Starlight Foundation Event

 Kianna's group performed at a charity event in Chandler.

 It was a beautiful lyrical piece.

 "All Through the Night"

Showbiz Dance competition

 Last Friday, January 16th, Diverse Elements Dance Studio took part in their first dance competition of the year. It was held in Gilbert. Caeli left school and got ready to compete.

 Her first dance was The Chain. The girls were all so excited to compete.

 Some of the dancers on stage for awards. Caeli's dances earned two High Golds and a Gold.

 We were back early Saturday morning. Her first dance was She Always Takes It Black. It earned Best Choreography.

 Getting ready to go on stage. These girls are so close and I love the way they support each other.

 Her hip-hop number was next. Bonniez and Clyde was fast and fun.

 Lat was her musical theater number. He Vaus My Boyfriend was so cute.

The girls take turns go up to get the award. When it was Caeli's turn  She Always Takes It Black  won 1st place!

This was an amazing start to the 2015 competition season.

Happy New Year 2015

 The weather in Phoenix has been really cold. (The nights are in the 30's). We like to stay home for New Years Eve and celebrate.

 We went out for dinner and then the girls each invited a friend over. Caeli and Samantha started dancing together at 4.

 Kianna invited a friend from her class, Sophia.

We welcomed in the new year with Champagne (the adults) and sparkling cider (the kids), sparklers and a fireworks show from a neighbor.

Happy New Year from our family to all of you!

Christmas 2014

 Christmas Eve started with a dinner at home.

 We always open stockings after dinner.

 Kianna still enjoys sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn.

 Then it was time to put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeers.

 Christmas  morning and the tree was ready.

 Ready to start opening gifts.

 The girls get a nutcracker each year.

 Caeli and Mickey Mouse pajamas.

 Kianna got the Lego Friends shopping mall.

Greenway Secret Santa

For the past five years I have been lucky enough to organize the Secret Santa at work. We leave gifts in the mailboxes and today our Elf (Patti) delivered the  final gifts. It is so much fun and I look forward to it each year.

Our 16th Annual Santa Party

My sister  held her annual Santa party on Saturday, December 13th. 

We had used the same Santa for the last 10 years and we were upset when we could not locate him. We tried for weeks and finally had to locate someone new and hoped for the best.

 Santa arrived and was amazing. He called each child up, posed for lots of pictures, talked to them and entertained everyone.

 Caeli put on her reindeer costume from Halloween and entered with Santa. No one knew who she was. 

 When Santa called her name she took off the hood (she said it was so hot inside).

 She helped hand out the rest of the gifts. 

 Kianna with her best friend, Brettlyn.

Madi, Caeli, Arianna & Samantha

 Caeli with some of her dance friends. Arianna had never sat on Santa's lap and her mom was thrilled to finally get a picture at 14.

Our annual family picture.

November happenings

November has been a busy month and it just flew by. Here’s a glimpse of what we have been doing.

Caeli auditioned and joined the Encore Chorus at her school. They held their first concert on November 5th. They sang and danced and it was a very enjoyable evening.

Lorraine, Caeli & Kianna took part in theWalk to End Alzheimer’s on November 8th.
It was a beautiful day and we walked three mile through downtown Phoenix in mom’s memory

I say walked, but Kianna danced, leaped and did cartwheels most of the way.

Caeli attended the November master class with Alexa Anderson on November 13th. She has danced with so many great teachers this year.

The girls had fun making their traditional apple pie for Thanksgiving. They are both becoming great cooks.

 We continued our November tradition of building gingerbread houses.

 The girls worked on them for a long time and each knew exactly how she wanted her house to look.

Lorraine's dear friend, Kiki joined us for dinner. Pam had to go in to work early and missed dinner. 

 I love the finished houses!

Halloween 2014

 Because it has been so warm in Phoenix, we waited until Thursday evening to carve pumpkins. Pam and I went over to Lori's house and had fun watching Caeli and Kianna. The girls had decided what pattern they wanted to do and did the entire job by themselves.

 I love how much fun they have doing everything. Kianna had done a math project at school and was given a second pumpkin. They had made a haunted house after school.

The finished pumpkins.

Kianna made the  bat and Caeli did the monster.

We met again at Lori's after school on Friday. After dinner the girls dressed in their costumes. The girls carpool with the neighbor across the street. They love the movie "Frozen". Caeli dressed up in a reindeer costume as Sven.

 Kianna was Olaf

 Getting ready to leave.

"Sven, Anna, Olaf and Elsa"

They went Trick-or-treating in a large group from the neighborhood. They had a great time and got lots of candy.