July and Early August: Music, Family, Music, Work, Music!

Well it certainly has been a while since I've updated the blog. The past few weeks have been the best part of the summer too!

The following weekend, after our six month anniversary, we went to Herman Outdoor Theatre in downtown Houston. They have 5 star performances free to the public. This particular performance was Little Shop of Horrors! I had such a great time reminiscing over my high school production my junior year.That night I got food poisoning. BLAH! I think I must be somewhat intolerate to greasy ground beef because I always get sick after it. Tacos, lasagna, Dick's Hamburgers, empinadas= no me gusta. But enough of gross talk.

That Sunday I flew on an airplane to Denver Colorado for the Rockygrass Academy. My BYU folk ensemble was funded by the school to go to it! Needless to say it was one of my favorite trips I've ever taken. I learned so much about songwriting, jamming and the bluegrass genre. I still cannot believe BYU paid for me to have that much fun! I did miss Trent a ton, but it was an experience I'll never forget. Here are some pictures of the trip.

The members of my band entered a "band scramble." It's essentially just how it sounds: the members of bands are put into scrambled up groups and perform in a competition. It was way way fun! My band performed Old Home Place and I'll Follow You Into the Dark. Alex, one of my band members, and his band got 2nd place in the competition! We were so proud.

All hands in from the songwriting class. Did I mention the camp was incredibly hippie influenced?

All the songs written by the song writing team.
The songwriting team.

Me with songwriting teacher Sarah Siskind. She's written songs for Alison Krauss!

Excited friends on our last day

The following weekend, Trent and I went to Park City to meet up with my immediate family, their adorable children, my cousin Amy, my Aunt Darcy, and Grandma. We did what my family does best: catch up, take pictures, and eat! Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera so I'll have to update with those pictures once I get them from my mom. One morning, Miranda led a Pilates class! It was so fun to have the whole family doing it (yes even Trent!). We ate out at Grappa's and Goldener Hirsch. DELICIOUS. I'm so excited to go back there in a couple weeks!!!
All the kids at Grappa
Just thought this was a funny picture that popped up when I Google searched Goldener Hirsch...

This past weekend, Trent and I went to Galveston one last time. You know how people say "oh the water is like bath water!" and you laughingly nod and secretly don't believe them? Well this water was. It was! And I wish there were a way to proud it to you. Trent and I were astounded! So I've finally learned there really is no place in the Houston area to cool off outside. I just thank God for air conditioning in my prayers every night.

This whole week I have not had work because my nanny family are on a vacation. Instead I have stayed at home working on new songs and recording them. For those of you who don't know, I made a goal to write 12 songs this summer and record them all. I've written 10 so far and have recorded 7. It sure has been a time consuming project. I've loved every moment of it and hope it will help in my audition to the Media Music program at BYU. I put the new songs on my OLD myspace that I have not updated but you can check the songs out here.

This weekend we're going to Austin, TX! We're planning to swim in Barton Springs (a 1,000 foot spring fed pool in downtown, Austin), seeing the musical Annie at their outdoor Theatre, eating at the Salt Lick (recommended by our friend Christian from school) and tasting ice cream at their Ice Cream festival on Saturday! Our move back to Provo (t-9 days!)