We rang the New Year in with the Francis', Harwoods and Argyles. Always a good time and everyone looks forward to the gingerbread house burning!
I bought this chair with birthday and Christmas money from my parents. It's going in my (our) office! It's pretty and cheerful and makes me smile!
I did a photoshoot for Amanda and her friend, Chezney. Amanda and Chez are seminary, skiing/boarding buddies. They went to Snowbasin almost everyday during Christmas break, every Saturday and this past 4 day weekend (MLK day and teacher work day). They go to all the parties together....cute girls!
Sydney came along to help me out! She looks excited, right? Or she's checking out the $5 corn dog truck across the street. She and I checked it out during the summer and it's pretty good :)We had thought about getting Mike a beta fish for his office as a Christmas present. Then, we ran out of time. Sydney, Brandon and Mike had gone to St George over the MLK holiday (I stayed home with Amanda so she could go boarding), and got talking about a fish. Mike mentioned to Sydney that he would like a fish and that was all she needed.
Last night, after she got home from babysitting the Lloyd twins, we ran to PetCo and picked out this tank, plants and the prettiest beta fish ever...next to Gil, Sydney's beta fish. But, he has issues. He won't swim down. It's almost like his big fins don't work. We are watching him, but aren't sure he's going to make it. I did get him to eat 3 pellets today and he tries to swim down....it's so weird! I'll need to call the store.
Those 3 had fun in St. George. Shopping (Mike was amazed at Sydney's shopping talent), bike ride, movie, rest, hike, eating out.....I was alone most of that time. Amanda was boarding or out with friends for the night. (She did a kicker yesterday-a big jump that she did twice!) One night, Ally Megill slept over.
We went to church (still not on time). As a Primary Presidency, we are working to help the kids learn the Articles of Faith. Missy Couser does a fabulous job teaching and helping the kids to recite each week. Sunday, we made it a pass off day. The kids came to us after church and recited the AoF and we gave them a piece of candy and they got to staple a #1 to the board. Huge success! We even had the 3 year old Morgan twins recite the whole Article of Faith to me! Amazing! So much fun!
Brandon started ski lessons. He hated the first week. Mike bought a $20 Little Cat (bunny hill) pass the first day and thought that he and B would just practice after his 2 hour lesson while Amanda boarded for the rest of the day. Well, B hated it and wouldn't go down more than 2 times. Mike & Brandon ended up in the car waiting for Amanda.
The second week, he did better. They didn't practice afterward because Amanda had a charity show for her studio.
Amanda and I spent the day at Corner Canyon High in Draper for dress rehearsal. Sydney stayed home and waited for the boys. Then, they all came for the performance. My Mom & Dad and Cozette and Elyse came, too! So awesome to support her! Turns out we had a relative at the charity (Utah Parent Center), Jenny Gibson. Anyway, my parents recognized her and reconnected.
The show was amazing! They had 3 studios total. The Pointe in Orem and AED from Draper. Mike had Baileys be a sponsor, so their name is on the tshirt. Woot woot! It was a great day and a great show! Amanda's team did a hip hop (pictured above) routine that after the rehearsal, two of the teachers sought me out and told me how great Amanda danced! She loves hip hop and you can tell in her dancing. They also did a contemporary routine with just 5 dancers. She looked very pretty and very graceful....even with a bunion that is killing her!
A quick stop at Cafe Rio for old times sake. When we lived in Draper, that was about the only place besides Neil's that we would eat. It's changed so much out there! I drove past the farm and it looks terrible. The people who bought it from Bud & Kay do not take care of it like Bud & Kay did. It was a long day for everyone, but I loved every minute and wouldn't change a thing! I wonder what we will do to keep busy once we don't do our kids things every weekend! I'm in no hurry to find out :)