Dance, Anne Girl! Dance!

I love to watch Anne dance!  This was her fourth recital.  When she began, she was so little and it was so cute.  But with each year, we watch her improve.  She becomes more steady and more graceful.

This year, she took two different classes.  Hip/Hop and Tumbling as well as Ballet/Tap.  She enjoyed both but was a bit anxious when it came to the recital.  She had to change costumes and I was not going to be able to help her.  But - she did great! 

We were so proud last Saturday as she performed "The Prodigal Son" with Destiny Dance Center! 

Her "Gypsy" costume

I was not able to get any pictures of her during this dance - she was moving around too fast so all the pics were blurry.  Lots of tumbling, cartwheels, etc.  She did great!

My favorite is still ballet.....

 

Nana came to watch!  She's doing so well.

Anne with Mrs. Tiffany and Ms. Kara        

I cannot tell you enough about how much we LOVE Destiny Dance Center.  Anne gets a quality dance education with a Christian perspective.  She is learning about using dance to worship our Lord.  The recitals they put together every year are remarkable.  It's like a night out at the theater.  Each class has their own part in a full ballet/presentation - telling a wonderful story.  We are so thankful for this opportunity for her.  Next year she moves up to Ballet IV and Hip/Hop and Jazz and we look forward to even more beauty and grace as she grows.

Way to go Anne!  We are so proud of you!!!!

Until next time....

Dance!

We simply LOVE Anne's dance studio.  Destiny Dance Center was an answer to prayer for us.  She loves to dance and we wanted her to have a quality education with a Christian perspective.  She is being educated in the classics while learning to use her dance to worship our Lord. 

We are watching her grow in poise and grace and are so thankful that she enjoys it so much.

This past Monday, she had an Open House and we were able to sit in on her classes and see what she is learning this year.

We put her in a second class this year - Hip Hop and tumbling.  She is really enjoying it - although she does cartwheels ALL over the house!  

She has been working on this one - she is so proud!

Her tumbling friends

Time for Ballet/Tap

 Love this pic - with her teacher, Miss Kara

Ballet/Tap Friends

Christmas Cookies and Snowflake County

We have been so busy lately so I am just now catching up on blogging all of our activities.  Last weekend, we had our annual Christmas Cookie party. 

This year, we had a new helper.  Usually she is napping while be bake.  Not this year!

How cute is this little red head?  Have I told you that she is going to be a big sister?  Yes!!!!  It is true!  Sam and Marc are expecting baby #2 some time mid June.  Next Christmas we will have a new baby in the house!  Whoo hoo!!!!

Such a big helper!

So we spent Friday afternoon rolling and cutting out the cookies.  Sam is always a great help in baking them so I don't have to run back and forth to the oven the whole time.  After 9 years - we make a great team!

Love!!!!

On Saturday night we all sat around the table to decorate. We had a very special guest this year!!!

Can you see who it is????

Emily came all by herself for the weekend!  It was so good to have her spend this time with us.  She flew in on Friday and went back home on Sunday.  It was a quick trip but soooo much fun!

Uncle Russell isn't much for decorating cookies - he enjoys eating them more.  But he is a great help for when the little ones get bored.  If you could have heard the high pitched dialogue going on between Ariel and Rapunzel - it was AWESOME entertainment while we iced cookies!

Not too bad!!!!

Click here for the recipe and directions. 

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On Sunday, the children's choir at our church put on their Christmas musical.

The Secret of Snowflake County

Anne had several different rolls and boy, did she have fun....

She was a ballerina snowflake

A country line dancer - this was her first solo ever.  She did a great job!!!!

"Glory to God on High!"

She had a speaking part as a Wise Man

A Tap Dancing Wise Man

Our favorite was this one - the Silent night rapper

She's a nut.  Loved EVERY minute of it and did a GREAT job!  When I was her age I would have rather hid in a corner somewhere.  I LOVE her confidence.

Anne, Kaylin and Kierstin - Anne's BFF!

Kaylin and Kierstin were both baptized yesterday - so exciting!

Our Christmas is in full swing.  The kids finish out school this week.  Jarod's Science Fair project is complete and will be turned in today. Such a relief!  Anne is busy with class parties.  The Open House at her Dance Studio is this afternoon and Jarod's Scout Christmas party is tonight.

Christmas is extremely tight this year as we aren't spending money on gifts but saving it for our vacation to NC in between Christmas and New Years.  We would rather create memories than add more unnecessary "stuff" to our lives.  

Meggie's appointment went well on Friday.  She passed her eye exam but still needs more drops.  She has some unknown eye infection and they are trying to clear it up.  Otherwise all is well.

Praying for the families in Connecticut.  Can't even imagine the loss they are experiencing.

Closing out and reorganizing all my Apparent Project stuff for the year.  Have some exciting news to FINALLY share with you soon - stay tuned!

Until next time......

 

Dance Recital 2012 "The True Princess"

It's that time of year again - time for Anne's Dance Recital.  I have to say that this year went down without one major hitch!  Unlike last year!

This year's theme was "The True Princess" and Anne was a butterfly in the royal garden.  She danced beautifully!  We are so impressed by her improvement.

So pretty!

Proud Nana!

We love our Anne Girl!!!

Christmas Programs

I should totally be working on some Calligraphy projects right now but decided to go ahead and post these photos before my day got away from me.

This is the last week of school before Christmas Break and as always, it is full of parties, open houses, etc.  It's been a busy week!

Tuesday was the Open House at Destiny Dance Center.  This is basically a time where we get to sit in on a typical dance class and see all that they have learned so far this year.  And they had a special Christmas performance for us as well. 

 Getting ready for class

 Love this "Ballet Sit"

Practicing on the bar

 Class Pose - after their dance routine to "Over the River and Through the Woods"

 Time for Tap - Love the smile!!!

That's our Anne Girl!!!!  So pretty.....

Today was her Class Christmas Breakfast.  She got to wear her PJ's to school and take her pillow, blanket and a stuffed animal for story time.

Russ and I went for breakfast and each student has a part of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" Poem.

They did great!

 Waiting her turn

"The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave the luster of midday to objects below."

 "He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself."

How cute is that?

The kids have a half day tomorrow and then are off for almost 3 weeks!