I just have to share some great pictures from Western Boone High School's production of Into the Woods. I have 19 private voice students there and I was this year's vocal director for the musical. I've never been a vocal director before, and I found the experience incredibly rewarding. The cast was amazingly talented and I could not have been prouder of their performances. I can take no credit for the sets, costumes, etc., but the director and costumers obviously did an amazing job!

Jack examines his findings from visiting the giant.

The Baker, Jack’s Mom, Jack and Milky White the Cow (played by two very patient girls) discuss things.

Aw, Devan and Blake as the Baker and Baker’s Wife. They are both seniors and will be greatly missed next year. Could they be any cuter?


Jessa (Jessa and Devan are sisters!) and another Blake as Little Red and the Wolf.


My student, Scott, as the Mysterious Man. (Turns out he’s the Baker’s not-so-dead father!)

My student, Presley, as the Witch (good job singing through that crazy mask, Presley!) and Elizabeth as Rapunzel

Turns out the witch (my student, Presley) is beautiful under all that ugly.

My student, Shannon, as Cinderella. What a difficult song she had to sing in this picture. We worked so hard on it!

Josh as Rapunzel’s Prince. Josh doesn’t take voice lessons regularly and his voice grew so much throughout the show. And what a great actor!

Christian as Cinderella’s Prince. Christian also doesn’t take voice lessons and we found a big, massive sound in there.

My student, Taylor, as Florinda, Cinderella’s stepsister. This tiny horse was HILARIOUS.

Cinderella and the Prince ride away to a happy (?) ending.

All my students! (Christian, I’m claiming you now too, haha.) Katie, Hannah, Shannon, Taylor and Christian after the wedding.

The cast considers the giant who has followed Jack down the beanstalk.

Switzerland Part 2, Part 1. Wait...What?

Yes, it's confusing. A couple months ago I posted Switzerland, Part 1. Well, here we have some highlights - another Part 1 - from my second trip in April. It was a very interesting trip. Lots of fun sightseeing, of course, and also experiencing what it is like to live in Brad's Swiss apartment for a month. You know, things like taking out the trash, grocery shopping, casual weeknight meals (or lack thereof), Brad going to work each day, etc., etc. I'm constantly surprised how different it is to live somewhere as opposed to visiting that place, and how the same place can look so different in each case. Anyway...Fun, but it's really good to be back home! Can't wait for Brad to join me here on the 29th!

I won't bore you with every single thing I enjoyed all month, I promise. Below are just some highlights of my first week there.

Our good Zville friend, Kyle Hollingsworth, who now lives in Singapore, came for a visit! Random to be all together in Switzerland.
Enjoying drinks, cheese and crackers on Brad's balcony. The boys are drinking the local beer from Baar, where Brad lives. He goes to the brewery and buys it in crates.

Kyle wanted to see some mountains. As you will be able to tell from the picture by the lake below, it was quite hazy that weekend. So, we just kept driving up until we got above the haze in a little mountain town. There we stopped for some drinks and had quite the cozy afternoon in an adorable bar.



We figured we might as well take Kyle to Ticino on the way home. We stopped for dinner at one of the grottos built in the side of the mountains there.

Our big platter of salumi meats. I always feel like there is an Italian/German/Swiss/Czech/Austrian (fill in the country where I am) grandma back in the kitchen trying to fatten me up!

We took Kyle to Luzern (a.k.a. Lucerne) and had a beautiful day there eating lunch along the river, walking around the city, and watching some soccer in a local bar.


One of my favorite sights in Luzern - the Lion. It's a monument to fallen soldiers, and I've always found it really beautiful.

After Kyle left and Brad resumed his work week I began wandering on my own. I always enjoy hanging out in Zug, the little town a mile down the road from Brad's place in Baar. By the time I was back in April the flowers were all blooming. This sleepy lake town really becomes the place to be in the spring and summer.

How do you know you are way, way, way behind on your blog? A feeling that you should make an outline of things to cover is the first indication. Then I realize that my type A tendencies are becoming ugly, and I proudly post this outdated entry from, um, March. (Deep breath, Meagan.) Fact is, some fun things happened before I took off for my month in Switzerland. (That is, other than BU's fabulous run in the tournament, which, as you know, was covered well in the blog). So, here we go....

I grew up next to some fabulous girls, Wendy and Sally Senour. We were the absolute best of friends all through childhood. Sally was in town visiting from Chicago with her husband, James, and baby, James Jr. (Can that baby smile for a photo or what?)
Sally, Wendy, James Jr. and James


Sally, me, James Jr. and James


We had some beautiful weather in March. Felt like spring right away. The dogs were thrilled to have me sitting outside with them playing lots of ball.




We had a wonderful girls’ night at Monique’s before I left. I always love catching up with Lauren, Abby and Monique. Ryan and Monique’s daughter, Lucy, joined for the fun in her monkey pj’s. She also brushed the right half of my hair which felt fabulous, but gave my curly hair quite the interesting ‘do!




One of the highlights this winter was the annual cooking competition at Norm and Ellen's! This party’s theme was chili (I made an Ethiopian chili!) and cheesecake (made a white chocolate cheesecake with grand marnier marinated oranges on top). Really, really fun party with GREAT food. Honestly, I can’t remember where I scored anymore, but my entries were well-received, which felt like an honor with such tight competition!

Miriam and Norm (Ellen’s husband) judged the multitude of chilis. There were scorecards and everything!




Some of the cheesecakes waiting to be judged.


Me and my girls




I was so proud of my students this winter! Many of them had wonderful performances in their school musicals. This is Julie, who as a sophomore had the lead in The Music Man at Westfield.


Love this picture. It was after great night downtown with my new friends, John, Taryn and Steve, to whom Miriam introduced me.
Miriam, John, Taryn, Steve, Me


Had another night out with Abby and Monique at a favorite restaurant, Shanghai Lil’s. We were all teasing Abby for ordering the chicken fried rice. It was tasty though. I'll give her that.


Before I could go to Switzerland I had to bathe the dogs, of course. Cal went first, but Luke was hoping to join him. This was his idea (below). Luke loves a good bath!


Right before I left for Switzerland many of my students performed in Western Boone High School’s production of Into the Woods. And I was music director! What fun! I should have more pics coming soon when I get the official photo CD. Into the Woods is one of the most difficult shows a high school can take on. I was beyond impressed with the kids, their talent, their work ethic and the final product. Love you guys!
My student, Shannon, as Cinderella singing to Little Red Riding Hood, Jessa.


Little Red and Jack (who are dating in real life - You guys are WAY too cute, Jessa and Blake)


Some of my wonderful students after the show