Merry Christmas

I'll have to do quite a bit of explaining about this post,but I think I'll do most of it next time...This year not only was Audrey cast as the snow queen in her local ballet but she tried out for the professional production of the Nutcracker by Ballet West in Salt Lake City and made it for the part of a "Lady in Waiting". So, while I know that I need to post pictures of her as the snow queen, this is what's consuming us as of late. Here we are, at the Capitol Theater. She performs every day sometimes twice a day from the 22nd through the 31st except on Christmas day. These pictures with our little family are from the Christmas Eve matinee. She's not allowed to wear her costume out of the theater and I'm not allowed to take any pictures of it. We are allowed to purchase professional pictures from Ballet West's Photographer -of course..- and so I'll be scanning those in and posting them soon.

 

Due to it being Christmas Eve, Santa was on hand. Also, Sam's mom, her husband and her sister Michelle came for Audrey's performance on the 23rd. They left the 24th but we were so glad to have them even for a short time. I had to add this picture of Michelle, she slept in Elle's bed and Sam insisted I get a picture of his Aunt all tucked in nice and cute into Elle's little girl bed. Pretty funny.

I can't even tell you how many times I told Reese to tuck in that shirt!!

These pictures were from Audrey's first night - we had several friends come to support her. My friend Cassidy from Georgia came, Kate and Reagan from across the street and my Friend Brooke, her sister Heather and all their cute little girls. Audrey felt like a star!

As you can see in the group photo below, I finally didn't crouch - and the result that I usually try to avoid... I look like a giant. Oh well, Cassidy's right up there with me. I did, of course have heels on as well, so that probably didn't help. It was a great night and Elle said "that was the best Nutcracker I ever saw!" There really is something so incredibly magical about a professional ballet production. I actually got teary a couple of times. I think just seeing the amazing talent of the dancers combined with the live orchestra just made me think of how perfect and beautiful the human body is, and what a gift we're given by Heavenly father of amazing bodies and minds with talents that are beautiful. That and the fact that I was sitting in a grand, warm, historic theater, waiting to see my daughter take the stage - it was a little overwhelming. All in a good way.

Even though there's been plenty of driving back and forth to rehearsals and shows, somehow we've been able to squeeze in all of our usual traditions. We hope everyone has had an amazing and blessed Christmas season. With Love Sam, Kim, Audrey, Reese and Elle.