Whitney's Painting

My daughter Whitney is becoming a great artist. She gave me permission to post this painting that she created just this morning. I always tease that I taught her everything she knows, but in reality, she has far surpassed me in technical ability and creative soul. 

Prom Date

A young man - the son of family friends - came to our house today and asked my daughter to the prom. He was so nervous, but he was gracious and polite. He even brought a bouquet of flowers. She said yes. 

I was sitting on the couch, but I heard everything. It was so sweet. I found myself getting misty. I'm officially old - my baby is going to the prom. 

Un joven - el hijo de amigos de nuestra familia - llegó a la casa hoy y le pidió a mi hija a que vaya al baile de graduación. Estaba tan nervioso, pero fue muy amable y cortés. También le dió un ramo de flores. Ella dijo sí.

Yo estaba sentado en el sofá, pero escuché todo. Fue tan dulce. Me sentí muy sentimental, y lloré un poco. Oficialmente soy viejo. Mi bebé se va al baile de graduación. 

Whitney's Braces

Whitney is following in the footsteps of her father. She got braces on her teeth. 

Hopefully, she will have them fewer than six and a half years... 

Los Brackets de Whitney

Whitney está siguiendo en la huellas de su padre. Recibió brackets en los dientes.  

Espero que los tengo menos de seis años y medio...

Choosing a Tree

We went to the Christmas tree lot near our house, and Whitney announced with all the sweetness of a fifteen year old daughter, "Daddy, it's your turn to pick the tree this year." 

"Okay," I said, "That sounds good to me," so then I inspected all the different trees and carefully weighed my options. I decided to bypass the grand fir. They have that rich, Christmas tree smell, but they tend to dry out faster. The nordman fir tends to stay green longer, but the girls don't like the needles because they look "weird." 

While I was still searching for the perfect tree, Whitney revised her announcement and said, "Uh dad, I like this one." 

"But I thought you said it was my turn to pick the tree," I said. 

"But I like this one," she said. Apparently that settled the issue. Who's tree do you think we bought? I think everyone knows the answer: Whitney's tree is now standing in our living room, the lights shining softly in all different colors. I love that tree and I love this memory of my daughters. 

Painting

My daughter and I attended a painting class with Van Gogh and Merlot. We have attended these sessions before, but this was the first time in quite a while. Of course, we always have the chance to paint at home, but it was important for me to create a positive memory with my daughter. My kids are growing up, so I want to cherish these moments. 

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. 

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. 

Whitney's Audition

Whitney auditioned for CYT Spokane's "Beauty and the Beast.

Friendship

The major portion of our Montana trip was to visit friends, and for my daughter and I to share a positive bonding experience. I'm so grateful for these amazing connections. And of course, I threatened promised to post these pictures on my blog. 

This is dedicated to Mikey and Dru. I'm filled with gratitude for your friendship.  

Whitney and I near Hot Springs, MT. 

The scenery is amazing. 

Three swans on the river. 

We stayed at the Symes Hotel in Hot Springs, MT. 

Halloween

Halloween 2013 in the Moses house was a much cuter affair than other years - no corpses, ghosts, or specters of death. Whitney was a mouse, probably in honor of her role as one of the Three Blind Mice in CYT's upcoming production of Shrek the Musical. 

McKennna's Borrower costume won the "Most Creative" 

award at the neighborhood trunk or treat.  

...and I was the Wizard. 

...or should I say the Junior Wizard?

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. 

McKenna and Whitney

There was time when McKenna loved to take pictures with her father, but now she hides her face whenever the camera appears. It seems we have to practically beg, even to take family pictures, but once in a while, she finally consents, "Okay, just one." These are rare moments, but much appreciated. 

I took these pictures yesterday, and I love this one of my girls. We took these pictures at my step-father's land near Usk, Washington.