Kira's Winter Concert

This years winter concert was spectacular.  The band played amazingly well, and there was a huge surprise.  The band received a grant of over $38,000 from the Mazza Foundation which means a new timpani, a trumpet, low brass, marching drums, a vibraphone and other new instruments.  Amazing!

To watch a little bit of the concert, go here.  

This was their last song, and I could have listened to them all night.  Amazing job.   I am really proud of Kira's commitment to this.  I always think it is so much time and work, but then the rewards are getting to hear these performances. 

Kira's Field Show 2013

Fall for Kira is busy, busy, busy.  Practicing actually starts in the summer and then the competitions begin in the fall.  This years show was "The Giving Tree" and I think it was their best one so far.  If you want to watch the show, go here.   Be sure and notice the Tree in the middle, it was my favorite part, next to the talented alto saxophone player. 

We made it to all the football games again this year and not only loved watching the band, but loved seeing Terra Nova go undefeated.  

Now the anticipation begins for what next years show will be. 

Grease

 

Kira was a dancer in the Terra Nova musical Grease this past weekend. It was a sold out show all 4 nights and she was an excellent dancer. I loved being able to watch her do something a little out of her box.

To quote Kira, "I have been blessed to have had some amazing experiences and opportunities, but nothing has topped the feeling of being a part of Grease."

Bacon Roses from her Aunt.  What?

The Tunnels Open

The long awaited Tom Lantos tunnels bypassing Devil's Slide opened today and Kira, along with the Terra Nova Band got to play at the opening ceremonies.  Below is a link to a video of the band leading the parade.  Thanks to Facebook, I was able to snag some photos and video with out even being there.  

Band Leading the Parade

Our family will soon be testing out these tunnels and taking a bike ride along the old Devil's Slide.  Let's just all pray this won't increase the traffic along Hwy 1 to add to the noise by our house.  

Sweet 16

It is official, Kira Porter is now 16. 

She has been 16 since Sunday, and we finally got around to singing to her today. 

Happy Birthday Kira!!!

Band

It is serious business.  You would be amazed at the amount of work and effort that goes into these band competitions.  We usually make it to one each season and I am always surprised at the effort and grandness of it all.  Hot meals are prepared for the bands in the parking lot.  Sometimes all three meals as they are usually gone from 6am to late at night.  You see the BBQ's and the parents, the moving trucks (carrying equipment) large buses, and the enormous sets for the field shows.   We usually drop a good $40.00 for admission, get our wrist bands and enjoy a little of the show.  No one in our family has the patience to last an entire competition, just watching Kira with Terra Nova is enough for us.  The season has wrapped up, uniforms dry cleaned, and the horse packed away.  It was a great year for them, and I am sure next year will be just as great. 

The Trojan Horse from Terra Nova's field show.  Sean is in the bottom left corner so you can see how large this thing was. 

The parking lot where all the prep and magic happens. 

Each year I find myself more and more involved.  The way it is looking by the time Kira is a Senior I may be one of the parents standing in the parking lot cooking food.  Oh joy. 

Seriously, I am thankful Kira enjoys it so much and I am thankful so many parents are willing to give so much time to make it all happen.

Early Mornings

Teenagers are stressful.  Really, I had no idea how stressful they could be and Tom and I live with a pretty good one.  Even in all her goodness, I stress.  We only have a few more years with her living under our roof (Unless she starts threatening like Andrew to never move out) and I stress about the little time left I have with her.  I find myself spending quite a bit of time with her in the car early in the mornings.  If it is not seminary, it is heading to a band competition and they are always early.  This poor girl gets very little mornings to sleep in as most teenagers would prefer, yet she is happy and willing to give it her all.

She is smart, and good, and I adore her.  I told her the other day that the best thing I got out of marrying Tom was her, and I meant every word.  She is a light in our family, even at 5:30 am when she is rolling out the door for the seminary.  I am glad she is setting the example for her younger brothers, I could only image what life would be like if Sean was the oldest.  Kira, thanks for the stress you cause, I welcome it.

This is her smug early morning look, not wanting her picture taken.

Band Season

Yep, it has started again, in fact the Terra Nova Band has been practicing since July of this year.  Last weekend was their first competition and they placed FIRST in parade and in Field Show.  It was a big win for the band and made for one happy 15 year old in our house.  

If you want to watch the show, check it out here.

 As for the rest of us, you will find us in the stands on Friday nights at the football games cheering on the football team and the band's half time show.

My favorite last weekend was watching Sean continually photo bomb these girls pictures in front of us. They kept moving the angle of the phone and he would move to get in their picture.  Nothing like doing duck lips with a 4 year old peeping in. 

FEET!

This is a brief moment in our lives where Andrew, Kira and I all have the same size foot.  We will see how long this lasts. 

80's Dance

Kira's 80's outfit bought straight off the rack at the mall.  

We were thrilled they were finally doing a stake dance here in our stake.  I don't think I can remember when they did one and no one was more excited then Kira.  Keeping my fingers crossed that it was successful enough to warrant another one. 

Sophomore

It is always better to be a Sophomore then a Freshman.  Today is the first day of school, but for Kira it seems like she has already been in school for the last 2 weeks.  She has been at school every day from 9-5 learning this years drill.

Go get em' Kira!  May this year be all you want it to be.

Proof my kids are still kids.

