Cinderella-May 2011

I was in LifeLight's production of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.  It was so much fun. Here are just a few pictures from the show. 

 Mom and me in my ballgown.

 Me and my dance partner Jack.

 Andrew, Catherine, and John came Saturday night.

May 5, 6, and 7, 2011

Spring Break: Destination Utah

The main reason for this trip was to spend time visiting Andrew and hear him perform with his university choir--BYU Mens' Chorus.  It was just mom and me this time.  We had a great time.  One day we drove up from Provo to Salt Lake City to visit LDS Business College, walk around Temple Square, and enjoy lunch with Marie Murphy at the Lion House Pantry.  From there we went to Rexburg, Idaho, to look at BYU-Idaho.

Salt Lake City Temple--Funny thing about walking around temple square with jeans on is that all the missionaries are all interested in talking to you.

The Conference Center was all ready for the General Young Women Meeting.

We love Marie!! 

Salt Lake City

Provo happenings: We had a great time in Provo with Andrew.  Tuesday night when we got there we met up with Andrew, Jack and Marie Murphy.  They took us to Bombay House an Indian place near Andrew's apartment.   Thursday we watched the BYU game vs. Florida with some of Andrews friends in the dollar theater there on campus.  The energy was incredible! Unfortunately, we did not win, but it was so much fun to watch! After the game we went to see a BYU production of Persuasion which Andrew's friend was in.

Friday I went with Andrew to some of his classes including Political Science and Contemporary dance.  I also took a tour of BYU.  Friday night we went to the famous J-Dawgs before Andrew's performance.  It was an amazing performance.  I'm so glad we were able to be there for it.  They gave the same performance as a matinee again on Saturday which we went to as well.  It was great!  Saturday morning Andrew took us to Kneader's Bakery.  Everyday they have all you can eat french toast.  It was soo good! You really couldn't eat all that much because it was so thick.  By far my favorite meal of the trip. :)   After the last concert Saturday we went to dinner with Andrew's friends, Ryan and Madison.  After that we went back to his apartment and hung out with him and some of his friends.  He introduced us to Drop Dead Diva (a new favorite show), played Dutch Blitz, and just had fun being there. Can't wait to head back again!

BYU Men's Chorus

Us with Andrew in his spiffy Men's Chorus suit.

Day 2!

Sammy's Cafe with Ryan and Madison

March 22-27, 2011

Moolah Shrine Circus

The circus came to town during spring break.  Mom and I took Ben, Grace, and Ally to the Moolah Shrine Circus.  The minute we walked in we noticed they were giving rides on elephants.  How cool is that?  So we decided we were going to ride an elephant.   The kids weren't quite as excited as mom and I were.  But everyone enjoyed it after the fact.  They had some really neat acts.  My favorite would have to be the 3x3 box that two girls both fit into.  I was speechless.  I can't imagine bending like that.

 Waiting to get onto the elephant!

 A little blurry but proof that we rode the elephant! :)

Face paint!! --Ben and Ally

March--17, 2011

April Visits 2011

Joanna, Ellie, Carter, Nanitzi, and Thomas came up to visit in April.  We had such a fun time having them here. So many cousin sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's house and fun Easter projects like the in the pictures below.  Joanna taught everyone how to make little carrot gardens. They all loved it! I even brought my friends over later that night and we enjoyed making little gardens with wafer cookies, chocolate icing, and Mike n Ikes. 

 The finished project!

 We also went to the Easter village at Purina Farms.  They have all the baby animals you can pet or hold.

 Carter, Ally, Thomas, Grace, and Ellie

They even milked a cow!

And don't forget the Easter Egg hunt!  Some even got a picture with the Easter Bunny. 

One of my favorite parts of their trip was playing my favorite Wii game with them.  Just Dance! All the little kids would get so into it.  I don't know where they could get that from.  Lexy took this video of Carter dancing to "Hot and Cold" by Katy Perry.

April 14-22, 2011

Spring Fever

Now that I'm all caught up on my winter posting, it's time for spring!  The weather has been incredible this last week.  It's only February, but it feels like April!  Mom and I went to Subway for lunch the other day and took it to the park and flew kites.  It was perfect.  The wind was really strong so we didn't have to work too hard to keep the kite up!  I've loved driving with the windows down and opening all the windows in the house.

February 17, 2011

Janufest!

Now you may be asking yourself, what is Janufest?  Well, Janufest is a holiday that our Aunt Jakay introduced us to.  No one likes the feeling you sometimes have in January when all the celebrating is over, family has gone home, and you feel like you won't get another holiday until the Fourth of July! But now you can celebrate Janufest with us!  The best part is there is no wrong way to do it.  You can have whatever kind of party you want. 

Jacob had flown in for the weekend.  Dan, Mer, and their family joined us, and also Catherine and John.  We had steaks that Jacob cooked for us on the grill and a dance party in the basement with my new favorite Wii games, Just Dance, and the sequel, Just Dance 2! :)  It was a great night.  And thanks to Aunt Jakay we were able to start this new holiday here in Missouri as well as Florida (where it all began).  Hopefully you can start this holiday wherever you live, and Janufest will be come a national holiday before we know it! :)   But remember as my Aunt Jakay says it's a great holiday where there are "No gifts, no expectations, no time-worn traditions -- just FUN!" 

January 22, 2011

The Blizzard of 2011

We got about 12 inches this year- more than I can remember at one time.  Dad went out in the cold to shovel our driveway with his snow blower.  A gift that has been used and enjoyed many times.

 Over 12 inches of snow!

 Our bowl for snow cream.

 We lost the bowl in the snow.  Luckily, mom found it. I think it overflowed a bit. :) This is a childhood memory that I know I will always treasure.  When we were little, we would always get excited when it started snowing, and we would put a bowl out to catch the snow.  Once it had filled up enough, we would bring it in, and mom would make snow cream. (snow, milk, sugar, and vanilla.) Now we all know that this probably won't get us onto Food Network, but it is something that, even today, when it starts snowing, I still run out and put a bowl out to catch the snow.

 Catherine and I eating the snow cream.

January 20, 2011