Welcome to the 2008 Mix Dance Show

With four girls there is always dancing around here. We can't get through a meal with out telling someone to sit down and eat. Even Jayne loves a good dance. We love this time of year and love to read updates and cards from everyone. Here is our year in review...We also have a private family blog so if you haven't been invited leave me your email and I will invite ya!

January Show

2008 started out with a bang! Tess turned 8! She had a sleep over party and spa day. It was fun but a lot of work. She had lots of friends and a couple of cousins come. They had a great time and it still gets talked about.

Dave turned 31 on the 31st so it was a golden year. I don't remember what we did so clearly it was really memorable...whoops!

January was the first month we started back to dance. Tess and Brynn signed up for a few classes, I teach creative movement to the two year olds, and Claire is taking the same class. I also go in a couple of times a week for a few hours to help in the office. I also go each morning and babysit the kids for a dollar per kid-for one hour. It is great to have some extra spending money and it also gives my kids a great opportunity to grow and learn! We love MDA.

March Show

Tess got Baptized March 8, 2008! We were so proud of her decision and the beautiful young lady she is becoming. It was so neat to have all the family support that came to be a part of her big day.

May Show

 

May was filled with lots of highlights.

Amy joined us, to teach swim lessons, earn money and help out. We love the summers she comes to live with us. We always have a great time and the girls love to get to know her better.

Claire turned 3...which means potty training! EEEK! She has done great but I heard recently someone say, their not fully trained until their 5...I would have to agree. We also received more answers about her kidney condition and were able to follow through with some simple procedures. It didn't go as well as we had hoped but we are hoping no more reflux! She is such a joy, she really keeps us laughing and me worrying. A neighbor told me to take an extra insurance policy out just for her. I am afraid I agree. She is just too smart.

May was the end of the first semester of dance. The show was so much fun and such a learning experience. We have made so many fun new friends and learned so much.

May was also the end of the school year! Yea! Tess and Brynn did great. Both received great grades and high marks from their teacher. Brynn got to advance to first grade even though she was in early kindergarten.

We also met Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Austin, Aunt Julianne, cousin Addy, in Big Bear California! It was by far one of the funnest vacations. We loved the swimming, playing, and just hanging out!

July Show

Our much needed month off. We headed to Utah and to the cabin in Idaho. We so cherish the time spent with distant family and look forward to the rest and relaxation it brings.

Highlights:

Stadium of Fire-Hannah Montana

Floating down the river with Dad

Seeing President Monson in the Pioneer Parade

running in the freedom festival
seeing Austin perform at the stadium of fire

August Show

August started off with a bang as we celebrated Amanda and Stephen's marriage. We through a big luau here at our club house. It was so much fun and such a great time with so many friends and family came to support.

We also had a great time with some of Grandma's family. We had another pool party and family dinner. It was good to see old faces and meet the new.

August was the first day of school. Tess headed off to 3rd grade with Ms. Sanchez's class, and Brynn off to 1st grade with Mrs. Clement's class. Since school started Tess was tested for the gifted program and gets to go to Mrs. Hausler's class every Tuesday as well. We love the challenge. School is one area that Tess and Brynn have shown their differences. Tess loves school, Brynn loves to socialize. I have had more than one note home that has said Brynn was talking today...Fortunately I feel her pain, why listen when you have something interesting to share!

Jen also turned 30 this month! Ouch...it was a tough adjustment, but she is embracing it and learning to love it!

October Show

Brynn stole the show this month when she turned 6 years old. We had a super fun luau with her cousin and friend. We had so much fun doing the hula, hula hoop, sipping from coconuts, bowling and playing. Brynn is such a great help. She loves to play with Jayne and Claire and keeps them occupied when I need to do something.

Grandma and Amy came to visit, while here the Hoopes cousins were in town to visit their Yost cousins and stopped we got to have a great big Fall festival with them. It really was so stinking cool!
We also had a great time for Halloween. Costumes were, 70's witch (Tess), Miley Cyrus (Brynn), carebear (Claire and Jayne).

November Show

Jayne stole the show in November. She turned one years old! She has been such a delight in our family. This month she grew a tooth...one tooth for a one year old. She also started standing up with out assistance. I am sure she will be walking soon, maybe for Christmas.

Jen put on quite a show for Thanksgiving. It was the Hoopes Family Reunion here at our house. It was so fun to host such a fun gathering. We started the weekend with the first annual turkey trot. She combined efforts with COMPA and we donated a bunch of canned goods to the FOR food bank here in Maricopa. It was such a dream come true for me when 75 participants came to participate. The rest of the weekend was super fun too. Austin and Julianne planned shirt tie-dying, crafting, shopping, shooting, eating out, temple lights, and of course a few games. A real highlight for me was shopping with Julianne-at gymboree!

December Show

This month mom spent as many hours as she had left to finish making costumes for the Holiday express show. There were many late nights but we did it and all went well. Tess and Brynn performed in the show. They had a lot of fun and were fabulous! It is always fun to see them perform. Claire slept through her chance on stage, but it was probably better that way, she was catching a cold. Tess and Brynn also performed at the Tempe Marketplace.
We have spent time doing fun Christmas things like the ward party where we saw Santa, looking at Christmas lights, working together on neighbor gifts, cookie exchanges and dentist appointments.
December's show also brings Christmas with the Mix's. We look forward to seeing our cousins and spending more good times this month.

The girls will also be performing in the Fiesta Bowl Parade on Jan. 3 in Glendale! Way cool!

Thanks for Stopping By ...

We have finally joined the technology world and rather than making our Christmas card by hand...we are doing it digitally! I sure hope you enjoy our year in review...Leave us a comment and tell us what you think.