THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

So we got to meet Tricia at Disneyland last week! HG was performing, (see the HG website for pictures of the girls), and also participating in a workshop with one of Disney's amazing choreographers. We did 3 days at Disneyland and CA Adventure as a family...so fun!

Kaylee got to bring her BFF, Caroline Haws.

Yep-everyone matched!

Gracie had a leash-and she was not happy about it!

Scott wasn't happy about his name being on the back of his shirt, but I thought it was cute!

Kyle Hiatt nicknamed Scott, "Rhinestone Cowboy!" (They are not rhinestones, they are studs)

Casey Jr.

This is Ryal's BRAVE face...ready to go on Thunder Mountain Railroad!

This is how my boys waited in all of the lines...

Ryal tried to get off of his horse himself, he just hung here like this for along time, without saying anything...funny kid!

Peformance time...Calli and I were pumped and ready to go!

Kaylee got to peform her Co. jazz, her clogging, her hip hop and her solo...she did great!

The last day we ate lunch at Ariel's Grotto, the kids LOVED meeting all of the princesses!

Gracie was all decked out in her "Princess" outfit.

Gracie became obsessed with Minnie Mouse!

Mmmm...dessert!

Kaylee was always off with her friend...

The PIXAR Parade at CA Adventure was awesome! The kids LOVED it!

Ethan was thrilled to see one of his BFF's, Nathan Stahle, at Disneyland! (His sisters dance at HG) They got to do rides while the girls danced at the workshop.

Noah LOVED the bubbles during the parade!

Had to do the face painting...

The last night, the boys got to make their own Light Saber's, (Life Flavors, as Ryal calls them)...Scott insisted that this was their idea...Hmmm....

On Saturday we got to relax and take the kids to the park...

Ethan was having a hard day at the park...

Love that perfect CA weather

Just love blogger sometimes...I could not get this picture to face the right direction. This is Ruby Doo...we celebrated her first birthday Saturday night! (daughter of Martin & Nancy Dodd)

My sweet grandmother purchased tickets for Tricia and I to go with her to see LORD OF THE DANCE! Of course, I LOVED it!!! It was absolutely incredible!

And the perfect end to a perfect vacation was my aunt Nancy buying me the perfect treat for the ride home...Team Edward! (March 21st-girl party! Can't wait!!!)

Sorry for the long post, but it was a long vacation with lots of fun things going on!

Now, back to real life; laundry, bills, making dinner (no churro's for dinner), school, work, yuck! Spring Break-HURRY UP!

Gotta Have Heart Benefit Concert

The concert was wonderful! My mom came out to support the Nielson family and HG Dance. Click on the HG blogpage for more details!

A HUGE thank you to Margaret Manning for all of your hard work!

Come out and support us!

Queen Creek Cinderella Pageant!

Kaylee and Gracie both participated in the Queen Creek Cinderella Pageant on Saturday. I was so proud of them, they both did such a great job! There were 32 girls, 12 of them Tots-(Gracie's division) This was Gracie's first "official" pageant, as she just turned 3 in December. I was so proud of her. She did great considering her age, even though she definately embarrassed me a lot too! She would be perfect on stage, and then all of a sudden, she was on the floor, flashing her underwear and running around. But she had fun, that's what's important-and she LOVES the stage! Out of 12 Tots, she was awarded 2nd Alt. to Tot Personality-which is the onstage interview, it accounts for half of your Overall score. Cinderella is a Youth Development Program which focuses on poise, self-confidence & developing your talents. I don't know how "poised" Gracie was, but she definately was confident! Kaylee sang a new song and has a lot more stress as she has moved up to the TEEN division where the interview process is harder. She also gives an onstage speech during her modeling, and she has to wear these ridiculously high heels because she is so short! Anyway, Kaylee WON-her first time as a Teen! She was thrilled! These pictures were sent to me as my camera was broken and I didn't get any of my own pictures :(

New 2009-2010 Queen Creek Royalty

Outgoing and Incoming Royalty

All of the participants! You can see Gracie right in the front, dressed in white, holding her trophy. She loved her crown and trophy, but was upset that she didn't get flowers like Kaylee. I caught her stealing a flower out of the bouquet from the girl next to her! That's Gracie! She makes me laugh everyday! We had so much fun! Thank you to Emily Wright for putting on an awesome pageant!!!

We LOVE Cinderella!!!!!!

Christmas Break

Christmas Eve was spent with the Glover Family

Grandma Ann always has a fun collection of costumes and animals for the kids to act out the Nativity

David, Powell & Mia

Ryan

Ethan

Kara

Scott & Ryal

Gracie was the STAR

Noah

Ethan

This year Ann had a fun White Elephant type gift exchange. She had all kinds of brand new interesting things in her garage that she had purchased over the years. Lots of fun kids items, books, DVD's, etc. So...she wrapped them up and had a gift exchange!

Holly

Kaylee-poser!

US

Noah & Uncle Ray

Garrett got Cinderella pajamas!!!

Of course, you know who ended up with them! And everything else she saw...

Afterward, we all went Caroling...

It was late when we got home, but we still kept to our tradition of opening Christmas pajamas

Ninja Turtles!

Then...my camera broke! I got a few shots of the morning before the kids came down, but nothing else turned out. The flash is broken! So frustrating because then that morning, as the kids are ready to run downstairs, my video camera broke too! So I have NO pictures of our Christmas! Ugh!!!

Hmmm...didn't the boys get this two years ago? Santa went looking in our garage. Merry Christmas Noah!

Kaylee...Santa brought her a Wii game

And brought the boys a Wii...

Noah's corner...

Gracie's spoiled, I know! But that horse carriage really carries her and walks, it also neighs and makes galloping sounds...pretty cool!

The rest of the week was spent playing with toys and spending time together! Gracie & Kaylee practiced a lot for the Cinderella Pageant they are participating in this weekend, and Kaylee got to work on some of her dance solo with both Calli & Tricia...she LOVED that!

What I don't have pictures of is the fun girls night that I spent with Tricia, Julie, Kemra and some of their other friends. We had soooo much fun! Then the next day, Kaylee & I spent the day with my sisters, Tricia & Holli; we got facials & went shopping, it was so fun to spend time with my sisters...I was so glad they were in town for Christmas Break! And finally, I got to go on one last girls date night with BFF Lilli Hiatt! I saw Twilight for the 3rd time and then ate at Cheesecake Factory! We had so much fun! It was nice to have time to do stuff like that. Now, it's back to REAL life. So much going on with the studio and my kids activities, but I LOVE it!

Still, I'm counting down 'til summer!

My dads mother passed away on Christmas morning. It was a sad day for us, but a happy reunion for her. After being alone, without her spouse for 32 years, (a single mother of 6 children), she was finally reunited with her husband, George. Christmas was always a hard day for her to endure, so I know that it was a blessing to her to be able to spend this Christmas with her eternal companion. She will be missed, and always loved. Her funeral was absolutely beautiful. The spirit was so strong. It was inspiring to hear stories I had never heard before, and so touching to hear of her trials and know that she endured them well and is now finished with this chapter of her life. We look forward to the day that we will see her again.