The Role of Judah

Dakota is performing the role of Judah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Four Seasons Theater in Logan, Utah. His role performs a comical solo "Benjamin Calypso." 

Recently, the Utah Theater Bloggers Association reviewed the play and mentioned Dakota by name. Peter Harrison wrote: "Dakota Moses (who played Judah) was another vocal standout. His bright cheery performance of 'Benjamin Calypso' was an excellent segue from the more serious prior song, 'Who's the thief?' Moses also took some minor risks with the music with his over-the-top energy and vocal pep and flair, which made the song really memorable."

The full article is posted here. 

Joseph is one of my all time favorite plays. I am just sad that Dakota is performing so many hundreds of miles away. 

Ty and Dakota

Dakota

My son Dakota is living in Provo, Utah, far from home and family. It has been a tough adjustment for his parents, but we trust that he is making the right decision for himself. We got to see him at Christmas, and we communicate frequently by Facebook and by cell. 

This photograph is a self-portrait that he made during one of his insomnia nights. 

By the way, my dear friend Sister Yanet de Castillo from Guatemala has asked me to make all future posts in both English and Spanish, so I will abide by her request. No doubt, this will help us to maintain a close friendship, and will also allow me to practice my Spanish. 

This post is dedicated to Sister Yanet. 

Español:

Mi hijo Dakota está viviendo en Provo, Utah, lejos de su hogar y familia. Ha sido un cambio difícil para sus padres, pero confiamos que está tomando la decisión correcta para él. Pudimos verlo en Navidad, y nos comunicamos frecuentemente por medio de Facebook y de celular.

Esta foto es un autorretrato que hizo durante una noche de insomnia. 

Por cierto, mi hermana querida, Yanet de Castillo de Guatemala, me ha pedido que haga todas las publicaciones futuras tanto en inglés como en español, así que cumpliré su pedido. Sin duda, esto nos ayudará mantener una amistad duradera, y también me permitirá practicar el español.  

Esta entrada se dedica a la Hermana Yanet. 

Savior of the World

Our family enjoyed a magical Christmas Eve watching my son perform in the musical production of Savior of the World. He played one of the disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection. 

Red banners outside the Conference Center 

advertise the Savior of the World. 

My son performed with friends we met 

this summer during the Nauvoo Pageant. 

It was beautiful to see them again!

Dakota is a wonderful disciple. 

After the performance, we had dinner in downtown Salt Lake City, 

then saw the lights on Temple Square. 

Blast from the Past

This old picture reminded me of the sweet-faced boy who is my son. Dakota has been a blessing in my life since before he was born, and he has always guided my spirit toward true north. Missing you today. 

Tickets

Our tickets for Savior of the World arrived today in the mail. Our family is excited to see Dakota perform this Christmas Eve in Salt Lake City. It will be a beautiful holiday! 

Stone Bridge

We didn't have a lot of free time during the Nauvoo Pageant, but whenever we had a few moments to ourselves, we tried to visit some of the historical sites. The first week, Dakota mentioned a stone bridge that was filmed in one of the Joseph Smith movies. We found the bridge and got one of my favorite pictures of the whole trip. 

Living History

The Friends of Spokane House hosted a living history exhibit this weekend where participants dressed in clothing from the time of the original trading post (1810) and displayed traditional crafts. As part of the event, my Uncle Pat and I had the opportunity to speak to people about the history of the Spokane Tribe. 

Spokane House introduced many new items into our local culture, like guns and metal pots. They also brought decorative items, like glass beads from Italy. 

The traders persuaded the people to deliver beaver pelts in exchange for trade items. Beaver skins thus became a kind of currency or money. 

As an interesting side note, one of the earliest Salish words I learned in my childhood was a word for money. Years ago, I sometimes asked my father to take us to the movies or buy ice cream, and he would often respond by saying, "We got no sqlew." I always understood his meaning, "We have no money," but it wasn't until I was an adult that I realized the true meaning of this word: sqlew is the Spokane term for beaver. It's interesting to me that Spokane House influenced my family almost 200 years later. 

The beaver pelts were used to make top hats in Europe. 

Camp musicians. 

The grave of Jacco Finley near Spokane House.

Dakota near the Northwest Company flag. 

Senior Follies

Senior Follies was a theatrical production performed by the 2014 graduating class of CYT Spokane. The graduating seniors reminisced on stage, sang songs from previous shows, and re-enacted embarrassing moments from past auditions. It was all performed in the spirit of good-natured humor. 

CYT has been a huge blessing in the lives of our children. It is bitter-sweet to see Dakota's final performance in this incredible organization.    

A re-enactment of past auditions got 

a great laugh from the audience. 

Children were chosen to represent each graduating senior 

in a special number that recalled their childhood with CYT.

This was Dakota's childhood double. 

Grandma Shelly witnessed Dakota's last CYT performance. 

...as did Grandpa Ron and Grandma Linda. 

Graduation

Dakota graduated from high school last week. Obviously, it was a major milestone in his life, but it was also a milestone for his parents. I still remember when he ran around the house wearing only a diaper and cowboy boots, or when his binky quivered in his mouth when he cried. Now he's finished high school and embarked upon the life of an adult. I'm so deeply proud and sad all at once - proud of the man he's become, and sad to see his childhood end. 

The passage of time has taught me to cherish every moment and every phase of life. Our children are a gift, and now we get to see them make their own way in the world. 

Beauty and the Beast

 

This weekend, my three children are finishing their performance of Beauty and the Beast with CYT Spokane. This has been a wonderful opportunity for them to develop their talents, make new friends, and perform with their cousins Ethan and London. Sadly, this is Dakota's last show with CYT.  

Whitney and London as townspeople. 

Ethan as Gaston's sidekick LeFou.

Dakota as Lumiere.

The beast.

LeFou and Gaston.

McKenna and Whitney as townspeople. 

Belle.

Beauty and the Beast

My children are performing Disney's Beauty and the Beast through CYT Spokane at the Bing Crosby Theater. As always, the talent is amazing. This is Dakota's last CYT performance. 

Peace Is...

Dakota sang Meditation: Peace Is at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Spokane. This was his last solo performance in the Mead High School Choir. His solo was followed by The Dove. He will graduate within a couple weeks. His performance was emotional and beautiful. 

Dakota's Audition

Dakota auditioned for CYT Spokane's "Beauty and the Beast." This is his last audition as a young person in CYT.

Les Miserables

Dakota played the part of Marius Pontmercy in Les Miserables at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, in a special combined performance of the Spokane Symphony and the Spokane Civic Theater. His character sang "A Little Fall of Rain" and "Empty Chairs," among others. He has performed some of these songs before, but tonight was his best performance ever. His beautiful singing moved me to tears!   

Family Pictures at Greenbluff

Greenbluff in the fall is one of my favorite places in the world, especially on a sunny day like today. The beautiful apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes are all amazing to see this time of year. And for the first time in several years, we took a family portrait. 

Whitney...

The couple...

Dakota...

Whitney again...

Dakota inside a log cabin.

Pictures of McKenna are exceptionally rare, 

so this picture made the day even better. 

The autumn sun made all this beauty possible.