The Unsinkable

I just started an engaging series Downton Abbey on Netflix from a recommendation from my friend Alison and also my family. I already am hooked! In the first episode a wealthy family is reading the newspaper about the April 1912 Titanic sinking and referred to a multi-millionaire J. J. Astor and his wife as well as to some Crawford family members who had been aboard. It reminded me of Brooke's HAL program dinner theater last spring, a reenactment of the evening of the sinking of the Titanic.

Brooke's friends (who are also siblings) played the parts of J. J. Astor and his very young wife Madeleine who had a scandalous marriage as he divorced his first wife and then married this 18-year-old who was younger than his son from his previous marriage. Mrs. Astor was one of the survivors, but Mr. Astor drowned.

Brooke played the part of Ms. Dorothy Gibson, an actress in first class who also survived.

We ate a scrumptious eight-course meal and had a fun evening quizzing the kids on details about the Titanic.

Brooke's HAL teacher

Spring Music

Happy Arbor Day, Earth Day, and May Day!

Here are just a few smatterings of photos and video taken this spring from Brooke's recent vocal and band concerts. The video images are poor, but you can hear their songs. Brooke was nervous about trying out in solo in front of the entire choir and was wavering about whether to do it. Her music teacher said that when a person tries out, he or she should sing looking at the audience (and not at their feet), sing with courage, have the words memorized, and be able to stay in tune. The courage came, and she gave it a try - which was a really good experience for her, whether or not she would have been chosen to sing. She was selected and was excited about singing in a small group for the third verse of the song, "Ballad of the Underground Railroad" - slaves sang this song in code to help others get to freedom in the North during the Harriet Tubman days.

Brooke at her Vocal Concert


Brooke in Small Group


Dixieland - Choir


These other images are of her band concert. These band members just started playing their instruments last summer and have come a long way in ability since then. They practiced in small groups with other common instruments and have just recently started playing together as an entire 5th grade band.

Brooke on end playing trombone


Star Wars

This Is Not Sunny San Diego

So while Stewart is off at a history conference in sunny, 70 degree F, San Diego, we are back home having our 6th snow day, mostly staying inside. But hey, we don't really mind being at home, catching up on reading, playing Legos, learning new magic tricks, and watching movies.







Snow banking up next to our 4-ft fence


Snow mound near our driveway


Bella would really rather be in sunny San Diego


And if you're still wanting some leftover holiday cheer, tune in to Brooke's recent Christmas piano concert - (the images are fuzzy, but the sound is better. First pause our "Tunes on the Fly" box, so you can hear the piano music):

Ukrainian Carol - Brooke - Piano


Pat-a-Pan - Brooke and Chloe - Piano duet

Welcome 2010!

This next slideshow is of the Minnesota gathering of the Brewer and Conner families. We were grateful to have family photos and then celebrate New Year's Eve with a dinner and party, and finally have sweet Elizabeth's baby blessing. Many thanks to Jerry and Jen for all they did for the gathering and to Robin and Darren's family for traveling by van round-trip 56 hours to get there and back. Good to spend time with family and fun for the cousins to play.

Christmas with Family in Wisconsin

This slide show has some photos from Brooke's music concerts - trombone, choir, and piano. The rest is of memories of the time with my family in Wisconsin over Christmas week. It was so good to come home and spend time with Mom and Dad, plus Taylor and Darin and Derrick and Amy's families, and the dogs. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you did and do for us and for your abundant love!

Gingerbread and Cookies

It has been a good week. I love the live music at Christmas time and have enjoyed Brooke's recent choir performances (at three different locations, not at once ...:), trombone and baritone ensemble (performed twice), and piano concert (just one performance, thankfully!!). Because of THREE snow days in a row recently, most of Brooke's concerts were rescheduled to this past week plus the ones that were already on the schedule. She missed one of them because of having the flu. I wanted to post some pictures or video of them, but it was getting late tonight, and I just wanted to put something up quick instead of taking time to sort through the various recital videos. So those will be forthcoming... Instead now you will get a few simple photos from today.

All three of us talked in church today for the Christmas program; Brooke's first time being on the regular sacrament program (besides for primary). Later I took Brooke and her Chinese friend (who recently moved here) to a gingerbread display held at the visitor's center near the LDS temple. Each year youth and adults make wonderful gingerbread scenes, truly some remarkable talent in the area. I posted a few pictures of some of our favorite ones. Our friends made an incredible "Twas the Night Before Christmas" display. We also really like the "Noah's Ark" and "Pumpkin Patch and Farm." The last photo is back at home finally decorating some Christmas cookies.

It's a Wonderful Life

Last night we set up the tree. Brooke put up most of the ornaments herself. Later, as we were sitting in the glow of the Christmas lights and talking, Brooke was saying that she likes her childhood. These are part of her childhood memories. We would miss any family member that is not here. We have a mom, a dad, a child, and a dog. Our family is whole, even though we feel small or have other experiences that leave us aching or wanting including living with the seemingly unfairness of life.

But she is right. We do have a wonderful life and glad to have life itself. We have so much to be thankful for. We are thankful for our nuclear and extended family, friends, for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for our warm home and jobs, school, health, for living here, and for this time of year.




Bella is really not the reindeer kind of dog.

Thanksgiving 09

Mom and Dad and Derrick and Amy's family came to our house this Thanksgiving. Many blessings! Glad to spend time together. Enjoy the slideshow...

Slumber Party!

Brooke at her last swim meet.



Dad made hot dogs and Brooke's favorite homemade mac and cheese.


Bella really wanted some of our dinner.


Mom holding the magnificent strawberry birthday cake (at least in taste!)


According to Brooke's friends, she has "one" boyfriend.


The birthday crew


Making ribbon hair bands - they turned out really pretty


The PJs


Good-night everyone.

Something Sparkly

Brooke's getting ready to have another birthday. She worked up the courage to...






Notice anything new and sparkly? Look really closely. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.) She chose her birthstone color and loves having her ears pierced now!