03.28.2015: JUMP Competition - Day 2

 

After Andrew's game, we all headed over to the convention center to catch-up with Brianna and her afternoon dances.  She had classes all morning, and competition was all afternoon.  Her group was performing 3 routines....a ballet, a jazz-tap, and their signature Rio dance.  They were scattered throughout the afternoon so we decided to first eat some lunch at the Hyatt before we went in.  It was a long morning and we were pretty starved!  And kinda needed a drink...just because!

 

Brianna's first performance was their ballet performance with the Bird Cage.  They girls did great!  Then they did their tap routine, then the Rio last.  We stayed for all of them, and enjoyed all the girls performances as well.  Dad & Vince had to make a trip to the car for some tailgating.  We brought some roadies with us haha!  They made it back though and didn't miss any of the shows.  Avery did amazing sitting through it all like a champ.  It was a LONG afternoon!! 

 

After Brianna was completely done, we all went to dinner.  It was late and we were tired though so we tried to make it quick.  That night, Vince and I took Ray & Lois home, then went over to Brent's to pick up Yukon to bring him back to our house.  Brent stayed at the hotel with Alisa and all the kids tonight, and we didn't want Yukon to have to be alone.  They were having a house showing the next morning too, so thought it would be best if we just dog-napped him for the night.  When we got there, he was nowhere to be found.  It kinda freaked me out!  I literally couldn't find him, and he wasn't coming when I called him...VERY unlike Yukon!  Usually he cant wait to see visitors.  Finally found him hiding upstairs in the movie room behind the bookcase. He looked mad, and sad, and irritated!  Had to basically carry him to the car to take him home.  Poor guy, felt so bad for him!

 

This was also the last night we would see Ray & Lois on this trip.  They were leaving in 2 days, so we wouldn't see them again until next Jan.  Kinda sad saying goodbye...seems like the springs just go way too fast.  It is always good seeing them and spending time with them...especially because Ray reminds me so much of Papa.  Its like having him back with us for a little bit.

 

 

03.28.2015: Andrew's First Game of the New Season

Today was the first game of the new season.  Lots of boys from Cambridge on this season's team...good group!  Brent is excited to coach them, and had a pretty intense "hell week" for them over spring break.  They should be ready!!

 

Vince and I drove out to Mesa to pick up Ray & Lois to join us for the day.  They hadn't been to one of Andrew's games this year yet...and they picked a HOT one to come to!  Today was record highs (96 degrees), and intense sun! 

 

They boys played really well, and were aggressive.  The other team was VERY aggressive and a little dirty!  A couple of the boys were tackling and holding all game.  They played tough.  We lost but it was close.  The boys were exhausted!  Ray & Lois enjoyed watching them.

 

03.27.2015: Hanging with the Family

After the girls performance, Brent, Avery, Mom, Dad, Vince and I went to lunch while Alisa and Brianna hung out with the dancers & their moms.  We walked over to the Tilted Kilt for lunch while they all went to Ashley's house. 

 

After our lunch, we went to check Mom & Dad into their hotel downtown (they got rooms for them and Alisa & Nana for the weekend).  Brent left to go get Andrew from school and have "man day" with him.  We hung out at the hotel for a while playing with Avery, who taught us a new version of tic tac toe.  The version where she tells you where to put your pieces and where she always wins.  It was hilarious messing with her.  She was not having anyone else win, or put their X's and O's anywhere but where she told you to.  She played that game for a while, then got frustrated with us trying to "win".  We were laughing so hard!  She also sampled ALL the candy in her pre-Easter basket that mom had brought for her. After a while of letting Avery entertain us, we made our way back to Scottsdale before the Friday traffic got too bad.  

 

 

 

 

Brianna had some dance classes later in the afternoon & evening so they would be busy the rest of the day.

 

Dancers at lunch together

Afternoon classes at JUMP

03.27.2015: JUMP Competition - Day 1

Today, Vince and I went downtown to the Phoenix Convention Center to watch Brianna perform at JUMP competition.  She won a scholarship to attend it this year!  Her and her bestie, Brooke, performed a duet today.  It is her first duet ever, and the first time they have performed it.  They did AMAZING!  Super, super cute costumes and they danced to "If Your Lips Are Moving".  Sooo cute!  I wish I video'd it but there was supposed to be no video or cameras in there.  Of course, I snuck a few pics anyways.  Can't help myself!!  :)

 

The girls won a High Silver award for their performance, which is amazing, especially with it being their first time performing it, and on such a big stage.

 

Brianna has been doing so good in her dance lately.  Very confident and her amazing personality is coming out more & more.  I love seeing her grow in this.  Such a big change from when she started.  Glad she has stuck with it, takes it so seriously (but has a blast at the same time) and is really embracing it!  I know it helps that she is surrounded by some great girls and an AWESOME teacher.

 

 

The pics below were taken by some of the mom's and I "borrowed" them from Facebook :) 

Cambridge Dancers with their awards for solos and duets

Besties

 

03.20.2015: Football Dinner & Dance Party

After the boys football practice tonight, some of the team (the kids who all go to Cambridge) came over to Brent & Alisa's for dinner.  They boys (Andrew, Aiden, Jared, and Matthew) all went swimming, even though it was still freezing! They didn't seem to care, even though they weren't in for long. Mainly because the parents made them get out once the lightening started!  It was crazy weather...an amazing cloud formation came through...but no rain!

 

It was fun hanging out with this group: Kristin & Derek, Sylvianna & Mike, and Kelly & Brian!!  They are all so nice, and such good people!  The adults all chilled around the table outside, and then we moved to the firepit once it got dark. We laughed soooo hard!!  The kiddos decided to have a dance party inside while we were outside.  I snuck in and snapped some pics of them while they were busy dancing.  Sooo cute!!  

 

Weird clouds invaded us that were full of lightening.  No rain, just lots of lightening!

Cheer squad

Making sure Yukon is ok

Kids dining table

Let the dance party begin!!

Piggy getting out of control

No idea if they are doing the line dance, or ???