him to talk to them about possible jobs....this is a huge answer to prayer, as we were contemplating auditioning for these companies in the near future!
So pray that everything will go well, and God will guide us to the best place! It would be wonderful to have Bray working and officially being paid for what he loves and is blessed with!
Thanks to all who helped this weekend, we really appreciate it! We shall keep you updated, miss you all!

PS-this is an 'impromptu' headshot I took of Bray for some paperwork for a music program. Isn't he handsome? :)

While the parents are away the kids will play...

Kajsa and Bray went to Seattle this weekend for a competition, so the kiddos stayed at our parents, but we(Mike and I) saw a fair bit of them too - and got pictures. Mike even baby-sat by himself!Playing in the plastic tub!Madeline kept making these squinty-eyed faces every time we brought the camera out to take a picture!We still managed a few normal shots - she loves her public!
Tolerating a hug.

Crazy boy with the ball!

Jesus Loves Me

Bray is teaching Hobbes to 'sing' and this is the fave so far...probably because he gets to say 'me' so much-but we'll hope it's because of the words.:)

Madeline stands!

I caught Madeline right after she pulled herself up-but our camera was cold, so the color's a bit off.:(

Hobbes attempts to whistle

Quick update...mostly on my amazing husband!

Hi, everyone!
I'm sorry I haven't posted- I only had time to do the Louisiana montage, just to try to catch everyone up on pics! But I wanted to update you all on what we've been doing since we got back.
Bray began his teaching assistantship this semester, so he has had a full schedule of classes, teaching a voice class and studio, and about 8 or 9 students. He's also learning music for an opera this summer, competitions and recitals. We have 2 back-to-back competitions this month, one that was this past weekend in Coeur d'Alene, and one in Seattle this coming weekend. Happy results so far: Bray won 1st in the professional vocal division, and will be singing in concert with the Coeur d'Alene symphony mid-March! Not only that, but 1 of the judges is the director for the Coeur d'Alene opera company, and might want Bray to do a few operas next year, during school, which would be great for resume,etc.
This weekend is the regional finals in Seattle for the Metropolitan Opera competition...we would love for him to place, as 1st and 2nd then go on to New York for a week in Feb. which equals good connections, experience, possible $, etc.:), however we are just praying he does his best, and for safe travel-it has been icy, snowy and collld up here! (a stark contrast from light-jacket weather in Monroe:() There are some more vocal things up our sleeves, but I will post about those as they come about.
The kiddos are finally getting back to a routine-although they get to spend their 2nd weekend in a row with my parents for the comp. (hooray for family!)this weekend. Madeline is growing up so fast; just within the past week, she has started pulling herself up to stand and she has 4 teeth on top that have just broken through! (this made for quite a cranky week last week, but when we saw they were coming in all at once, we understood and felt quite sorry for her) To top it all off, she learned how to wave yesterday, and when she does it, she looks like she's riding a float-elbow,elbow,wrist,wrist! I shall try to catch it on video.
Hobbes is missing the warmer weather, as he got to play outside a TON at Gege and Bop's, and he's asked several times for Archer and swords, and although it makes me a little sad, I am glad he's remembering everyone, even when they're far away. He's decided to work on his acting skills even more, and thus will choose times to imitate everythinggg we do or say-including Madeline. Last night, I was whistling, and so he decided to do so as well-only he just pooches out his lips and goes hoooommm, then throws his head back and laughs like Randy on A Christmas Story. (In case you haven't seen that movie, watch it and you will discover Hobbes is a blonder Randy).
As for me, I got to play organ for a wedding last week, which was really nice, as I haven't played it in awhile. I am just trying to keep up with everyone's schedule, while searching for new and entertaining things to do with the kiddos! I have to go now, as Hobbes has climbed up on my shoulders and is wanting me to chase him-I hope you are all well, and we shall let you know how the competitions go!

Louisiana fun!

Too Cute

These pictures were so cute they had to be posted~
Kathryn :)

My kiddos...

These are just some pics I've taken over the past few days...

And some more Holiday Pics

While Kajsa was gone she asked me to upload some of the pics that Mike and I got on our camera (a new Christmas present!) over the Holidays. Mike is quite the photographer!The whole fam!

Smiley Madeline!She's always posing!
Hobbes was dancing like crazy with Kajsa - and laughing the whole time! (He really looks like Seth's baby shots here.)

This was a contest of who could do the best "Blue Steel." Bray won. (Kajsa has obviously been practicing since these were taken if you see the post below! :)

New Year's Eve!

Pics through the holidays...

Hello, everyone!

Sorry I have not posted-we are still enjoying our time with the Southern fam, here in Louisiana! We had a rocky beginning, as we all decided to catch a stomach virus on the plane, and then pass it to half the family as a Christmas gift! However, it seems to be at an end, and we have enjoyed spending time with cousins, siblings, parents and even grandmas! (This Christmas, Madeline and Hobbes have been able to see all 3 great-grandmas! What a blessing!) We are having a wonderful time, and I just wanted to post some pics. So, hope the New Year is off to a good start, and we'll be in touch!

Swimming with most of the cousins-Bray's Aunt Laura and Uncle Jimmy are staying at a hotel, so the kids had a blast this morning at the pool! (in this pic:Madeline, Kajsa, Hobbes, Bethany, Jaiken, Archer and in-utero Oz)
Playing with cousins Laurabelle and Samson in the kiddie pool...

On Saturday, we got to go to a performance of "Cirque Dreams," which is similar to the European show of Cirque du Soleil....it was AMAZING! We had a wonderful time!

In this pic: Caleb, Kajsa, Bray, Memom and Charity

Again at the performance!

In this pic: Caleb, Bray, Steve, Memom and Charity.

Charity and I after the show...
Trying to perfect Blue Steel-I am not very good at it!

Taking the kids for a walk in the 70 degree weather! Quite a change from snow!
This was a stocking stuffer from Gege-it's Madeline's 1st dress-ups! (it's a flower, by the way:)

My little diva-no matter how fussy she is,if the camera comes out, this is what I get!
Hobbes has loved the warm weather-he can run around outside for hours! (It's nice to not have to bundle up, that's for sure!)
With both great-grandmas: Lee Wilkins, Madeline, and Ele Hilleke. How wonderful!

And now Hobbes with the 2 great-grandmas!

Time with Family...

This week has been absolutely amazing- a bit insane, but yet amazing! Tonight we had to say goodbye to Seth, Naphtali and my Grandma, after a week of eating, talking, playing Apples to Apples, eating, sledding, dancing, watching movies, eating, shopping, drinking...did I mention eating? It all went by too fast, and we were sad that they have to go. However, we fly out to Monroe tomorrow to see the other side of the fam, so the fun isn't over yet! So here are some pics to document, and until I get another chance to blog, Happy New Year!
Look who can get into the toys all by herself!

Snowball fight!!! (Naphtali fights dirty!:)
Sopping wet, yet smiling.
On the way home!
So cute in the snow!
Pop and I...although it looks like he's trying to trip me!

Daddy, giving Madeline her first 'taste' of snow!
We are about to go down the hill!!!
These 2 always seem to be smiling together for the camera....CUTE!

Slowly walking up the hill-but stopping every 2 steps to eat another handful of snow.
Sitting and eating snow...he thought this was better than sledding! Weird!