Showcase 2008

Emma had a very unique opportunity to perform in the Allen Talenette (drillteam) Showcase on Saturday. She signed up for a little day camp a few weeks ago which included a day learning a couple of dance routines, a free t-shirt, and the choice to perform on stage during their Showcase performance. All for the low price of $25! Not bad! It was money well spent. Emma loved every minute of it. We recently stopped gymnastics and now she wants to give dance a try. Maybe jazz, she tried ballet and wasn't all that impressed. Too quiet of a sport for her-no suprise! She is already talking about next year. I was so proud of her! She was AWESOME!

Emma & Hayley posing on stage during intermission

Tara, Emma, & Hayley after their stellar performance of Tutti Frutti!

Ok, so this is probably a sad little video, but hey I wanted to watch her and not through the lens of my camera! So I tried to just hold up my camera and point it at Emma. She is the gal just to the left of one of her teachers with a pink bow in her hair. It's just a snippet.

It's Greek to Me!

Seth had his AIM night this last week. The third graders have been learning all about Greek Mythology. This is him all decked out "greekish". They got to show off all they had been working on including this blue god and a book he wrote about his own greek god who he named Quakeidias - he was known for causing destructions on earth through earthquakes when the inhabitants broke the laws he set, namely not playing football on Football Day. He did a great job!

So this is my first attempt ever at Baklava and I think it turned out pretty darn good! It has never been a favorite of mine but I actually liked it! I was a bit vain and hung around the food table to see how others thought it tasted and the reviews were all great! Vain, I know! - they were gone the fastest though.....

The kids also made lots of crafts to sell in the greek agora (market). Here are Seth and Emma trying to barter for some visors they made. All of the proceeds went to the local animal shelter.

Here are most of his AIM group. Seth has now decided to be a "greek guy" for Halloween this year! Smart boy!

Happy Birthday Emma!!

Emma is now officially 7! No more 6 and 1/2- she has been saying that for almost a year now! We had a busy weekend...Friday we went to a Rangers game and were able to enjoy the view from a suite thanks to some friends. Saturday we took her to movie & dinner - her choice. We saw 'College Road Trip' and dinner....well of all places she chose Souper Salad! We endured it just for her. Sunday, we went for a walk at the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. That would be where this picture was taken. Poser! Really an awesome place tucked away in Plano. She got lots of fun gifts and ate lots of brownies! She doesn't like cake...crazy girl!

Baby Shower

Laura was definitely "Showered" with gifts on Saturday! It is so nice to be close enough to take off for the weekend and be at special events like these. Emma, Erin & I went to La. while the boys hung here for a guy weekend. Brent & Laura got everything they needed and more. The countdown is now on! Her due date is exactly one month away! I can't wait to be a new aunt and hold a new little baby again.

Cupcakes Anyone?

The kids were really into April Fools Day yesterday! In fact, Emma got her teacher pretty good. Her teacher told me that she came in class all serious yesterday telling her that she had to get the staples put back in her head. Her teacher totally believed her and was giving her sympathy when she said Emma's face got all red and she just burst out giggling "April Fools!" Mandy had sent me some fun food pranks to play on the kids so I couldn't resist tricking them. These are actually little meatloafs with mashed potatoes on top! They were so funny to watch! They weren't even suprised that I let them have a 'cupcake' before dinner. Seth was totally gagging! Ya know how you expect a certain taste...well it wasn't sweet! But they actually tasted very good and once the kids settled down & knew what they were, they ate them all up!



In other news around here.....Last week Ryan celebrated his 34th Birthday!!!! We didn't do too much...fun dinners, his usual cookie cake and since the driving range was closed - we just putted around in the PGA Superstore and checked out his "dream" golf clubs. He is saving all of his $$ up for this new set.....Who knows maybe sometime this year he could finally get them. Golf is definitly an expensive sport!

Easter

So what's wrong with this Easter picture? Are you wondering why we were having an egg hunt in the dark or maybe where are the pretty matching dresses? Well - there's a story alright! We were in the middle of a nice Easter dinner when we hear a scream. The kids had finished up and were looking out the window spying Easter eggs when Emma fell off the arm of the couch and hit her head on the fireplace at Emily's. We didn't realize how bad it was till we noticed blood all on her hands. We turned her around and she was covered with blood. That new Easter dress was soaked! It was a little scary but I have to admit that I think my experience with my own stitches just a few weeks ago made me a bit more prepared and calm - well at least to some degree! After sitting in the ER for more than a half hour without even being checked in - Becky gave us the name of an InstaCare place still open in McKinney and there was no wait! They were wonderful! The gash in the back of her head was quite a doozy! She needed 8 staples! Yep, they look just like regular staples on her little head. She was SO BRAVE! We were so proud of her! It was hard to watch them just do it. She thought she had stitches till much later. We didn't wanna freak her out! But she did have me take a picture of them so she could see them. I didn't think you all would want to see them so no picture attached. She is great now and thinks they are pretty cool! So we made it back just in time for a late egg hunt and oh yeah - thanks to Emily, that new Easter dress is all clean again! And I think Emma has learned to sit properly on furniture....

My Lemuel & Jacob

Ryan & Seth participated in the Book of Mormon Pageant this past weekend at the Scout Encampment. They each thought it was a pretty neat experience. They did their parts 16 times for over 1200 LDS scouts! We should be receiving a DVD of the performance sometime soon. I can't wait to see how my boys did. Till then, here are a few pictures that they took. Pretty authentic looking.....
The best part is that Ryan got to SHAVE and the boys both got haircuts! That was the first thing they did as soon as they got home! I'm just glad to have the man I married back and Grizzly Adams gone!