Recital: A Night in NYC

Recitals are always fun, but I was ESPECIALLY excited for Whitney's dance recital this year.

I couldn't wait to watch her dance en pointe!

Eeeeek!

So beautiful!

But.... added bonus...she got the role of Miss Hannigan in the musical theater production of Annie.

And she rocked it.

Oh. my. goodness.

That girl can put on a show. She lit up the stage. I LOVED watching her. And hearing her lavished with praise when the show was over.

The only downside???  ANDREW WAS OUT OF TOWN!! What??? Andrew doesn't even travel that often for work, usually about once a month for 3-4 days. But this was a big HR meeting in California that he couldn't get out of. He missed the show. I was SOOOOO bummed. Luckily, Miss Shelley is an amazing teacher and great friend who arranged for a dress rehearsal on the stage at the stake center so Andrew could watch. So awesome!

She danced in four numbers, plus the Annie production. It was a busy couple of nights!

New York, New York

A Rockettes number for Musical Theater

For some reason, I didn't take good pics at the recital.

I'm sharing a couple from the dress rehearsal instead.

Copellia,

Ballet III

Black Swan Variation,

Pointe and Pre Pointe

NYC,

Hip Hop

Annie,

Musical Theater

Curtain Call

Hogging the spotlight...

until Miss Shelley gave her a love kick off the stage. :)

Landyn came to watch!

So did Gigi and Grandpa G and Grandma Cuca...

but they ran off before I could get a pic!

So grateful for a fabulous dance teacher who
brings out the best in Whitney!
We love Miss Shelley!

For those who would like to watch the videos,
here you go! Enjoy!

Mother's Day

Oh, how I love being a mother. 

I learn so much as I try to raise these munchkins. (Am I allowed to call my six foot son a munchkin?) I have opportunities to serve them every day. And service builds love.

They make me laugh. Every day. It is so fun to sit around the dinner table and giggle together. Especially when the jokes DO NOT involve potty humor. :/

I love watching them work hard at the things they love. It makes me happy to see them succeed.

They forgive me when I fall short. And they are patient with me as I keep trying to do better.

I'm grateful that we have a day set aside to celebrate motherhood, one of my cherished roles.

(And they humor when I want to do lengthy family photo shoots!)

What April Looked Like

Our first backyard fire pit cookout of the year. Yea!

We got close to Sister Soderquist while she was serving in

our ward and were sad to see her go!

Silk worms...

or a whole slew of caterpillars in the tree.

Creepy.

B got to go to Disney World with the high school band.

Lucky!

He has been saving up all year and couldn't wait to go!

He loved it.

The happiest place on Earth!

Limbo

Ready to play!

Care Bear's birthday tribute to Whit

Our elementary school did a Color Run this year.

The PTA helped organize it.

And Caroline ran in it.

Fun!!

She did the 1 mile fun run and did a great job!

Whit volunteered to help spray people along the route.

Fun job!

I helped set up and hand out color packets.

Didn't anticipate coming home looking like this!

April= Garden planting time!

Andrew loves having a guitar buddy.

April also = Teacher Appreciation Week

(At least at our school!)

My friends decided to make flower wreaths for all 80 teachers and staff.

They asked me to help.

I was REALLY bad at it.

I made 4.

And then gave all my carnations to Emily, the flower whisperer.

One of C's new besties: KK,

A new neighbor who just moved in.

And loves to do cleaning projects during play dates!

She's my new favorite friend, too! :)

She and R had an "almost sleepover."
Since Andrew and I are not big fans of
staying the night at friends' homes,
the girls had a late-night play date instead.
They loved it.

Took the family to watch the first half of 

Into the Woods at UNCG. So good!

Stopped at Yum Yum afterward.

Took Whit on her first family temple trip!

So special!!