Getting there...

Well, we are getting past some of the MANY things that all ended up falling in February this year.  We have muscled our way through Dr. Jim's annual dairy farm tour/tutorial for the veterinary students at Auburn University, past his trip to Birmingham for a SUDIA meeting (day of multiple disasters...ugh!), past Moriah's UAB Honors interviews and their reception for students receiving scholarship funds, past Sarah Ying's trip to the dentist, past the Alabama All-State Orchestra Festival (a 4 day event!), Valentine's Day, Ash Wednesday (the frozen version of that service since we didn't get the heat on in time at St. Michael's, brrr!) and then yesterday, Moriah's senior recital at ASFA with reception following. 

Whew.

Here are a few photos and highlights of some of that...(Mom really needs to get her photographer hat firmly back on her head...and most of the photos of Moriah's recital/reception were taken by a friend...thanks Arvel!):

Hannah practicing with the Consort String Orchestra's first violin section at All-State.

Abby in the first violins for the String Sinfonietta at All-State.

Hannah performing on stage at the Moody (I loved this shot because she is looking at the conductor!  Oh yeah!)  The Consort Strings played four selections:  Arlington Sketches by E.Del Borgo, Theme from Canon in D by J.Pachelbel (arr. by Caponegro/Barket), "Baby Elephant Walk" by H. Mancini (definitely the kids' favorite) and Fanfare and Frippery by R.A. Stephan.  Their conductor was James Barket from Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, GA.  He was fantastic!  And he has the patience of Job.  Really!

Here is Abby on stage at the Moody.  The String Sinfonietta was conducted by Gary Wilkes, a fabulously inspirational man who is so good with the kids.  He is currently teaching and conducting in Chattanooga, TN with their Youth Orchestra and Youth Symphony and in the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences.  The Sinfonietta played the Brandenburg Concerto No.3 (unabridged) by J.S.Bach and "Molly on the Shore" by P.Grainger, along with the Holberg Suite parts I, III and V by E.Grieg and "Blue Rhythmico" by K.Mosier.  Abby even played a little improv solo during Blue Rhythmico.  She was also chosen as the scholarship recipient in the String Sinfonietta. 

I didn't take a shot of the Festival Orchestra since none of my kids were in it (Abby was an alternate), but it was a BIG group this year.  And they had a BIG sound.  They played three parts from Dvorak's Symphony no.8 op.88 and it was absolutely fantastic!  Unbelievable!  They also played the winning composition of the Alabama Orchestra Associations' Composition Competition this year, "Tuscaloosa Tango" written by Daniel Leo Simpson.  (Found this link to the music on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGQn_kL_6r8 )  Absolutely fabulous.  Words just can't describe it...wow!

Next up - pics from Moriah's recital.  It was also a feast for the ears.  She sang 13 selections to demonstrate her voice skills after 4 years at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.  They included 2 selections in Italian by Alessandro Scarlatti, 3 selections in German by Franz Schubert, Robert Schuman and Felix Mendelssohn, "Crabbed Age and Youth" by Maude White, "Cloud Shadows" by James Rogers, "The Sky Above the Roof" by Ralph Vaughn Williams, "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked" by Geoffrey O'Hara, "Were You There?" arr. by Hall Johnson, "The Lord is my Shepherd (23rd Psalm)" by Howard Goodall, "Homeward Bound" arr. by Jay Althouse and finally "If You've Only Got a Moustache" by Stephen Foster.  It was just a wonderful program.  Something for everyone...and masterfully done (even if I do say so myself...proud Mama moment.)

Here is Moriah, posing after her performance with various family members...Aunt Erin and Uncle Steve Stark from San Antonio, TX...

Her Dad, Dr.Jim, his mother, Doris Rankin aka Gram, and Aunt Kay Beckett...

(Aunt Ann was also there with cousin, Caroline Price...and cousin Mary Price, via Skype...but they didn't make it into many photos.  And neither did Aunt Sandra and Uncle Richard Gerhardt.)

And here's my Dad, Larry Mosley LtCol USAF ret. from Pensacola, FL.

The reception afterwards was a collaborative effort.  Flowers provided by Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob Jackson in Miami, FL.  Refreshments provided by our Nana and a local caterer as well.  A good time was had by all (atleast as far as you could tell by how fast the food disappeared!)

Here is the cake table at the reception.  Flowers were much more beautiful than this photo shows.

And last, but definitely, NOT least, our Nana, Sarah Frances Mosley serving the cake at the reception.

Next, if we can keep going, Chinese New Year festivities in Birmingham this Saturday while Moriah is at the Alabama voice student's competition, NATS in Mobile, AL.  Sarah Ying's ultrasound and appointments next week, followed by Hannah's orthodontist appointment and then Abby's audition at ASFA.  Then I am definitely taking a BREAK...

...in the home stretch now!

Amy