A YEAR IN REVIEW: 2008

First, we would like to open our yearly letter with a little musical gift for the Christmas Season.

Here's another one of Jeremy and Nathan in their Orchestra's Christmas concert. They are playing Mozart's overture to Marriage of Figaro. It's a little piece of the professional recording that was done, so you only see glimpses of the kids here and there.

2008 has been interesting and eventful for the Sherman Family. Here are a few of the highlights:

Seth (4, almost 5, years old): As you can probably imagine Seth has kept all of us busy. He is a rather precocious little guy. He is already reading as well as his brother Caleb (who is in the top of his class) who is in first grade. We attribute this mostly to the fact that when Caleb brings home a book, Seth insists on reading it with him. He is also getting interested in learning to play the violin like his older brothers. Seth is a very loving little guy. He likes to give hugs and kisses. He is also a great runner. He participated in the 2008 BYU Homecoming race and did very well

Caleb (7 years old): Caleb started first grade this year and is doing very well. Besides being a very good reader he likes math. He also ran in the 2008 BYU Homecoming race and was a strong finisher. He started playing violin and will be passing off his "Twinkles" very soon. Caleb liked our trip to Spain, especially going on top of the towers where their were bells (one of the towers in Teruel, Spain). He is a very friendly guy and made a lot of friends with the students during the study abroad.

Lizzy (10 years old): Lizzy just keeps getting prettier each year. This year she participated in dance through BYU, choir at school, and started fourth grade. She is very smart and does very well in her math classes. She loves to sing, just like her mother. Not only has she been singing in the school choir, but goes to the ward choir practice every Sunday. Like her brothers, Lizzy has musical talent and has started cello lessons. She is progressing very well. One of the highlights of the year for Lizzy was our trip to Spain. Lizzy also ran in the Spanish Fork 5K and took first place in her age group (even beating the boys her age). Hurray for Lizzy!!!!




Ethan (11 years old): Ethan started sixth grade. He has been doing very well in his math class. He is already in pre-Algebra (usually a class taken in Junior High). This subject is one of his many strengths. Another is his ability to play the violin. Recently Ethan started playing the viola. This year he has been playing in the American Heritage Orchestra in American Fork UT. Ethan is a boy with a lot of interests and talents. The picture is of Ethan with his little brother Caleb in Sevilla Spain. Ethan ran in the Spanish Fork 5K and took second place in his age division.





Nathan (13 years old): Nathan started eighth grade. He too is a very talented and passionate violinist. He is sometimes a little accident proned (especially when he is being a little irritating with his father). At one point he was goofing around while standing on a soccer ball in the family room, irritating his father. While the two were scuffling around, he slipped backward and hit his head. As a result he got five staples to close up the gash in his head. The funniest part of the whole incident was when he attempted to negotiate with the doctor about whether he would have to have stitches or not!!!! Nathan is probably the most mischievous of the kids. There is no telling what he will do at any moment. Nathan has also been playing in the American Heritage Orchestra in American Fork UT. Nathan received his Eagle Scout Award this year just before his 13th birthday. We are very proud of him. His project involved the development of a musical program with rhythm sticks for the participants to use. The purpose was to create an interactive program to stimulate coordination and participation. He also attended Scout Camp at Camp Maple Dell. Nathan ran in the Spanish Fork 5K and took third place in his age division.




Jeremy (15 years old): What do you say about a boy on the verge of getting his driver's license. He just entered his sophomore year in High School. Jeremy really enjoyed our trip to Spain this past summer and surprised us with the amount of information that he could share. He has read so many books on myth, legend and ancient Greek and Roman history that he was able to discuss the symbols and figures that decorated the churches we visited. He continues to play the violin, also in the American Heritage Orchestra. He is very talented violinist. Jeremy is most proud of the fact that he purchased an electric bass guitar. He earns time on the bass guitar by practicing his violin. Bribery goes a long way with teenagers. Jeremy went on his High Adventure to Southern Utah. The group went horseback riding for three days. Fortunately he survived the experience pretty well despite being assigned to ride an evil demon horse! (just ask the others on the trip). Jeremy ran in the BYU Homecoming 5K. He did it in 24 minutes 45 seconds (7:57 miles). Not bad for his first race!!!





Jannette: This has been a fun year for me as I have enjoyed the challenge of getting back into shape after so many years of babies. With the expert training advice of my sister Pam, I was able to run my second 10K race ever (the first one was in college about 20 years ago) and was surprised to place second in my age group. I owe it all to the fact that the fast runners my age stayed home that morning - but I still got a medal. The big news though was that I ran my first half marathon ever in September!! The goal for next year is an olympic distance triathlon, I'll let you know if I make it. My other great accomplishment this year was helping to coordinate our trip to Spain. My proudest moment was when I placed 8 different pieces of checked luggage (one for each of the 8 members of the family) on the scales at the airport and see each of them register between 48 and 49 pounds. Then 8 weeks later I turned around and did it again to get us home. If anyone has actually tried to do this, they will know that I deserved a very big high five.


