Kaylie's Acro Dance

Kaylie is taking Acro Dance this year... she is amazingly limber and very good at what she does:) Check out a few videos of her twists and bends lol The first one she learned last night, the second one she's actually very good at, practicing all over the house.

Perfect...

We received GREAT news about Kaylie and her future with dance... her instructor wants to move her to the competitive teams next Fall. They are adding an Acrobatic Dance Squad, of which Kaylie will definitely be with. She will take between 3-5 dance classes, including Acro, Tumble and Jazz:) Can't wait to see what's in store for her!!! (May is audition time to be placed in different classes, travel teams, and competative teams!)

Cheerleader Makenzie

Makenzie is SO excited to be cheering with the MVP league. She gets to cheer at the basketball games, for both girls and boys. 

This is one of her favorites... looks like she's praying:)

 All the little girls have lots of fun on the court. Makenzie is so tall and loves to share her energy!

 LOVE her smile:)

Beaty & the Beast

What better way to spend an afternoon than with lots of friends!?! "Beauty and the Beast" came back to theatres in 3D. Thanks to Daddy, our girls invited a bunch of their little girl friends to watch the movie together at his theatre. It was a bit chilly, so we adjusted to keep them warm. Everyone enjoyed yummy popcorn and of course the beautiful princess and her movie friends. Thanks to Beverly, Cassandra, Shannon and Susan for sharing this special say with all of our daughters:)

Florida On The Move

When my mom called saying that she and my sister were moving near Tampa, I jumped at the chance to offer my help making the transition. Thankfully, William had enough vacation to use, offering to watch our kids while I spent time with them.

I was very anxious to take pictures along the way...

This was from the plane around 11pm, getting ready to land near Orlando.

 What a great way to wake up in Florida...

 The first day in Florida was filled with final touches for the big move the next day. Mom and Tricia packed everything so well!!! My Uncle Brian also flew down, late in the afternoon. Mom, Tricia and Uncle Brian met up with my Aunt Mary and Uncle Steve on the way back home. We spent the evening catching up, eating a HUGE Bizarros pizza, and planning the "fun" for the weekend.

The next morning, I woke to my Uncle Brian making coffee... ahhhh, delicious! We began what turned into a 12 hour day full of packing, loading (along with a funny little Greek man named Steve), driving 3 hours across the state (I must admit, probably one of the BEST road trips ever... I learned so much listening to and sharing with my Uncle Brian, I'm tearing even now remembering... words can not thank him enough for allowing me the chance to get to know him better and learn about my family...), and finally unloading (I seriously have two of the strongest Uncles on the planet!) into the dark evening to mom/Tricia's new beautiful apartment. It's really perfect for them... Glad to know they will be safe and comfortable:)

The next day, my Uncles hung went sight-seeing while we got groceries and goodies to celebrate my Uncle Brian's birthday. While at the store, a very good high school friend met up with us... He and his wife literally live right around the bend from mom's new place! What are the odds? It was nice to catch up and get back to decorate before more company arrived.

On the way into the apartment, I saw this beautiful Crane perched on her roof...

My cousins Colleen, Matt, Morgan and Mitchell recently moved to Florida, and made the 45 minute trip over to visit for the afternoon! What a delight seeing them and catching up together:)

 That night, much to my begging and pleading, mom/Tricia/Uncle Brian/Uncle Steve and I headed to the beach to catch the sunset... truly amazing... I've seen many, but this one was extra special because of the company who drove along (big thanks to mom for driving!)...

 Uncle Steve and Uncle Brian

 Soooo calming...

 Taking it all in...

 Love the colors on this one...

 Thought this bench was kinda neat:)

 How cool is this?!?!? As I was walking to the car, I turned to snap this picture... A single star in the sky above the beautiful sunset... "Hi, Dad!" <3

 Monday was filled with both happiness and sadness... saying goodbye was rough, but I'm very thankful for the time I got to spend with EVERYONE!

This Crane was wandering around again while we were leaving... take care of and don't scare my mom, silly bird! It's really pretty:)

 After lots of hugs, thank yous, and see you again real soon's, I boarded the plane, headed home... I was anticipating a fun photo shoot with the sun setting... 

 One of the best experiences throughout the visit was on the plane ride home... I sat next to an AMAZING little man, only 89 years young! Interestingly, he used to be a Trapeze artist with his family in the Ringling Brother's Circus. He told me so many stories from being in the group, but none captured my heart as much as when he spoke of his late wife. You could hear in his voice, the love he had for her. Nine years without her seemed to make this frail man so strong and fragile all at the same time. I wish I could have recorded his words and even his expressions... My heart filled with laughter and sadness for and with him. He doesn't know it, but Mr. Bill changed my life... When you hear someone speak of the simple things and what life is really about, you begin to put into perspective what "this" means. He gave me his business card, a man in the cabin industry just down the road from us, and asked that I find him some day, to introduce my family. You can bet I plan on seeing him again, and sharing with my children the joy such a wonderful man carries and brought to me...

