Las Vegas getaway

Last week Kent and I went to Las Vegas for Showest (that's the theater industry trade show). I was so excited to get out of town and especially to get to go somewhere warm. The weather was perfect - mid 70's to low 80's. The trade show itself was good but my biggest interest was some rest and relaxation. Kent and I walked the trade show floor one day and then the next day when Kent wanted to go back and look through again, he insisted that I stay at the condo and relax by the pool. Okay, twist my arm! It was 80 degrees that day! I sat by the pool reading a book and even taking a nap. After a few hours in the sun (I even got a little sunburned) Kent got back and we went to lunch/dinner. Of course we ate at a few buffets and we got to do some shopping at the outlet malls. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and we came home on the day that Idaho Falls got a blizzard. Thank goodness for little getaways like this so I don't go crazy waiting and waiting and waiting for spring to finally come to Idaho!

Yeah for Spring!

The weather man says it will be in the 60's today! I think I'll paint my toenails and dig out my sandals! I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but the fact that we live in Idaho causes me to be realistic. We better enjoy the "warmth" and sunshine while we can - we could still get a blizzard! But for today, Happy Spring everyone!! Enjoy your day!

Nationals & Shoulder Surgery

Bonneville High School Ballroom Team

We spent last Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Ballroom nationals in Provo last week. Brandon danced with the Bonneville High School team and Tyler danced with Extreme Ballroom. Both of them did awesome! We were so proud of them! Ashley was on spring break from Utah State so she got to go with us. It was fun to have the whole family down there together - even the dog got to go!

Extreme Ballroom Preteen Medley's LatinExtreme Ballroom Preteen Medley's Standard

With nationals over, Brandon was ready to get his injured shoulder fixed. He tore some cartlidge in his right shoulder quite a while ago and has been waiting for ballroom season to be over to get it fixed. He has been in a lot of pain so he was ready. He had the surgery today and everything went great. The doctor was able to repair the torn cartlidge and also clean up some bursitis from one of his tendons. He is already in a lot less pain and I think he's just glad to have it over with!

It's Ballroom Dance Season!

Brandon striking a pose at the end of their Rock Medley

Tis the season for ballroom dance competitions which means our lives right now are all about the kids (isn't it always all about the kids?). Last weekend we had the Gem State Competition here in Idaho Falls. Brandon dances with Bonneville High School's Ballroom Dance Team and they did so AWESOME! They are doing a rock latin medley which is just so cool and we were all so proud of their performance. They took 2nd place only 1.4 points behind the 1st place winner. Tyler dances with the Extreme Ballroom Preteen Medley Team. They danced a Latin Medley to Kung Fu Panda and a Standard Medley to Monsters, Inc. They took 1st place in their age group. Tyler also danced an open latin routine with Taylor Taggart and they took 1st place. They did AWESOME! Sara dances with the Extreme Preteen Show Team and they also took 1st in their division. Tyler and Sara also competed in several syllabus dances and I was so proud of them. This was Sara's first year dancing in the Preteen Division so she was competing against kids quite a bit older than her. Next up is Nationals in Provo next week. We love ballroom dance at our house and we love watching our kids perfom. We're so proud of them!Tyler and Taylor Taggart with their 1st place medals
Kent was so proud of how well Sara did so he bought her a rose

Brandon's first formal dance

This year Valentine's Day brought our 16 year old son's first formal dance. Of course we all thought he looked mighty fine in his rented tux! He went to the Sweetheart Dance at Bonneville High School with ShayNiel Burch - a very close friend of his! They had a great time and looked awesome!Ashley, Brandon, Tyler, Sara and Max
Brandon and Shay

'til we meet again...

Our family has had an adopted grandma. Oma Jones has been such a big part of our life for so long that we consider her family and we love her like our own grandma. She has been sick the last several weeks and we have known that her time to go home to her Heavenly Father was coming soon. Last Sunday we took all of the kids into the care center where she was to visit one last time. She was not coherent at all but the kids all got the chance to give her a hug and a kiss and tell her that they love her. It was very emotional. The next day Kent and I went back in to check on her and she was actually more coherent and we were able to talk to her. She said she was ready to go home to Don (her husband that has been gone for quite a few years). We told her that it was okay and that we would miss her but that we would all be okay if she was ready to go. Yesterday she was not awake much at all and then at around 5:30 she just peacefully passed away. We will surely miss her but we are so glad that she is now free from pain and we know that she is having a sweet reunion in heaven.Ashley and Grandma OmaThe kids with Oma last October

Life was easier when the kids were in diapers!

For all of you "young" moms out there, this is for you. Enjoy every moment because it goes by too stinkin fast and before you know it, your babies are teenagers/young adults and you lose all control over them!!! I love all my kids and have enjoyed (almost) every moment being there mom. But oh how I miss the days when my older kids would sit on my lap and tell me that they would love me forever. It's so hard to let go and watch your kids transition into adulthood when all you can do is stand by and hope that you have done all you can do to make them want to choose the right. Prayer is a wonderful thing! So far my kids have done great and I'm hoping and praying that they continue to do well. For now I'm enjoying the time I have left with my little ones at home and savoring every moment that my youngest tells me that she'll love me forever. Trust me, it was much easier when they were in diapers!