Lin: This year has been filled with some wonderful experiences. I am still the chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at BYU. It is such a privilege to work with the students, faculty and administration who are all dedicated to learning. In March I hosted James Spalding, the Ambassador from Paraguay to the United States, and his wife. What a wonderful opportunity to spend three days with them visiting the Lt. Governor, officials from BYU, luncheons, and the highlight, a visit with the First Presidency of the Church. I also had the chance to accompany them to the Church's Humanitarian Center. During spring term we took a group of students to Spain for a study abroad. Aside from their courses, we took them on a weekly excursion to cities throughout the country, including Toledo, Segovia, Burgos, León, Granada, Sevilla, and Córdoba. For me one of the highlights was our visits to Frómista where we saw one of the most beautifully preserved Romanesque churches in Spain. Thankfully our living conditions were fabulous (a chalet with a yard in Alcalá de Henares). We also had a chance to spend time with President Brad Farnsworth and his wife Debi serving in the Spain Madrid Mission. In October I again had the chance to host an ambassador, this time Felipe Ortiz de Zevallos from Peru. Both these experiences have been great chances to build bridges of understanding between these diplomats and the university and Church. All in all this has been a wonderful year and one filled with adventure. After returning from Spain we took time to take the family on a couple of short vacations (one to Southern Utah and the Escalante National Monument to do some hiking and the other to Park City UT). Our together time was wonderful! My big purchase for the year was a new bicycle so that I could train with Jannette. I've gotten to the point that I can cycle 22 miles with no problem and may have plans for longer distances next spring.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL AND PEACEFUL 2009

The Shermans in Santo Domingo de Silos, SPAIN

Cougar Run and Cello Recital

Ever since Nathan, Ethan and Lizzy got to race in Spanish Fork, we have been looking for a race that everyone could enter. We found the BYU Cougar run which was part of the homecoming festivities. Unfortunately Lin couldn't run because of knee surgery and I couldn't run because I had to take Lizzy to a cello class right after the younger kids ran. It was a very cold morning, but not as cold and stormy as the weatherman had predicted, so we were pleased with that. Here are the kids with their numbers on. Seth needed a little encouragement because of the cold weather. But he was very excited to get to "wear a number and run." Nathan offered to run with him if he was nervous but he told Nathan to get off of the track because he knew how to run and could do it himself.
Here he is ready to go.

He did a great job and was very patient in the finish chute though he wasn't sure what was going on. Here's Lizzy ready to go

She has a great stride - she finished 5th out of about 25 girls.

Caleb had been sick but he wanted to run anyway. He did an 800 meter race like Lizzy and he was pretty tired. He kept up a really strong pace though. Look at him go.

Ethan ran the mile and did a great job. Both Ethan and Lizzy agreed that they prefer the 5K distance though. Lizzy said that in the 5 K you can run fast sometimes and slow sometimes, but in an 800 you just have to run fast all the time. You can tell that she is already an experienced pacer. Here is Ethan showing off his fabulous kick.

Jeremy and Nathan ran the 5K. Although this was Jeremy's first 5K he was able to hold his mile pace under 8 minutes, and surprise several people by sprinting past them just before the finish line. Nathan improved his time over the Spanish Fork race and is anxious to work harder and take it under 25 minutes in the near future. The boys placed 8th and 9th in their age division (13-15) and were in the top 25% overall. They were happy with their race, but very cold (my fault - I told Jeremy to take off his jacket because I though he would get hot, he didn't get hot).

Later that day Lizzy had a cello recital at Jamestown Senior living Center. She passed off her "Twinkles" which is a really big deal in the world of Suzuki strings- basically it means that we finally get to hear her play something new. Here she is with her teacher Megan Boyle. She is amazing and we are happy that we found her.The boys also participated in the recital. They were able to "borrow" a cellist to complete their string quartet. Ethan has also picked up viola now to allow for more flexibility of ensemble music. They did a medley of hymns that the residents of Jamestown really enjoyed.

Spanish Fork Half Marathon and 5K

I have always kind of wanted to run a half marathon. Unfortunately I never actually did it back when I used to run in high school, and was in good shape, and young... So, after returning to running in March of 2007 (starting with only 30 seconds at a time), and working up to a 10K, I started to think, why not? With some excellent training plans provided by my awesomely athletic sister Pam, I was able to reach my goal.

I didn't set any records, but I did run the whole thing with a steady, consistent pace.

Nathan, Ethan and Lizzy wanted to be part of the fun, so they all entered the 5K.

Nathan placed third in his age groupEthan placed Second in his age group. (notice Lin in the background cheering - Lin just had knee surgery and has been advised not to run anymore, which made him very sad. He is thinking of a big goal for next Spring on his bike though)

And... Lizzy placed first in her age group, even beating the boys her age.

The best part for me was when I could see the finish line, the kids all came out on to the road and ran the last 100 yds with me. People on the sidelines were cheering, "go mom!" That really gave me an extra kick to the finish line.

