The Party, the Wedding & the Turkey!

This is Turkey...

He sits on our doorstep. Ryal made him. No one is allowed to touch Turkey.

This is Ryal showing his strong muscles for making Turkey.

This is the BEST cookie I have ever had...(well, it ties for first with Amanda's cookies) I ate at least half of it completely by myself...it took me 24 hours though...is that not as bad?

It was from the Priests & Laurels for Dance Festival. Made my day!

We're pretty excited about the fact that Noah is eating with utensils now!

He thinks he's pretty cool!

Last night was the Polynesian Dance celebration for Holly & Ray. My kids were so excited to go!

It was held at Villa Sienna...beautiful! And the food they served was soooo yummy!!!

Holly looked beautiful...and Gracie wouldn't leave her alone ALL night!

Everyone wanted to dance with Grandma Ann!

We danced all night...the kids LOVED it!

Garrett was getting down!

Go Ryal! Go Ryal! Go Ryal!

Yep...these two got in on the action too!

Go Scotty! Go Marky!

Ema & Elle

Sydney crashed!

Noah was totally dancing! He was head bobbing and stomping his feet...so cute!

The music was so loud, I was suprised he even got this close to the speakers...he was fascinated!

This was cute because Noah was throwing a little tantrum because he wanted my camera. So to get him to stop, I said, "Look Noah, take a picture!" When I turned it around, I saw he had posed for the camera...he's so funny!

Then was the entrance of Holly & Ray...the family danced around them, they were all dressed up...it was so fun!

I believe the lady in the purple is Ray's mom...there's Gracie pulling on Holly-she did that ALL night long!

Then they had a cake ceremony. Ray's mom had baked all these cakes and made TONS of blankets-she said she started on them 2 years ago. They presented the cakes and quilts to several different people; the bishop, the grandmas, the mothers, etc. Each person got about 4 blankets! It was amazing!!!

The quilts just kept getting bigger and bigger. I think this one is called a Topacloth (sp?)

Gracie couldn't keep her fingers out of the cake!

Then they had the money dance. Holly and Ray both danced, while family danced around them and the crowd put money in their clothes. Lots of people were hollering, the music was loud, it was really fun!

Ethan got down on the floor and collected his own stash and ran off the floor saying, "Look what I got!"

We made him give it back of course!

Then this morning was the boys very last soccer game. We met at the park for the trophy party afterward.

The boys played 3 Billy Goats Gruff on the bridge!

Scott was an Asst. Coach, they gave him a very nice plaque.

Julie was the REAL Hero! She coached every practice, every game and was so awesome with these boys! Thank you Julie!!!

The fam came to support the boys...thanks guys!!!

Kimball Stake Dance Festival

Yesterday was our Stake Dance Festival, and it really did turn out great! I have to be honest, I am so glad it is over, just because it was a lot of work. I am so appreciative to the many members of our Stake, who gave up so much time and performed so much service to help this whole thing come together! Roma Morgan deserves honorable mention for all the work she did on the costumes. She did so much!!! Also, my mom and the rest of the YW's Presidency for their inspiration and hard work on putting this whole thing together. The theme was "Steadfast and Immovable-We're Moving in the Right Direction". The way it all came together was amazing! And of course, Kelleen Cardon, who oversaw everything we did! I know that Kaylee really enjoyed herself and I was very appreciative to all who sacrificed to make this a great experience for everyone.

Our long day began at 11:30am where the kids reported to the Interstake Center to learn the opening and closing numbers. Taught by Bobbi Rogers.

So many youth

Bert Johnson ran our music

Caroline and Kaylee-Beehives "Life's What You Make It", choreographed by Michelle Stones

My mom ran the Deacon number

These boys were so cute and my mom was able to round up PHX Suns jerseys for each of them to wear, plus she also got Suns T-shirts for them to throw to the audience during their dance-so fun for them!

My theme for the day became taking pictures of Brock-just because he hated it so much!

Each group had about a 15 min. run thru of their dance before lunch, and then we went right into our dress rehearsal.

At the end of the performance, the youth sang a beautiful song, it was very powerful!

The adult dance was pretty awesome...they all looked great! Sharilyn Wilson was their choreographer.

Emily, Kaylee & Sarah

Some of the YW participated in a specialty number to God Bless America

Tricia, my mom and I had a blast in July choreographing the dances for the dance festival. The Deacons dance was so fun...we had a blast just running around the dance studio and teaching ourselves how to dribble a basketball and dance at the same time!

And then that, turned into this...

Time for the Mia Maids & Teachers-they learned the Cha Cha...this is Skyler, he didn't like having his picture taken either.

So I kept my camera on Brock!

I got to choreograph and teach for the Laurels & Priests-we did Swing

The boys got to play drumsticks, which was fun, and I was really happy with how they performed! SUCCESS!!!

Next was the YSA-Calli choreographed a really cute Hip Hop number for them

Then was the Laurel & Priest specialty number-(that's basically all the Laurel & Priests who WANT to dance), Calli did that one too-really cute!

Julie came and watched the show!

Kelleen not only ran things, she also danced, (below),-we had two performances, one at 5:30pm (immediately following the dress rehearsal), and another one at 7:30pm, then a dance afterward. I got home at 10pm!

Overall, this was a great experience for those who came to get something out of it. Friends bonded, youth made new friends, some learned that they really did like dancing, others were showcased for the talents they had developed and the youth put on a great show that their parents really enjoyed watching.

The Stake put on a wonderful fireside tonight with a video and lots of time for the youth to bear testimonies. I was glad that I was called to be a part of this special event for our youth.

Can't wait until these guys are participating in things like that!