Santa Clara Dance Convention

Fist things first.  Our hotel in Santa Clara, the Hyatt Regency, was right across from the new and upcoming football stadium for the SF 49ers.  Tucker, of course, requested that our room be in view of it.  So even though the other dancers were on the 4th floor, we were up on the 10th so we could have that beautiful view! 

Anyway, this Dance Convention was a first for us.  It was three full days.  The girls not only danced in the competition, but they took 12 classes total from some of the most talented choreographers in the world.  It was both intense and awesome.

Here is Jordyn stretching before Applause!

Lexi, ready to go on stage!

Jordyn ready to go!

This convention was called NUVO.  The "juniors" were girls ages 11-12

It was so fun to have Shana, her mom and Maren drive down to see the girls do one of their dances!

I thought this was so sweet...Peyton Woods, Peyton's team sister, put this on Instagram.

All the girls after Applause won the High Gold award!

This is what the ballroom looked like where the girls spent hours doing their convention classes!  FULL of girls!

Kira with Jordyn and Lexi, quick snack break

The team early in the morning before classes.  I love these girls and I love their directors.

First day of convention was Valentines Day...so daddy brought the girls each roses.  He surprised me with Chocolate Covered Strawberries the night before from my favorite place, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  I am spoiled because he brings me those more than I deserve ;-)

Spotlight Dance Competition

Our first dance competition of the year was in Fresno.  I didn't get a ton of pics of this competition, but here are a few.  It was a really long day in Fresno between the three dances and two awards ceremonies.  We got home about 11:30.  But its worth it. I love to watch them dance and seeing it on stage is so different than the studio.

I do about a million checks of the suitcases to make sure they have all their costumes, tights, makeup, hair pieces, jazz shoes, team warm ups....everything!

Sweet sisters on the way to the competition!  I sure feel blessed to have these girls.

Roberta got a choreography award for the dance Applause!

Peyton - Star of the Week

Peyton got to be Star of the week in January.  She was nervous about it, just sort of nervous about having to be "on the spot" I guess?  She had something special each day.  She chose to bring her rainbow loom to share, along with her umbrella that Uncle Derek gave her from China.  She also brought "Go Dog Go" to read to the class.

She invited Tucker and I to be her lunch buddies and requested we bring her Subway.  She loves Subway, but all she gets is a white bun with ham and NOTHING else on it!  Plus chips, of course.

Trinkets Grand Re-Opening

I've been selling things at Trinkets for 4 1/2 years.  I've stuck it out through lots of hard times...and almost quit about a hundred times.  When I was doing a long term sub for Kindergarten.  When I was getting my Master's.  When I was doing my internship.  So many times.  But I'm thankful I stuck it out. I really do get a lot of enjoyment from making signs and now I definitely have a following of customers.

We decided we needed a big "makeover".  Just time to freshen up and change a lot of things around.  We ended up closing for a few days to accomplish all the changes, and it has been very worth it.  People have loved it.  It was a LOT of hard work but worth it.


This painting was on the wall since we opened in 2006.  It was time for a little change.

This is what I created instead.

I love my new section.  It really shows off my signs much better.

Julia and Danielle

Peyton love to be a helper.

Dance Dress Rehearsal and Showcase

For the competition dance teams, the girls start learning their choreography in August.  So they are pretty excited by February when competition season rolls around.  The Dance Company always does a big "showcase" right before the first competition where the girls gather for about an hour and a half and everyone does their team dance in front of the rest of the elite team.  It's very fun and motivational for the girls.  I love seeing the amazing choreography and dancing that everyone has worked so hard on.

Jordyn and Lexi have a lyrical dance with Hannah called "Miss Invisible".

Their jazz dance with Roberta is to "Applause".

On the way to dress rehearsal. I thought Jordyn looked so pretty, I had to take a picture!

Then their lyrical trio with Jessie to "Turn to Stone".

We had a little scare with Lexi falling in dance class and tearing some ligaments in her arm just two weeks before our first competition.  Luckily, it healed fast!!

This is what we get emailed out each month for elite team rehearsals.  This is separate from their weekly dance classes.  It's a bit of a puzzle.  And I am thankful for a calendar on my phone!

I get the privilege of gluing on hundreds of rhinestones before the competitions start.  ;-)

At The Dance Company, the girls all have "dance sisters" each year.  They pair an older girl up with a younger girl just to encourage them to root for each other and inspire each other.

Jordyn has Karriemen

Lexi has Gracie

And Peyton has Peyton!

Peyton and her buddy Kayla

The Elite team 2013/2014

This-n-That Post

I love my job!  I snuck a picture of me working with Glen.  He has pinhole vision and wants to get stronger at street crossings, so he wants to do lessons blindfolded.  He is awesome.

I did the vinyl for the front door of The Dance Company.

Oh Rusty, thinks he owns our bed sometimes!

A little selfie from Lexi on my phone :-).

This is the fourth year the girls have gone to a basketball game with the Nelson's.  It started four years ago when I was in school and Tucker was traveling...Jonia offered to have them for an evening to give me a break.  And now its sort of a tradition.

Sooooooooooooooooooo nice to get our car back.  Even though it cost us $700 to re-key it.  Rosita is part of our family!

Took the dogs to get groomed one morning after I took the kids to school and they were SO sad to watch the girls walk away.  By the way, I think driving with two dogs is more dangerous than driving and texting!  They run all over me!

I have this thing about homework.  I get so annoyed at it.  I try to be supportive, but I just feel like it takes away time from my family!

Cristal and I collaborated on a gift for Mrs. Farrell.  Peyton's first grade teacher just went on maternity leave for the rest of the year ;-(

This is our "winter".  It really is amazing.  Sometimes I crave just a BIT of colder weather, but for the most part, the 60's and 70's are beautiful.

We saw this telephone booth and Peyton just had to pose with it...just like One Direction!