Dillion Fiddle Contest 2012

Grace's First & Second Rounds:

Russell's First & Second Rounds:

This past weekend, we made our annual trek to the Dillon, Montana Fiddle Contest. This was our fifth year attending the contest. It was especially fun because Grace, Russell, my sister Shelby, and my niece Lindsey all competed. Grace got first in the Junior Junior Division, Russ got 4th in the Small Fry Division, Shelby got first in the Junior Division and Lindsey took 2nd in the Junior Division. Grace's teacher Jacie also won the Championship division, and her other teacher, Joe placed in the top five of the Championship. My parents, niece Ashley, Mother in Law, and Sister in Law also came, so it was fun to enjoy the contest with everyone.

The contest was in a new location this year, at the Beaverhead County Museum. The kids enjoyed looking at the train displays and animals in the museum.

I am so proud of my two little girls! They are getting so much more patient at these contests. They typically involve a LOT of sitting. Basically, we sat in the little auditorium for two days straight. If we only had one child in one division, we would be able to leave more often, but because we are watching four family members compete in three different divisions, we are pretty much stuck there for the duration of the contest. This is where the electronics and treats come into play. It keeps the girls entertained, and they are troopers. Lily and Russell even decided that they were tired, and would simply take a nap in the auditorium chairs...

 

here are some shots from Ashley (iphone photos) of the kids after their winnings!!!

 Grace with her amazing teachers, Jacie & Joe Sites...

The highlight comes at the end of the day when the kids get to go back to the hotel and swim like crazy in the pool! After sitting all day long, they really need to get rid of some energy!!!

Our family band got to perform a couple of numbers while the judges were tallying scores...

Comments

[Dayami Lauzurique]

Absolutely beautiful pictures! Congratulations to all of them for being so wonderful! God Bless them!
Hugs,
Dayami :)

[Heather McDonald]

Thanks so much for sharing! Loved hearing the music! Your family is so talented. I was excited to see a couple new posts! :-)

[Sheri]

Congrats on the wins. I love to hear your family play. Don't you love Dillon MT? I was lucky enough to stay there for several days visiting an aunt and uncle who lived there. What an amazing little town. I loved the beauty all around it. And the people were all so friendly

[Sarah Merrill]

So fun! You have such a talented Family! I had a question for you, I've been really considering homeschooling my kids the last few months and I'm just starting to "wade through the water" in finding how to go about this! :) I was just wondering what curriculum you use or method you prefer. Thanks! an awe-inspired reader! :) Sarah

My email is: sarahlanae@gmail.com or my blog is: mymerrillfamily.blogspot.com

[jeanne]

Super emotional day for me I guess, but I just got all warm and fuzzy thinking about how much joy music brings. Maybe it's because I skipped ward choir for a month and went back today. But I really appreciate your family's love of music and their talents they share. It's very inspiring to myself and my kids. We don't get to do a lot financially, but the music lessons they've done have been so worth it. My son plays the trumpet at school (so loves jazz- trumpet is almost paid off!) and my daughter benefited so much from her lessons with Shelby- she made music more accessible for her. It was so neat to go to the Rest Homes and see the joy the music brought to those folks listening. I love what you all do and I think your kids are very talented, and have great teachers.
And thank you for sharing all of your talents through this blog as well- homemaking, canning, farming, cooking, gardening, photography, craftiness- it's very inspiring as well. And I especially love the picture of your little girls in front of those cool yellow doors!