Abbie performed at the Jazz Game...Wow, what an Experience!!

Abbie performed at the Jazz Game of the Utah Jazz vs. the New Orleans Hornets on March 24th. The Jazz Comp Team performed the pre-show and the show-time team performed at half time.

We had to be at the Energy Solutions Arena at 2:45 p.m. to be able to practice from 3 until 4. We got an hour to go through the routines on the large basketball floor. Then from 4 until 5:30 we had time to go to the gateway and get some dinner. Isaac got, according to him, "the biggest peice of pizza he's ever eaten." "It's as big as a football!" Isaac....you just make me laugh!!! It was a lot of work having all three kids crossing streets, getting food and going bathroom (a few times...so fun with a dance leotard) and being pregnant but, once it was time to perform...it was all worth it!!

This is the Jazz Comp Team entering from the side. They would get to their starting positions and then the music would start. 

Ready to Dance!! 

Learning where they should be standing for their first number. Abbie got to dance on the Jazz Logo! 

I took a "few" pictures but, I'll only post a few(I looked and I took about 100 pictures during the course of the day....I really will post just a few! LOL) 

Dancing their little hearts out!! 

It was so fun to watch!! The girls and older girls performed together. It was four songs cut together to be a fluid routine. 

Their finishing pose....roll your head...hug your knees! 

The older girls performing their part of the program. The last two numbers were performed together as a whole group. 

Abbie doing her point and turn! You did a great job, Abbie! 

The whole Jazz Comp Team got to take pictures for the Jazz Logo. I had my zoom lens on and couldn't get a good photo because other mom's had the point-and-shoot camera's and kept scooting up, so his is my best one with someone's mom's head in the picture. I'll try to get a better one from one of the other mom's and I'll post that. 

While we were waiting for the pre-show to begin, we got to watch the jazz players warm-up. Since we were able to sit in the VIP section to watch the pre-show...we were on like the fifth row. 

Here's the boy's eating their snacks (we had been at the energy solutions arena since 2:45 that afternoon) in the VIP section.

We showed Kaden where we would be sitting to watch the actual basketball game and he thought that was "SO COOL." 

 One parent was allowed to go behind the bleachers to pick up their students. This is the view from where the girls came out to perform their show. 

After their performance they were able to take pictures with the Jazz dancers. 

Abbie was able to get pictures with two of the dancers and they signed her Jazz Dancer poster. She wants to hang this poster up in her room....she's showed me a few places that would be "good" to hang her Jazz Dancer poster. 

Abbie with the Jazz Dancer. She could tell which Jazz dancer (during the game) she had taken a picture with because this was the only Jazz dancer with long curly hair. Abbie could find her everytime she performed!

Abbie with her Teacher, Anyssa. 

We moved up to our seats before the basketball game started and Kaden kept saying, "These are the BEST SEATS!!!" He like that you could see everything from WAY up. We just laughed and told him that these were REALLY good seats. (It's all about perspective!! LOL) 

 The other funny thing was watching the boy's eyes as the "PEANUTS....COTTON CANDY!!" men kept walking by. It cracked me up everytime seeing Kaden's eyes get as big as 50 cent peices and then asking if we could get some. I just kept telling him once the game started...we could MAYBE get some!

Their faces say it all...they were jumping in their seats when Reed brought back Popcorn and CottonCandy with him!! Their lips and mouths were blue and pink from the cotton candy and they LOVED it!! 

I was taking pictures of the kids during the game and my brothers kept giving their "best" faces...so here you go boys....here's your  lovely picture. Nice facial hair, Garrett!! Or should I say..brother brigham. It was really fun that my parents could come and support Abbie. She was so excited with the little card grandma and grandpa gave her after the performance. There were silly bands inside and she's been playing with them every day since. My aunt Patsy (AKA my second mom) and uncle Larry also came from Tooele to watch Abbie and to enjoy the basketball game. We all decided on the last day to get discount tickets through syracuse dance academy and to go to the game. Reed and I already had tickets but, it was SO fun to have everyone come. It was a really exciting game to watch...going into over-time and all!

