Highlights of 2008 :)

I just wanted to write down my blessings and favorite memories of 2008. As Frank Sinatra would sing, "it was a very good year." I was able to do a lot of traveling (which is one of my favorite things to do), and then you add on the special people you have to go with, and you know things are going to turn out great. Going to the "Happiest Place on Earth"-- Disneyland-- was a great way to start off 2008!! Then Jill and I boarded a plane in the spring for a fabulous girl's weekend to New York to see Jenny and Abby! Then I headed to the other side of the world to tour Europe, and experience 9 new countries and cultures. It was amazing!! This summer we had our big family reunion to celebrate Grandma's 90th birthday!! And another family reunion to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary!! And the year would not be complete without a visit Jenny and Abby and Jake in Arizona during the Fall. Also, receiving a grant for $8000 dollars to purchase almost 30 brand new musical instruments was definitely another highlight, not to mention the opportunity to meet David Cho of the UT Symphony. And then, to end the year by spending Christmas all together as a family was wonderful! And I couldn't leave out the blessings of the restored gospel in my life, and the dear friends that I have, and their goodness and examples in my life. I am excited to see what wonderful things happen in 2009! :)

New Years 2008

It was so much fun to go up to my friend's ranch on New Years Day. It is such a beautiful place!! It was fun playing ice hockey over the frozen pond, and going snow-mobiling :)


This is a hershey kiss snowman that someone had made



It was so beautiful riding through the forest on the snow mobiles
Emily and Me

Christmas as a family

Yay for fun times with the fam. All ready for Sledding in the backyard!!
I love that we always spend time with Grandma and Grandpa at Christmas
Dad sure looks great in his new hat!!
Abby was just darling, and said so many words this trip!! She was pointing to everything around the room, and wanted to know the name of it.

More family pictures of Christmas 2008

Christmas Break was just fantastic this year with everybody home!! I love it when our whole family is all together. We had a white elephant gift exchange, played ping pong and lots of games, went sledding, ate great food, sang and played instruments together, and made wonderful memories. It really is our relationships that matter most in life, and bring us such great joy. I am truly grateful to be part of such a wonderful family, and also to be blessed with such amazing friends. Life is so good!!!
This was at our white elephant gift party, and Jake ended up with some party hats, and found a good use for them, knowing that no one would likely be trading for his gifts :)

Taylorsville-Kearns Journal Article about my Grant

Silver Hills Elementary and Taylorsville Elementary students receive new band instruments

by Sara Weikel

12 days ago | 0 views | 0 | 0 | |

slideshow

Students at Silver Hills and Taylorsville Elementary Schools will be able to improve their music skills now that they have more instruments to go around.

Thanks to an $8,000 grant from the 100% for Kids Utah Credit Union Education Foundation, the Granite District Music Program was able to purchase 20 new band instruments for 5th and 6th-grade students in the eight elementary schools participating in the program, including Silver Hills and Taylorsville. All the students celebrated the gift on Nov. 24 with a joint performance at Eastwood Elementary directed by Utah Symphony Assistant Conductor David Cho.

“These kids are just thrilled beyond belief that they have their own instruments to take home now and they can get better,” said Katie Greenfield, Granite District band music specialist. Greenfield teaches band on a rotating schedule to students at all eight schools in the district music program.

The music program has been growing faster than the district can provide instruments for all the students in it, and not all of the families can afford to rent instruments from outside sources. Because of the lack of instruments, students have dropped out of the music program in the past, Greenfield said.

Sharing instruments did give all students a chance to use them but caused another problem: the students have to leave shared instruments at school and can’t take them home to practice.

It’s important for each child to have his or her own instrument because if they practice for only 30 minutes at school, they have no time to improve and learn very slowly, said Silver Hills Principal Debbie Koji.

The new instruments -- flutes, clarinets, trumpets and one trombone -- have not solved the problem completely, but they will help keep more kids in the program, Greenfield said.

Now more students will be able to reap the benefits of studying music, including improved math and reading skills due to better symbol recognition gained from reading music, as well as creativity, coordination, self-discipline and responsibility and teamwork, she said.

“That doesn’t say anything for the pride they feel when they show mom and dad they can play something,” Koji said.

Utah’s credit unions founded 100% for Kids in 2002. Their goal was to help improve education in Utah by supplying funds for items teachers need for everyday teaching, such as books, hands-on learning tools, computers and art supplies so they don’t feel that they need to buy these items themselves, said Foundation Coordinator Liz Bourne.

“This makes a huge difference to these teachers,” she said. “It takes a huge burden off them and lets them do things they want to do, especially with budget cuts going into effect.”

The $8,000 for the Granite music program brought 100% for Kids past the $5 million mark in grants given. The foundation also gave $4,000 for violins to the Granite music program’s orchestra division last year.

Captions:

1-Utah Symphony Assistant Conductor David Cho led band and orchestra students from the eight schools in the Granite District Music Program in musical selections to celebrate a grant from 100% for Kids.

2-100% for Kids representative Liz White (on right) gives Granite District Band Music Specialist Katie Greenfield the $8,000 check for new band instruments.