December 2024-January 2025

 I'm going to be playing catch-up for a while. Between Cooper's last year of high school, graduation, end of year ballroom performances, concerts, activities and  other "final" things, our lives have been nothing short of crazy. It's been a fun, bittersweet crazy. It's hard to believe my children are all grown up. They have both turned into fantastic human beings and I couldn't be prouder of them! Here's a recap of December and January!

It all began with the final Nutcracker performance. It was special because Amelia choreographed the dance again, and it was the best one yet! Truly. He has loved dancing and playing the many parts of the Nutcracker. He'll miss it for sure. I don't know what Ballet Arts will do next year without Cooper!

After that weekend, we had a slew of choir concerts including Madison Presents: A George Dyer Christmas. Amelia and I attended and were petrified when George Dyer came into the audience to have us help him sing---especially since we were sitting on aisle seats. Luckily, we didn't get chosen.

ANOTHER of our December weekends was the Fine Arts Dance. This was for all the Fine Arts students because they had missed the Winter Formal due to being in Utah the weekend it was held. Cooper asked one of his cabaret partners, Claire. They had a fantastic time. And, of course, ruled the dance floor!

I know it seems like my entries are mostly about Cooper because.....well, they are. Amelia is living upon campus both semesters this year because she's no longer saving money for Europe. Needless to say, we don't see much of her! 😂 Now, back to Cooper.

Christmas was a quiet, fun time with my little family together for the last time for a few years. Cooper will be missing the next two Christmases because he'll be on a mission. 

Whew! I think I remembered everything. Now that we've covered our crazy December--on to January.

First up was Cooper being accepted to Brigham Young University Idaho. He's deferring for his mission of course, but I was so proud of him for being admitted!

Cooper also had the East Idaho Ballroom concert. Unfortunately, he was feeling ill during the ballroom performance, but still danced and did an amazing job considering how he felt! The video is too large to upload, so here's the link: 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3hQuhqisoncQbGKx6

To wrap up January, Cooper worked on his cabarets (he's dancing two this year!) and got ready for competition season that begins in February. Hopefully I didn't miss anything, but if I did I'll try to edit it in. Stay tuned for February, March, April and May!

In the ballroom studio--where he's happiest.

October-November 2024

Waaaaaay behind. I think it's mostly because it's Cooper's senior year, so I'm working just experiencing it in the moment rather than worrying about documenting it. October and November were full of family time, visits to Utah, and holiday celebrating. Cooper participated in the school play (and killed it) and hung out with his ballroom friends. I squeaked in a girls weekend trip to Logan, UT and we finished it up with lots and lots and lots of ballroom practices. Cooper is REALLY going to miss dancing with IBA when he graduates! 

We even managed to see Amelia a bit--she's pretty entrenched in her college life this year now that she's not living at home to save for Europe. She's LOVING it and I love that she's so happy. Here's some pics:

 

HOCO 2025!

 Last weekend Cooper went to Homecoming. He sang with his choir the national anthem at the football game, then stayed to watch Madison DESTROY poor Blackfoot. Saturday he had his day date, then the dance. He asked his Silver Lift partner Sage, who he's also been friends with for a few years. His whole group was a fun bunch. Three of the girls in the group Cooper had asked to other dances, so they all knew each other well. Here's some pictures of the night:

Back to School....For the Last Time!

 School started a few weeks ago! It was hard to believe it's the LAST first day of school for Cooper. He's a senior! 😳 Hard to wrap my head around that. He has a pretty good schedule, because he took some summer classes he has a free period each trimester. So far, he's loved only going to school for 4 classes. He has almost his entire friend group in his Economics class, which makes him even happier. 

We had senior pictures taken over this last weekend (he's wearing his Italian tie Amelia brought him). I'll post those below. We'll get more toward the end of school, with him in his graduation gown and surrounded by all his ballroom trophies and medals. 😂 

Last first day of school pic:

His first grade pic:  

                                                 

Weekend Retreat

A few weekends ago we drove up to Mesa Falls area to hang out with Katie and her family. It was Linus' birthday, so we spent a few days hiking in the beautiful area, floating the river, eating waaaay too much good food, and spending time with our entire family together. It was a fantastic break! Here are some pictures:

The cabin had a huge hot tub. I think Linus spent more time in it that out of it!

We found a snow marker near Mesa Falls. Amelia was thrilled to hit the 5 foot mark!

Cooper was equally thrilled to hit the 6 foot mark!

I forget how gorgeous Mesa Falls is until I go back. We're super blessed to live so close to such a beautiful part of the world.

These two! Love them SO MUCH.

Our summer is coming to and end. We got through Cooper getting his wisdom teeth out (the videos were AMAZING, but he didn't want me to post them so I'll just enjoy them secretly), and now we're gearing up for the next and LAST school year for Cooper. Amelia has her Europe trip on a countdown and getting more excited every day. Good-bye summer of 2024! It was a fantastic one!