I just got my dance recital pics from J. Todd Photography! Many of them turned out absolutely gorgeous! It was fun to see all the dances in still photography. MJ's tap and jazz dances didn't have the best pics, but her ballet dance - Wow! We got some beautiful pictures of MJ. I had fun editing some of them as well. Enjoy!
MJ is on the left in the back. This is her tap dance.
The end of the tap dance. MJ is in the middle of the back row.
The beginning of the ballet dance. The girls are waking up and rising from the floor.
MJ is on the front row, second from the right.
The finale dance. MJ is on the second row, second in from the right.
Here are some other pictures from the recital we really liked:
This last one is the teacher's dance. MJ's dance teacher is the red-head on the right. =)
We have thoroughly enjoyed our year at CYT and look forward to going back in the fall!
On June 5th, MJ's dance company, The Christian Youth Theater, had their annual dance recital. MJ was in four numbers - Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and the Finale. It was so much fun! MJ was super excited and did a fabulous job! John and I were very impressed with CYT. They have great christian values, modest costumes and modest dance routines. We've thoroughly enjoyed our first year with them and are looking forward to next year! Here are some fun pics. I tried to upload the dance videos, but blogger wasn't co-operating. Enjoy!
Sydney & MJ just before the recital's rehearsal.
Sydney, Miss Marissa, and MJ Miss Marissa was their dance teacher all year.
August 20th is one of my very favorite days of the year. It's the celebration of my wedding anniversary.
11 years ago today, at 2 pm in the afternoon, I met my sweetie at the alter and we were married for all eternity. It was a beautiful, sunshiny day. So bright in fact, that we had to close our eyes between wedding pictures to prevent us from going blind. LOL!
I still remember the warmth radiating from my heart as John and I knelt across from each other at the alter and pledged to love & serve each other forever. I still feel that warmth each time he comes home from work and gives me kisses, snuggles with me in the morning before starting our day, and holds my hand wherever we go.
John is a complete compliment to everything I am, everything I hope to be. Together, I know we will traverse the rocky mountain climb and rejoice as we fulfill our dreams. One of my favorite wedding memories was actually long after the ceremony. We finished our session with the photographer, then walked back into the Mt. Timpanogas temple to wait for his family to pick us up for the reception. As we sat in the waiting room, John had me lay back on the couch. He then knelt beside me, slipped off my what-was-I-thinking high heels, and proceeded to give me a foot massage. We softly talked about the day. One of the sisters who serves in the temple saw us. She came in, placed her hand on John's shoulder and said to me, "You are one lucky lady. You definitely found a great guy."
Here we are - eleven years later and she was so totally right. I am one very lucky lady to have found a great guy who is truly my very best friend. I thank Heavenly Father for him each morning when I wake up, and each evening before I go to sleep. That seedling of love we shared on our wedding day has grown. It's a few feet taller now with four budding branches. The roots are deeper and firmly planted in the soil. We still have a lot of growing to do, and I'm looking forward to the many, many more years we'll share.
Some of you may know that our relationship started out with a dance. Swing dancing to be precise. John and I have enjoyed lots of dancing since then - country swing and ballroom to name a few. One of our very favorite dance groups to watch is Lord of the Dance. In honor of our anniversary, I found this video which I think captures our love of dance, laughter, and family.
Just one last thing - John, I love you. More. Times infinity. Happy Anniversary, Sweetie.
Last Saturday was Miss Leigh's School of Dance 2009 recital, themed "To The Beatles . . . With Love"
Here are some fun pictures we took before the recital practice:
MJ and Jenna
MJ and Kaitlyn
MJ
Mommy and MJ
MJ's tap dance was to Eight Days a Week. Here's a video of her class during their final practice before the recital. MJ is on the far left hand side. Her partner didn't make it to the practice. I thought MJ did an excellent job improvising!
MJ was also in two finale dances, but those videos were even more difficult to see MJ than this one, so I decided not to post them. Thank goodness we ordered a recital DVD!
There was a very special appearance at MJ's recital . . . several of the dads got together and put on a comedy skit. It was absolutely hilarious! Of course, my hubby was in the skit as well. Let me tell you, they were the sexiest group of old men I'd ever seen! And boy could they shake their tushies! :)
After the recital, MJ was on dancer high. Here's a pic of MJ and her dance teacher, Miss Nyree.
MJ did a fabulous job during the recital. She was spot on and quite a little performer. After the recital, we went to Ari's Greek Restaurant for the recital party. MJ and I had a blast dancing to Hannah Montana, The Jonas Brothers, and many other popular kid musicians. We ended the night by going to Sonic for some yummy food and drinks.
Lover of the color pink, board game marathons, and happily-ever-afters. Loyal Hufflepuff chick. Bribes accepted in the forms of creme brulee, bubble baths, and pretty gel pens.
