Date Night!

We used to go down to the Bellagio gardens a lot to see the new displays.  Then we realized that they were the same displays over and over again.  We kind of took a break going down there, unless we had company.  Then I heard they had a new summer one set up.  For date night, we went down to the gardens to check them out.  They were so pretty!  We loved the theme.  It was like Nemo meets Little Mermaid.  In fact, they played the music from Little Mermaid and Nemo.  It was so pretty.  The mermaid was a bit creepy, but it was cool to see all the flowers and shells that made her tail.  I think going at night made it prettier.  Super cool!

End Of The Year Lacrosse Party

Today we had Ian's end of the year lacrosse party.  It was so fun.  It was a pool party.  Here's the funny thing, it has been very cold here in Vegas.  Well, cold for us in May.  So it was a bit chilly.  The boys had fun anyway.  One of the moms did this picture.  Can you believe it?  She did this for each of the boys.  It was super nice.  Even though our name is spelled wrong, it is perfect.  Don and I didn't say anything because she had worked so hard on it, we didn't want to hurt her feelings.  We love the pictures!

Another mom made this amazing cake!  It is so cute!  These mom's are talented!

It was a great year.  We love lacrosse!  It is so fun.  We have an amazing coach!  He is so good with the boys.  I am very grateful!

Along with the picture, Ian got this ball with his name and number on it.  How cool is that?

Great Week For The Kids!

It has been an amazing week for my kids!  First off, Aubrey had tryouts for captain.  It seemed a bit stressful to me!    She had to write an essay, have a certain GPA, do a warm-up, go across the floor, teach a combination, and have an interview with the coach.  Then the team voted on it!  In the end, Aubrey and her friend Syanne, were voted captain of Dance Fusion 2015-2016!  They have been working on this all year.  They have tried to be a huge support to the team, they have choreographed dances for show, musicals,  and battle of the sexes (Syanne) Syanne even served on dance counsel!  They have been working so hard for this moment.  Their hard work has finally paid off!  Not only that, but I feel like this year has been the year when Aubrey's training and hard work is being recognized!  I am so proud of her and all of her hard work.  It has paid off.

Then we got an email from the lacrosse league.  Ian has won the award for Rising Stars in the league!  Rising stars are players recognized by their coaches as up in coming talent, possessing the skills, desire and game knowledge, needed to lead their teams/programs in the future! He was pretty excited about this.  It is his second year in the row he has been nominated!! We are so proud of him!

Happy Sunday!

This one really made me think.  It made me reevaluate how I think about service.  It even made me repent and ask for forgiveness.

 



Dance Fusion Banquet!

Last night we had Aubrey's Dance Fusion end of the year banquet.  It is so hard to believe that the year is done.  Yeah, it is only done until Tuesday, when the new team begins to practice and captains are chosen.  Anyway, I can't say enough wonderful things about this program!  In fact, I am scared to say anything.  I fear that I might jinx it!  For the past two years, things have been wonderful on this team.  What is even more wonderful is watching my daughter grow as a dancer.  It has been a real joy.  I am so grateful for these girls and the hard work they put into this team.  Most importantly, it is fun!  Aubrey just has fun!  That makes it all worth it.

 

 

Aubrey lettered this year.  That means she had to do so many hours of community service related to dance, choreograph a solo and perform it, choreograph a group dance and have it performed, and keep her grades up.  She worked hard and got it done!  We are super proud of her.  This is her and Mrs. Dunn!

One of the cute things the team does is the captains come up with team superlatives.  This year they were so funny.  This year Aubrey was in two hip  hop dances. Anyone that knows her knows that is totally not Aubrey.  She did it and the girls said she did awesome.  So tonight the captains said that she is such a ballerina that they gave her "most likely to hit the whip during the Nutcracker!"  Perfect!

The Juniors gave the captains their superlatives.

For years these two talked about being on the same team!  This year their dreams came true.  I am so grateful Aubrey has a "little sister" like Rachel!  I love their relationship!  They are so sweet together.

Mrs. Dunn gave all the girls this picture with this quote. It is so good.  I hope the girls always remember this year!  It was awesome!

