Stephanie's competing in VEGAS!

Dear Friends and Family-

The day has finally come once again! 2 years of talking about it, and it's finally here! It's competition week for me in Las Vegas!

The Sweet Adelines (barbershop) chorus that I belong to will be competing Internationally this week! FINALLY! The last competition was in Indianapolis, Indiana, Where Pride of Portland received a 7th place medal (out of around 650 chorus' world wide!). We are hoping to upgrade that medal this week!

For those who may not know, this year is going to be EXTRA special. It is the contest being dubbed as "THE CONTEST"! Reason being, because out of the 36 or so chorus' competing, around 10 of them have won 1st place medals in the past 10 years... And at least 16 of them (including us) have been in the top 10 in the past 10 years. SO... That means, to even get into the top 10 is going to be a race!

For those of you who cannot travel to Vegas to watch, there is LIVE WEBCAST! You can cheer us on from the comfort of your home, or office.

To aid you in this process, below are some instructions.

Go to this website...

http://www.prideofportland.org/contest_public.htm

This is Our chorus website. Scroll down, on this page you will find all the information you need. Including the times we are to be on stage. (The Pride Of Portland- 3:44 PM (Vegas time I believe) Thurs. Oct. 12 Please realize sometimes the contest runs early, or late so check early just in case (we will be wearing a purple evening gown for our costume on Thursday) and including the 3 quartets that are also competing FROM OUR CHORUS! Continue to scroll down the page a little until you see the link that says http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/webcast.cfm You may click on it. This will take you to the Sweet adelines Webcast page, from there read the instructions, and ENJOY!

The announcement of who has made the top ten is right at the end of the chorus contest on Thursday, Those who make the top 10 will compete again on Saturday for placement, so, if you don't hear the announcement, Make sure to check back on Friday to see what time Pride of Portland (since we fully anticipate being in the top 10) will be competing on Saturday! ( On Saturday we will be wearing a black costume with teal and purple shiney- ness lines)

If you want to find me in the mass of Sweet adelines on stage, I stand on the top row, 3rd in from the left (when you are looking at the screen, so my right looking at you, and your left as you look at the screen). Warning, I may look different, lots of stage make-up and all glitzed up!

Thank you so much for all of your support. I love you all so much!

If you need anything please feel free to call me! (503) 866 6927

LOVE,

Stephanie Beesley

Saving Pictures

If any of you want to save any of the pictures to you computer, simply click on them, when it opens on another page, right click on it and select "Save image as" and save it to your computer!

The Beesleys

Tucker's brother Patrick has been called to serve on a mission in the Tallahasse, FL mission. He arrived at the MTC on December 14th, we are going to miss him!



















Grandpa Gentry
and Stephanie






















We got to see the new Josheph Smith movie at the Oakland Temple. We highly recommend it!
(This picture was taken off our balcony at our Hotel in Key Largo, where we got to go Jet Skiing!)




At the Oakland Temple







We have enjoyed traveling together this past year. Our recent travels have taken us back east to include Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, and on our vacation to Utah, Vegas, and of course, all over California for work.

Everywhere we went back east I (Stephanie) tried to find a barbershop chorus to attend. I got to meet a lot of neat women and sing with a lot of great people. I have stated taking arranging lessons from my director, and am really enjoying them. My goal is to arrange a song that is sung by a quartet or Chorus that is sung on the International stage. That, of course, is only the beginning. My "career" goals also include becoming a certified music judge in the Sweet Adeline International Organization. My director is encouraging me to take the certification for judgeship soon, because he believes I am ready. I still have to jump through a few hoops before I can do that, so for now, I am just working as hard as i can each day to better my listening abilities and arranging skills.

The biggest news for us, is that I sold my first arrangement, (contingent upon it's completion) to a great quartet in my chorus!! I am very excited to finish it, and get to hear a piece of my own music sung on stage!!!! I'm on my way to accomplishing my goals, thanks to a lot of dedication and support.

Pictures below are of Tucker at the Oakland Temple, and also of Tucker and me at the top of the Stratosphere in Vegas a few months ago, when we went to visit Aaron and Adam in Vegas. Tucker and I also have a website, please visit if you wish. It's updated often, so please bookmark! http://oregonbeesleys.blogspot.com/

The Thompsons

Lisa and Bret are excitedly preparing for their new baby girl. Ashlee Nicole is due to arrive on April 21st. Although, they are hoping that she will arrive somewhere between 12-14th, just before Easter. Emily is getting excited about starting Kindergarten in the fall, and as Lisa says is their "Smart Cookie".

We will definately keep you updated and news on the baby!

Da' Palmers

Aaron Update

Aaron and Stone are still living in Overton, Nevada. Aaron is working at a tire shop. Stone is now in school, and although he says he doesn't like it all that much, he is getting smarter everday. Tucker and Stephanie bought him a chess set for Christmas, and as soon as he opened it up, he and Tucker broke it in. Aaron laughed a bit as he told us that last time he played Stone at Chess that Stone Stail Mated Aaron. Aaron and Stone are very happy together.

