Happy 8th Birthday Gianna!

Happy birthday to my baby girl! 

Gianna Mae, you add sunshine, joy and laughter to our lives.  What a personality you have!  We are so lucky you're ours!!! 

I keep telling you how much you are going to love being 8 years old!  There is so much more you can do when you're 8!   You'll be stronger, smarter and I'm sure even funnier...if that's even possible...

Happy Birthday baby girl!!!



Sweet

Squirt A Champions!!!

Nicholas' team won the Squirt A championship tonight!  It was a fantastic year for him playing goalie. 

Getting ready for the big game...

So many siblings there cheering them on!!  So cute!

In between periods listening to Coach...

After the buzzer...

Proud sisters...yes, Julia is proud...she's just making a strange face...and I think Gianna just wants that trophy for herself! 

In the very end of the video below, the boys get the coach with the Gatorade in the trophy...

Gianna's birthday party

Gianna had her 8th birthday party at Monkey Joe's!  She invited all her good friends from school and dance...

It was her idea to have a "dog" cake.  She picked out her favorite dogs from her collection.  They all have names of course.  She wasn't too happy when her friends asked if they could each have one after she blew out the candles!  I don't think they realized they are her prized possessions!  I quickly gathered them and put them in my pocketbook for safe keeping....

Julia's sweet sister friends from dance...

 

Starquest

Here are a few snapshots from the competition.  I'm waiting to get the pictures I purchased from the official photographer!  Some of those came out beautiful!

Gianna with some friends from "Curly Shuffle".  I think Gianna looks so pretty with her makeup on!

Gianna in "China Doll"...she is 3rd from the left. 

 Gianna being lifted in "Curly Shuffle".  Look at those pretty feet!!

Gianna got to go up and get the 1st place trophy for "China Doll". Curly Shuffle was 2nd. 

I love this costume for "He's a Dream"...so simple but gorgeous on stage...

The girls stretching before their acro production "United"...Julia is on the far left...ouch!! : )

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is your birthday.  I know you wouldn't have liked this number so I won't bother mentioning it.  I miss you more than words can say.  You know I think about you each and every day.  You will be in my heart forever.  I love you.  xo

Another storm

We had this crazy long snow storm the end of last week. It lasted for two days! But the funny thing was...I think everyone was in denial about this one. Our school only had a 2 hour delay and when they got on the bus...it was snowing like crazy! I don't think anyone wanted to use up another snow day so off they went! The snow had already melted a lot by the time I took these pictures....

It was super sticky which made it fun!  Gianna and her Daddy made this giant snowball...

But spring is definately in the air!  I'm looking forward to some warm sunshine soon! 

Daughter Dance

Last night was the school Daughter Dance...the girls looked so beautiful!

Nicholas "photo-bombing" the picture...that's what he called it...

Gianna annoyed by her "photo-bombing" brother....

They had a wonderful time!  And I got to spend time with the "photo-bomber".  We went to dinner and had some good Mama Son time.  I love my babies!

Happiness

"But even with all that others were willing to offer me, I realized along the way that ultimately nothing they did could make me happy. I felt comforted by family and my faith, but peace was different from happiness. At first I thought stubbornly that the only thing that would make me happy was for my life to look like it did before the accident. But no one could give that to me, and no one else could make me happy. Happiness was my choice, and though it is hard won, I am the only person who can stand in the way of it."

-taken from the memoir, Heaven is Here.

Headliners

Julia and Alyssa competed at Headliners yesterday.  Julia looked so beautiful and graceful!  I couldn't have been more proud!

They both won Elite Gold....

Julia came in 5th place overall in the Junior Division...that was out of 25 routines!

1st London Mills

2nd Maddison Hulburt

3rd Sydney Mills

4th Meena Jay

5th Julia!!!

Julia received a special judges award for "Powerhouse, Elevation and Extension"!!

What a great way to start the season!