SLEDDING!

A solid sheet of ice, a dusting of snow=a super good time sledding down the driveway!

Christmas Medley, Ashley Style

We hope you had a great Christmas! Here is our card from this year of our favorite Christmas family activity...ZOO LIGHTS! Lacy OH so sweetly and boldly sang a solo verse from 'Away in a manger' this year while caroling at a few different locations. I will never forget propping her up on the piano stool in the large assisted living center cafeteria and her projecting her verse, boldly, yet SO sweetly all by herself. What joy she spread that night...it was so touching to watch. So proud of the little girl Lacy is becoming...such a heart for Jesus. Looking for ways to be kind and show love to others. And, here is a little video of a glimpse into the constant music that filled our home this year for Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Spreading some joy singing a Christmas special with my buddies Rachel and Julie. My mic is definitely not loud enough, fyi. Don't give up on us...we needed a little time at the beginning to get in the groove;) Check out Selah's version....it's our favorite family Christmas song this year. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Lacy rocks the studio like a PRO!

A studio recording of Lacy singing Annie's Tomorrow! This is a video made for posting on social sites, since you can't upload a song. We had Lacy sing along to the finished product for the video(and it doesn't always line up exactly). To all our family, let me know if you would like a copy of the recording with a spiffy label and I'll drop one in the mail for you. Some of you are automatically getting one

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8

Tidbits:
*The video is of Lacy singing along to the recording we already did, just for the purpose of posting on FB and other social sites…It was hard to line of the video and the recording.
*There is no auto-tuning in this recording….it's 100% Lacy and her pipes, and her adorable speech impediments. Just the way God made her:)
*Lacy heard this arrangement the morning we started recording…it's completely different phrasing and it had a key change
*We just recorded this over Labor Day weekend.
*If you have never experienced recording before…it is not forgiving like singing live. It hears EVERYTHING. Lacy was extremely focus to not let any wiggling, looking the wrong way affect her pitch.
*I will also be post a "Making of/Behind the scenes" video because there were loads of adorable moments that could not be included in this video.
*This is not Lacy's first time in the studio, she helped my brother end a song he recorded. You can listen to that HERE

First I need to say the world's largest thank you to my brother(cory robertson) for recording and producing this for us. He left his entire weekend open to tackle the recording and then also spent more time working on all the techie stuff. This frozen moment in Lacy's life will always be priceless to me and I feel so blessed to have such a devoted brother and uncle to Lacy(and Ashley too!) And then a big thanks to my mom for watching Ashley and keeping her far away from the recording in session and making and having meals ready at our break times! And, my dad for putting up with the strict, "QUIET ON THE SET" rule;)

This all started about 6 months ago when I heard Lacy belt out Tomorrow along with the Annie she was listening to on my computer. She held the huge, high note that lasts about 4(or more) measures, ALL the way and COMPLETELY on pitch. I knew she was musical and has an ear for music, but that shocked me. My four year old was belting out a big song.

This wasn't any 'ol song either. It was my ALL TIME favorite song from my childhood. Um, just ask Cory. I FORCED him into watching the movie with me….over and over and over. And, he was not a fan. He was a good little brother though, and would humor me and watch (and even sing along). I loved the movie and really loved the music.

After that morning Lacy belted out the song, I called Cory and asked if he would record Lacy with his studio. It was so moving to have Cory record this on many levels. 1) He was there first hand when I was little and my love affair for the musical began, 2) We all are musical on my side of the family and it's exciting that Cory is able to watch/be a part of the next generation of musicians emerging, 3) Maybe, just maybe with Lacy's help, Cory may now be a fan of the music…at least when his super adorable niece is doing the lead vocals;) (hmm, I may be pushing it with this one) 4)Plus, it's so fun do do this project with family and have an UNFORGETTABLE memory to share together.

The only disappointment for me was we couldn't get the project done before her birthday. She was doing this at 4 years old and I wanted to have it documented in the milestone category at FOUR. But, summer was BUSY. And it was really hard to find an accompaniment track in a decent key, that was not extremely tacky. We started recording earlier in the summer with a different track. It was SO much higher than the original version Lacy had learned. We knew we needed to switch gears.

A couple of tries later, and the NIGHT before leaving for my parents, I found a track I thought might work. Only problem, it was a much different arrangement with very different phrasing and had sections that sounded like key changes. Could my 5 year old nail a key change without any real rehearsal??? Yikes, it was risky, but we ran with it.

Lacy, not only nailed it, she tackled the recording like a PRO! She worked HARD all day Saturday. As much as I will always cherish the finished product, I will not forget Lacy's focus and willingness to get this done. I hope to encourage and develop that character…it will definitely take her far in life.

Only the Lord knows where this love of music will take Lacy, but for now I will treasure this special recording of my musical little one singing an all time favorite song of mine and rejoice that we enjoy music together! That is answered prayer, friends:)

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8

No biggie, just a KING COBRA!!!!

Yes, this is no joke, but a real king cobra that Lacy is so happy to snuggle. Her buddy Gabe was surprised with The Reptile Man for his birthday and Lacy totally enjoyed all the interesting creatures he brought with him. The Reptile Man does remove all venom from his animals, but those fangs are still strongly attached! Lacy asked to see a picture of a snake's fangs yesterday...we'll see if she's so brave the next time(I think she will be!). If you live in the area and haven't seen his show...DO! I have seen him 2 times now and love it even more than the first. He is super fun for all ages. I have a bunch of photos almost ready to go...that might be more persuasive! Thanks Rogers for the great night!

WE GOT PHOTOS, WE GOT PHOTOS!!!

For the first time EVER, my side of the family had professional portraits taken last night. We always had cameras around growing up, but this was the first time(minus our cruise photo) that we did portraits. And Eddy and I haven't had them yet either. Man...it was totally worth the wait. My dear friend took our photos, but I wish I didn't have to type this...they are moving in less than one week to Minnesota. I am so sad, I can't even say anymore about that. She sent us a preview and I thought I would share it with you all. Also, here is bb&co's blog if you want to check them out. (they are on facebook as well)

First backyard pool of the season!

FINALLY.  We had to wait until July to pull out the good 'ol plastic pool. Yesterday in the morning the girls helped me scrub down the pool and get it all sparkling clean. They were quite enthusiastic helpers to put it lightly! So, after the water had some time to heat up and Ashley's nap, the girls went to town. My brother and I spent HOURS in our pool as kids and it's one of my favorite memories, blasting Beach Boys and splashing all day in the pool. Seeing how the girls had so much fun together obviously tugged at my heartstrings. Watching the girls, I was thinking about you Cory! Here is a quite look into our afternoon.