Adam update

Adam is still in Vegas, and doing very well. He is very fortunate to have found a very loving LDS family that have taken him in. He is living with them, and improving his life each day. He is enjoying going to church again, and has started to take the sacrament. Adam's testimony is growing stronger each day, as he is fighting his battles, and coming out victorious over each of them with the help of His loving Heavenly Father. He wants to thank all of you that have showed him your support over the years, and is looking forward to seeing everyone as soon as he can.

Of course, he is still amazing at racquetball!

Amber and Eric Pictures and News

Baby Caleb!

Also AWESOME news! Christain finished Chemo treatment on January 30th! They had a party for him. Amber baked a cake that caused Christain to blush, and say "Oh, MOM!" It was of a rear end, with a hospital gown, with the words "We're glad it's all behind you." Pictures of that cake will perhaps come soon.

They are hoping that he will get his tube out sometime this month.

NEW BABY BOY!

Hey y’all –

Just wanted to drop a quick note to announce the birth of our new baby boy. He was born October 22 at about 9 p.m. He was 7 lbs, 2 oz, and 19 inches. His name is Caleb Alldredge Gentry. He is a great baby. We will try to get some pictures up on the Newsletter site as soon as possible.

The blessing will be December 4 at 9:00 a.m. Of course, you are all invited if you can attend.

Love Always,

Eric, Amber, Christian, Ethan, Rebekah, and Caleb

Update on the Gentry's

Hey y’all!!

Things are going pretty well here in Southern Utah. It’s starting to cool off. Before we know it, we may have to actually start wearing long pants – maybe even a light jacket! Like my Grandpa Gentry always says: when it’s cool in Dixie, it’s a nice place to be (cause everywhere else is frozen)!

The big news around our house is the much anticipated release of Son 1.3 in the next couple of weeks. We put in our order with the Manufacturer nine months ago, and we are finally near the top of the list – big demand for these things, you know. We are told it should be delivered some time around October 23. Amber is hoping it will be a little sooner than that – she is positively swelling with excitement and about to explode with anticipation. She can hardly contain herself. I think our system is ready for the new download. We executed the set-up file months ago - it’s always bigger and more complicated than it seems - and we are clearing space in our memory banks for new input. Our previous versions are busy trying to calculate a good file name. Daughter 1.1, especially, is very excited. She’s got that motherin’ program down pat. She will be a big help.

We are really looking forward to trying out this new version. If it is anything like Son 1.1, Son 1.2, and Daughter 1.1, it will be a unique and unparalleled experience. We’ve been so pleased with the previous versions that it’s hard for us to imagine any improvements, but you know that Manufacturer – He’s pretty clever – we are expecting to be pleasantly surprised. Maybe this one will come already potty-trained, or, better yet, with a troubleshooter program already installed. Those would be nice upgrades. Anyway, we’re keeping our fingers crossed and the Manufacturer’s customer service number on speed-dial, just in case. We’ll let you know how it runs once we’ve worked out all of the bugs.

Christian’s ninth birthday is on Saturday. I can’t believe he has grown enough that I actually remember being his age. Time flies. I remember my dad saying to me the same things I tell him. Funny, I finally understand what he was trying to tell me. It all seems to come back around (hopefully not the receding hairline).

Christian and Ethan are in school and both doing very well. Christian is playing the piano like he was born for it, and Ethan is beginning to read well. They are both outstanding sons and good examples to their friends. We love them very much. Rebekah is in pre-school and loving it. She is learning her letters and is a beautiful, delightful young girl. She’s got her daddy hooked. We love her very much.

We love you all, and we hope we will be able to see some or all of you during the upcoming holidays. If not, we hope you understand that we are with you in spirit, and you are always in our thoughts and prayers.

God bless you all. Love Always,

Eric, Amber, Christian.exe, Ethan.exe, Rebekah.exe, and ?.exe

Exciting news for the Thompsons!!

Bret & Lisa are very happy to announce that they will be adding a new member to thier family next year!

Lisa is pregnant! Her due date is April 21st!

Emily was asked what she thought it was, a boy or a girl, she thinks she is getting a little sister!

Congrats to Bret & Lisa!! Our Prayers are with you during your pregnancy!!!

Email Bret & Lisa @

THOMPSONBL@peoplepc.com

or call @

Home~ 801-298-3840
Lisa Cell~ 801-721-5859
Bret Cell~ 801-232-9353

New pics! and Stewart news!

I thought I would send you out our latest family photo, this was taken up at

Albion Basin at Alta Ski Resort. I hope it finds you all well.

Here in the Stewart household life is well. Emma has started Kindergarten

and is the smartest in her class. Okay, I might be a little prejudice, but

she is the only one in her class that can read. It will be a challenge for

Shawn and I to keep her moving forward this year.

Isaac is getting so big and is not only busy but he keeps us laughing.

I go back to school on the 29th, until then I'm spending one day a week in

Emma's classroom and trying to get everything I can done with my primary

calling so that school won't get in the way of it.

We love you all,

And hope to hear from each of you soon.

Love,

Lisa

The summer Get together at the McArthurs

Speaking for ourselves, Tucker and I had a great time at the BBQ at the McArthurs house this summer!!
We are so glad that so many of you came, as we don't get to see you all as much as we would like. I hope you all had fun, and thanks so much for bringing food! Here are some pics from all the fun!