The Blues

Last night Scott and I had the pleasure of accompanying our budding Saxophonist to the Jazz Festival to see YolanDa Brown. She's an award winning 24 year old Saxophonist that is amazing!

We had fantastic 2nd row seats and at the end of the first set, YolanDa picked Ethan out of the crowd and asked him to help her dedicate a song to the Glasgow Jazz Festival. She invited him on stage, introduced herself and asked him to do the same, asked if he played an instrument, (she was delighted that he played the sax) and then asked him to pick any genre of music so that she and her band could make up a song and play it for us. He said, "the Blues!" Imagine the delight from the audience to hear this 10 year old ask for the blues! She amazed us with a fantastic impromptu blues song and then many more in the second set.

She gave Ethan a CD and signed it for him afterward! What a memory!

Check her out:

http://www.yolandabrown.co.uk/

Happy Father's Day

Three cheers to all of the Father's out there. Scott and I feel blessed to have 2 of the best and I know our boys think they have a winner too. I agree!

I hope you have a great day doing whatever makes you happy!

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

Author Unknown

Texas Fun

Here are the pictures from Christopher and Scott's trip to Texas. They loved their time with Grandma and Grandpa and all their Texas cousins! Scott only wished he didn't have to work so much!

Enjoy Christopher's photos.

Christopher with Max (can you tell Christopher is jet lagged???)

Enjoying the Texas heat.

Good Ole American Pastime!

Relaxing with Grandma.

Plane ticket to Dallas: $1200.

Rental Car: $300.

Missing a week of school and spending time with your grandparents: PRICELESS!

We love and miss you! Thanks for the fun!

Abernethy, Scotland

Ethan had a fantastic time on his Prep 6 trip to Abernethy. They did all sorts of things. They canoed, swam, climbed, hiked, and did all fun things outside. One thing they did not do: SLEEP.

That sweet boy was a zombie Friday night and Saturday. He's all caught up and we've enjoyed hearing about his adventures. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy.

Just off the bus.

His buddy James.

His roommates, Chris and Cameron.

(check out that house they stayed in!)

On a trek.

And his girlfriend Vicky. I know, I said GIRLFRIEND! I will say though, he has good taste like his daddy!

And Middle Child and Daddy Make 5

Christopher and Scott arrived home this morning safe, smiling and exhausted! Christopher had such a good time with Grandma and Grandpa Nicol and all of his Texas Cousins. And Scott worked his tail off but enjoyed the time he had with his familytoo.

Tonight we sat at the table as a family of 5 and shared stories of our week. It was a meal filled with laughter and noise and oh how I loved that noise.

I think we all appreciated each other a little more this evening. Now we'll see if it will last through breakfast!

One Home

Ethan returned from his adventure camp exhausted but great. He had a blast and the stories are still unfolding. Taking camera to be developed today and will post as soon as possible.

Charlie did not leave his side until he crawled in his bed last night!

One Child

I'm down to one child this week and it feels SOOOOOOO weird! Ethan is on a week long field trip in Abernethy, Scotland with his entire grade. They are at an outdoor adventure camp and the grin on his face Monday morning was priceless! We are especially thankful for the beautiful weather they are having in the highlands. I know he is having a ball. He has a disposable camera with him, so I hope to post pictures next weekend.

Christopher left this morning on a last minute trip to Arlington, Texas! Scott has meetings tomorrow and Thursday in Dallas and we decided that it would be a special treat for Christopher to have that one on one time with his Daddy and his grandparents! You should have seen the grin on his face this morning. He is also thrilled to be missing a week of school and getting to see his Texas cousins.

And Charlie, he is stuck here in Glasgow with me! It's nice to have him all to myself and when I asked what he'd like to do this week his answer was as follows: "paint, playdoh, drawing and playing outside." It's the simple things. And when you are the third child, sometimes it takes the disappearance of all of the distractions to focus on the simple things.

And God sent me a special message yesterday morning. I stepped out of my car, tripped in a pothole and sprained my ankle. So slowing down with Charlie just got that much easier and I am grateful for it!

I do miss the chaos and noise though!