Concert Recap and Time Torture

Well I never actually posted anything about the St. Louis trip and Joe's concert, so I guess that I should at least recap the highlights!

Well, long story shortened, kind of:

After many long years- let's call it 7- of random practice and a few times playing for church, he began practicing in earnest again, spending many long hours at the church and some on the piano here at home. All of this to bring us to this point. He did a trial run of his concert at the church here in the Burg, which went well and we were so grateful for everyone who took time out to come and hear him.

His confidence has skyrocketed and he has been playing better than he ever did in college. Honestly it still boggles my mind that he can actually play all of that. I had the torturous task of turning pages for him, one which I would relinquish to anyone (I tried Kaija but her arms weren't quite long enough, even offered to pay her). Poor guy has to do head flipping gestures to show me when he is ready. I try to keep up, really, he is just playing a thousand miles an hour and I can't read music that quickly- not to mention not knowing which hand is playing which line of music and where, sometimes I can follow the pedal, but alas it is not my forte!!

The concert in St. Louis was wonderful and couldn't have been played for a more grateful audience- they beam about their organ and love the fact that a little bit of Joe is literally there in the organ- as it has a rank of pipes (the green ones- for anyone who remembers our old friend!) from our very large musical instrument that was once housed in our basement!!

Share the wealth, that is what I say!

Anyhow, we spent all of Saturday night, OK from 5:30-10:30, at the church while Joe practiced and set registration. We the people spent our time in the church library (which is their favorite spot in the building) reading books, playing games and drawing. Funny we never actually took a picture at the church, oh well!

Sunday we lucked out and made it to Sacrament Meeting before Joe had to be at Trinity for their service. We dropped him off and spent the next 4 hours driving around St. Louis, looking at great architecture and walking around Forest Park. These pics are from the area around the Korean War Memorial, and the Jewel box. Luckily the weather cooperated for us to be outside!

So that was a great time to spend together- now we just have 1 more concert, same line up, just here in the Burg again at Mike Quimby's church (Joe's boss). That one is coming up on April 16th- then a small break, until he starts on new music for another concert!

And now we are back into the swing of things and experiencing the unfortunate reality that is known as the dreaded Daylight Savings Time. It has struck hard at our house- it is a gift and a blessing that it is Spring Break for us this week. Problem is: we always end up staying up later than usual and getting up later- we follow the Fall pattern each time instead of the Spring option; I mean really, who wants that anyway!!

The kids have been helping out with jobs around the house and any moment that jobs are not looming over their heads (also sometimes when they are), you will find them playing legos or marbles and very often reading a book.

Unfortunately everyday so far has been overcast and a little rainy- I am hoping for nice weather to get us all outside tomorrow!