After 51 Years, They Moved...

Last year about this time my dad told me he was thinking about moving because the yard was getting too much to keep up with and my mom is requiring more supervision and can't be left alone. He got serious and started looking at lots. He found a 55 and older subdivision about 5 minutes away from our house where he could build a new house and put money down on it. Over the last year we have watched the house being built and now, here we are on March 18 and their house is all done! Their house is so beautiful and so perfect for them. 

One of the hardest parts about the move is that my mom can't remember that they are moving. Every time we would talk about it she would say, "well no one told me I was moving," or "how come I didn't get a say in this?" When we would try to tell her that she was a part of the process the whole time, she would get angry and deny it. It makes me sad because my mom always wanted to move to South Jordan and now that she is, she can't remember it. I know this move will be hard on her, but at this point, we have to choose who it will be hardest on, and staying in their old house is too hard for my dad. 

We moved them into their new house and as I was taking out some trash, I saw this rainbow. It was a good reminder of a new beginning. 

The following week I helped my parents clean out their old house. My parents were lucky to find a buyer without having to put the house on the market and deal with showings. The new owner is the son of a family in my parents neighborhood. The whole process of buying the house and selling their old one was a very smooth process, which helps me to believe that this was meant to be. 

I spent some time alone in their house while cleaning and I make a very conscious effort as I was in each room to remember memories. I remembered Christmas mornings in the living room with all of my brothers excitedly opening presents. I remember helping my mom in the kitchen making dinner. I loved summer nights playing on the tramp. Part of me is so sad that I won't be able to just walk into my childhood home anymore, but I am so glad my parents live closer now and some of the stress of keeping up with their house is over. 

I went with my parents as they closed on the old house. They cheered with sparkling cider

And this is it... the last picture of my parents at their old house. 

Here's to new memories. 

Leave It on the Dance Floor

The girls had their first team competition on March 16. Our day started out bright and early as we watched Brynnli's trio kill it! They did so great and they all had so much sass. 

The girls got High Gold and Judges Choice. Brynnli was so excited to get her very first trophy!

Then it was off to get ready for team dances. Between the two girls and 7 different dances, there wasn't much time. The dressing room and the stage were in two different buildings, so I had to keep running back and forth. I was absolutely exhausted by the end. At one point I literally ran down the hallway and up the stairs and barely made it to see Makayla's dance. The girls all did so great in their team dances. 

Does Brynnli think she's a rock star? 

We love watching our girls dance

Makayla's contemporary and lyrical placed in the overall age category and her jazz dance placed in the overall intermediate division. Makayla got to go up on stage to accept the award.  

Brynnli's hip hop placed in the overall beginning division and Brynnli got to go up and accept the award. 

This was such a fun competition and I can't wait for the next one. 

A Lesson in Never Giving Up- Guest Authored by Makayla

Hi it's Makayla! This competition was very memorable and here's why. I was very nervous going into the Venue competition because it was like the first real competition of the season. When we got into the dressing room, I was told I was going to be going up against my friend Avery, and a really great dancer named Annabel. Knowing who I was going up against really psyched me out. I did my dance, and I remember feeling like I didn't do my best. I was pretty upset and didn't think I would win any awards. 

When it was time for awards, they called my division and I automatically thought I wouldn't win. They announced 4th place and it wasn't me! I ended up winning first in my division and I was very proud! 

They continued on with awards and then started the overalls. I never thought I would make it to the overalls, but just like that they called me as 4th overall in the teen division. It was my first time in the teen division too. I was so proud of myself and could not stop thinking about how great I did. 

 This was a great competition, but more importantly was the message I learned. I learned to never give up, especially when you doubt yourself. 

March Madness

March Madness is here... get it? Because Caden is playing lots of basketball.

Caden finished up playing church ball. His Deacons team played in the playoffs and his team won the first game, so they got to play in the final game. Unfortunately they lost that game, but Caden had a lot of fun and learned how intense church ball can be. 

Caden also finished up with his Bantam season. They did so great and went 8-2 for the season. 

We love cheering on our Number 35!

This was a great team and Caden really liked playing for the coach. Hopefully they will be able to play again next season. 

They boys made it into the semi final game. Unfortunately they lost this game and were out, but they fought hard. 

We had Caden's team over to our house after the last game for a little party to celebrate a great season. 

We love to watch Caden play basketball and are so impressed with how hard he works. Caden insists on getting to all of his practices early so he can get in some extra shots in before the game starts. He works so hard and has improved so much. Keep up the good work Buddy!

Synergy Showcase

It's my favorite time of year!! We finally get to see the girls' dance and see how hard they have been working all year in preparation for competition season. The girls are in 9 dances this year between the two girls, and they both did so great in all of their dances. 

Brynnli is on Team Obisdian this year, and her team is young, but really good! Brynnli's jazz dance is called "Cinderella". Brynnli is such a sassy dancer and does so great in this dance. 

Lyrical is called "Blackbird" 

Their hip hop dance is a clown dance called "Get Silly". It is so cute and Brynnli has quite a few parts where she is showcased. 

Both girls in their hip hop out fits. 

Brynnli's cute friends, Arissah and Pearl, who she also does her trio dance with

Then it was Makayla's turn. Makayla is on Team Venture. Her hip hop dance is called Party. 

Since Makayla made a higher team this year, she gets to do 4 dances instead of 3. I love her contemporary dance choreographed by Haiden who also choreographed her solo, Brynnli's trio, and Brynnli's hip hop. I love anything and everything Haiden choreographs, and their contemporary is no exception. Makayla has a showcased part where she does a turn sequence that is so good! She does like, 4 or 5 turns!

Makayla's lyrical dance is amazing. It is called Auschwitz, and they are in a concentration camp and their costumes are pajamas. It is reminiscent of the movie, "Boy in the Striped Pajamas". Their dance could make you cry because of the context of the dance, but also because of how good their team is. 

Her last dance was a musical theater dance that is combined with her sister team. They dance to "Professional Show Business Comedy" and it is so entertaining to watch. The team is so together and the dance is so clean. Makayla does an aerial and al seconde turns. I am so impressed with how much Makayla has grown as a dancer. 

Can't wait to see them compete!