SCC Honor Band

Josh was selected among a few students to participate in the 1st Annual Scottsdale Community College Honor Band.   Mr. Quamo took the kids in the van and they headed off for the day to practice songs for the concert that evening.  Mr. Quamo said they were tough songs, so you know that they worked hard.  Josh was one of 3 bass clarinets to participate, the other two were girls - lucky guy.  The concert was amazing and Josh had a solo in one of the songs.  He had really bloomed this year with the bass clarinet.  His hard work is paying off.   After the concert, the kids danced in the rain before piling in the van for the ride home.  The kids wanted to ride home with Mr. Quamo and go to Mesa High then head home with their parents.  I think they like hanging out with each other.

Josh in the SCC Honor Band

Feeder Concerts

Jr. Jackrabbit Concert - Jan 22nd - Danni is in A Cappella Choir and they sang a new song plus two of my favorite songs this year.  "Fugue in C minor" was the new song and "Lux Aurumque" and "Ritmo" were my favorite songs.  The choir invited several elementary schools to sing along with them for the last number.  It was liking "Finding Waldo" as you looked for your child.  I never did find Angela during that last number.  Luckily I saw her when she sang with the Taylor Junior High choir.

Danni and Angela at the choir concert

Mesa High "Carry On" Concert - Jan. 27th - The Full Orchestra performed by themselves and with Taylor Junior High.  It was a great concert and I love hearing the band instruments with the orchestra.  Before the high school and junior high school kids performed, there were several elementary schools that performed.  It was fun to see some Porter peeps up there performing.  One day, those kids could be up there performing as a Mesa High student.  That's the reason behind these concerts.

Josh plays the clarinet at the orchestra concert

Carry On Future's Concert -Jan 29th  - The Mesa High Band invited several junior high and elementary school bands to play with them.  At first, the Mesa High band played "Ascend" and "Chorale and Shaker Dance II"  Josh' always talks about the Chorale and Shaker dance, so I'm sure he loved playing that particular song.  For the combined songs, TJHS and MHS played "Pirates of the Caribbean" completed with the video.  There were way too many kids to have all of the kids on stage, so Mesas High kids stood in the back while the elementary and junior high kids played on stage.  It was great to hear the song in surround sound.

Josh plays the bass clarinet in the band

Throw Back ThursdayPace Family 2005

One of the seminary teachers told me that I have great kids.  Bro. Brubaker  asked Angela about Josh.  She instantly responded - "He's awesome!!  He is my favorite brother".  He was impressed by her quick response and recognized immediately that she truly loved her brother.  Josh was there by my side, when Bro. Brubaker relayed the conversation that he had with Angela.   He mentioned that type of loyalty is what he hope his kids will have.   Josh told me later that he loves Angela and they have a special hello whenever they see it each other.  I'm so grateful for my family!!  I love them so much!!!

Memorable MondayAngela's Broken Foot

I wrote this poem and added to an email that I send to family and friends shortly after Angela broke her foot.  I thought it was too cute and wanted to share it so Angela will know what happened to her foot when she sees pictures of it.

"One little Angela jumped on the bed, she fell off and

bumped her head (and hurt her foot).  Daddy took to

the hospital, and the doctor said, "No more Angela

jumping on the bed, (and she fractured her foot)". 

Angela broke her left foot while jumping on the bed. She has been learning the story of the five monkeys jumping on the bed.  I hope she will remember the lesson in the book.  Dani's kindergarten teacher gave me some visuals to the story.  We will read the story often.  On Friday, we will cast her foot and learn more about when she can walk again.  I'm just glad that she doesn't weigh that much.

Angela with her led all wrapped up

Her cute pink cast

Her signed cast

Steve holding Angela with her cute cast and boot

Stake Conference

We had a great Stake Conference and Elder Golden was our visiting general authority.  We spoke a lot about having a Christ-like home and attending the temple.  Those a few things that I need to work on.  Josh and Danni sang at Stake Conference which was an added plus.  

