My Little Man is 6!

Today the handsomest little man I know turns the big SIX! As with all my kids' b-days, I really cannot believe so many years have gone by so quickly. I still remember this day (above) like it was yesterday...we had no idea we were having a little boy (I just assumed we'd be content with all girls)....but the good Lord had other plans :) He blessed us with the most handsome son/brother on that cold January 30, 2006. Even his sisters were smitten right away....since then they aren't quite so enamored , but still love him for the crazy brother he is :)
He just melted my heart with his sweet little boy face...(4 days old)
...and his little rolls....(6 months old)

...and those BIG blue eyes (1st b-day)
....and his crazy hair...(sorry about the "mushroom" cut, buddy :))...2nd b-day...

...his goofy grins... (3rd b-day)
...his always happy face... :) :) :) :) (4th b-day)
...he somehow just grew at lightning speed into this cute little boy... (5th b-day)
And here we are at 6 today....a big Kindergartner...whose first words to me this morning where "this is the BEST day ever....it's a school day, it's my birthday-day, and it's a present day!"....three of his favs packed in one day....that's really all he needs for a great b-day! I love you, my handsome man. I always dreamed of having a son, but never dreamed I'd have one as wonderful, handsome, smart, happy and funny as you :) You make me laugh and smile every day. I hope you never lose that deep joy in your heart. Happy Birthday, Dylan James!

NY, here she comes!

I know I don't blog much anymore, but this bit of news is definitely blog-worthy! We just found out today that Hailey made it into the 5-week summer course at SAB (School of American Ballet) in NY! I am still shaking and trying to wipe the happy tears off my face :) Most of you probably don't know much about SAB since you aren't in the world of ballet, but it is the top ballet school in the country (in my humble opinion :)) and extremely hard to get into (only about 200 make it out of 3000 who audition). She had her audition last weekend in Indy (and was the youngest at age 11) and I think her words afterwards were, "I messed up a few times, but not to the point that I think I failed". Haha...such humble and honest words from our ballerina. AND...not only did she get into the program, but she was blessed with a wonderful scholarship package. AMAZING! We are so proud of her and so grateful for this gift God has given her. I cannot wait to see her face later on today when she gets the news. She will be on cloud nine! Finally some good ballet news after a disappointing end-of-2012! So, NY...get ready....our beautiful ballerina will be gracing you with her presence soon! Now I need to start preparing myself to have her out of my sight for FIVE whole weeks. Lord, help me! But, I am so excited for my girl and this amazing opportunity to travel and better learn the art of ballet she loves so much...and especially to learn the art of Balanchine ballet, which I know she will love dancing. Congrats, Hays!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas weekend. We sure did...wonderful and cherished family times (though I miss not going to FL in Dec. for the first time ever...love you and miss you, Gritz fam). Now Kev and I are basking in alone-ness as the kids are off to Nina and Poppy Stegs for 4 days. Time to put my feet up for a couple days as this will probably be my last break til summer! Hopefully in 2012 I'll get back to blogging :)

Hailey's Nutcracker Weekend...Live Feed!

Dear Friends & Family,

I know so many of you are wonderful supporters of Hailey and her ballet "career" :)...so I wanted to let you know that she'll be dancing in the Nutcracker THIS Weekend-- Friday, Saturday and Sunday (EST) and it will again be featured on a live feed over the internet. So those of you who are far away or would rather enjoy watching from the comforts of home (for free!) and would like to see her dance will be able to do that yet again. I have only watched the live feed once, but I do believe you can make out most people on the stage (though they don't zoom in much). Hailey will be a party girl again in the first act (Party Scene) and will also be a Russian Trepak (on pointe) in the second act (Land of Sweets). She is in all 4 performances (8pm on Friday and Saturday night and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday afternoon). She enters through the door on the right of the stage this year as a party girl and will be initially wearing a blue bonnet/shawl and muff...then she'll be in a light pink/white party dress like most of the other girls (she is the tallest of the girls). And then she will be one of 4 Trepak girls (but it might be harder to see her there since her hair will be in a bun and they are all dark-haired girls)...she is on the far left most of the time and comes right after the Chinese dance (yellow/red outfits). If you blink you might miss her in this...it's a very quick song (I'm sure you will recognize it...it's one I danced in years ago :)) and I believe she only dances for like 30 seconds (but she is marvelous on pointe and the youngest to ever do this part at age 11). She will also be in the finale on the far left.

Thanks to all of you who will be watching and thinking of her this weekend...and for those who have been saying little prayers for us along the way. Many of you know what an emotional two months it's been with the disappointment of not getting the lead. She has been very gracious and mature about it all. But, it's still a shame to not see her as Clara as I know she would have been an amazing one. She really is a most gifted and talented ballerina. We are certain God will open other doors for her!

Thank you all for your love and support always and special thanks to all who are going to the performances this weekend. Have a blessed holiday season!

Sincerely,
Kelly :)

http://music.indiana.edu/iumusiclive/streaming/

Below are some pics of our beautiful "Party Girl" and "Trepak" :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble, Gobble to all our wonderful family and friends in (and out!) of the country :) We hope you are sitting around a table today with family and/or friends and thanking the good Lord for the many blessings He's showered upon you. Even though we've had a challenging few months we are so grateful for what we do have. We know we are truly blessed. Hope you all are having a blessed Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful pre-Thanksgiving last night with our Best Buds and now it's off to see the Steg fam....and then tomorrow we get to see our Awesome FL Nina! Lots to look forward to and be thankful for.

Thinking of you, Mom! :)

Just saying a little prayer today for my dear ol' Mom in FL as she is undergoing surgery (cryoablation) to hopefully fix her atrial fibrillation. We are anxious to have her heart beating normally again and praying she is up on her feet again soon so she can visit us next week! Love you, Mom/Nina. Hope Nurse Poppi will take good care of you since we can't be there to help! Love and hugs from all your grandkids who are especially concerned about you and your heart :)

Trick-or-Treat!

Happy Halloween from our neck of the woods to yours! Bet you thought we fell off the face of the earth, huh?! But, have no fear...we're here...just having a challenging couple of months...and time is never my friend as far as updating the blog is concerned. Trick-or-treat from Darth-Dylan, Cinderella-Ash, Cowgirl-Hays and Kitty-Shelb!