Sunday Fun!

Montana gave a talk in primary yesterday. She was so nervous about it. She cried all morning thinking she would freeze and look dumb. I told her I knew she would do a great job and that everyone gets nervous when they have to do this. Well she went up there with a terrified look on her face, but she got through it and did a fantastic job. I sat there listening with tears running down my face because I was so proud of her. She doesn't realize how smart she is. She is an excellent reader and has a very good story telling voice. The kids were all listening and into the story she was telling. She was glad it was over, but even more glad that she did it, and did it well!

Eric wasn't home from Naraya yet and it was about 85 degrees yesterday, but it felt like 100 in the house because we didn't have the air hooked up yet. (Gotta love swamp coolers). We had dinner out on the back patio enjoying the breeze. Popsicles helped keep us cool- but when daddy got home and hooked up the air- we all praised him like never before. We love you daddy!!!

Sierra's Dances

Wahoo! Here are Sierra's dance team performances. You will love them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=926vbrlVVaI (Send me and Angel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unjHxKbkza0 (Lifeline)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJlN8FC6CYo (Her Solo: I like the way you Move)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOkmMhmfiqk (Hide N Seek) I posted this one earlier but put it here for convenience.

Enjoy!

Competition Weekend Pt 2

Well yesterday went much better for Sierra. Their team is absolutely amazing. They work hard all year and it shows. Her teachers and director are so talented. The ideas and choreography they come up with are genius. When they perform everyone in the room stops and is mesmerized. Sierra is very lucky to be a part of this team and we are thankful for all that they do for her. Her team took high point in Jazz, Lyrical, & Show. Also they won Sweepstakes for the Region. They of course were on cloud 9.

I was asked to judge several divisions (that Sierra was not in) during the day. I was glad for the diversion because it was a LOOOOONG day. It was fun but it is always taxing on the brain and hand. Trying to write down everything you want to say before they go on to the next move can be challenging. I felt good about my decisions.

Mom came and spent the day with us. But for the first time in 30 years, Grama Dodie wasn't able to come to the Regional competition. She has been such a big supporter all these years. Hopefully she will be able to make it to Vegas for Nationals, but we will see if she feels up to it. We really missed her. I told Mom I was so thankful that she was able to come with me. I would have been sitting there all day by myself. Boring. Dad agreed to watch Justice and Montana all day. So it was just her and I- and occasionally Sierra would pop in. Mom always writes notes in the program about each routine. What they wear or if she liked it. Then when awards are announced we write down the places of each team. I think its more of a way to pass the time then anything else. Although our backs and butts are sore from sitting on bleachers all day, we have fun at the competitions.

Competition Weekend

Well the day finally arrived. Sierra got to perform her solo routine yesterday. She was so nervous and worried, but she rocked it!! She looked absolutely amazing. We had her hair done at the salon in a crazy updo and she felt and looked like a million bucks. She had 2 other super talented girls in her division. It was really tight. She ended up with 2nd runner up. She was very gracious and hugged the other girls. I was very proud of her. The gal that won queen was so cute. I told her that she did great and she said "Sierra was robbed". I thought that was sweet coming from the Queen. Sierra has great friends. Sierra was very upset on the way home- it was a hard loss- but she will bounce back. This is her best year yet. She makes me teary eyed everytime she performs because she is so good. She has worked so hard and she continues to improve every year. She is amazing!! Here is the only good pic I got of her dancing and the quality is not great. I had the camera on the wrong setting and it is really grainy. I will get more next time. We will try to post the routine soon. Chin up kiddo! You and your team will rock the house today!!

Happy Momma's Day!

What a great day! The kids and Eric came and woke me up with sweet cards and presents. Montana made me a cute framed picture that says why she loves me and a coupon book for chores, massages, and what not. You better believe I will be redeeming every one of those coupons!! Sierra gave me a beautiful rose and card. I also got one of those singing cards where the kids were able to record their voices. They each said "I love you Mommy". Then it played the song "You're unbelievable". That brought tears to my eyes. I love being a mom. With all of its challenges and frustration, there is joy, love, happiness, and a sense of purpose. I absolutely love my kids. Each one is unique and such a blessing. It is so fun to ponder what they will be like when they grow up. I am a lucky woman to have these beans in my life. (Human Beans- hee hee). Eric also spoiled me with some furniture- a set of 3 wicker and wood chest of drawers that I have been wanting for awhile. They hold all my stuff and look so pretty!! He made a yummy breakfast and also gave me some spending cash with instructions to only spend it on ME! Well alrighty then. If I must!!


We went and saw the movie "Iron Man" with my mom and dad and our whole crew. It was moms first choice of what to do. It was the first time all 7 of us have seen a movie together. Usually somebody is working or gone- so it was a big deal. And wow it was expensive. But the movie was sooooooo good (Robert Downey Jr. is so hot!!). We had a great time and spent the rest of the day together.


My mom rocks. She is always there to lend a hand- babysit, cook, tell stories, attend the grandkids events, plan parties. She has always been my biggest supporter. She has taught me how to be a woman. More and more I find myself wanting to be more like her. She has so many talents that I wish I would have inherited. She is an amazing woman. Being a mom helps me realize how much she did for me growing up that I never noticed or appreciated. A great big Thank You and I love you to you mom!

Some cute pics of our lunch date a few days ago.

Softball Pics

Softball Sillyness

We had 3 hours of baseball today- 1 hr practice & two games. Lot of fun in the sun. Montana is making strides. She learned how to throw today-which was hilarious during the game. She learned a new 3 step procedure to help her throw farther and more accurately. So during a big play the ball came right to her. Instead of just throwing it to get the runner out- she stopped took her time to remember the three steps and didn't even look where she should be throwing it- but did throw it quite well- although we are not sure where she meant to aim. We were laughing in the stands. She always makes sports so fun. Most of the time she is an outfielder and stands there with her mitt straight up in the air, looking at the ground, and kicking the dirt. I would die laughing if the ball just magically fell into her mitt. The coach has nicknamed her statue of liberty for her famous pose. Silly girl.