Josh and Danni 

Throw Back ThursdayHappy Emily

Happy Emily

Here is Emily when she was a 1 yr. old. Emmy has been under the weather, so seeing this happy picture just makes me smile.

Goodbye Jeremey

Jeremy came to visit the Clawsons and spent a lot of time with Danni and Britt.  I only saw Jeremy at Sunday dinner, and of course I took some pics.  Most of his time was spent at the Clawsons with 2 of this favorite cousins.  Jeremy is going to serve a mission in Colorado Springs and is reporting on Feb. 11th, so this was a "see in two years" trip.  We will miss Jeremy and I'm sure Danni will write him.  Good luck Jeremy!!!

See you in 2 years

"Feed My Starving Children"

We had an amazing FHE at "Feed My Starving Children".  Kathryn signed up the whole family to go help bag some rice, so it was finally time to go.  We learned that this company makes a sweet rice with protein, veggies, soy, and rice. Each bag is enough to feed 6  people.  We made 71 boxes, which 16 packets each, which will feed 42 people for a year.  We took 1 1/2 hours of our time to help make these rice packets.  It felt good to serve people who are starving, and it was fun too,.  We had an amazing time.  Afterwards, they offered sample of the cooked rice so we could taste the product when it is offered to the children overseas.  I'll admit, it tasted pretty good.  Kathryn had hot cocoa and cookies afterwards.  This was one of the most rewarding FHE our family has done in a lot time.

We arrived at "Feed My Starving Children"

Grandma and Angela sporting the hair nets

Those 3 can pull off the hair net look

Grandpa and Grandma

The boys

Working

Angela and Jim

Here is proof that I was there - here is the rice packet

Josh helping out

Yummy hot chocolate

MLK Parade

This year, the Mesa Marching Band marched in the MLK parade.  They were California and couldn't do the Veteran's Day Parade.   Their season was over 3 months ago, so they were not thrilled to march in this parade.  They were #24 in the parade route, so the parade didn't seem so long.  The football team walked behind the band and clapped along with the band music.  Lisa, Miriam, and I walked behind with water.  When I saw my family and Joella, I ran to give them a hug.  It was great to see them watching the parade.  This was my last parade with the Mesa Marching Band and could be my last parade period, so it was great to help out.

Josh and silly tubas before the parade stars

Josh and Zach both marched in the parade - Zach chose to march Sax instead of guard

It's their turn

Josh marching in parade

Senior - minus 7 of them

Memorable MondayPhoenix Zoo

Danni's squad group went to the zoo.  Grandma Pace helped pay for their way so they could get in free.  It looks like Danni had a great time with her friends.  She spend a lot of time with them.  3 of them are seniors, so she will miss them next year.

Squad group

Danni being carried away 

I remember when we would go to the zoo often as a Pace family.  We all had memberships and we used them a lot.  One time, we went just to play in the tree-house and pet the sting-rays. Whenever Mardy and Iralee came to visit, we planned a trip to the zoo.  We love that orangutans, spider monkeys, petting zoo, train, sting rays, and or course, the tree-house.  We don't even need a map to us, we have it all memorized.  I have fond memories of going to the zoo with my little ones.  Here are a few pics before I started blogging.

Look how little they are

Paces at zoo

Pics of Josh at the zoo

pics of Danni at the zoo

Pics of Ang at zoo

Pics of Emily at zoo

Goodbye Heidi

Heidi had her farewell today will be heading to the MTC on Wednesday.  She has been called to serve the Louisville, KY mission - Spanish speaking.  We are so excited for her and we're going to miss her.  Josh met Heidi 2 1/2 - 3 years ago through Mitchell and Dylan.  Josh's first date was with Heidi.  Heidi has made of lot of friends that go to Mesa High, even though she graduated from Highland.  She is a sweet girl with an amazing testimony.  She will be a fantastic missionary!

Heidi and only some of her Mesa High friends

Josh and Heidi

Emily made Honor Roll

Emily

Emily made the honor roll this quarter.   She works really hard in school and its paying for her.  She received 2 food gift certificates too.  I'm so proud of you Emily!!!!

