My "Side Job"

I have the 2 BEST "Jobs" in the world! In additon to being a mom, I teach dance twice a week (4 classes on Tuesdays and 1 class on Thursdays). I LOVE my little dancers, and it has been so fun teaching them and getting to know all their unique and fun-loving personalities. They are so sweet and loving, as well as adorable and hard-working. I am always met at the studio with a big hug from two or more of my students, and it makes being there more than just a "side job." I am a better person because of the love they give, and I hope I am a good example, teacher and friend to them.
This weekend we had our Christmas production of "The Little Match Girl." I choreographed 6 pieces for the show, and had a blast doing it. My classes performed well and had so much fun. Seeing their smiling faces made me so happy! I love dance and the joyful emotions it creates for so many people, including myself :) I actually had the opportunity of doing a little "Mother/Daughter duet" with one of my 5 yr old students, Raimee. It was fun to be on stage again, and she did a wonderful job! She was oozing confidence and performed adorably! It was SO much fun--can't wait for next semester's production of "Cinderella!"

4yr old Advanced Creative
Tuesday 3-4 yr old Creative
Beginning Modern: They're crazy and so much fun

5-7 yr old Creative

Me and Raimee after performing our duet

Me and Amanda with the company girls! I teach the company Modern and she teaches Ballet

Temple Square Lights

We recently went to see the lights at Temple Square with my family. It was freezing, but it was still really fun! Annabelle was so excited to be there--she was all smiles from the moment we got out of the car until we put her in her car seat after the hot chocolate! It was fun to see how much she enjoyed being with everyone, and how much she loved being outside. A few days ago she said, "I like the cold--it's a nice day!" Each time we'd stop in a building to get warm, she'd say "I wanna go outside. Let's go outside." I think she just loved the atmosphere, how many kids and families were there (it was packed), the lights, the water, and that we were all together. Actually, those are the exact reasons I loved it too :) It all comes down to family--families are the BEST! Especially at Christmastime!

After Temple Square we all went to get hot chocolate. The girls we so hyper, running around and chasing each other, laughing until they couldn't breathe! It was a wonderful sound, and since we were the only ones there, we didn't stop them. What a great night!

A Bos Family Thanksgiving

The Bos family

Fixing the oven

Mimi and Papa Bos

"Wow! It's bright out here!"

Josh teaching Annabelle how to make a snowball

Awwww cute

Playing a little "game" together

All the guys in their ugly sweaters. Eric was definitely a contender for the win

During Thanksgiving dinner. Josh was also a participant in the ugly sweater contest, not so much a contender :) TOUGH competition!

This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Bos family. We rented a cabin in Oakley, UT and spent 3 1/2 wonderful, relaxing days together. We all arrived on Wednesday afternoon, unpacked our packed-to-capacity vehicles and unloaded their contents equally between the loft and kitchen. Wednesday night was our family's night to cook dinner, so I turned on the oven, began mixing all the ingredients, and low and behold...A BROKEN OVEN! Yep, a broken oven the night before Thanksgiving, an oven that required a new part, and not just a few handymen (we had plenty of those on hand). Well let's see...we're in Oakley, and it's 6:30pm the night before Thanksgiving, so...what are our options right? Never fear! When there's a will, there's a way! Scott and Josh grabbed their coats and hats and headed out to the Park City Home Depot. As they were closing up shop, Scott convinced them to give him a new element out of one of their "show ovens," and they actually agreed...then gave it to him for FREE! I am sure his story of our potentially-ruined Thanksgiving in a rented cabin (whose owner refused to answer his phone)with the entire family in town from all overhad a SMALL part in this outcome :) While they were in Park City, Mimi (Josh's mom) had contacted an appliance repairman (on his cell), and he had agreed to meet Josh and Scott down at his shop in Heber. He also gave them a new element to try, which ended up being the exact part we needed to fix the oven! So...after a rough start to the trip, yet some awesome help from a few very kind men who were feeling the spirit of the holidays, our trip officially began. And the microwaved hot chicken salad sandwiches for dinner weren't bad either :)

Thanksgiving Day was a blast! Lots of relaxing, reading through the latest magazines, and snacking. Right before dinner, all the guys busted out their ugly sweaters for some serious laughs and modeling, while also showing off their redneck mustaches (I have been forbidden from posting some pictures, i.e. the funniest ones!). Nikki even surprised us with a little something she had been saving up for the past few weeks as well :) Dinner was delicious, the only distraction was Annabelle saying "Amen! I want a Diet Coke!" right in the middle of the prayer :) After dinner Jen got out her paints and paper to make cute little turkeys with Annabelle, Liv and Maddie. We finished off the night by putting the kids in bed, playing a game of Wacky 6, and watching "Four Christmases." Awwww Bliss. This is night we also discovered a little skunk outside going through the trash. This little skunk lived underneath the cabin and would constantly scratch on the wall in the bathroom. And yes...he did spray a time or two before we left.

Friday was awesome as well. Many rounds of Wacky 6 with everyone, one looooooong round of Phase 10 with all the girls, and many Wii games for the guys. We all ate pizza for dinner, then us girls decided to head into Kamas for a 9:00 showing of "New Moon," while the guys stayed home and played Risk. The theatre was very old school, with only one movie playing at the theatre at a time. They don't even take debit cards yet :) There was also a stage in front of the movie screen, which was pretty funny.

Saturday morning we all packed up, cleaned up, and headed out early enough to get home for the BYU game. It was such a great Thanksgiving! It's always fun to have everyone around to celebrate. So excited for a wonderful Christmas season!! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!!