Elle in the Nutcracker

Elle changed to a different dance school this year that focuses more on Ballet and technique and she absolutely LOVES it! Ballet has always been her favorite over jazz and tap. She loves to dance and she loves to perform so she was thrilled to find out that she would get to be in their production of the Nutcracker before Christmas. This has been a dream of hers ever since she saw the Barbie movie "The Nutcracker" and I told her there was a ballet of the whole story. Of course, she really wants to be "Clara" someday but for now she got to be a soldier and a chinese dancer and did a great job!


Elle is third from the left. Isn't she a cute little soldier?






She really liked the Chinese dance and practiced all the time. She even asked us to download the Nutcracker music to her iPod. She really wanted to do her best!






Grand Pas de Deux



Don and I were both impressed with the whole production. It was really well done with some amazing back drops and costumes and the dancing was pretty impressive too. I'm not a dancer so I have no idea how they dance up on their toes like that. Of course, our favorite part was seeing our little dancer on stage doing what she loves. There were three performances--Friday night, Saturday matinee and Saturday night so Don's parents, my mom, Aunt Tami, Uncle Glenn and Lindsay all got to come. We even took Easton and Jayne to the Saturday afternoon show and they did great! (Jayne clapped and was twirling in front of her seat.) Don and I planned on going to all three but I had to stay home with Easton Saturday night because he wasn't feeling well so Don took her. (Don is a trooper to sit through three showings of the same ballet but I know he would do anything for his little girl.) We loved it and have all the music memorized. What a great way to start off the Christmas season!

Putting up our Tree

Our kids were so excited to put up our Christmas Tree and get the decorations out! Since we were headed to St. George for Thanksgiving, we put it up the night before we left so we would be all ready for Christmas when we got back. I put the ribbon on and then they helped with the balls and filled it all in with different ornaments that they have gotten from school or primary. It was so fun to see them place their ornaments so carefully on the tree. They loved it and did a great job! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Our finished tree

Jayne crawled in this box all on her own. It is the perfect size for her!