They may think they are getting more grown up, but that went out the window when we spotted Sid the Science Kid at the Academy of Sciences. 

I on the other hand found myself giddy over the baby ostrich.  I may not like cats, but would consider keeping one of these.

Teenagers

This is pretty typical.  Having a blast at Great America, and Kira's face is buried in her phone texting.  It is so fun to take along all of Kira's friends via text message everywhere we go. 

PS-  Yes Tom is wearing a fanny pack at Great America.  Embarrassing.

Mecca

One day while taking Kira to school I asked her where she wanted me to drop her off.  Her reply was, "Duh, the band room."  She explained that the band room is like Mecca, and everything leads to the band room.

Sean arriving to play.

This got me thinking.  Sean recently decided he did not want to go to Primary on Sundays.  He would throw a loud fit that included me dragging him into the primary room and leaving him screaming and crying.  I wondered what would be Sean's Mecca and concluded that to Sean there is no better place to be then the Hanaike's house.  He and I made a deal that Sunday's with no crying, meant an hour of play at the Hanaike's and it has worked like a charm.  He now goes right in and sits down with out any tears, then as reward we go spend an hour playing at the Hanaike's and pulling out all of Luke's toys.  On the way there yesterday, I heard Sean claim, "I don't like my toys, I love Luke's toys."  

Thanks to the Hanaike's for being Sean's reward and letting him come play.  It is the highlight of his week.

Swim Lessons

All three kids have learned to swim around the age of 3. Well... I am expecting Sean to learn since his first swim lessons were this week. I spent my summers growing up as a life guard and a swim teacher. Funny thing is, I have not taught one of our kids to swim. Being the great listener that she is, Tom taught Kira to swim by going to Oceana Pool on Fridays. Andrew and Sean listen to me at 3? Not so much. Andrew learned from a swim coach in Fort Bonifacio, Philippines and now Sean is learning at Anderson's here in Pacifica. No matter how many years of training I have, there are some roles I can't fill with either of these two boys.

I guess it doesn't matter how you learn, as long as you learn.

Sean's first day of swim lessons.  A few tears in the beginning, but ended up a really great experience.  He keeps asking when he gets to go again.

Little Chubby Kira starting early with her swim teacher.

More work with Dad.

Andrew's first swim teacher.  Ignore my tired eyes, those were exhausting days, working nights.

Andrew showing Tom his skills.

Tuesday Nights

Historically Tuesdays have not been my favorite day.  Everything seems to happen on Tuesday in our house, and I feel like we all rush from here to there and I usually count down the minutes until Wednesday can begin.  Tonight was really no different then I have described.  The one difference tonight was my ability to see the wonderful things my children have been doing on Tuesday nights and the blessings they are receiving because of the crazy Tuesdays.   Andrew had his Blue and Gold dinner for Cub Scouts, and Kira had New Beginnings for Young Women's.   They overlapped a bit, but I got to see both and I felt a great deal of love and appreciation for all the people that work so hard to make these programs happen for my kids.  For that I will be forever grateful, and promise not to complain anymore about Tuesdays.  

Nothing Says Birthday Like Fried Oreos

We didn't get the chance to celebrate Kira's birthday last week, so we took the opportunity this weekend to help her welcome 15.  I had asked her weeks ago what she wanted to do for her birthday and she was quick to respond, "Fried Oreos."  I was hesitant as I knew I wasn't going to make fried oreos, and I thought this was something you would only find in the South.  I hit up Yelp to find us a place in San Francisco that could meet our needs, and Saturday we hit up The Codmother Fish & Chips.  It is located on Jones St. near Fisher Man's Wharf, and the food lived up to the hype on Yelp. 

It's basically a glorified taco truck.  

Happy Birthday Kira.  We sang to her on the curb in SF.  I think she was more embarrassed then delighted.  

A close up view.  Not something I will eat everyday, but an enjoyable treat every so often. 

Grumpy Sean decided he was going to wait for the bus on the curb while we ate.  This one he came up with himself.  When Tom asked him what he was doing his reply was "Waiting for the Bus." 

Happy Birthday Kira!

See this cute face next to her daddy? 

That is usually how you find this girl, right next to her Dad.  This photo is from 2006 and today she is definately taller and more grown up.  She is also branching out a bit now that she is 15, but I have noticed that even with her busy schedule, and long list of friends on Facebook, she still finds time to be at her Dad's side.

Happy Birthday Kira! 

We love you.

For those who don't get to see it in person.

Kira's Field Show

This is why we hardly every see her, she is too busy marching and playing the sax at the same time.  These kids are really amazing.

And of course, the peanut gallery.
Enjoy.

Fog Fest

We are pretty routine in our house.  Occasionally we will do something different, but when it comes to the Fog Fest every September, we are usually there.  Again Kira played in the parade but this year she was in the high school band, and they place 1st in all categories.  They were excellent. 

My highlight was seeing Coach (Dragon Slayer) from Survivor as the Grand Marshall (not sure why it was him or what he has to do with Pacifica, but still fun).  In the photo below, Coach is actually conversing with Tom because he was trying to find out who wins this season.  What we did learn is that Coach lasts longer then Ozzy, so we think.

Andrew's highlight was boxing with his friend Luke.  For those of you who know Luke and Andrew, this was the perfect activity for these two.  I just wish I had one in the back yard so when they start fighting I could put them in the ring to work it out.  Thanks to my friend Nancy for the photos.