Davin's Christmas progam

Davin's school performed an original play written by his teacher for the holidays. He played an 8-year-old boy (what a stretch...) in a play about a family who gave up their personal celebration to help make the holidays better for active duty military in their community. Scenes were punctuated by caroling sung by the smaller kids. To kick of the event we had music from the guitar students and a lone xylophonist.


1. The entire cast sings a final number. 2. Joshua sets up the video camera, preshow. 3. Davin takes his place for the first scene.

4. Playing Jingle Bells and I think of Schroeder. 5. Sheet music sits ready for the show. 6. Davin's guitar group does a last-minute rehearsal of their most difficult piece.

7. The Christmas programs. 8. The guitar sequence. 9. Students playing members of the military perform a patriotic song and dance.

A funny thing actually happened on the way to the opera

Joshua and I got a great deal on Opera tickets and invitations to the Anchorage Opera's season opener after party, so we got dressed up and went. Walking to the restaurant downtown for dinner before the show a yellow car honked at us while we were in the crosswalk. I jumped and glared at the driver, before realizing they weren't being rude but trying to get my attention. It was my coworker Nadya with her friend at the wheel, also on their way to dinner before heading to the show. So we decided to join forces and share wine and laughs at Ginger. She was even kind enough to share her pictures from the evening with us since my camera would not fit in my tiny dress-up purse. Can you spot us in the atrium of the opera house above?

 

Photos courtesy of Nadya Gilmore.

Home on the Range

Davin gets two hours of guitar each week at school. Last weekend he got to check out a school guitar for the weekend to practice and show us what he's learned. His teacher is raving to other teachers and parents about how quickly he's picking it up. He even gave me a refresher course on chords.

Faces at the rehearsal dinner

 

We had a really casual rehearsal dinner and it was wonderful. Campfire, chicken dinner, guitar strums and meeting and greeting. Above, Dan Henderson.

 

Jane Henderson last wore this lovely outfit at a wedding in India.

 

My Aunt Carol, Aunt Cecily, Uncle Dave and cousin Jessica. 

Joshua's dad, Kevin and family friend Chuck.

 

Davin winces from campfire smoke. We told him smoke follows beauty.

 

My sweet new mother-in-law, Sherrie at the campfire.

Tai, friend, wedding officiant and extraordinary person.

Dinner party at the Hamiltons

Thursday before the wedding, the night before heading to the lodge for the weekend, my dad's friend from childhood in Alaska and his lovely wife threw us a party at their home. Brian and Benita are musicians, and fabulous hosts. We all had a wonderful time despite the mosquitoes going crazy. It was a great greeting spot for my aunts, uncles and grandma Ticknor as the arrived in town.

This is my fabulous grandma telling stories over strawberry shortcake.

Sasquatch roundup

OK, a good four days after returning from Sasquatch here are some pictures:






As far as the music. There was so much good stuff I can't even delve into it all. So here's the highlights.
Most pleased to see: Okkervil River because it reminded me of good times with the Evergreeners.
Best surprise: Rodrigo y Gabriella. Two acoustic guitarists from Mexico that sound like a full band. Best musicians I saw all weekend, by far.
Strangest: Flaming Lips. The lead showed up in a light fixture shaped like a UFO and crowd surfed in a bubble. There were about 20-30 dancing telly-tubbies (cq?) on either side of the stage and one song featured dancing naked women in the background ... He ended the show playing Taps on the bugle.

Best quote of the weekend from Beirut: "Anyone from New Mexico in the audience? ... We're all over the place. We're like the new Irish."

the wailers

This is my friend Diana and her dog Riley. We went to see the Wailers yesterday at Julia Davis Park. The show was free and part of Boise State's version of Springfest.

Then, waiting in line to look at the T-shirts, I think the girl with big sunglasses behind the table looks a lot like my friend Amy who worked the main office at Student Publications.

"Annette?" she asked. It was her. She works for the touring company now.