Dance Dance Dance

Eryn has really been enjoying the ballroom program at her school. She spends every Monday and Wednesday afternoon dancing. The first semester was all about learning the different dances and techniques. Now they are getting into the competition part of it. They had their very first competition on Saturday. I volunteered to be one of the helpers, so I got to walk in with the kids and sit right down on the floor. It was really fun. The only downside is that I had left my camera on the bleachers, so I couldn't take any pictures. Luckily, my mom and sisters found where it was, so they were able to get a few pictures and videos. And Eryn's cute friend Daphne and her parents came. They also took some pictures and gave them to us. It was so interesting and fun to watch. The competition was probably one of the most organized events I've been to. There were 10 elementary schools represented (some Charters, and some public) and they all use the same "curriculum" for their ballroom programs. The kids all learn the same routines when they learn the different dances. There were "couples" that did the Cha Cha, some that did the Merengue, and some that did the Tango. Then there was a group of couples that were "All Around." Eryn and her partner Eddie were All Around. That meant that when they went out to compete, the announcer would draw a dance out of a hat, so they didn't know beforehand what they would be dancing. They got the Merengue for one round, and the Cha Cha for the 2nd round. They did great! Each school was divided into 6 teams. Three Level 1 teams and Three Level 2 teams. Eryn is Level 1 (since it's her first year). The school received the "School Spirit Award." They had a cheer they would do for each dance that went with the beat of the music. It was so cute. Then Eryn's "team" (their color was Fuchsia) won a Silver Ribbon. But best of all, Eryn and her partner received a medal for Top Technique. They were the only ones from their school that got it, I believe. It was so fun watching them, and seeing their cute faces when they received ribbons and awards. I can hardly wait for next month and the next competition!

Of course I made her pose for a few more when we got home, too!

Painting...

For a couple of years now, I've been trying to find time to paint our bedroom. I've done the kitchen and the living room... I suppose they were more of a priority since they are the rooms that are seen the most, but I've really wanted to do our room. I've even had the stuff to decorate with for over a year! Well, I finally decided to JUST DO IT! I'm so glad I did. It was a great opportunity to re-organize. As I took stuff out of our room so I could move furniture and paint, I realized how much unnecessary stuff we actually have, and I decided that only things we really need and have a place for are allowed to come back in. It's so nice to be in our organized, newly painted bedroom. The only downside? Now I see how bad some of the other rooms are looking after seeing freshly painted walls... they just don't compare! I now feel extra motivated to work on them. Next up - the bathroom. I can't wait!

Oh, and as you will see, there is another member of our household who is also enjoying the new bedroom.

"Beware to be Amazed!"

I wish I had written down every single funny little thing that came out of my kids' mouths. I just love what they say! Hayden has been so funny lately. Everything that comes out of his mouth makes me laugh (except when he says "I'm so mad at you!" Okay, actually that sometimes makes me laugh too!) Here are just a few of the gems we've heard lately.


* Driving to pick up the other kids from school, we were listening to the radio. There was a song that came on called "Replay." In the song, there is a part where it says "... like my iPod's stuck on replay." Suddenly Hayden just busted out laughing and turned to my nephew Justice and said, "Did you just hear what he said? He said, MY EYEBALL'S STUCK ON MY PLATE!" And they both laughed their cute little heads off!


* Hayden has been coming into our room around 4am every. single. morning. While I usually prefer my kids to sleep through the entire night in their own beds, I sometimes just open up the covers and let them climb in. Well, this time as Hayden climbed in, he fell right back to sleep, and not 5 minutes later started talking in his sleep. As loudly as he could without yelling, he said "I'm NOT A ROBBER!" It woke Jared up, and I laughed. Made me wonder what on earth he was dreaming about.


* Thursday, for lunch, Hayden had a PB&J sandwich and a few saltine crackers on his plate. I was enjoying my salad, when suddenly he said "Beware to be amazed!" Of course I laughed a little bit at his mistake with the wording, but then he proceeded to stick his crackers into his sandwich, making a perfect little house - 4 walls and a roof. Fighting the urge to stop him from playing with his food, I just enjoyed this hilarious moment of creativity. Who am I to stop an artist (or architect) at work?

Please stop growing up Hayds. I love your cute little voice and the funny things you say. You make me laugh every day!

Snow Fun!!

Lots of snow?.............. Check!


Warm winter clothing?............ Check!


Sleds?............. Check!


Nice, big sledding hill?........... What! No hill? How in the world are we supposed to go sledding?


Who needs a hill when you have a few 4-wheelers and a huge field? We went with some friends and family to the Young's (on New Year's Eve), tied sleds to the backs of the 4-wheelers, and rode like crazy. It was so fun. The kids (I include dads here) were having a blast, even with snow blowing into their faces. It really was the perfect day to do it. It was sunny, no wind, plenty of snow, blue skies... perfect! Some rode sitting, some rode sitting backwards, some rode on their tummies, some decided that a few rides on the sled were enough and chose to ride the 4-wheelers. Everyone had fun! I even took a ride in one of the sleds. It was a nice deep one, and 3 of us "moms" hopped in. I was laughing the whole time. Snow blowing in my eyes, riding over bumps, bushes and plenty of rocks... It was really quite funny. It was a great time!

Drama Queen

Everyone with little girls knows that along with their cuteness comes a bit of drama. The drama isn't always bad, however. I used to love listening to Eryn playing. Her dolls, barbies, and other little "friends" were very DRAMATIC. They said the funniest things, and were quite expressive about it. She also loved performing, putting on little plays for us, singing, dancing... all of it. I remember during her third grade play, someone in our ward said "you really should get her into acting." She wasn't the first one to say it, and definitely wasn't the last. I always knew that at some point we'd be sitting in an auditorium watching her in a school play. Well, that opportunity has arrived. She decided to try out for her school's production of "Fiddler on the Roof." The first round of auditions were last Tuesday. She had to sing a song (she learned "Matchmaker"), and run some lines with another student (she had memorized it over the holidays). We got an email later that night saying that she was on the list for call-backs on Thursday. There were a few of the call back names that were asked to learn part of a song from Fiddler. Eryn was not one of them, so we weren't sure if she'd get a part with a solo, but when the cast list was put up on Friday we were excited. She got the part of Chava, one of the three main daughters. She will have a solo in the song, "Matchmaker," and is really excited about the speaking parts. She's one of only four 6th graders to have speaking parts... the rest are 7th through 9th graders. There are a few other 6th graders, but they are "villagers" and don't have speaking parts, just choir-type singing. Rehearsals start Tuesday, which means she'll be spending even MORE time at the school since she still has ballroom, but she's excited, and we are excited for her. I can't wait for April so I can see it!

And because I don't like to post without something to look at, here are a couple of pictures we took yesterday just playing around :)

Oh! And there are a few other pictures on my photography blog.

What a Zoo!

We had the same idea as half of Utah County on December 29 when we decided to head over to Kangaroo Zoo while my sister, Jessica and her cute little family were in town. It was snowing and the roads were slick, but we thought it sounded fun, and the kids were super excited. There were a ton of people, so it was quite the job just trying to keep track of all the kids. ALL the cousins were there - all of mine, Jess's 3, Jana's 3 and Jodie's cute little one. It was fun to have them all together for a fun activity. My girls were great to help keep track of and play with some of the little ones.


All the cousins (and GRANDMA) having fun...

My silly boy...

My other silly boy...

My girlies...

Bryson and Sage were born only a week apart, so they are special little buddies. And we thought they were so cute with their missing teeth!!