Music & Melody Makers

Our long-time babysitter is an oboist with the Minnesota Youth Symphonies, and she turned us onto the MYS' Music & Melody Makers event. We thought it was a great idea for a Saturday morning, and Collin and Hayley enjoyed trying out all the instruments and listening to the MYS play a short concert for us.

Collin tries the violin.

Hayley tries the violin.

Collin with a flute mouthpiece.

The kids loved the percussion room, naturally. 

Collin and Mike play a xylophone duet.

Hayley attacks the big bass drum.

Collin on the timpani.

Sometimes it takes two to play the crash cymbals.

Hayley on the timpani.

Hayley loves the snare drum.

Collin plays congas.

Hayley plays congas.

Sherry helps the kids play xylophone.

Collin's favorite instrument was the trombone -- and he was good at it, too!

Collin gets a buzz from a trumpet mouthpiece.

Hayley's favorite instrument was the xylophone.

Collin plays triangle.

 

At the end of the morning, one of the Minneapolis Youth Symphonies played a short concert.

Indiana Part 3

We ended up our Indiana trip at Mike's parents, Norm and Pat.

Norm and Pat.

Hayley plays games on the computer, Collin plays games on the tablet, and Mike functions as furniture.

Pat helps Collin with his homework.

Collin hands out presents.

Norm and Pat, in black and white.

Hayley and Sherry.

Collin helps Norm put batteries in his new toy.

Norm and Pat.

Sherry.

Norm, pontificating.

Indiana Part 1

We took Collin and Hayley to visit family in Indiana between Christmas and New Years. Lots of time on the road, but the first stop was at the kids' great-grandma Phyllis' house.

We saw this interesting party limo when we stopped for lunch in Merrillville.

Hayley and Collin and Phyllis' cat.

Great-grandma Phyllis.

Hayley watches Collin play Skylanders online in the hotel room.

Sherry and Hayley at Steak 'n' Shake.

Collin and Mike at Steak 'n' Shake.

You can't beat the claw, Collin.

Hayley in the hotel swimming pool.

Mike gives Hayley a ride.

What the kids do in the car after a long day visiting family.

Indiana Part 2

We took Collin and Hayley to visit family in Indiana between Christmas and New Years. We spent a full day at Sherry's mom's, with most of her siblings and their families.

Siblings -- Kathy, Debbie, Rick, Sherry, and Norma.

Steve and Norma.

Sarah, Jacob, and Shannon.

Hayley rides Norma's exercise bike.

Collin plays the organ with the big kids.

Ricky takes a nap.

Missy, Julie, and Kathy. 

Debbie and Jason.

Rick, Sarah, Jacob, and Shannon.

Time to eat!

Playing games.

Missy.

Not the kids' table.

More food!

Nathaniel and Hayley.

Time for presents!

Santa Claus?

Collin and Hayley open their presents.

Mike and Rick.

Debbie and an angel.

Sarah, Shannon, and Jacob.

Sherry and Julie.

Ricky and one of his presents.

Jason.

The Allbright family -- Shannon, Troy, Debbie, Nathaniel, and Jacob.

Sherry's sister, Kathy.

Jacob, Norma, Nathaniel, and Shannon.

Jasmine, Ian, Skyler, and Norma.

Collin and great-grandma Norma. 

Sarah and Shannon.

 

Mike, Hayley, Collin, Norma, and Sherry.

The Frenches: Sarah, Ricky, Julie, Rick, and Missy. 

Jason, Jasmine, Kathy, Norma, Skyler, Steve, and Ian.

Norma.