Schools Out!!

Hallelujah! We made it through another year and can't wait for the next one to start. Sierra will be a high school junior, Montana will be in 5th grade, and Justice is starting 3rd grade. I cannot believe I have kids this old!!

Here's what we have been up to in chronological order. It's been too long so I am going by my calendar...

Justice is just about to wrap up his baseball season. He has been playing left field, shortstop, and last game he played 3rd base for an inning. He has worked diligently to improve his swing, catching, and knowledge of the game. I don't think he has caught the fire for baseball yet, but he definitely wants to improve. Last game he told me "I am really committed to hitting the ball today". I thought that was awesome coming from him. What a cutie.

Sierra's 2009-2010 drill team year came to an end, almost as quickly the 2010-2011 drill team year started. So there has been no rest for the poor girl. She thrives on it and never complains. The drill team ran a 5K in honor of Kaitlyn, a drill team member who died of cancer a couple months ago. She talks of her often & I know it has been difficult to loose someone her age, and more importantly, that she had so much in common with. It has really helped us keep things in perspective. Enjoy everyday and count your blessings.

Montana tried out for a competition soccer team called Razzia. I was pretty surprised out how well she did. She has learned a lot of skills from her step-brother McKayde, who is a competition soccer player as well. I could tell she was really enjoying herself. Unfortunately they did not have enough girls her age try-out. So they are putting together a co-ed team (which is a bit unusual, but doesn't bother her a bit) and will hopefully begin their soccer year the end of August. She is extremely excited about this.

Stars Regional Competition was May 21 & 22. Sierra competed with her Level 5 class and they won many awards, including best routine of the day! They were able to perform it again later, and their coach received a beautiful crystal award for the choreography. They received many 1st place awards, and also the sportsmanship award, which is a big deal for Stars. Sierra competed a solo this year, it was the same one that she competed in New York for her drill team. She took Queen and received a beautiful crown, sash, and trophy. She was also one of two girls who were selected to receive a SCHOLARSHIP to attend a dance workshop called "2 days in the O.C." which is held in California. This workshop has some of the best choreographers in the business, Mandy Moore, Tabitha & Napolean, and many more. She gets home from the event tomorrow. Her dad was able to fly her down and stay with her. So thankful that her dad can do these things for her. She said it is really tough, but will also be a great experience for her.

Justice and I went on a field trip to the zoo with his second grade class. I was a chaperone for 5 boys in our group. I was very worried about this, but they were absolutely great kids. I had no trouble at all. We saw every exhibit, including the baby elephant...which is soooo adorable! Our favorite was the bird show. Seriously crazy stuff they get these birds to do. We had bird swooping literally right over our heads. We were mezmerized. Justice went up to the donation bird after. You give the bird a dollar in it's beak, and it stuffs it into the donation box for you. He was totally giddy after that. Good times.

Montana & Justice both performed at the year end talent show at school. Justice performed his well loved and often played "Bone Sweet Bone" on the piano. It is about a 5 second piece. But he played it loud and proud! Montana did a dance from her hip-hop class "Transform Ya". She really went for it and did such a great job. All the 6th grade boys in the back were pumping their fists (which is a good thing) and rocking along with the song. We were so proud of them! At the same assembly Montana was given an award for being on the honor roll all year. Big smile on Mommy's face!

We got the news that Sierra & Montana's dance studio is closing due to the owner's decision to retire. The girls have been taking this hard and we have been scrambling to decide where they should go, if they should go, and dealing with all the emotions of where their friends are going as well. It is very sad for us as it is the last Stars Studio in the Salt Lake Valley. There are still many other teams around the country, and I am sure there will be another one here in Salt Lake before long...but for now we are not sure what we will do. We are going to Las Vegas next week for the Stars Nationals Competition. It will be bittersweet. Grama Dodie is coming with us and we determined that we have been going to Stars Competitions as dancers, studio owners, and parents, for the last 32 years. Wow!! What a legacy. I am glad my girls were able to participate in the same program that brought me so much joy as a girl and as a studio owner.

I was finally able to get a new car, well new to me. After our accident we took several weeks researching exactly what I wanted, and finding just the right car for just the right price. I found a 2005 Honda Pilot for an amazing price. The dealer was pretty shady, but luckily everything worked out in the end. Dad helped me with the process & even he was worried about this whole operation. But I am extremely happy with my new wheels and we are enjoying them. We are taking it to Vegas next week, so we will really give it a good breaking in!

Our Nelson family reunion was on June 5th. We were able to celebrate Uncle Gordon's 75th birthday. It was so great to see family we haven't seen in a while. We had tons of food, looked at lots of pictures, took lots of pictures, and shared recipes that sweet Kelli put into a book for everyone to take home. I can't wait to try all these family recipes. We also brought our fishing poles and tried our hand at fishing in the small pond they had at the park. We need to work on our casting skills, and experimenting with bait, but we had a great time. Fishing with cousins is a great way to spend the afternoon. Thanks to Terri for putting together such a great event.

Sierra turned 16 on June 8th and her dad and aunt Niki lost their minds and thought we should throw her an all out nutso Sweet 16 Party. They reserved a party hall, had her friends brought to the party in a limo, invited the rest of her friends to surprise her at the party, and her dad gave her his old Hyundai as her gift. The party was organized by Niki as she is a guru at this. There was tons of food, decorations, pool table, ping pong table, shuffle board table, arcade games, picture slide shows, music videos for dancing, an ipod jukebox with any song you could think of. Add 75 of her closest friends and you got a party!! I brought the cake and gave her a big kiss. It was crazy over the top, but something she will never forget. Happy Birthday Sis. Thanks to dad & Chris for putting the slide show together, Mom for helping with the food, and Justice & Tana for enjoying the party until 1 in the morning and helping clean up.

Ok, & lastly...The Stars Year End Recital was last night. Montana is in what they call the "rec" classes. Meaning she only performs at the winter and spring recitals. So we were so excited to watch her do her thing. She did a fantastic job- but it was pretty obvious that she DOES NOT like her ballet class, or wearing the blasted leotard& tutu. Priceless. She has grown up so much this year. Sierra did her 5 routines and was asked by her instructor to learn a 6th routine 3 days before due to one of the girls not being able to perform. She did and used it as a learning opportunity for "So you think you can dance" where she will have to learn 1-3 dances a week. She did it without even batting an eye. What a proud day!

School is out now and I have thoroughly been enjoying doing absolutely nothing but laundry. The running around has died down and we are all enjoying some down time. Sorry this post is so long...but a lot has happened. Can't find my camera battery charger...so there have been no pics for all these events, which makes me incredibly sad. But hopefully it will turn up, or we will be able to purchase a new one. Anyhoo...Hope all is well in your world. Until next time, adieu!