The Starfish Concert

So... we had a concert to benefit Starfish on the 17th. I was stressed out... like super stressed out. We had a pretty good turn out and Natalee and the Burkes were AMAZING! Natalee is an amazing pianist that composes all her music and she just came out with her first CD, Reflection (it's amazing). And the Burkes are amazing at the strings. Tara, the mom, is amazing and has taught her kids. The youngest one, who played the cello, is 11. Just saying. Wow.

Ever since I started my crazy obsession with Starfish I have wanted to do a fundraiser of some sort for them. I started planning quite a few. But none of them ended up happening. When I heard that Natalee wanted to do a benefit concert I was so excited. And watching that happen was a dream come true. I totally cried during the concert, especially at one song where Natalee had a slideshow of the Starfish babies playing during it. And then the last song where they sang. I mean seriously these people have talent. I can play the piano, but have no talent in singing. They have both.

I got to have a table with stuff from my Etsy shop (Sorry it's kind of neglected right now... I took off everything for the concert and forgot to put it back up) . I was able to raise $500 for my trip to Starfish next year. I don't know how much we actually made for Starfish yet, but I can't wait to figure out. The support I felt that night for me and for Starfish was amazing. And I just want to tell the Burkes and Natalee THANK YOU again for everything they did!

{Natalee and I}

{Me and the Burke sisters}

{Me and all the Burkes}

My tent skills :)

At trek I know us girls, at least in my family, did a pretty good job proving that we had no tent skills. Well... I have proof from our gales creek trip that I can put one up by myself...

Taking it down though is a totally different story... :)

Camping at Gales Creek

My cousins, Sofia and Anthony, were here from Maryland. We had to do something fun with them so we went to Gales Creek. It ended up being like this whole big family reunion type of thing, except we were missing people. But we had lots of cousins together and it was a blast. There was some Pit and Skip-bo playing. I played Grandma again and beat her. I beat her the whole time in China BTW. :)

The campground was okay... they lacked a shower. And a real toilet. It was kind of like trek all over again except without the guys. :) But thanks to my amazing trek skills I washed my hair. In my trek bucket. And soon my mom and Chloe, who had both said not to bring shampoo because we wouldn't be able to wash our hair... they both used my hair washing stuff. :) 

{Grandma, Chloe, Maddy, Me, Sofia}

{Natalie and Lilly}

{Grandpa and Conner}

{everyone on a hike}

{my darling sister}

{Natalie's "chocolate milk"}

{playing skip-bo}

{and Grandma brought her uke}

{Anthony's s'more}

Concert for Starfish in OR!!

Remember my slight obsession with these cuties. That happen to be at one of the coolest places in the world. Maybe even better than Disney World (have to make myself feel good about your trip, Emma)? Just in case you don't here's a link to my explanation of The Starfish Foster Home. 

Anyways... I think I had been in China for a couple of days when Natalee contacted my mom and asked if she could do a benefit concert for Starfish. When my mom told me over Skype I totally freaked out. And it's been a while since the idea first came up, but we are having a concert. All the proceeds will go towards Starfish. Natalee is an amazing pianist who will be releasing her first cd soon. Here is a video about her:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L71cgSrIhHE&feature=plcp. The concert is in a week on August 17th at 7 pm. Natalee will be performing with the Wooden Quartet Burke Family (they are amazing BTW). But because we weren't able to get tickets selling until recently the attendance for the concert is not looking so good. It would mean the world to me if we sold out. BTW if we sell out that's around $5000 for Starfish. I know everyone is really busy in the summer and that this is totally last minute but I would love to see you at the concert! The tickets are available at www.VenetianTheatre.com.