Carson and Hunter have been working very hard learning their pieces for the MAMA festival at the end of July.
Carson memorized "Mile High" and "Apache Braves" and Hunter has learned 2 religious songs from LDS composers, "Be Still My Soul" and Music Chains--Press Forward Saints and Come Come Ye Saints".
This is Hunter's LAST festival as he will be a freshman in High School and have no extra time for lessons. Kate Naylor is also "retiring" from Julie Silverburg's piano studio. I am proud of both dedicated students that have learned and grown so much on the instrument.
My sister gave me this vinyl lettering several years ago. I have been collecting pictures to display on a "family picture" wall for awhile. Completing it required some spray paint, nails, and patience. It is fun to look back and see how much my family has changed and grown.
At the beginning of the summer, with the help of Jerianne, Hannah, and Patty Ward, we started preparing our 1/2 bathroom for a remodel.
Carson's first reaction at seeing the destruction of the beloved paisley flowered wallpaper was one of SURPRISE. He was devastated that we would destroy the one thing in our house that reminds him of nature and being"GREEN." He argued with me that since I can't keep any plants alive in the house, the bathroom helped him feel at peace. He also stated that it was not necessary to spend money on changing a perfectly good bathroom and that it was OK to be out-of-date and different with the bright '80's style paper!!!!!!
Taken back by such a STRONG reaction from a 10-year-old, I explained to him that even though he had valid reasons for not changing the wallpaper, it was a Mommy and Daddy decision and that we were in charge of home improvements.
I walked away from the arguing child and returned an hour later to work on the bathroom only to find the door to the room LOCKED. Knowing who the culprit was, I proceeded to get the key that unlocks the doors in our house. BOTH keys were not in their SECRET location. I HIT the boiling point and called THE FATHER of this concerned child. Brad spent 10 minutes scolding a disobedient, confused boy and basically said the same things as I did. Of course, it sounds better from the DAD. Sufferings of motherhood! Even though it took Carson hours to calm himself down from this incident, he returned to the scene of the crime and insisted that we keep some of the wallpaper for a memory of what the room looked like and possibly make a scrapbook.
Was that possible with this MESS!!!!!!!!
Brad is very creative and patient and did a fabalous job with the border and tile over the counter. He spent hours getting it just so and we are happy it was complete for all of the visitors we welcomed this summer.
Here is the finished room and some pictures of the prep work aided by Carson, Jessie and Brad.
We have known Alaina Larson and her family for her entire lifetime. A wedding shower to honor her and her upcoming wedding in August was a time for celebrating with family and friends.
---The BEST reward for making good choices and always following your leaders is finding another person to share your life with who has also done the same---
We love you Alaina and Mitch and wish you much happiness in your marriage and life ahead! MORE PHOTOS HERE OF ALAINA
Happy Father's Day 2009! Breakfast made by the kids is a fun tradition to start the day for many families including ours! We love our DAD!
Carson and best friend Peter Bagley enjoyed being in Mrs. Price's 4th grade class together at Valley Park Elementary! The last day of school picture is a HAPPY ONE!
Participating on the OP Waves Swim Team kept Carson busy for the first 6 weeks of summer. Awaking up at 6:30 AM to swim for 2 hours was a perfect start to busy day, made possible by a breakfast of "portable" BOOST energy drink. We are proud of you Carson!
Carson learned to play the viola in 4th grade and performed several concerts at his elementary school.
destination planned by one of the siblings. Brad was the sibling in 2009 and since I am his spouse, I delegated myself to help organize the event. Brad has limited "extra" time outside his job and since I am the family scheduler, it was a natural choice. (although some may disagree!!!)
Over 30 Bishop family members reunited in Overland Park on July 1-4. Joel and Kristin's family stayed at our house while the other's occupied 6 rooms at the Hampton Inn nearby. My good friend, Heidi Fackrell, has "connections" at the Hampton Inn and got the group a GREAT rate! The outdoor hotel pool offered many members great fun and instant bonding.
I have posted various albums and pictures of the reunion and included HIGHLIGHT collages.
Heidi Bills, a good friend of mine, shot this photo session. Her eye for beauty and detail created some great shots of Brad's family.
Never a dull moment with the jokesters in the family, these candid shots represent the fun and carefree side of the family tree.
Kansas City offers some FREE fun for a group this large. With the downturn in the economy in full swing, planning events for no or little cost was a necessity. Supportive friends and family made for a delightful network of experience and thriftiness.
Summer fountains are found all across the country and provide families with the opportunity to cool off during the heat of the day. Recently redone, Crown Center water makes for a relaxing "people" watching event and the nearby shops encourage commerce.
Eating family style sure makes the dining out experience more fun with such a large crowd. This room accommodated our party and the food at Gates was original and authentic. It was reported that all went away satisfied.
Younger cousins and their parents visited the Deanna Rose Farmstead----FREE! Weather permitting, this outdoor park offers serene and beautiful landscaped gardens, a nature path, a butterfly garden, fishing, pony rides, goat feeding, and much more.
A tour of this city for LDS members would not be complete without visits to historic sites operated by the Mormon church. The significance of these places (Liberty Jail---Independence Visitor Center) offer deep spiritual insight for those who believe in a prophet on the earth and church restored from Christ's ministry while on the earth.
A four-hour caravan to St. Louis completed the Bishop reunion. The weather was perfect for enjoying the sites of the downtown area in the city that boasts----- "Gateway to the West."
For many years, it has been a tradition to have willing members share their talent during the reunion. Such a gathering of personalities makes for a very entertaining show. The smilebox's directly above include music performed during the show set to pictures of various moments.
We were able to spend 2009 4th of July with Brad's two sisters & family, his parents, my parents and sister and family. It is certainly a rare occasion when family comes to OP Kansas to celebrate. Starting the day off with a little sister/niece bonding at Kohls was perfect for us shopoholics--a girl MUST have Red, White, and Blue for the NATION!
Serving dinner buffet style with all the traditional spread was a GROUP effort. Thanks to all, it went very well.
