Pics of Kids

Brianna's dance company have pics taken every fall. It's with a great photographer, and includes hair and makeup. This year I decided to have them do Conner's pics as well. And no, he didn't do the hair and makeup. Not even a little bit!

And I wish they got along this good all the time. Really though, they do get along very well, except when Conner tries to scare Brianna, like he just did, and now she's crying. Sigh. Kids, what can you do.

What, she's only 11. No way. Are you sure? She's gorgeous! Has she done any modeling? Wow, is that her real hair? Is it naturally curly? She's so lucky to have hair like that. Her eyes are amazing. Such pretty eyes. She's tall for only being 11. Are you sure she's only 11.

These are just a few of the comments I hear from people about Brianna. Makes me happy, since I did have so much to do with how cute she is.....NOT.

Setting up the tree, and Santa

Brianna and Talia with Santa after her dance recital. It was so cute, Talia was too shy to talk to Santa, so she whispered in Brianna's ear what she wanted for Christmas. Oh, and the reason Brianna is in an indian costume is because one of the dances was a Peter Pan production, and she played an indian. Now you know.

Conner taking a break from setting up the tree. It's hard work you know, and he needed a guitar jam session to recharge himself. And notice the vacuum in the pic. That's Conner's new vacuum. Really, he loves to use it. Our old one was horrible, and this one really 'sucks'.

Conner and Brianna set up the tree this year. We were really slow for some reason, and then it took a few more days to get it decorated. Too busy.

Winter wonderland

We have a ton of snow these past few weeks. And of course, this is the one year I didn't buy snow clothes for the kids. So after the first storm, off I went to Wallies to get snow gear. They have been having a lot of fun, and I even got a snowman this year!

This is how much snow we got in just a few hours. I love our willow tree when it is covered with snow.

Conner playing in his snow cave he has been building. The girls wanted to help, and he said they could, as long as they don' change anything!!

Brianna and her freind Rachel in the snow cave. They played outside for hours and hours, and got just a little bit cold.

In the snow, Brianna, Rachel and Conner.

The Cheetah Girls.......suck.

For Brianna's birthday in October, I got Cheetah Girl tickets for her and a few freinds. She has been so excited for the last 4 months. We got a cute new outfit to wear, planned a fun day, the whole nine yards. And what do we find out the night before the concert? Cancelled. Yep, no show. Scheduling conflict. Whatever that means. Maybe they didn't sell enough tickets, who knows. I have a very sad little girl, and nothing else is coming to Utah any time soon. Bummer.

Conners Jazz Ensemble Concert

This is my baby boy Conner. Okay, he's not so baby any more. He's big ole Freshman who loves music. He started out Jr Hi playing the Clarinet, but moved up to Tenor Sax. He is in Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and just finished up with Marching Band. Yup, he LOVES music. And girls, but that's a whole nother story. Oh, and he's playing the guitar too, but that's just for fun. If only he liked school work as much.
Conner thinkin' he's all that! Well, I guess he is. Could be that I am a bit biased though.

In the Jazz Ensemble this year, he was picked to do a solo in a few songs. He felt a little overwelmed, so he dropped back to just one solo. I recorded it, but it was with my little camera, because someone, I won't name names.... Conner.... lost the charging cable for the camcorder. Anyway, I will load that later, takes a little while I guess.

The most talented kids....EVER!!!

I know, I say it all the time. I have amazing kids. But I can't help but say it when they just continue to show me how truely talented they are.
This time it's Brianna who amazed me. She decided she wanted to do an entry for Reflections. The theme this year was "Wow", and she wanted to do a dance. She, and her friend Rachel, picked the music, choreographed the dance, came up with costumes, then had me film them performing the dance. It was cute, but you know, an 11 year old choreographed it.
Well, today I got a phone call saying she won, and is moving on to the council level. They also want her to perform it at the awards ceremony. Wow is all I can say!! They are worried the stage might be too small, but they are excited.

The Pulse Dance Convention

Brianna on the first day of the convention. She is in the intermediate group, about 500 or so in this room. My camera battery was dying, so my pics aren't too good. I'll get some better ones soon. The convention has some of the best choreographer/dancers around teaching the classes. This level has 4 classes on each of two days. They learn danced combinations very quickly, and have a great time. It's exhausting for the girls, but they learn so much in a short amount of time. Brianna's feet are killing her by Sunday night, but she's got a smile on her face!

I can't remember which teacher had this in the dance, but it's very interesting. One teacher, Tyce Diorio, asked the class who knows how to do a particular jump they were working on. Brianna raised her hand, and he had her do it. He said she needed to flex her foot more, but great job. Of course, I was in line getting her lunch, so missed a great photo op. Darn lunch line at Pizza Hut!!! But I was so proud she was brave enough to raise her hand.

This is at the Q&A period on the last day. See what I say about a smile. She was so tired and sore, but doing what she loves best!!