Big Day

 When I signed Clara up for ballet and violin I never thought that the two would collide into one huge day. Dance rehearsal, matinée, group photos, and a violin recital to end with. Clara really stepped up and performed well under a surprising amount of pressure. During the dance Clara said she made one mistake, but what I saw was leadership and poise. All the girls looked to her to know what to do. She now wishes she would have done tap too like some of the other little girls.
She was so tired right before the violin recital. But when an unexpected friend Brylee showed up to watch her sister, Clara brightened up and played her best ever! She had perfect posture and was the only one to take a bow after her piece was done. We a proud of Clara and all of her accomplishments!

My Yard, Black and White

The top will be red lilies.
The bottom is an update of the Horse Chestnut.

My Yard Color

Mom's Yard

Oh the struggle against great odds, to meet enemies undaunted!
-Walt Whitman, A Song of Joys

Nothing will stop spring from coming. At Cherry Springs Jamie noticed this snail shell being pushed up by some small growth. That same day while looking in my yard I saw this Lilies of the Valley leaf pushing through a dead leaf. So fun!

Mothers Day

We spent Mothers Day down in Salt Lake. It was wonderful to be around so many incredible mothers. Grandma Mary Jane, Mom, Lauren (with a new baby) and Aunt Kass. 
Dad was at work with the juicer. Everything tastes better when it is in beautiful glasses and on china plates. Dad, thanks for the chocolates!

Stephen

This is my new nephew. He is so sweet and small. He arrived surprisingly early. Things worked out for the best and he is doing so well. We are glad for Lauren and her family. He is such a blessing. Congrats Lauren! We love you and your family so much.

Back on Buttermilk

Back into riding and having a great time!

Single Tulip

 I was talking to my mom about how we love tulips. Unfortuantly though, often times in paintings and pictures they are boring and repetitive. Not so in these photos!

Maple

 

I think the last one it fun. Like it's holding on to the past.

 

Trees

The latter is the same view as the last photo in this post.

With all these tree images I thought I needed to share this poem by Joyce Kilmer.

 

 

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree

Horse Chestnut

Our Horse Chestnut is starting to bloom. Fun for me! I took this on the first really warm warm day. I started at one bloom and just went around the tree trying not to miss anything. By the time I got to the place I started it had all changed. It was blooming befor my eyes. Amazing. I went around three times.
The last is a photo I took last year. Kind of a peek of what is to come.