RAINBOW CONNECTION DANCE COMPETITION!

We have officially entered a whole new world of dancing. Today was Emma's first dance competition. It was actually pretty fun we have to admit. Yesterday Emma informed us that she wants to start competing in solos as well as group routines and then today after watching some trios perform she said she would like to do that as well. Her love just keeps on growing for dance - really I think its the performing part - she is addicted to it.

Grandma Jensen was kind enough to show up this morning at 9am so we could head out to the competition, we got there and watched some girls perform for a while and then it was Emma's turn - I busted out the video camera to tape her but I had to sneak it because the competition rules state there is no photography allowed because they don't want you taping other studios numbers and copying their moves and costumes (to the ladies sitting behind me to my left - yes I heard you getting snippy about my videotaping but get over it!).

When Emma was done dancing Jared says to me, "I could have sworn she just winked at the judges!"
"No way, she wouldn't do that!" and we just laughed at the thought of her doing that. As soon as Emma was done dancing we go and grab her to take off to Jackie's baptism/luncheon and we tell her how dad thought she winked and she says (very matter of fact like), "Ya I did wink!" What a funny girl she is and if you are wondering - no, her studio did not tell her to do that.We quickly ate at the luncheon and rushed back to the competition only to find out after a wrong turn and talking to a dumb girl in the parking lot we missed her going on stage and getting her award by 5 minutes. Her little dance number won 7th overall and platinum (whatever that is) out of all the group routines....I wish I knew how many there were but I do know this - her routine was #67 and they still had at least 10 more after her - some of those were solos, but the majority were group routines so we are really proud and happy for her! She couldn't stop staring at her trophy and had to hurry and call Grandpa and Grandma Rodgers and share the good news with them and wanted daddy to drive faster so she could run and show Grandma Jensen.

(2 new dance videos posted under the video link)

THE INSIDE OF IT IS OUT!

We went to the park today to ride razors and get some fresh cold/rainy air and Emma got out of the Armada and saw this and said..."Ew! It's a dead fish head. The inside of it is out!" We found that comment to be quite funny :)

WILLIAMSFIELD HIGHSCHOOL!

Emma had another basketball half time show performance. She has 3 this month in preparation for their big show at the Suns game in March. We got babysitters (thank you Grandma Jensen and thank you Uncle RJ) the last 2 times to stay home with the twins and then we take Eli with us to the game. He loves cheering and watching the game with his dad but he especially LOVES watching Emma. As soon as he sees the girls coming out he scans the crowd for Emma and cheers for her like crazy! He will just sit there and watch her forever. He is a proud little brother! Emma did a great job as usual and even had a mom come up and tell me how great she is and how she is a real star and that night when we got home Emma says, "mom, when that lady complimented me, it made me feel really good!" Emma really did do a great job that night, she ended up getting the SAS award for best performer out of all the girls.

ELI STARTS APPLES TO ZEBRAS!

Eli started Apples to Zebras this week! He is funny. He did really well the first day and didn't cry and just did his own thing silently without any real emotions showing. Then after school I took him to get some french fries and a drink and now every day after school he asks for his french fries. Randomly through out the day he will come up to me and say, "Mom! I go to preschool!" and then he will lean in as he waits for me to hug him and tell him how proud I am of him. He gets to carpool with his girlfriend Kiki and they have a great time together.

ASHLEY AND EMMA COME HOME!

After serving a mission for 19 months Ashley finally got released to come home. Grandma and Grandpa Rodgers took Emma with them to pick her up. She was gone for 6 days and nights from us and we were so happy to see her come home and have that experience she will remember for the rest of her life.Emma called us when she landed in Georgia and said some pretty funny things to me. Keep in mind Emma has been flying on planes since she was 7 months old on a pretty regular basis, the only thing is, we always fly Southwest. Emma flew on Delta this time and experienced something a little different.
"Mom, did you know I had my own TV on the plane?! MY OWN TV!!!"

"are you ok with me watching Nickelodeon?"
"Yes Em"
"good! because I watched a ton of it!"

"Guess what?! When I put my hands under the soap in the bathroom, it comes out all by itself!! Can you believe it?!"

"I got to ride 2 trains today and 1 airplane"!
"Wow Em, you're spoiled and lucky!"
"I know! And don't forget a car too!"

Then later after checking into a hotel she calls and says...
"3 things mom, 1 the TV channels are all different here; 2, Grandma and I saw squirrels and 3, I'm sorry."
"for what?"
"for forgetting about you for a while." then she proceeds to giggle with excitement.

Emma got to do many wonderful things with Grandma, Grandpa and Ashley. They rode golf carts all around the Georgia mission office,they got to visit and meet many of the amazing people Ashley taught and baptized, they got to stay at sweet Brother Morris' house and even gave a present to Emma and spoiled Ashley,they went to the World's Largest Aquarium,they tasted real southern food like fried green tomatoes, collard greens, etc,Emma froze her buns off in 19 degree weather,they met Ashley's favorite companion Sister Bush and hung out with her - Ashley even let Emma tag along for some girl time and Emma thought she was hot stuff being a big girl.I wish I had more stories to tell but they aren't mine to share so the 4 of them will have to cherish those memories together themselves. We are so glad that Grandma and Grandpa invited Emma to go with them. What an amazing thing for her to do. She has been talking about missions ever since (although she doesn't talk like she is going on one).

Ashley tried and tried to get us to have our twins before she left on our mission but it just didn't happen much to the surprise of everyone including the doctors. I was induced and gave birth the day Ashley entered the MTC! She finally got to meet her twin nephews the day she came home. There was of course the obvious hesitation from them towards her but we broke her in right away with babysitting them and they have been friends ever since (of course its only been 3 days but whose counting really).

AZ SCIENCE CENTER

The day before Emma left to Georgia for 6 days Jared took it off of work so he could play with her and Eli. He took them to the AZ Science Center and they had a great time all hanging out together. Me and the twins hung out at home and bonded, oh ya and packed for Emma, did house work, changed diapers, whatever :)

MY 19 YEAR GOAL!

Everyone talks about their new goals this time of year and I have to say I don't make New Years Resolutions. I am not really sure why, probably because I don't want to be disapointed when I don't achieve them and really - just getting a shower in during the day is accomplishing a good goal for the day for me :) ha ha! But, I do have a goal, I set it last year and it will take 19 years to complete - but I hope to do it. I want to take a picture of the twins every year next to their Missionary piggy banks and then when they leave on their missions be able to look back at how much they have grown. It's probably a laughable goal to most but to me, I think its awesome!