Can't Stop Dancin'!

I always LOVE the dance recital--watching my two beautiful dancers is one of my favorite things in life! This year's recital day was especially packed for us as we celebrated Dane's baptism in the morning and had the girls' recital in the afternoon. The recital's theme was "The Seasons." Natasha performed her jazz and lyrical routines with her Premier Company and her two jazz and lyrical routines with her audition Pro team. She was also in several new numbers for the recital, including a cool hip-hop routine. Fynnley performed an adorable bumblee number and "Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night" to open the recital. And that little lady knows how to shake it! She can groove with the best of them.
In Natasha's opening number, she rolled her ankle and fell to the stage--my heart stopped! I was sure she was hurt and might not be able to finish the recital. I ran back stage to see if she was okay and she just looked at me like I was crazy...she was fine! Luckily, some of the dancers hadn't made the costume change in time, so they stopped the show and re-did that number. I was SO grateful she was able to finish showing off all her hard work and talent...because she is one lovely dancer!
It was also an emotional night for Natasha and her teams as one of their favorite teachers, Amber Strong, was moving on to another studio and taking some of the team girls with her. As a tribute to her and all her tutelage for the last several years, Natasha's team performed a tribute to Amber with each girl doing part of her favorite "Amber choreography." I have grown close to Amber over the years as well and am sad to see her go. I appreciate all she has taught my daughter and wish her the best. In spite of the bittersweet emotion, it was a really beautiful recital--so proud of both my girls...

Amber and my girls who love her!

I don't care how old they get, they will always be my two tiny dancers!

Natasha and two team friends--Kimmy May and Kaiti Guiver

Dane wanted a photo hug with his two sissys!

I Want To Be The Best I Can, And Live With God Again...

Three of the best days of my life have been when my children are baptized. I am filled with joy to see these beautiful spirits walk in the footsteps of the Savior and choose to join His church. And it reminds me once again how blessed I am to be entrusted as their mother. So many days, I feel inadequate in raising them the way the Lord would have me do. But when I look at their little faces and feel their arms wrapped around me giving me a hug and expressing their devotion, I know that my four little people are the only souls on earth who love me truly unconditionally. They trust me, they miss me when I am gone, they seek me for comfort, they have come to my home for a specific purpose and I must do my best to fulfill that role in their lives. I am more grateful than I can express to have each of them as my child.
When I think of the day this little boy entered my world, he looked so different...and, at the same time, so the same. His blond floppy locks were spiky black tufts, his deep blue eyes were dark black...but that nose was the same, that 'turtle' smile completely recognizable. I had really hoped to have another son after Connor and was so happy to have my Dane Trajan come to join us. I took him home from the hospital and wanted to do nothing but ignore everyone else and stare at my bundle all day. He had the sweetest face and was oh-so-cuddly. As a baby and young toddler, he would spend hours snuggled on my lap while I read or worked on the computer. He would pop those two fingers in, stroke his blue blankey between first finger and thumb and be perfectly content with the world. As soon as he could string words together into sentences, he began asking the deepest (and sometimes toughest!) questions. He pondered the universe more than any child I know. To this day, he is my most inquisitive, my most thoughtful...he is a boy I am proud of and will forever love! Congratulations, my Daney-boy, on your wise decision to be baptized. May the gospel ever bring answers to the questions of your heart! We love you!

Such a handsome guy!

June 25, 2011

So excited for his big day!

My boys--with purple ties!

So proud of his decision to be baptized!

He wanted to make sure Daddy drove them to the church in the cool car!

We love you, Dane!

You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Par-tay!

I love that most of my kids have summer birthdays. We can have a party outside and let the guests run wild! For Dane's 8th birthday party, we invited his three best com padres (Jackson Thacker, JJ Thomas, cousin Dylan) to go to Classic Skating. The boys ran their scooters around the track for about ten minutes, then declared it was too boring! So, at the risk of having a completely lame-o party, I hauled them to the nickel arcade and started doling out the coins. We then headed to Scera Park in Orem for cupcakes and gifts. Aunt Kathy's crew and Grandma and Grandpa Bar (as well as Daddy, Natasha and Fynnley) met us at the park to join in the fun. Dane was so surprised and stoked to get an electric scooter that he insisted on immediately zipping around the park. Pretty sure we'll be seeing him on it for the rest of the summer. He loved all the rest of his gifts and declared it to be a great birthday!

Fynnley, Dane, Dylan, Jackson, JJ, Connor

Oh, We're Going To The Hukilau...

28 people and seven days in Oahu, Hawaii requires more attention than just one blog post! (That's why I'm making a Hawaii Book to do it justice!) But let it be known that Grammy Su and Grandpa Bar fulfilled a lifetime dream for them (and us!) to fly their entire family for a vacation together to a very special place to them: Turtle Bay! With all the interaction and influence Mom and Dad have had with those at BYU-Hawaii, and all the trips they have taken there over the years, they wanted to take their family together to experience some of the joys the island has to offer. We packed in as many activities as we could get away with and spent some quality time together as a family. We can't wait to go back again someday!! Thanks Grammy and Grandpa for the grand adventure we will never forget!

We got lei'd at the airport when we arrived! LOL!

Fun surprise from Grammy and Grandpa--the leis smelled gorgeous!

Playing around on the grounds in front of our condo units at Turtle Bay.

Loving the view from the grounds of Turtle Bay!

A little boogie-boarding at Hanauma Bay!

Dane loved trying to snorkel!

Chillaxing with my sweetie!

My bathing beauty!

This boy is a fish! We couldn't get him out of the ocean!

The end of a crazy fishing trip with some really high waves (and some really sick boys!)

The whole gang touring the grounds of the Laie Temple

Waimea Falls on the North Shore

Teaching the kids about the tragedy of Pearl Harbor

My tribal warriors!

One of our favorite days--VIP treatment at the Polynesian Cultural Center!

Waimea Bay mermaids and mermen (oldest to youngest)!

Aloha from Hawaii!

What Time Is It? Summertime!

I get such a kick from being at Legacy Elementary the minute before the bell rings signaling the school year's end! You can cut the anticipation with a knife--those kids are EXCITED!! And it's tradition for us to go to lunch and buy a "job-well-done" prize at Target as soon as they are released. Then, we decided to stop at Grammy's to say 'hi'.

Dane and his 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Stone

Connor and his 5th grade teacher, Mr. Barlow

Connor and his ex-girlfriend! (LOL)

Connor and his current girlfriend!

Some lunch to celebrate!

Grammy's gorgeous flowers