Last Chance Dance

I flew to Utah last month not only to see my family, but also to DANCE! My amazing High School dance teacher, Bonnie Pierce, is retiring this year and asked Alumni to come and dance in her final concert. There was no way I was going to miss it!

Me and Bon. I just love this woman! She is one of those people that have influenced my life in such a grand way that I really don't know where I would be without her. I am forever grateful for the teacher, friend, and mentor she has been for me. Here are some of the Alumni who dared to dance again... even with our "mommy" bodies!

My friend Trish and I, practicing our side jete's before one of the performances. (I really should be pointing my toes a lot better than that!)

Since I live a few states over from Utah, I missed almost every practice and rehearsal. But, luckily, my friend, Trisha helped me learn my parts... Thanks Trish!

Me, Em's, and Trish. Love these girls to bits!

Trish, Me, and Jami. Such a pleasure to dance with them again!

My sister-in-law, Leslie, took these pictures of one of the performances. Thanks, Les!

This picture shows some of the girls that I danced with back in the day.

Left to Right: Suzanne (one of my drill advisor's-- amazing dancer and choreographer!), Jessica, Me, Nicole, Megan (she recently had triplets that are just adorable!), Trish-the-Dish, Steph (Pregnant with her first, yay!), and Jami.I hope this picture doesn't give you nightmares (they actually looked much worse in real life). I got so many HUGE blisters on my feet, from dancing in my bare feet. My feet used to have thick, wonderful (yet very ugly to most) callused soles that I could pirouette on with ease. But, since I hadn't danced for a while, that wasn't the case.

Unfortunately, all of my blisters decided to open-up the night of our first performance... oh, man, it even hurt to walk, let alone turn and leap! But, with lots of medical tape and very deep breaths, I was able to dance my heart out.

April visits in April

The kids and I were able to visit family and friends in Utah last month (Dave stayed home due to school, tests, hours of studying, and other fun stuff--poor guy!). We were there for 2 weeks, but it went by so fast!

Marathon

My super-fit sister (in-law), Christa, ran the SLC marathon the first weekend we were in Utah. Seeing her cross the finish-line was awesome... I even got teary-eyed....

I was just so proud of her!

Christa, my brother Steve, and their adorable Isaac.

My cousin, Kirsten, was also running the SLC marathon-- so, we were able to see her finish as well. She didn't even look winded or anything afterward (when I run just a couple of miles my face turns cherry-red and I sweat like crazy!).

Tulip Festival

All the girls on my side of the family, the cousins, my mom, and Dave's mom Dorothy went to the Beautiful Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. We only saw a very limited portion of the flowers, due to trying to control our wonderfully rambunctious kids. It was very beautiful and great to be outside!

Oh, the JOY of rolling down a grassy hill! Susie and Grandma Dorothy watching the geese and ducks in the lake.

My sweet sister, Sadie Joy, and her four beautiful little women.

Cousins: Malia, Isaac, Grace, Susie, Lennon (in stroller), Pearl, and Sophie.

Sheila (Shay-la)
One of the highlights of the trip was seeing my brother Aaron's horse, Sheila. She is such a gorgeous horse... thanks again, Leslie, for taking us to see her! The kids had a great time with feeding her carrots and apples.

My brother never knew this, but Sheila most likely was a race horse at one time. She has tatooed numbers in her mouth that were discovered more recently. I know that my brother would have bragged about this if he would have known. Pretty cool.My dad and Lennon (Lennon just loved and bonded with his Grandpa so easily).

Grace, Susie, Pearl, Fe, and Aaron Jr. (in the air of course).

My mom, Aaron Jr., and Leslie.

What are you kicking Gracie???

Sister with Lennon boy.

Susie feeding Sheila some hay.

Sweet Pearl Girl.

I love this picture of Sheila and Les.

Home

My mom, so lovingly, took Lennon when he woke up most mornings... so I could get a couple more hours of sleep. Oh, how I miss that!

Pearl, Grace, Susie, Fe Fe showing pride for their ice-cream cones! Isaac was so sweet with Lennon. Malia, Lennon, Isaac.

Ava Starr-- so angelic, so cuddily.

Grandma Dorothy and Lennon.

We had a nice picnic at a nearby park. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

Susie HAD to have a bath in my parents sink everyday... she just loved it!

We went to Temple Square-- I had forgotten how beautiful it is there in the Spring!
(The reason why all these beautiful cousins are smiling so well is because, my mom was trying to tap-dance to make them smile for the picture... too funny)

Pearl by the reflection pool.

Grace and Susie.

Susie, Sadie, my Dad, Pearl, Fe, Grace, and my Mom.

My parents and I.

It was a wonderful trip for me and the kids. Always great to see the fam. Thanks for a wonderful time... we miss you already.