The kids were enthrolled with the Jazz Bear and when he slid down the stairs on a sled...they were laughing so hard!! You can see the bear on the jumbo tron and coming onto the floor. 

Abbie, we are SO proud of you!! You did a fabulous job!! You worked hard and had a good time too!! Lots of Love....our little dancer!! 

First Dance Competition

This was Abbie's dance groups first competition. The little girls and older Jazz Comp girls performed a dance routine of three different songs.  It was so fun to watch and more importantly...you had fun!! 

I  can't believe how hard it was to get the mascara on your eyelashes without them touching your cheek before they dried. If we could all be so lucky to have such long eyelashes! 

This is the girls practicing on the "practice stage" before they performed. 

Getting ready to perform. 

You can see Abbie smiling at me from the end of the row! Love you Abbie!

Here's proof that the boys were there....I was there too but, someone had to be behind the camera.

Every girl was given a participation trophy! Abbie was so excited that it was pink and matched her costume!

Abbie was so excited to show her brothers....they were as excited as she was!

Abbie skipped the whole way to the car! I am so glad that you had fun because that's the most important thing! This was a great practice before the dance academy performs at the JAZZ GAME on Thursday!! We can't wait to see you perform the JAZZ pre-show (Jazz Comp Girls do the pre-show and the Show-Time Girls will perform at the half-time performance) and then we get to enjoy a professional basketball game as a family. This is exciting for the entire family because we've never been to a JAZZ game! The boys are excited to see a professional basketball game and it's perfect timing because the kids are off track! Your dad and I are so proud of you Abbie! You did great and we are so glad that you had fun because that really is the most important part!! Love ya!!

Cassy

Kaden Riding Without Training Wheels

Kaden is four and finally asked to have his training wheels taken off!  

I can't believe my little boy is big enough to want his training wheels off! 

Reed got quite the workout, holding onto the back of Kaden's seat running around the cul-de-sac...again....and again. Finally, Kaden was ready to have Dad let go and he's been on his own since and LOVES it. 

Isaac and Abbie were Kaden's biggest cheerleaders. They kept telling him how Awesome he was doing and that he is a real big boy now. It was so cute to see them cheering for their little brother. Best little buddies! 

Reed taking off the training wheels./ 

Kaden being brave and riding without training wheels. Our little boy is growing up!

My Little Helper

While taking picture of my new project, Abbie jumps in and wants pictures with the bench. She definetely deserves to be in the picture because she was my big helper.

She helped me paint the under part of the bench in brown and black paints. I let her stay up 10 minutes past bedtime and she was in heaven. She kept asking me, "How are you doing over there?" As we painted away, past her bedtime. She was so happy to be able to help me and I loved spending time with her. She just makes me smile! She loves to help me with my projects and I love to have such a great helper. I love that we got to just talk and giggle!

This part of the project was perfect to have her help with. I needed the black and brown paint spots random, so I could add melted wax and then paint to acheive a new technique that I had thought of. I tried something new and it paid off...and you can check it out on my design blog to see the entire project. http://www.cassandradesign.blogspot.com/

34 Weeks

As I looked back through some photos, I realized I hardly have any of me during this pregnancy. I know this is because it's been a really emotional journey after having lost our little boy a year ago. So, I thought I would change this and post a picture of me at 34 weeks with our little girl due April 15th!

The power of a Grandma

I called my mom today to ask something simple and Abbie was sitting right next to me. Abbie asked who I was talking to and asked to speak to grandma Millett. They had a chat about how it was snowing and the next thing I know...Abbie says we have to make a snowman and take a picture to send to grandma. We had a few errands to run but, as soon as we got back the kids donned their snow gear and they were determined to make a snowman. 

Abbie and Kaden built most of the snowman so, Isaac decided to add the ears on top to make it a mickey mouse snowman. 

So, enjoy your picture of the snowman....it was made especially for you Grandma Millett.  I just hope this is the last snow of the season because I am ready for spring. 

Abbie's snow angel! 

The snowman lasted longer than I thought because it was leaning from the get-go. So, when it lasted a few days...I was surprised. Nice snowman kiddo's!