My Rock Star and Drummer Boy

This was Alex's third student fest and the first one for Carter.  

Student fest is a weekend long concert where the kids get to perform  just like a real rock star. 

 Alex and Carter were awesome!!!  

They both played Beetle songs.

Alex played "Come Together"   and Carter play "Yellow Submarine"

They Rocked it!!!!!!

When they announced Carter they paused and joked about whether

 or not anyone was really behind the drums. 

 You couldn't really see him.

See what I mean?

So, Carter stood up and waved his drum sticks in the air to prove he really was back there! 

 It was pretty cute.

But he was there, see!

And he was Awesome!

After each session they had a raffle drawing for prizes.
While this is our third year, it was our first year actually winning something and we won big!

First, Alex's number was selected for the guitar survival kit.  

It included a ukulele, a bag, a guitar tuner and a small portable amplifier.

  The boys had several tickets for the drawings as they participated and earned additional tickets for merchandise they purchased and for guest that they brought.   Each guest also got a ticket and Hallie won with her one measly ticket!  Score!  She won a small crash symbol that was valued over a hundred dollars!  She walked up, grabbed her prize and immediately handed it over to Carter. Sweet girl!  It worked out great as Carter needs nicer symbols.  Santa brought him decent drums, but he still could use better symbols and now we are off to a good start.

And we were incredibly surprised to win again, but Carter had to get in on a little prize action of his own.

Carter's number was selected for the Drum Grand Prize of the Session.

Here he is pictured with his drum teacher collecting his prizes.

He won a Kalani Drum, new sticks, a jam block, and a gift certificate valued at 150.00 for a customized drum head. He also got his picture taken for being one of the grand prize winners of the session which was sponsored by Cancun Cafe.  I should probably add that there were plenty of people there and they only had 7 or 8 winners and we had three of our tickets pulled. 

We quickly left and headed to Idaho to purchase lottery tickets.

Just kidding!

Of course, I had to take a picture documenting all their winnings!

It was a great day at the track, I mean student fest!

Carter took his drum to his lessons and has already learned to play a popular beat.

And of course there is video of the Student Fest too.

Enjoy!

(Alex is on the left.)

My Little Drummer Boy

Carter Officially started Drum lessons on January 5th.

I had a meeting at work and couldn't take him so Doug did.

Doug reports that Carter didn't waste anytime and walked right into 'The Groove Garage'

and sat down at the drums.  His teacher asked him if he had been working on anything

and Carter proudly replied yes and proceeded to show him. 

He pounded out a few notes and really hit the drums hard.

Like anything else, Carter goes all out with his drums.

He is just that kind of boy.  If he is going to do something he does it with all he has.

I requested a picture and Doug snapped one with his phone.

*Notice what his shirt says........ Rock Hero

The following week I took Carter to his second lesson and took a brief video of what he was working on.

And the nice thing about being behind on my blog is that I can report that Carter is still doing great and is LOVING his drums! His exercises have already become much more challenging, but completely doable.  Carter is pretty good about practicing too. I thought I would hate all the noise, but I actually don't mind it.  Drums, unlike other instruments are easy to listen to when being played by a beginner.  You can't really play an  off tune note as you are just hitting the drums, so I haven't minded his exercises yet. We do ask him to keep his door shut when practicing and that helps with the noise a lot.

Alex made the switch to practicing with his electric guitar and I haven't minded that either.  It's nice that the Amp has a volume and he doesn't have to have the volume all the way up.  

I  must say we have been very happy with both Alex's guitar teacher and Carter's drum teacher.  These guys have an awesome music program so if any of you are in the Salt Lake area and are looking for a guitar or drum teacher just let me know.  These guys are fantastic and I'd be happy to refer you.

New Year's Eve Poker Party

We had a few couples over for a poker party on New Year's Eve.

Hallie was babysitting and Nadya stayed the night at Misty's, 

so the boys had a movie night downstairs.  

Poker was fun!  

(Blurry IPhone Picture)

Serina and Sam were out first, but in their defense they had to leave early.

Their oldest was sick.  No fun!

Stephanie and Vinnie and Heather were out after that and it was down to Me, Doug and Matt.

We paused to ring in the New Year.

Our neighbors let off fireworks and candle lanterns.

 We had a New Year's Eve toast and the boys rocked the new year in!

(Warning- This video is loud. Alex's new guitar had not been tuned and Carter had no clue what he was doing as he had just got his drums.  But, the boys had a blast and that is all that matters!)

After we paused to ring in the New Year, we got back to our game.

Eventually Doug was out and it went back and forth between Matt and I.

At that point Carter joined us at the table and learned all the rules of poker courtesy of his Uncle Matt.

(I still can't believe the boys stayed up so late.  It was the first time they even made it to midnight, 

and they stayed up past 1:00 AM!)  

Matt was probably up a little when he offered to call it a night and split the pot.

That sounded like too good of a deal to pass up considering it was after 2:00 AM!

We all slept in the next morning and when the boys finally crawled out of bed I found them doing this......

