Vegas Baby

DISCLAIMER...blurry pictures ahead. Still learning how to work my camera. The girls went to Nationals this year in Vegas. Susanna made Elite so she had to be there early Saturday morning (like we left Provo at 2 in the morning to make it in time). She had a lot of extra rehearsals so the four girls and I spent an entire week in Las Vegas. I actually loved it. There were definitely some hard times but it was so fun to make memories and run away from responsibility for a week. Susanna and Clara took classes and competed and we all had a great time.

We went to see the moving statues at Caesars Palace and took this in front of the giant aquarium.

We stayed at the Mirage and they have the dolphin habitat there. There was a brand new baby dolphin that was only 11 days old. The girls loved watching that little thing swim all around. It was so cute to see how it just shadowed its mom all the time.

You have to look really close to see it next to its mommy.

All the Elite dancers had to compete a solo. Well we have never done solos so we had just a few weeks to come up with one. Taylor (who is one of Susanna's favorite teachers) taught her a sweet dance to Child of Light (an EFY song). She did a great job especially for her first time doing a solo and such a new song. She looked so sweet in her costume. I think she had a great time.

More at the dolphin habitat and secret garden. They also got to see white tigers. There are only about 8 animals so it is kind of funny but they do have a jaguar, and several tigers. It is amazing to see these huge creatures.

Clara in her Promise to Try costume. She is such a great performer and has some amazing talent. She is so much fun to watch and is all about the faces.

There are vendors there selling dance clothes and some of Susanna's friends dressed Eliza up in an outfit for sale and then tried to get me to buy it for her. She looked so darling but I was not tempted by the 65 dollar price tag. She did look mighty sassy in this little getup. That is her current favorite pose.

And Clara got to take class with one of her all time favorite, Lauren Froderman the winner from last year's "so you think you can dance" She has taken from her several times now and loves how bubbly and funny she is. She has tons of energy and really gets on the kids level.

This was a big year for her. Last year she took a few classes but this year she competed and got to try out for scholarships and all sorts of big things. She loved all of it.

The last night they have a huge gala (that goes all night) and the Elite dancers get to go and do a special dance they learn with a live singer and then all the top numbers are in a showcase. Our studio ended up with an extra ticket so I raced out and got a skirt and went to part of it. Susanna had so much fun being a part of things. It was such a great experience for her.

We had a great time. Lots of good memories. We ate out at outback, went swimming, got frozen yogurt, saw some great sights, shopped, ate giant donuts (more on that later), hung out with friends, and were just together.

Good Intentions

In Provo they have a 3 day hot air balloon competition over the 4th of July. Clint decided it would be a good idea to wake up at 6am to go see the last day of the competition. We made our kids go to bed early and woke them up early and headed out. When we got there, it was pretty packed. We were all waiting and excited to see the balloons go up. Then, the announcer got on his speaker and told everyone that due to the high winds they wouldn't be having the balloons go up that day and would just allow a few balloons to make tethered flights. It was a little disappointing but the kids had fun seeing a few balloons go up in the air. So sad, one young man had planned to propose to his girlfriend on one of the hot air balloon rides that morning. He had to take her up about 15 feet and propose. It was a little deflating but I'm sure she was still excited...kind of a fun story to tell the kids later.

Amelia was so cute and decked out in her red and white outfit. What was I thinking to put her in white?

This little girl did a lot of practice walking in Utah and was just a week away from her independence.

Doesn't he look excited to be up this early in the morning to NOT see hot air balloons?

So, then we decided we should stay for the parade. We haven't really done parades living in the Arizona heat. but this is Utah right? We trekked over to the parade route and found a little spot and waited and waited and waited. Our kids were good sports but got a little restless and it was hard to keep Amelia happy and sitting in our designated spot. But then the sun came out and man was it hot. It was super hot and then the parade started. I remember parades as clowns and unicycles and tons of bands and dancing and candy throwing? Well, there were a couple of bands but mostly just car after car of mayor or runner up to some city pageant. There were a couple cool groups in the "pre parade" but then I have to admit a real snoozer. That and the heat had us retreating a little before the end of the show. Our kids were good sports and we did have some good family memories. I wonder if we made them hate parades forever...

Fireworks

Every summer growing up Clint worked at a firework stand in Kansas so fireworks are a big deal to him. When we are in Arizona we just kind of forget about them because it is too hot to go sit somewhere to watch them. When we go to Utah he really looks forward to them. This year it was hard to agree with everyone on where to watch them and so Clint just picked where he wanted to go. Everyone else came along but I don't know if they wanted to. The cousins sure had fun being together and I thought the show was great. We just lounged around snacking and visiting and playing. I didn't get many pictures, I have a new camera and haven't really figured out how to use it.

Justin went to EFY with a long time friend he doesn't see much. They go to different high schools but had a good time together. He is such a great kid.

Hiking in Utah

Utah means hiking to Clint. Anyone that knows me knows that hiking is not one of my favorite pastimes. It may be because I am a tad clutzy and seem to trip all the time on uneven ground or the fact that I am very fast paced and want to run all over but not walk and slow down (something I should work on). I got to go on several great 8 and 10 mile runs in the canyon but got to stay home for a few of the hikes with Amelia. We did all get to go to Bridal Veil Falls one day. Everyone loved playing in the freezing cold water.

Ruby, Betsy and Amelia

Clint took some of the little girls up the side of the mountain to the water fall.

Don't we look so outdoorsy. I look like I hiked right?

One starting to be tradition is to hike Stewart Falls. I have only made hike twice now and usually am back at camp with babies and such. Clint was happy to go solo on this one and take the kids who could handle it. They always love this hike and have so much fun with the Jones'. Uncle Brian got there just in time and was able to go along too.

The cute Jones Family. They all made it on the hike. Lisa will never miss a good hike.

The brave ones in the Garner Clan. Me, Eliza and Amelia stayed back and played in the canyon.

Utah had such a late and big winter, there was still a little lingering snow in some places. So fun for us Arizonans that never see much of it.

Uncle Brian carrying kids across the crazy river.

Look at that snow? So fun.

Alpine Slide and Cousin Time

I was the official picture taker this outing. Amelia was too little to ride anything and having one less rider made things a little less expensive so the kids could do more rides. They got to ride the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster. They loved it. We also stopped by the Olympic village and saw the sights. It was raining but we spent a few minutes watching some future olympic ski jumpers.


Nathan was too light to stay ahead of Justin. He caught him at the end.

I can't seem to get any of my pictures to rotate but look how much fun she is having.

I love the laugh on Clara's face as her dad catches her.

One of the last days, my cousin Andrew and his wife Elizabeth came to Wildwood to visit for a little while. My kids love to see their second cousins (especially Susanna. She loves to hang out with Abby and even though they don't see eachother much, they have so much fun together) They are almost the exact same age. I didn't get very many pictures but we got a few.

All the cousins hanging around.

Amelia and her buddy Oliver. She pretty much tormented him this trip. Her favorite was taking his sippy cups and lollipops. I'm sure they will be buddies soon.