Left over pictures from this year!

Guitar Concert

Ian had his guitar concert last night.  I think he did wonderful but he said he didn't!  Well, I didn't notice.  The sad thing is, this might be his last one.  The new guitar teacher isn't very nice and really puts down the kids.  At first I thought that Ian was just saying that, but then I was told by other people that this was true.  Ian can't take it anymore, so he says he is done.  He wants to do publications.  So we will see when he get's his schedule next year.  Anyway, we think he did good!

His  favorite piece was the Beatle medley.  It is everybody, the beginner guitar, intermediate, and advance guitars playing together.



Happy Mother's Day!

Today was Mother's Day.  Honestly, I was not in the mood for this holiday this week.  I had a bad week and felt like the worse mother in the world.  The last thing I needed was to sit in church and hear talks about how amazing mothers are.  I felt like the worse.  Well, church went well.  The talks were wonderful and nothing is better than hearing the primary children sing.  I swear we have the cutest kids in our ward!  Then I got a rose and chocolate from the ward.  Listen, all the women in church want chocolate on Mother's Day!  You can't go wrong with that gift!  Forget the flower, just give us the chocolate!  When my husband was over the Mother Day gifts, he would get white chocolate popcorn!  Dang, those were the days!!!  Good stuff!  Then after church we went home and got to Skype Austin!  That is the best.  I loved talking to him.  He is doing so good and he is so happy.  I think he will be ready to come home in August.  I am so glad he is in Leland!  It sounds like a great city, and everyone is treating him so good!  I love it.

After that we ate dinner.  The family made me ravioli.  It was super good.  Then we opened presents!  I love my Lush bath bombs and my new running shoes.  I was super excited.  The best part was getting a very nice letter from Don about me being a mother.  I really appreciated that.  Also, I loved that the family cleaned the house this week!  That was super good!  It was a great holiday.  Everyone made me feel wonderful.  I hope I can live up to all of this.  It does make me want to try harder and be better!

Spring Dance Concert

This week has been a crazy week!  It was the dance team's spring concert!  This meant long rehearsals, hours at the high school, going to the show, and working the show.  On top of that, Aubrey had one of her AP exams.  It was insane, but totally worth it!  She did so good.  Every time I watch her dance I am amaze at how talented she is!  She has grown so much as a dancer and a choreographer!!!  It gets better and better every year!!  Also, it is a sad time.  The new team is chosen (Yes, Aubrey made it again.) and this is the last time the seniors perform.  I worked backstage on the last night with the team.  It was heartbreaking to see the girls so emotional.  It has been another amazing year!!! These girls all come from different backgrounds and have different personalities, but when they come together to dance....it's magic!  I am so grateful Aubrey loves dancing on this team and I am so grateful for these sweet girls.  It has been great!

To our surprise, Aubrey got put in a hip hop dance.  Now she normally does not do hip hop.  These girls were taking a risk with her.  Then last night they told me that they loved having her in the dance because even though she struggles with it, she goes full out and gives it her best.  Then it looks amazing.  The girls said they were proud of her!  She killed it!

Alex is always a good sport and supports Aubrey and her dancing!

Aubrey had another dance get in the show.  She choreographed a dance called Love Lost.  On the first night one of her favorite dance teachers came and watched the second half of the show.  She had choreographed the closing number.  She saw a dance and texted one of the girls backstage to ask who they hired to choreograph the dance in the red dresses, Love Lost.  The girl said that they didn't hire anyone, that was Aubrey's dance.  Aubrey's dance teacher was amazed!  She said she couldn't believe a high school girl did that and that she went home and thought about that dance all night.  It was one of her favorites.  She told Aubrey that she needs to become a choreographer.  Funny, that is what she wants to do.  Aubrey was thrilled!  That was a huge compliment for her!  Especially coming from this person!

Of course her biggest fan is her Daddy!

Aubrey's dance, Love Lost.  Unfortunately the sound people cut off the ending.  Not one night, but both nights that I was there!  So this is not the right ending.  Let's just say her teacher was not pleased!