Movie Monday- Waiting For Forever

Wow... "WaitingFor Forever" turned into something so much more than what I anticipated! From the synopsis, it came across as a romantic movie, which it was... but even more surprising, this one tugged at my heart. The relationship and scenes with "Emma's" Dad took me by surprise. One I found myself pausing on Netflix, taking it in. The story was somewhat "slow", but after seeing the entire movie, looking back it needed to be. It's told with so much "past", making the "now" and "future" more intriguing. I liked the quirkiness of the main character and thought the relationships he lost were so heart whelming. I might also be a bit fond of guys who wear pajama pants in public... (ahem... yes, William, that's you! LOL) 

I would rate this rent again for sure! It's the little things in life that add up:)

Off to Florida

Taking a blogging break for a few days... Tonight, I hop on an Allegiant airplane and fly down to Florida to help my Mom and sister move from Melbourne over to the other coast in Brandon. Should be fun! There's also a pretty cool event going on that I can't wait to share once home=) Hubby and the kids will be Mommy-free for four days... praying for all of them LOL **T MINUS 6 hours/40 minutes and counting until lift-off!!!**

Little Artist

Kaylie is definitely following in Mommy & Daddy's footsteps when it comes to being artistic! She has always loved to sketch:)

The other day, she came to me and asked if I wanted a picture. About 20 minutes later, she handed me this beautiful picture... drawn freehand! I was shocked, asking to see what she traced. To my surprise, the photo was smaller than her drawing! Such a talented little girl... we're so proud:)

Movie Monday- No Strings Attached

Okay, this week was "No Strings Attached". Hmmmm... Where do I begin?

I am a big fan of Natalie Portman, especially after the Star Wars movies. And of course, Ashton Kutcher is not hard to look at! It wasn't until the end when I realized this was the movie that a lot of our friends from church in Florida were in an uproar over when it hit the theatres. "How can a movie portray and show the "friends with benefits" thing is acceptable?". "Do people not have morals?". Funny how some judge a movie, none the less life, without looking at the big picture. Sure there was a lot going on in that department, but it also had a good story line. Not wanting to be emotionally hurt by a relationship or trying to find that special person to make things real is pretty tough as it is. Also, wanting to make something of yourself, against what others may perceive is definitely a stepping stone in the right direction.

My rating is rent again... funny parts, good cast, overall decent story. And yes, this is definitely a no-kids kinda movie LOL

Thirty-One Spring Product Premier

Can I just say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Thirty-One and all their awesome products:) My friends and I drove to a movie theatre in West Knoxville to see the premier of the new Spring line of products. AMAZING is the best way to describe everything!

 Along with many of the current items, there are a few brand new ones that caught my eye... this one, the Mini Utility Tote, is one of the two amenities I got for free, just for attending:) What makes it even better, the butterfly print will go GREAT with Kaylie & Makenzie's bedroom/bathroom!!!

 This U R U Thermal Tote is only $1 more than the other Thermal Totes, of which a dollar goes to the Thirty-One foundation! Super cute:)

 This little Double Pinch Coin Purse is absolutely adorable!!!

 At the TOP of my "want" list is this brand new Making Memories Thermal... with wheels, a handle, and even outside pocket for snacks, this bad boy will be GREAT for the pool/beach/tail gate party!!!

Along with many new goodies and prints, they now offer a great deal for hostesses... at every party booked from your own, you get A FREE ORGANIZING UTILITY TOTE of your choice and personalized! Super awesome item with no purchase necessary, just for hosting a party and having others host their own after:) LOVE IT!

To say I'm pumped again about selling these great items is an understatement. I love this stuff, and making money while helping others purchase cute things to be organized and feel good about themselves is awesome:) All the money I make as a consultant goes towards paying the monthly tuition for Dannen to attend his Christian based preschool every Friday and our girls' weekly dance classes:)

Anyone interested in viewing Thirty-One items (the new Spring collection opens to the public February 1st) can view my website!

Lil' Cheerleader

Makenzie has asked to be a cheerleader ever since moving here in September 2011. We are finally able to say she has successfully joined the MVP Joyful Jumpers Cheer Squad. She practices once a week, with games every Saturday for 8 weeks. Today, she had her very first game(s). They cheer for a half time, second half of one game, first half of another, then that half time. She had a blast! (*TOTALLY sad that I missed her big day, but very grateful Daddy took pics and videos!*)

SUPER cute outfit! Thankful for another parent's help with her hair bow lol

 Woohoo... ready to go!

 YAY... line up for the next bunch of basketball players! 

What a happy little girl!!! Can't wait to watch her continue loving being a cheerleader:)

First Snow

 It took what seems like FOREVER to get snow this winter. Last year at this same time, we had already been blessed with an enormous amount... so much that school was postponed a full month! Within 20 minutes of my kids realizing the snow was falling, we were all bundled up and playing outside:)

I can't get over how awesome the snow looks. For some reason, as a child, I thought snow was these cute little balls or pretty shapes floating in the air! It takes my breath away seeing them up close...

 Each one is so unique:)

Can't wait for MORE SNOW!!!!!!!!

Movie Monday- The Darkest Hour

So, to start off my New Year, my good friend and I went to the ~other~ theatre and watched "The Darkest Hour". I'm not into scary movies, so this looked a bit intense from the previews... but all in all it was pretty good, not too much scare factor. The 3D was awesome, especially during the electrical scenes! I admit, there were a few times when I jumped=D There are a few moments we both called the outcome, but one for sure was a surprise! Though I'm sure it didn't make enough $, I could definitely see a second movie. We let our kids watch a wide range of movies, having practically grown up in the movie theatre industry with William and I working in movie theatres. I would probably skip bringing them to this, solely because the darker scenes I'm sure would bring on electricity and "boogie man" nightmares.

Here's how I plan to rate the movies I see... watch once, rent again or purchase. This one ranks closer to the watch once mainly because it's pretty explanatory the first time around. The characters weren't that bad to look at, so that did help though lol

Check out THE DARKEST HOUR, a new thriller presented by the visionary director of WANTED, in theatres this December.