New Pictures

I'm sure you are all surprised to see another post so soon. I'm a little shocked myself. We took advantage of great weather on Saturday and got some pictures done. Since Steve was at the BYU game, the family shots will have to come later. I think I might actually be getting better at this photography thing. I didn't have to do nearly as much editing as I usually do. It also helps that they are older and therefore more cooperative (when properly bribed). Here is everyone one year older:

Who Knew.......

OK. This has been, hands down, the hardest post EVER!!!! I now officially hate putting videos in a blog. What? you say, but it's so easy--just click the icon and upload. If only life were that simple for me. However, I am a proud mom right now so it is probably worth all the hours I have spent staring at a computer screen this past week to get this done (maybe).

ADVICE: don't try to upload a video when using a computer that is much to old and slow to handle this kind of workload, and don't try edit down certain videos that are too long for blogger to handle while using a version of movie maker that is older than your video camera and therefore not compatible--you'll just end up staring at your computer screen for a very long time while nothing happens.

That said, here is the original post that I wrote a week ago. The video clips had to be published as their own blog entries because....well, I'm not really sure, but it worked to do it that way when just about everything else didn't, so I went with it. So....don't forget to look at the next two posts as well!! Also, my blog template cuts off the left side of the video (again-not sure why) so if you want to see the full screen just click on the video once to start it, then click it again and it will switch you to YouTube and you will be able to see the full screen.


Lehi High School does a Dancing With the Athletes competition--their version of the TV show. All the coaches nominate a few of the athletes on their teams and then the student body votes for their top 10 favorites. The top 10 athletes get paired up with a ballroom dance team member and they learn two dances. Then they perform the dances for judges. The audience participates by texting in their votes.

Tia has spent the last three weeks practicing and practicing and practicing (and doing homework and all those great end of term projects, taking the ACT, working, etc). But she also had a lot of fun and made some new friends.

The big night happened last Thursday. Tia was so nervous. Tia hasn't done much with dance, so we didn't really know what to expect. It was such a fun show to watch. Grandma and Grandpa Griffiths came, and Bree brought Abby and Liv. Paul was our designated texter at home with Eva. (thanks Paul-you were awesome)

Of course we all thought Tia was the best....and then....SHE WON!! Can you believe it?!

So I really wanted to post the videos of her dances so everyone can see them, and it was much harder than anticipated. If they don't work, please let me know (even though I really don't want to hear that right now) and I'll send you a link for YouTube.

ENJOY

cha cha video

waltz video

Homecoming

I just sent Tia off to the Homecoming dance. I'm still a little overwhelmed that I am this old!! We spent all of last weekend looking for the perfect dress. After hunting every bridal shop and mall I could think of we finally found IT in the kids section. Sadly, since it was the Nordstrom kids section, this didn't save us any money......But we are pretty sure nobody else will have her dress. There is a very limited selection of dresses in her size (that are also modest) around here. Bree was kind enough to come over and help design the perfect hair and make-up. I am absolutely lacking in these areas. And now off she goes--a nervous ball of energy ready for her perfect evening. Here's the pics:

Finally Victorious

Kobe and I spent our birthday weekend in Salt Lake. I was watching and Kobe was playing in the Addidas Cup. Kobe was amazing and the team won the championship game...by one point in double overtime. It was one intense game. I tell you--there is nothing better than sitting on the sidelines melting in 100 degree weather while watching your son get heat stroke and loving every minute of it. They have gotten second place in this tournament for the last 2 years, so this win was "sweeeeet". (direct quote from Kobe and Chase)

And being 37 isn't so bad.....because now I have a new rice cooker and a hand mixer that has two working beaters.


(notice that my child is not the shortest anymore)

It's A Boy!!

You need to meet out new addition--this is Rhino. (He is named after the coolest hamster we know--the one in the Bolt movie) He's the cutest dwarf hamster in the pet store. And Brooklyn can't stand to be away from him. I had to start a "no bothering him when he's asleep or in his house" rule, but otherwise he enjoys more love than he can take. Yes, I know you are all jealous that your parents and older sibling didn't get you a hamster for your 10th birthday, but you can come enjoy ours anytime you feel that need. Brooklyn also had a fun party with her friends. Bree and I taught them some basic cake decorating and let them design their own cakes. Thanks for keeping me sane Bree. Here's the pictures:
(this might be an all time record for postings in one month...)