Here we all are after the race.

Summer Youth Symphony Summit

The kids had a chance to spend some time in Park City at an Orchestra Camp. The first day started at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake where they got to sit in on a rehearsal with the Utah Symphony and then that afternoon the kids had their first rehearsal together with Keith Lockhart conducting. After spending some time with the youth group, Keith Lockhart turned over the baton to the assistant director of the Utah Symphony, David Cho. He was their conductor for the next 4 days.

Here are the boys in front of Abravanel Hall.

This is the rehearsal with Keith Lockhart.

Here are the Nathan and Ethan with Keith Lockhart at a luncheon they had afterwards.

Here are the little kids inside of Abravanel Hall.

The next few days the kids learned the first and last movements of Beethoven's 2nd Symphony and two other shorter pieces. Pretty good, considering they had not seen the music ahead of time at all.

The boys loved working with David Cho. He's not only a great musician, but he is personable and fun.

The rest of us had a great time riding the ski lift and posing for pictures at the top of the mountain. The view was incredible.

One of the best parts of being in Park City was visitng with Debbie, Rebecca, Michelle and Allyson. We got to have lunch together a few times while the kids played on the playground. Then on Saturday, we were able to be together at Allyson's birthday party.

Here's Seth at the Park. He thinks he is a Pre-Kindergarten model.

Don't Debbie and Rebecca look great?

Caleb is Spiderman

Lizzy loved the outlet stores in Park City.

Here was some of the great food for the birthday party - These were Rebecca's gourmet addition

For one of the evening concerts performed by the Utah Symphony, Ethan's chamber group provided entertainment as people walked in. Here he is with his chamber group.

The kids worked very hard (Their teeth hurt from playing violin so much) and the final Concert was great. Here are the last few seconds of it. This is Manuel de Falla's Ritual Fire Dance

SR-12 Scenic Highway Trip (Southern Utah)

This week we went on a three-day trip to Southern Utah (Cannonville, Escalante, Boulder, Torrey) to experience the outdoors. On the way to our destination we passed through Bryce Canyon National Park. We paused alongside the rode to stretch our legs and take in some of beauty of the red mountains and spires that welcome visitors traveling along Highway 12.

CANNONVILLE AND GROSVENOR'S ARCH

Our first stop was Grosvenor'S Arch. Located about 18 miles from Cannonville (9 miles of the trip is over washboard worn dirt roads) Along the way you encounter beautiful desert landscape that changes from moment to moment as clouds pass over the red, grey, blue and green of the mountains.

Grosvenor's Arch is a magnificent monument rising from the desert floor. Here we took time there to eat lunch and then look for fossil sea shells on a nearby hill.

ESCALANTE

Here we stayed at the Slot Canyon Inn just a few miles west of Escalante. This bed and breakfast is located on a 160-acre piece of property. One of the amenities that we enjoyed are the hiking trails. Within eyeshot of the Inn are petroglyphs and pictographs from the Fremont indians.

Farther up the road are more. Also on the property is a beautiful valley with some spectacular scenery.  We loved the whole experience, except the bugs!!! Along the way we found some fossil seashells imbedded in a large stone, another petroglyph and a small rattlesnake. Never a dull moment.

That evening we were treated with a double rainbow over the southern horizon. 

Before we left on Tuesday the owner of the inn took us and another family to a "secret" location to see some really fabulous pictographs. One of them appears to represent a family or tribe in a circle holding hands.

On Tuesday morning we left the inn and went to the Escalante Petrified Forest. The area is made up of two trails, one is the main trail that is about one mile long and the other is a .75 mile loop that goes down into a steep ravine to the edge of a small canyon. This latter loop was really worth the time and the energy to hike. All along the way were huge trunks of petrified wood.

GRAND STAIRCASE NATIONAL MONUMENT

This is probably one of the most fascinating areas to visit. You travel through a variety of climate and ecological regions. There are deserts.

canyons and rivers.

CALF CREEK FALLS

Calf Creek Falls is one of the most amazing experiences. The six-mile round trip takes you through both a geological as well as a historical trip through time.  All along the path are evidences of the Fremont Indians, pioneers and cattlemen/farmers. The only hard thing about the trail is that a lot of it is sandy, so the going is a little slow at times. I am pleased to say that the WHOLE family walked the entire trail. Caleb and Seth were real troopers.

The scenery along the way is really amazing. Here are some scenes to contemplate.

At the end of the trail is a box canyon with a 126-foot high waterfall. I am not sure that the pictures will do it justice. The falls are just beautiful! Here is what it is like as you approach the falls.

We all had a good time playing in the water.

Jeremy decided that it would be cool to build a sand castle. I guess that he has spent too much time in Spain!!!!

As luck would have it we got caught in a rain storm just as we were reaching the falls. After getting back to the car we headed for Torrey to spend the night. Along the way we got the beautiful vista of the Grand Staircase area with thunderclouds and rain in the distance.

It was a great trip and time to be together as a family.