Buckle yourselves in...It's competition season!

It's dance season. For those unfamiliar with it, it's looked forward to by the girls kind of like what opening day of hunting season is for the guys. (and some really are in it for the kill!!!)
Crazygirl and Bug competed with their solo's and Bug's trio. They did AWESOME! Last year, Crazygirl competed with a solo routine and quite honestly, looked like she was going to throw up on the stage. I tried to talk her out of it this year, but she insisted. I can't believe the difference in self confidence she had! She took first place (yea!!!) Bug did so well! She took second place with her solo, and her trio not only took first, but they then took high gold, which is for those who score at least 98% of the total score possible. They had a blast with their friends, (which is the most important thing!) They have a really fun studio that they dance with, all of the girls love hanging out together, and they had some girls come to cheer them on, who weren't performing that day.
All said, it was a fun start to the season, we can't wait for team competitions!

Acclimated

A few years ago, I would be talking to my mother in law on the phone, and would listen in awe as she would tell me the temperature where she lived. In Utah. I had never owned anything heavier than a jean jacket (darling by the way with a cute pair of khaki's...pegged of course since it WAS the 80's) but I digress... ANYWAY, I had no concept of cold, or of the true joy that spring brings...or hope. Because until one has lived through real winter, complete with snow, one doesn't understand why today I drove WITH.THE.WINDOW.DOWN. in 50 degree weather. and the radio up. LOUD. It's right around the corner...I can almost smell the sunscreen!!!!


p.s. to all of you realists out there...yes. I do know that we will most likely have more snow. Just let me have my moment. It's what gets me through the month of Feb.!!!!

How to entertain those who are easily impressed

After the temple open house we splurged and went to a late lunch, early dinner with the family. The girls were totally in awe of the drink concoctions Daddy was creating for himself and them... Enough that we actually had to take a picture. I guess we don't take them to enough Mormon wedding receptions, because they were sooo impressed with the sprite/slurpee combo.

What a LOVEly Weekend

What an incredible weekend we had with our family! On Friday, we were able to go to the Draper, UT open house for the Temple. It was the first time the girls had been to see the inside of a temple. We are so blessed to be in an area where we have two open houses within a few months of eachother. The next one will be for OUR temple (Oquirrh). It was incredible, and really refocused me on doing what I need to be doing as a mother to teach my children what they need to know to attend the temple one day. I loved seeing the excitement in their faces, and being able to answer their questions as we went from room to room.

after the tour, we got to go to a reception area at the church next to the temple and get yummy cookies and water bottles.

We woke up Sat morning to breakfast in bed...pancakes and all! I love having older kids!
They had also decorated the house with heart cutouts and cute signs everywhere. We stayed home for the entire day, enjoying just being together with nowhere to go!
For dinner we went to our friend's house for YUMMY BBQ and games. It was so nice not to fight crowds at restaurants and really enjoy eachother!

My life is complete. Wonderful husband, 4 incredible daughters. Friends we adore, and now this. In-n-Out. This Summer. Close to home. There are no words except these..."Deanna, I know where you and I are going to lunch!!!!!!"
I finally have part of my California here with me. Wahoo!

1st modeling gig

My good friend Dawne called and asked if Dramaqueen could be a model for a haircutting class for Enrichment tonight. Oh the excitement at our house preceding this event! She came downstairs ready to go in her most preteen outfit and I think I detected a touch of her older sister's eye shadow.
When she got home with her updated A-line and new bangs, her sisters and their friend screamed (or squealed...I'm still trying to tell the two apart!) They love it.
She had a blast! Thanks Dawne!!!!! And thanks to Amanda, the stylist for going above and beyond! She could have totally just demo'd a trim, but went all out!

Dancingqueen takes the stage

I think I have mentioned before how wonderful Dancingqueen's choir teacher is. She sings with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is HILARIOUS and has won the heart and complete devotion of our oldest daughter. Dancingqueen has really enjoyed choir the last two years and is leaning more towards singing and being on stage than doing competitive dance. A few weeks ago she tried out for solo ensemble, and got one of the spots! They had a small recital at the school for the parents yesterday, which was a dress rehearsal also. Today, she got to miss school and go to a singing competition for this part of the state. She had a really pretty solo song that she prepared. She and her whole group did really well (in her words they did "awesome"). We are really proud of her, and hey...SOMEONE has to represent the fam for ward choir...if you've heard me do Sing Star on Amber and Jason's playstation you know it's not going to be me...Right Dawn?!!!!!

Friday night fun

We are starting a new tradition of making homemade pizza and watching a DVD on Friday night as a family. I got the idea from my friend Wendy, who gets 5 buck pizza and does the DVD thing with her husband and kids. It sounded fun to set aside a night specifically for it, and we love making pizza, so we tweaked it to fit our family! Dan and I go out together at least once a weekend, on a date or with friends, so this helps us to have a fun family activity on a weekend night. So far the girls have really loved it! We have only done it 2 weekends so far, but I find myself thinking through the week of different pizza possibilties to make! Suggestions?

Aftermath

Bug just found out that one of her best buds, P was admitted into the hospital for a few days. She was sobbing hysterically for about half of an hour, and is now in this position. I love how much she cares about her friends, and how much she wants to make sure that he is doing well. (which he is, by the way!)

WE WANT IT ALL!

The girls made a music video for a talent show. We posted it to you tube for everyone to watch!

My computer crashed about a week and a half ago...it was a long painful week for all of us! My brother came over for Super Bowl....I mean, to spend time together as a family on the Holy Sabbath... and got it going again. Yea!!!! I will post real things later, just wanted to jump on and let you know that we are all alive and well over here. It's halftime...I mean, family bonding time, so I have to go!!!!