an evening at Kiroli Park...

fountains, fun and family.

Hot Springs, AR

"don't get lazy when things get crazy!"

Hello, all! As you can tell by the date,things have been nonstop...or normal, for us. We have had exciting things happening and we have also settled into the routine of school for the kids. I finished up playing the role of Velma in Hairspray here at the Strauss Theater, and although I had a blast, I am glad to have my evenings open again! Audition/competition season is in full swing for Bray, which means lots of paperwork, mailing, singing and traveling! So far he has been accepted to all competitions we've applied for (which means he's made the semi-finals!) which is a huge encouragement considering these are some of the top competitions in the opera world!

Last week he flew to New York for a competition-and though he didn't make the finals-was heard by 12 judges, which can mean future work if they liked him! He was able to see some old friends and colleagues and get used to the city for his next visit, which he will take me along on!!

This weekend, he travels to Austin, TX for the semi-finals of the Bel Canto competition, and then he has a Fort Worth Opera audition in late November, early December. Most of these come up last minute, so it has been wonderful to have family nearby to help with the kids while I'm solo and working.

The kids have adjusted really well to school-both of them are eager to learn, and excited to tell me all their stories. Last week, while Bray was gone, Hobbes had his best week at school! He got to be door-holder all week, and was SO excited to be the big helper. As a reward, we had a Chuck E. Cheese night, and I don't know who had more fun-me or the kids!

As you can see from the picture above, I am now the happy owner of a Canon EOS 30D camera!! I am reading the manual and figuring out all the fun settings with this wonderful camera, and I am in heaven! I have to get an adapter to upload to our computer, so hopefully I will post pics from our trip to Hot Springs, AR (where Bray's voice teacher lives) and some from the show!

For now, I trust you are all doing well, and we miss you! Please keep us in your prayers over these next few crazy months!!

this is Madeline's 1st official school picture! Hobbes's has not come home yet, but I will post it as soon as it does!!