Good news.

On Saturday, Emily and I had a Romantic era piano competition in downtown Portland. We got to play on a beautiful Steinway piano. There were around 500 students playing that were divided into classes of 7-10 students. There are honorable mentions (which are only given to 1 student per class -- and that's only if the judge even wants to give out an honorable mention) and then there is the first place winner out of the entire competition. This was Emily's first competition. . .she was so nervous, but she did AMAZING. We got to play in the same class so we could support each other. We both gave each other big smiles after our performances.

We got a call from our piano teacher this morning with the results. . .


THE GOOD NEWS-----

EMILY GOT AN HONORABLE MENTION!!!!

It's crazy she got an honorable mention on her first try! Way to go Emily!

THE SECOND PIECE OF GOOD NEWS-----

SARAH GOT FIRST PLACE! (For the 3rd year in a row) (Out of nearly 500 students!)

Easter.

We don't have any pictures from our Easter, so I took some from Ethan and Linda's blog. (Sorry guys!) It's so fun to see how big Andrew and Mikaela are getting. They are way too cute! We can't wait to see them this summer!

Andrew carrying Mikaela's basket and helping her fill it with eggs. (He couldn't be any cuter if he tried!)

Bike ride.

We went for a bike ride on Sunday evening because the sun was out and it was finally in the 70's!!! After General Conference, we made dinner and quickly cleaned up so we could have a good amount of time for our ride.

I can't believe we got so many pictures. . .it sure is hard riding a bike with one hand while looking through a view-finder on a camera! I nearly ran into a curb 20 times!

Mom also almost ran into the curb because it was so sunny! She kept saying, "These sunglasses are worthless!"

Emily and I had fun by riding our bikes without the pedals. Emily called them our scooters.

This is Mom getting on her bike after deciding to walk up a hill. It doesn't really help to laugh hysterically while you're trying to get up a hill.

My favorite picture of the evening.

Funny students.

Today I was teaching one of my brand new students how to play "Ode to Joy." I asked her if it sounded familiar to her. I told her a man named Beethoven wrote that piece. Her eyes lit up and she said, "Beethoven? I've heard of him! He lives around the corner from my house!"

I couldn't help but laugh. I then had to explain to her who the real Beethoven was.

I'm so happy to have a job where I can teach these adorable little children.