Throw Back ThursdayJosh at ASU

Josh really wants to go to ASU Polytechnic. He is waiting to see if he is accepted. This picture was taken at ASU after his dad earned his Masters. He is hoping to get some scholarships that will hold while he serves a two year mission

Memorble MondaySchedules

It's always so fun to look back and compare my school classes to my kids.  As you can see, they have much harder classes than I did.  I'm so proud of my kiddos.

My 12 grade Schedule              
A- Seminary
1- Psychology 1 / Life Sports
2- AP Chemistry                              
3- Spanish 2                                  
4- Orchestra
5- English 12 CP                            
6- Geometry    
7- Free Time                            

Josh's 12 grade Schedule
A- Marching Band / Full Orchestra
1- Seminary
2- AP Calculus
3- AP English / Mythology
4- Honor's Band
5- Lunch
5- AP Government and
6- Free / AP English

My 11th Grade Schedule                                  
1- American History / Dance I
2- Chemistry                            
3- English 11                                
4- Child Development / Seminary  
5- Orchestra                                
6- Seminary / American History  
7- Optional Time

Danni's 10th Grade Schedule
A- Trig
1- Choir
2-Seminary
3- Advanced Acting
4- Sign Language
5- Lunch
6- AP English
7- Physics

My 9th Grade Schedule                                        
1- Algebra 1                                                      
2- Basic Foods / Type 1                                                
3- Social Studies 9                                                            
4- Science Composite                                                  
5- Seminary                                                      
6- Orchestra          
7- English 9                

Angela's 9th Grade Schedule
A- Free
1- Algebra 1 / Science
2- Basic English
3- Women's Chorus
4- Lunch / Algebra 1
5- Science
6- Current Events / Career Explorations
7- Seminary

Glasses

Danni got new glasses.  She looks really beautiful!!!!

Throw Back ThursdayMy Girls

Danni arranged to have a photo shoot with her sisters. Emily took this picture. These two have a sweet relationship. Angela had her school schedule changed AGAIN and now has a different lunch. Danni invited Angela to have lunch with her and be apart of her squad. I love how she includes her sister. It just warms my heart. Thanks Danni!!!!!

Memorable MondayWades

Josh was asked to help a couple in our ward, Brother and Sister Wade.  There was a big storm and a tree fell down by the front door and blocked it.  They called the YM president who called Josh to find some boys to help them.  Josh didn't get anyone to help, so he went alone.  Sis. Wade had all the tools needed to take care of the tree.  Sis. Wade was grateful for his hard work.  She thanked him and emailed some pictures of his work.

Brother Wade passed away this weekend and I remembered this service provided by Josh.  Our ward will miss Brother Wade.  I'm so glad that Josh had the opportunity to serve the Wades.  I hope Josh has more opportunities to serve and recognize that he is doing what the Savior would do.

Here are the letters and pictures from Sis. Wade:

This is a big THANKS for the Rescue Today! ! ! !

As you can see — when I went out our front door yesterday evening — a tree limb had fallen in such a way to make it so we could not go out the front way, nor could any one get to our front door to ring our door bell or come in.  Many in the Ward have offered to help us when we needed.  This was one of those times we needed help because I could not even lift the limb or move it in any way.  I called Brother Johnson and he promised to get me help this morning.   

Josh Pace came and cut up the branch and cleared it out and then proceeded to trim and clean the whole front area, including trimming the shrubs.  His RESCUE  is very, very much appreciated.  (and I know family brought a rake and other support). It was help when, where and how — especially beyond basic — that lifted our spirit as well as just helped and rescued us! ! ! 

THANK YOU!   THANK YOU! ! !  THANK YOU ! ! ! !   

Gene and Joy Wade

Tree that blocked the door

Josh doing service

The Final Product

January Snow

It snowed in Arizona on New Year's Eve.  When the snow falls on the Superstition mountains, it's a beautiful site.  I took my family close to the mountains to get in a photo session.  There were reports of snow falling in  Phoenix and Mesa.

Josh, Jim, and I

Snow in the desert