Matt you'd be proud.  Carter was using the correct words and taught Alex how to play.  

Not sure if that's a good thing or not though???

Christmas Highlights

I am fully aware that it is nearly Valentine Day but I still need to catch up.

So... I am finally getting around to posting about Christmas.  I took a lot of pictures, 

but I will just share the highlights.

HALLIE JO 

Hallie was pretty simple this year.  She wanted money,  Aeropostale clothes, and Itunes gift cards.

Two out of three isn't bad, right?  She also got a stereo for her Ipod, which she loves and uses everyday.

She and her Dad danced in the dining room after we got her stereo working.

And Hallie painted our Christmas Presents.

All the kids got robes for the hot tub.  I should have taken a picture of all four of them, but I didn't.

NADYA MAE

Nadya's wish list was much like her sisters with the addition of  a cell phone.  

Again, 2 out of 3 is pretty good, right?

She also got a stereo which she loves too.

Nadya spoiled me with my two favorite drinks.......

$tarbuck$ and Coke!

ALEX MICHAEL

Alex only had one item on his list.

An Ipod.

Santa Delivered!

He was super excited to discover he got an electric guitar from us.  

Doug and I felt after two years of Acoustic, it would be a good motivator to practice more.

I am happy to say it has been!

Alex officially declared this past Christmas the best one ever.

The Boys got me a  Latte maker.

CARTER JAY

Carter asked Santa for drums, but not toy ones--Real Ones!

  The ones that drummers use.

Between the electric guitar and drums, I'll be in need of some ear plugs!

Christmas is also Angel's Birthday so she got a few treats too!

And in attempt to keep my husband in with the style,he got a few new outfits. 

Nadya's not too sure about them though!

My Rock Star!!!!!

Alex performed in his second Student Fest last week.

He was AWESOME!!

This year the theme was "Crazy 80's" and he

played "We are the World."

It was twice as fun this year because Laurence played with him.

I really need to video Alex playing the song solo,

but for tonight, I give you the real deal!

Complete with Pictures too.

Before the Show- Hanging out Back Stage!

Alex's awesome teacher-

(If you are looking for a guitar teacher- We LOVE this one!)

My Rock Star!

He melts my heart!!!

The Video-It is a little on the dark side because of the low lighting for the rock concert atmosphere, and it's a little long. But if you want to skip the intro (in which you will hear a little bit about each member, both fact and made up fiction for humor) you can start the video around 2 minutes and just see the song.

(Alex is on the left sitting down)

Link to last years student fest

Alex is a Rock Star!!!!!!!

Well, at least that is what he said.

What do you think?

Check out his band.

Introducing The Undecideds

(Because they couldn't think agree on a name. LOL)

So, he is not really in a band, but they grouped all the beginning students together 

for their first "Music Fest" performance and it was adorable!

They played a much slower version of 8 days a week.

Alex has been taking guitar lessons since his birthday when he received his first guitar.  

Around February-March he wanted to quit.  I called and spoke to the office manager at On Track Music and she suggested switching teachers.  So, we did.  Alex literally runs to his lessons now he is so excited.  I am so glad we decided to try a new teacher out.  I liked his last teacher just fine, but Alex really wanted a male teacher and she just happened to be female.  Not much she could do about that.

Alex's teacher performed with the other instructors at the Music Fest and he was awesome!

Alex was stoked! 

During the concert Alex looked at me and using his fingers signed I love you to me.  It was so sweet.  Can I keep him at this age forever because I want to?




Alex invited a few of his friends and I really didn't expect to see any of them there, but we were surprised and two of them showed up.  Here he is with his best friend, Audran.  Laurence came too, but he came a little late so I didn't get him in the picture.   Thanks guys for supporting Alex.  It made his day!

Pretty soon it was Alex's turn.  Watching him walk away with a huge smile on his face and his guitar on his back was priceless.  Alex was so comfortable on stage.   When they introduced the band members Alex was behind the speaker so she couldn't see him.  Here is Alex raising his hand and shouting, "I'm right here!"  See, he wasn't a bit nervous!  

He was ready!

 

His teacher stayed by his side just in case considering he was one of the younger ones, but  Alex did great.  On Track Music went put on an awesome program:sound system, lights, awesome prizes, food, and of course, great music. 

Great Job Alex on your first guitar performance!

I Videoed it too.  It is a little on the dark side because of the low lighting for the rock concert atmosphere, and it's a little long.  But if you want to skip the intro (in which you will hear a little bit about each member, both fact and made up fiction for humor) you can start the video around 3 minutes and just see the song. 

Alex came home from his performance and started working with his friend Audran on a new song.  They wrote it together.  (No words, just notes)  Cute, cute.  He plans to show his teacher at his next lesson. Then later that night he went back to the music fest with Doug in hopes that his ticket would be drawn for the 2,000 dollar guitar set up in which you had to be present to win.  No luck.  He got home around 11:30  and was fast asleep.  When he woke up the next morning he put his music fest hat and badge on immediately.  He had such a great time!