Climbing the Tower

A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with some friends about wanting to visit the National Cathedral. I haven't been there since 1993, and there is some fun history and much beauty there. I got on the website and came across information for the Spring tower climb. Apparently, twice a year at the National Cathedral, they have a tower climb. Those who buy tickets for that specialized event, climb the spiral staircase up to the top of the bell tower. There is a tour explaining the architecture on the way up, a demonstration of ringing the bells, and a spectacular view of Washington D.C. from the top.


I was really excited reading about the tower climb. I have set a goal to get into better shape. I haven't exercised regularly since we left Virginia, and it feels icky. This not only sounded like fun, but it sounded like great incentive. I am not anywhere near the shape I should be in to climb 333 stairs. I thought about it and even asked around. A lot of people thought it sounded cool, but I didn't have any takers to do it with me. The date was March 13th. After much thought, I decided not to shoot for the Spring time but to keep a watch out for dates for the fall climb.

It sounds like I gave up before starting. However, my decision was based upon wanting to really feel like I conquered something while enjoying everything else that goes with it. I don't see climbing that many stairs as ever being easy, but I think that giving myself more than 6 weeks to prepare will allow myself to get to a place where I am fit to face the challenge rather than just fit enough to perhaps make it through. So, if you read this and feel inclined, ask me how my preparation for the fall tower climb is going. I could probably use the reminder to make sure I am ready. If you want to join me, the more the merrier, and I could always use someone to push me when it gets tough.

Concert Interuptus

Thursday night was the rescheduled winter concert at the elementary school. The kids who are involved in snow in 24 hours we received on the 18th and through the 19th, school on the 21st - 23rd of December were cancelled. All of the activities were also cancelled, and that included the winter concert.

The kids worked hard, and it was so fun to see how excited they were to get dressed up in their black and white and walk into an auditorium full of people. They were smiling and waving and jumping up and down a little bit.

Ashley is in beginning strings. She is one of 13 who play the viola. In the upper grades, there are only 4 violas. There are 40 violins in 3rd grade and 14 in the upper grades. All of Ashley's friends she walks to school with play the violin. It definitely added to the fun for all of these girls to do this together.

Luckily for you who visit here, we went with Flip video in hand. Now, you can't really see anything, because even though a friend who arrived 45 minutes early saved us seats, they are still 4 rows back. It was a packed house, and people arrived early. We were just so glad that Trent could get off work on time to be there. Enjoy some video of the performances anyhow.

First is the beginning strings students playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.


Next, we have the beginning strings students playing Jingle Bells. They are playing pizzicato (plucking).


Finally, here are ALL of the strings students playing Ode to Joy. You can actually see Ashley here. Look over the right shoulder of red jacket guy and over the left shoulder of the lady in the blue shirt ( I do actually know her). Right behind the green rectangle is Ashley. :)


When we got home, I got some video of Ashley playing her part of Ode to Joy. The beginning strings students played a simple A note harmony during part of the song while the other students played the melody. That is why you hear the repeated same note in the middle. This is Ashley playing after the concert and after ice cream and jumping around with her friends but before it all got to her and she got sick.

Finally, here is Ashley playing the first part of Good King Wensaslas. It wasn't part of the concert, but I love it. You can tell she was playing this for me and was kind of tired by this point, but it is still so fun.

Happy Birthday Trent

Last week we celebrated Trent's birthday. The fact that his birthday falls right when everyone is going back to school and work combined with the fact that Trent doesn't tend to like making much of his birthday means we usually have a very understated affair. Well, it isn't like we did anything major as far as celebrations go, but we made a real effort this year to take some time and celebrate Trent's day. He is such a great man, and he deserves to celebrate a little even if we have to make him do it.


I made him a german chocolate cake, because it is his favorite. I made the frosting from scratch this year, and I cooked it too long, so it was almost like caramel. It still tasted good, but next time I would cook it less or go back to the canned stuff. The kids and I picked out the Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock figures the week before, and the kids helped me make the cake a little more special by turning it into a scene from the bridge of the Star Ship Enterprise. It was fun.



Trent didn't open any presents early this year. He even waited until he got home from work and enjoyed the dinner he chose so that the kids could watch him and jump and down and get all excited about it.



Trent received a hammock to take camping. Jon wouldn't stop until Trent pulled it out and showed him even though we obviously couldn't set it up in the house. The kids are already demanding a warm weather camping trip to use Dad's hammock. Trent is in complete agreement.



Remember those pictures Al Bean did representing the Apollo Missions? There is a book about the paintings with lots of pictures of the art. Trent was excited to receive that book and a Smithsonian membership. Two words go with that last item, FREE PARKING! There are other great things about it too, but it is great that we can go to the Udvar Hazy Center at Dulles Airport, which is part of Air and Space, and not pay to park.


A few days after his birthday, Trent received these little things. He loves the ability to plug in his MP3 player and listen to music in his office, and these are small but have good sound and are super portable.

We are glad Trent let us make a bigger deal out of his birthday this year. The kids and I really enjoyed making things special for him. Thank you to all of you who helped make his birthday so great as well.

Merry Christmas Part III

I just loved how "Christmasy" the kids looked all dressed up in their holiday best.

Daddy's Girls

Thumbs up from my sharp looking guys.

Somehow, being dressed up has not discouraged Ashley and Sam from playing around.

Merry Christmas Part II

Here are a few pictures from our quiet and fun Christmas.

Much of Christmas looked like this:

Trent's dad made Ashley a cradle for her bitty baby several years ago. Now, instead of sharing, Samantha has her own special cradle for her baby doll made by her Papa Jon. Her baby was in pajamas and all bundled up fairly early.



Jon loves legoes and received the lost temple set from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is the one with the rolling boulder. The video shows how much everyone knew Jon would love it as they all shriek with him about the gift. Jon worked with his dad for a while on the project but after Trent received a duty call, Jon did the last half on his own with occasional help. He did a great job. He wouldn't stop until it was all done though. He put in between 2 and 3 hours and wouldn't let me set the table for dinner until he was completely finished and let the boulder make its run a few times.

Still building

Still building but nearly done.

The kids received some Lazy One pajamas and were excited with the pajamas and because they are the "same kind" as my moose pajamas. They really are fun and comfy pajamas. Here are all three crazy kids in their jammies.

The front says "Bear Hug"

The back looks like the bear is giving her a hug

Moose!

After that, Ashley wanted to do the moose as well